7/21 DVCNews is reporting updated information on the BLT lounge

[dizfan]

Here's the quote from dvcnews.com today...

"Top of the World Lounge Guidelines
Written by Tim Krasniewski
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:00AM

With the Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort two weeks away from opening, the resort's Top of the World Lounge has become a frequent topic of discussion. The lounge will provide guests an amazing opportunity to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the 16th floor of the new Disney Vacation Club resort. But what sort of usage guidelines will apply to DVC members and guests? DVCNews contacted a Disney Vacation Club rep for details.

• Top of the World Lounge is a 77-seat full-service bar offering beverages and light appetizers, and is located on the 16th floor of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Next to the lounge is an observation deck offering unparalleled views of Magic Kingdom® Park.
• The regular operating hours for the lounge and deck are from 5:00 p.m.-midnight daily.
• There are no reservations. Members should go to the desk in the Bay Lake Tower Lobby and check with the host/hostess for availability that day. The lobby information desk--similar to that used by the Contemporary Tower's California Grill--will be staffed during the operating hours of the lounge and deck.
• Availability of the lounge and deck will be established on a day-to-day basis. The lobby reception desk will not be able to provide information on availability beyond the current operating day.
• The maximum posted occupancy is 77 for the lounge and 499 for the deck. However, admission to the deck may be limited as Disney evaluates how many guests can comfortably enjoy the experience.
• Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access to the lounge and deck is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership, guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Availability is strictly first-come, first-served.
• Operating hours, access guidelines, and menu are subject to change without notice.

The Top of the World Lounge represents new territory for Disney operations staff. They have made every attempt to anticipate challenges involved in operating what is destined to be a highly sought-after evening destination. Nevertheless minor policy adjustments are likely to be made over time.

We will continue to monitor usage guidelines surrounding this resort amenity and help inform members of any changes as they occur. "

 

[vicki_c]

Sounds good to me - I'm sure some cash guests are going to be irritated though!

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

It seems like the day-to-day deal is going to allow Disney to claim the lounge as needed for their own events. My guess: It's not even opened yet and they're already going to claim it part time...at least until BLT sells out-insert evil laugh.

 

[dizfan]

Sounds good to me - I'm sure some cash guests are going to be irritated though!

I agree that cash guests will be irritated.
It's also one of the best sales pitches DVC ever came up with.

Become a DVC member and you too will have the opportunity to experience the fabulous lounge at the top of BLT.

Others have mentioned that they expect Disney to upgrade people staying at the Contemporary to the BLT. The goal is to entice people to buy. Every little perk that you can show cash (and upgrades) is more pixie dust the sales people will emphasize.

Reality is that I will be shocked if the lounge is still available to DVC members once BLT is sold out. Unless they decide to build BLT II replacing the other wing.

 

[spiceycat]

yea reported yesterday on the resort board - and yea a bunch mad people who paid cash - they were told they would be allowed in the lounge.

our contracts say that DVC did not own this at all - so yea - really expecting Disney to rent it out immediately.

so for the holidays or in the summer - don't expect to see the fireworks from this thing.

the rest of the year - that is a chance.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I read about lounge access on allearsnet also. It seems if you are a member staying on cash thru CRO that you will not be able to utilize the lounge either.

They chose "using" the membership which I think was intentional.

There are perks to being a member and often we discuss the viability.

So for now we have a choice, Free Dining or TOWL (the latest BLT acronym)

 

[Simba's Mom]

At first I thought it was DVC Members staying....on points. Then I saw the "staying at BLT" part. Rats! However, assuming there are still openings, who gets second "dibs", do you think? Will it be guests staying for cash at BLT, guests staying at the Contemporary, or dare I hope, guests staying elsewhere on points? Or do you think I'm dreaming and they'll never get beyond first "dibs"? Just in case, I'm thinking of going over on my solo trip in October, just to see if I can get in. I'm hoping that maybe so soon after BLT opens, maybe the word isn't out about the lounge. Do you think it would be a waste of time?

 

[DenLo]

Here's the quote from dvcnews.com today...

"Top of the World Lounge Guidelines
Written by Tim Krasniewski
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 10:00AM


[*] Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access to the lounge and deck is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership, guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Availability is strictly first-come, first-served.
[*] Operating hours, access guidelines, and menu are subject to change without notice.
"

So how do they know you are a DVC member/guest staying at BLT with points at the lounge? Or does the CM at the Lobby desk put you on a list as one can enter the lounge? Seems a little, okay a lot, complicated.

 

[disneynutz]

So how do they know you are a DVC member/guest staying at BLT with points at the lounge? Or does the CM at the Lobby desk put you on a list as one can enter the lounge? Seems a little, okay a lot, complicated.

Room key imprinted with the words, "DVC Member".

 

[Sammie]

I think what is bothering many cash guests is the fact that the rooms, especially the 2 bedrooms and grand villas, are very, very expensive when you book from Disney Reservations but someone can rent from a Member and have access for much less. I can't but think Disney will not be happy with that aspect either. Undermines their cash flow.

I am afraid I have to agree. I think the blue member card should be required in addition to the resort ID stating you are staying at BLT on points.

