SO last fall we were at one of the Food and Wine special dining meals (Italian lunch at Tutto Gusto) and one of the couples at our table had to leave early because they were going for an interview to join Club 33. So yes, I can confirm at WDW you have to apply and then they interview you. My guess is mostly they want to see if you really have the financail where-withal to stay a member. It is super-duper expensive, but honestly not so super-duper expensive that there aren't plenty of people out there that can afford it.