Top of the World access question

[erionm]

Are you able to get into TOTWL on the night of check-out day of a qualifying stay?

You are considered a resort guest until midnight of your check-out day.

 

[DebbieB]

Has anyone ever been turned away because of capacity? I've never heard it mentioned. The lounge holds about 75 and the deck 400.

 

[freediverdude]

I have a question about this- right now I have a reservation at GF for July 4th, but not sure how well I could see perimeter fireworks and the music from there. So if, as a hypothetical, if I were to change my reservation to a cash reservation made through Disneyworld.com, staying at Bay Lake Tower, would I then be able to see the fireworks from the TOTWL if I am a DVC member? On that particular night that is one of the 4 blackout nights for the regular privilege, so I didn't know if you had to be staying there on points as well as be a DVC member, or whether a cash reservation at BLT plus a DVC member card would do. The points rooms are all gone for that night, but there are cash rooms available (of course, lol).

 

[DenLo]

From the MS website:

Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with vacation points or cash) may enjoy access to one of the vacation kingdom's most exclusive spaces: Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort through December 29, 2015 (blockout dates apply, including but not limited to December 30, 2014, December 31, 2014, July 3, 2015 and July 4, 2015). Current operating hours are 6 p.m. to midnight.

Looks like it would work if you do a cash reservation.

 

[supersnoop]

From the MS website:



Looks like it would work if you do a cash reservation.

I really hate the way that "rule" is written on the website. That's the rule for folks staying in property, but there's no specific detail listing who is allowed during the blockout dates. I would assume a member with any reservation at BLT would be allowed. But I'd really like to see the access spelled out better.

 

[erionm]

I have a question about this- right now I have a reservation at GF for July 4th, but not sure how well I could see perimeter fireworks and the music from there. So if, as a hypothetical, if I were to change my reservation to a cash reservation made through Disneyworld.com, staying at Bay Lake Tower, would I then be able to see the fireworks from the TOTWL if I am a DVC member? On that particular night that is one of the 4 blackout nights for the regular privilege, so I didn't know if you had to be staying there on points as well as be a DVC member, or whether a cash reservation at BLT plus a DVC member card would do. The points rooms are all gone for that night, but there are cash rooms available (of course, lol).

Looks like it would work if you do a cash reservation.

My understanding is that on the blackout dates is that you have to be using your membership to stay BLT to have access the TOTWL & Observation Deck. Reservations booked through DVC (points or cash) are considered using your membership, reservations through disneyworld.com (or anywhere else) are not.

 

[CarolMN]

My understanding is that on the blackout dates is that you have to be using your membership to stay BLT to have access the TOTWL & Observation Deck. Points reservation & cash reservations booked through DVC are considered using your membership, cash reservations through disneyworld.com (or anywhere else) are not.

My understanding is the same as Michael's - you must book the cash reservation through through MS to have access. If you book the cash reservation any other way, the CMs may allow you up with your BLT KTTW card and your membership card, but I wouldn't count on it.

 

[freediverdude]

Well that would actually be nicer to get the DVC discount on the cash room, I should call them and see if that's available, because the disneyworld.com room was not discounted, full rack rate. But I do have trouble believing that their system can somehow discern between a DVC cash and CRO cash reservation when checking someone to go up to the lounge. Maybe it can, but that does seem like a stretch- we're talking Disney IT here remember, lol.

 

[freediverdude]

Ok....so I had a chat with member services on the website, and here is the transcript. They contacted Bay Lake Tower directly to inquire. I think I will still call member services to see if I can get the discount, but this is nice to know.