I still think, and hope I am wrong for the benefit of the BLT members, that this will eventually be a situation where it goes the way of the Attic at the BW and becomes a special event room.

I could possibly see them doing both and turn away members when an event is planned.

 

[DebbieB]

The fact that they said that it's on a day by day basis tells you they are planning on closing it for special events. What makes is hard is they will only tell you availability for that day. Makes it hard to plan which night you want to do it.

Availability of the lounge and deck will be established on a day-to-day basis. The lobby reception desk will not be able to provide information on availability beyond the current operating day.

 

[Sandisw]

The fact that they said that it's on a day by day basis tells you they are planning on closing it for special events. What makes is hard is they will only tell you availability for that day. Makes it hard to plan which night you want to do it.

Now I read that to mean that you you won't know whether or not there is availability that day until you go up to the desk and check.

So, if members arrive, say at 7:00 pm, to go up, they will be told then whether or not there is still room.

But, I can also see them saying that it is closed for private functions as well, especially if the backlash from cash paying guests who were told when booking first started really complain. Right now, they have removed the lounge from the list of amenities from the WDW website so any one booking now should not be expecting to have access.

I do think if they really want to limit it to DVC members staying on points, then the membership card along with the KTTW card would be the easiest way to manage it.

Of course, once BLT is sold, won't about 95% of it be DVC? Once that happens, won't most of the guests be eligible anyway. Granted, there will always be cash guests, but not to the extent there might be right now when at least 50% of the resort is still owned by DVD.

 

[tecodis]

Occupancy of 499 on the deck?? That thing must be huge!

 

[Sandisw]

Occupancy of 499 on the deck?? That thing must be huge!

That is the other reason I think they are saying things will be day by day. Even though it will hold that many, they may find that its too many to make the view any good and will want to limit it to less people.

I can't wait until it opens to see what happens. We will be there on the 7th and 8th and I am hoping that one of those nights I will be able to get up there to watch the fireworks--but if we can't (because I am not sitting up there for hours on end), no big deal.

 

[spiceycat]

it looks like you are checking in at the lobby - not upstairs - so wanna bet they won't have a computer to check to see if you are an owner of BLT - so the blue cards - while nice - won't be necessary.

besides the blue cards are for all DVC members.

Simba's Mom - you might. won't plan my trip around trying to do this - but if you are visiting MK that night anyway - might go by to see.

the way that door looks - any BLT Key card will open it - so don't see how they can stop others.

unless they are now by passing that door and kepting the place locked.

remember long ago DVC say that the extra benefits were only for members staying on points - but the systems say points are points and printed DVC member even on those who were not.

Our guests were treated as members as well as us.

 

[shellybaxter]

[*] Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access to the lounge and deck is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership, guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Availability is strictly first-come, first-served.
. "

Room key imprinted with the words, "DVC Member".

I am afraid I have to agree. I think the blue member card should be required in addition to the resort ID stating you are staying at BLT on points.

.

I do think if they really want to limit it to DVC members staying on points, then the membership card along with the KTTW card would be the easiest way to manage it.

.

If I'm reading the part I bolded correctly then anyone renting from a member will be eligible (as well as family or friends who are gifted trips without the member). If that's true then checking blue membership cards would not be an appropriate way to identify if someone is eligible.

 

[simmons_m]

We are recent BWV owners, as well as BLT. Can someone provide some background on the Attic? Does it still exist? If so, where is it?
Thank you,
Mike

 

[5forDiz]

If I'm reading the part I bolded correctly then anyone renting from a member will be eligible (as well as family or friends who are gifted trips without the member). If that's true then checking blue membership cards would not be an appropriate way to identify if someone is eligible.

I'm trying to understand exactly what they mean on this too....when I first read it through I thought it meant that person staying at BLT on member's points had to be there at the same time that member is staying at BLT as well - like if you're staying at BLT and have booked a seperate villa for additional family during same dates .

I didn't think they meant guests staying on a reservation rented out by member but idk, now re-reading this I think I am wrong about my initial interpretation - -sounds like it could be available to non-members renting BLT reservation ???

We are recent BWV owners, as well as BLT. Can someone provide some background on the Attic? Does it still exist?


Attic (located over Jellyrolls facing out onto boardwalk ) still exists at BWV but was only available to members briefly in early days of BWV and for years now has not been available to members because it is rented out for private events ( weddings, etc. )

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Am I correct that the entrance to the lounge is on the same floor as the Grand Villas? That is what it sounded like from the reviews of the tours that people have given. If that is the case, wouldn't you hate to be staying in a GV and have all that foot traffic going up and down the hall every night?

 

[bumbershoot]

I didn't think they meant guests staying on a reservation rented out by member but idk, now re-reading this I think I am wrong about my initial interpretation - -sounds like it could be available to non-members renting BLT reservation ???

"Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership, guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points."

Guests staying in a room reserved by a member with points. Could mean my cousin, if I give her and her hubby a stay on their anniversary. Could also mean some random person that rented a reservation that I booked with my points. How on earth would they know? So yeah, I think renters could have access...and just imagine how many of those people will become members after that experience???!!!! Bet they'll have some membership info up there, for those guests staying in rooms reserved by a member with points....



But MY question is, are kids allowed there?