Live Chat - Exit Survey


General Info
Chat start time Jun 25, 2015 5:06:29 PM EST
Chat end time Jun 25, 2015 5:25:57 PM EST
Duration (actual chatting time) 00:19:27
Operator Todd


Chat Transcript
info: One moment while we route your chat to a Disney Vacation Club Cast Member. The approximate wait time to chat with an Advisor is 1:39
info: You are now chatting with Todd.
Todd: Welcome Home! How may I assist you today?
Nicholas: Hi Todd, well I was wondering if I could inquire if there was a dvc unit available to rent with cash with a dvc cash discount?
Todd: That's a great question! To check rates and availability for cash reservations with the Member discount, you will need to call Member Services and speak to one of our Vacation Advisors. This information is not available online.
Todd: We can be reached by phoning (***) ***-****, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM ET and Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET.
Nicholas: Oh ok, thank you. Do you know if usually something is available on disneyworld.com if it's also available as a cash reservation through member services, or is that like a 3rd separate inventory, lol.
Todd: Very good question! Usually if its available through disneyworld.com we can book it too, but the discount isn't always available.
Todd: That cash availability comes from your fellow Members booking exchanges through things like the Concierge Collection or the Disney Cruise Line.
Todd: Those locations don't accept Vacation Points so we have to rent out the equivalent time at the Disney Vacation Club Resorts to get the cash to pay for those reservations.
Nicholas: I guess the reason I ask that is because I was considering renting a unit at Bay Lake Tower over 4th of July weekend to go to the Top of the World Lounge, and people on the discussion boards said it may make a difference whether I am eligible to get in the lounge if I make the reservation through member services versus the disneyworld.com site.
Todd: For July 3 and 4 access to the Top of the World Lounge is limited to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Todd: Let me check with the resort to see if you could access Top of the World if you have a cash reservation at Bay lake Tower on those nights.
Nicholas: I guess we were looking to clarify further, if I am a member staying at Bay Lake Tower with a cash reservation, whether it would matter if I just booked that reservation on the disneyworld site or if I had to book through member services for it to show up as a member reservation to get access to the lounge. I don't know if their computer systems make that distinction or not, lol. Yes thank you for checking.
Todd: The resort has advised that if you are a Member staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort on those nights, even on a cash reservation, you will be able to access the Top of the World Lounge based on capacity. You will have to show your Member ID Card to gain access.
Nicholas: Ok thank you! So it doesn't matter to them where you make your cash reservation, as long as you're a member staying in the Bay Lake Tower building?
Todd: Yes, that is what they have advised us.
Nicholas: Ok thank you very much! Ok yes I will still give member services a call to see if I can get our discount, but nice to know even at rack rate on the general site I could still do it. Thanks!
Todd: You're welcome! Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Nicholas: Nope that's it thank you- have a magical day!
Todd: Thank you for chatting with Member Services and remember to view the latest Membership Magic offerings on the Membership Magic tab. Once you are done with this chat session, please click the word 'close' at the top right of the chat box to end the chat. I would appreciate it if you would take a few moments to provide feedback on the service provided today by completing our survey. Thanks again and have a magical day!
info: Your chat transcript will be sent to freediverdude@yahoo.com at the end of your chat.

Note: Edited to remove MS toll free phone number - Chuck S

 

[fishermouse]

You will need a magic band showing you are staying on property as well as something showing your membership (which is normally also available for them to see on the band by my understanding although I did show my membership card last time I went up but that was over a year ago. If you want to see wishes only and not get a drink or anything you want to be ready to go up by 15-20 minutes ahead of time. I haven't heard of people being turned away although the 4 nights it would be most likely you have to be staying at BLT to go up.

Magic band alone gas always been sufficiant when we have gone up

 

[fishermouse]

I'm not arguing policy just sharing my experience of many trips to TOTW, They scan one magic band or prior to magic band they would check one DVC ID, and entire party is escorted to elevator. We have never been turned away. Not doing anything wrong we would all be allowed if they checked, but they have never asked for every ones ID.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I'm not arguing policy just sharing my experience of many trips to TOTW, They scan one magic band or prior to magic band they would check one DVC ID, and entire party is escorted to elevator. We have never been turned away. Not doing anything wrong we would all be allowed if they checked, but they have never asked for every ones ID.

This has always been my experience, including 2 weeks ago. Now I travel generally with 6-8 people, they do stay under my reservation but I'm the only one with the membership, I talk, they now scan my wrist band and bob's your uncle, we're escorted up!

 

[rickwelch49525]

The last time we stayed at Bay Lake Tower and the Poly villias was the second week of June. We had friends staying at the Floridian, but not at villas. They had hoped to come to The Top of the World. So, one night when we went up, we asked at the checkin desk if they could join us. The man there that night said it would not be a problem to bring up guests with us.

On a side note, we have never been turned away because of capacity.

 

[goofy4tink]

Last month, I traveled to WDW with my 21 y/o dd, and her best friend. We spent our first two nights at POR, with the first night being a non-park night. We decided to head up to ToTWL and have a drink (dd's first WDW adult beverage!!) and watch the fireworks. We were joined by a good friend of theirs (from high school) who is working the DCP. The girls were so worried about their CM friend not being allowed to go up, or even dd's best friend. But, they scanned my MB, looked at my DVC membership card, and off we went. My dd's two friends were suitably impressed!!!! Man, she felt like such a 'hot shot' being able to get her friends in up there. Me? I couldn't believe I was having drinks with these girls!!!!

 

[Northminnie]

Does the TOTWL have a better view than California Grill? I have a reservation for dinner but really like to go to see Wishes. I'm thinking of canceling my dinner reservation and swith to the lounge for drinks and Wishes. Would love to hear some feedback on the lounge. We are dvc, members and have never been to the lounge.
Thanks!!!

 

[bethsg]

I was staying at the Poly on points last week, and I drove to Bay lake, and was happily greeted and allowed to park in the bay lake lot. We arrived about
9:15 on Thursday PM, got a high top (not along the window) but were able to see fireworks fine. Ordered drinks and food, they dimmed the lights and the music was piped in, We paid our check and walked to the MK which was open until 1 am. Had little wait on most rides, and our final ride of the night was the Jungle Cruise, and the Captain let me "drive" the boat! Walked back to the Contemp at 1:30 am, and drove back to the Poly. (due to lightening the Monorail was down)

 

[supersnoop]

I was staying at the Poly on points last week, and I drove to Bay lake, and was happily greeted and allowed to park in the bay lake lot. We arrived about
9:15 on Thursday PM, got a high top (not along the window) but were able to see fireworks fine. Ordered drinks and food, they dimmed the lights and the music was piped in, We paid our check and walked to the MK which was open until 1 am. Had little wait on most rides, and our final ride of the night was the Jungle Cruise, and the Captain let me "drive" the boat! Walked back to the Contemp at 1:30 am, and drove back to the Poly. (due to lightening the Monorail was down)

You may not have known or realized, but you broke a couple of rules there. I just want to make sure that anyone who reads this later will realize that they might get turned away if they try what you were able to do. The rules for TOTWL access specifically prohibit parking at BLT for lounge access. Also, parking at BLT is not allowed for theme park access. Sometimes they don't seem to enforce the parking rules, but nobody should expect to be able to duplicate your experience.

 

[freediverdude]

You may not have known or realized, but you broke a couple of rules there. I just want to make sure that anyone who reads this later will realize that they might get turned away if they try what you were able to do. The rules for TOTWL access specifically prohibit parking at BLT for lounge access. Also, parking at BLT is not allowed for theme park access. Sometimes they don't seem to enforce the parking rules, but nobody should expect to be able to duplicate your experience.

I do think they should be more consistent about what they let people do or not do. Either not enforce it and let everybody do those things, or enforce it consistently.

 

[Judique]

I do think they should be more consistent about what they let people do or not do. Either not enforce it and let everybody do those things, or enforce it consistently.

Bethsg did mention the monorail was down. Perhaps that was the contributing factor to the parking guard being more lenient.

Earlier this year I drove to the Contemporary to have breakfast at The Wave and was denied entrance because I hadn't made a reservation and it wasn't busy. Once we got in the restaurant they had maybe 5 tables seated the whole time we were there. I had to send my daughter in to secure us a table before they would let us park. And, I was checking in at BLT later on. We were there very early - 7:30am - and were eating and returning to AKL for her to catch Magical Express.

So your mileage may vary.

 

[kcdisneymom]

Taking my kids (7&11)on July 29th, 30th. Can you make reservations? Looking to order food/drink. Are there places to sit for everyone? What time would you arrive?