Attic lounge at BW/great DVC perk idea

[a37027]

Just came back from BWV and noticed a closed lounge on the Third Floor called "Attic" something. Asked a CM and they said it is for corporate events only. On an earlier thread, several people were talking about new perks for DVC. This lounge had an awesome view of Epcot and it would be a great DVC perk to let members use it to watch Illuminations when it wasn't booked by a convention group. I agree with an earlier posting that things like DVC Fastpass or using existing facilities (like this lounge) are a nice perk for DVC members that wouldn't cost Disney much money, but could add to the "magic" and "special-ness" of being a DVC member. Does anyone know of other special use or closed areas at the other DVC resorts that could be available for "member-only" use? Just wondering...

 

[RobDoc]

The Attic was included in the original proposal for BWV as a gathering place for DVC members where the Illuminations fireworks could be enjoyed in a social atmosphere. It was mentioned in the pre-sales literature with this purpose in mind.

Once sales began, this was never mentioned again and has never been used for that purpose- only for private events. The space is nice and would have made a nice gathering spot, but likely would have become an issue regarding how many could enjoy it at one time- it does have a limit due to it's space.

This is being tried again at SSR- with an outdoor viewing platform for the PI fireworks. With the late evening time frame and outdoor venue- crowd control won't likely be a big issue.

Enjoy!

 

[Dean]

Funny how we've come full circle. The attic was originally planned as a member lounge and got sidetracked along the way. Added, Doc and I were writing at the same time.

 

[spiceycat]

BW makes money (alot of money) renting the place - it is not cheap and it used for corporate meeting and wedding reception (or so I got told)


I know I was a little upset when I first used BWV and was told that the Attic was not for members......

So why did they place it in the villa and not the inn - in the inn - yea rent away - but in the villa part......

 

[RAD]

Originally posted by spiceycat
BW makes money (alot of money) renting the place - it is not cheap and it used for corporate meeting and wedding reception (or so I got told)

That brings up a quesstion, since it's on the BWV side of the resort does it belong to DVC and does DVC receive the 'rent' from it? If it doesn't belong to DVC, does DVC charge WDC their share for access to the space, utilities, common area upkeep?

 

[spiceycat]

NO!!!

Or I haven't been able to find it!

 

[pmcpmc]

.

 

[DebbieB]

If I was DVC, I would open it up once or twice a week to members and use it as a sales opportunity, like the weekly member update. Then they could write it off . How big is this place anyway?

 

[jag90]

On another note. You do not want to be in the room next to it when there is an event going on. We were unlucky enough to have this room last year. While the room did have a great BW view, the noise did carry late into the night. Not too big of a deal for us as we are night owls, but I'm sure others would have been disturbed.

 

[mb168]

I found this room by accident in October while we were there for F&W. I stumbled in since the door was unlocked and no one was there, all of the lights were out. I was dehydrated F&W, and there was a basin full of spring water bottles on ice that was too appealing so I took one(sorry). It reminds me of the room at the BCV where you can sit and read across from the store, decorated similarly.

 

[spiceycat]

I really think that is one reason why that room at BCV is on the first floor - no way WDW can steal it back and rent it out......It does not have a view of the fireworks period....

as far as trying to sue someone - who are you suing - it can't be DVC - they had no control over this issue - they made it for DVC members - then WDW executives saw it and that was the end of DVC members using it....

believe me there were several DVC guides who were just as anger over this as the DVC members were.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by spiceycat
I really think that is one reason why that room at BCV is on the first floor - no way WDW can steal it back and rent it out......It does not have a view of the fireworks period....

as far as trying to sue someone - who are you suing - it can't be DVC - they had no control over this issue - they made it for DVC members - then WDW executives saw it and that was the end of DVC members using it....

believe me there were several DVC guides who were just as anger over this as the DVC members were.

Any legal action would be toward DVD as the developer and maintenance company.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I hope this doesn't happen to the SSR fireworks viewing platform. This is one (of the many) of the perks that sold us on SSR over the Epcot-Resort DVCs.

I would hate to see it as a rented area and not used for DVC as originally intended!

 

[spiceycat]

I hope that SSR members get to kept that area too - just hope that the WDW executives aren't there for the grand openning......

of course since it is outside not inside - you have a much better chance of kepting it!

 

[a37027]

Wow - I had no idea I was hitting on such a hot topic. Just curious - rather than people suing Disney over what they didn't give us, why not have those same lawyers ask that the privilege be restored to the DVC members? Personally, we probably won't use the outdoor viewing pavilion at SS until many years from now, but my family would definitely use the Attic if it were available to us... I am one of those early BWV members that has been paying dues all along, by the way...

 

[Sammie]

Considering how many people come to the Polynesian beach to watch the fireworks that are not staying at the resort, I can see where this room could be, as Doc said, over run with many trying to use it to view Illuminations.

Same may go for the viewing area at SSR.

Based on previous discussions of the beach at the Polynesian, many feel that regardless of where you are staying these areas are open to the general public.

I can definitely see the potential for a problem of overcrowding at both locations.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Sammie
...(snip)......Based on previous discussions of the beach at the Polynesian, many feel that regardless of where you are staying these areas are open to the general public.

I can definitely see the potential for a problem of overcrowding at both locations.

I think think the Poly beach example is different from the BWV Attic situation, but I do tend to agree that the Attic could easily become overcrowded once word gets out that it is available for viewing Illuminations. FWIW, I am having trouble imagining that lots of people would want to view Illuminations from there. It may be a relatively good view, but views just as good (maybe better) can be had by walking out to the front of the resort and standing on the Boardwalk. And it's only a short walk to World Showcase lagoon, where you could see the entire show, not just the higher level fireworks.

Anyway, access to the room could be controlled/limited fairly easily. It would take about an hour of a CM's time every evening. Those desiring entrance to the room for Illuminations would need to show their BWV resort ID with DVC member on it. It would be first come, first served and when/if the room reaches capacity, no more would be allowed in for that evening.

During other times, the room could be rented out or just available to resort guests as are other common areas of the resort.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by thedscoop
Only partially true if it is alleged that DVD acted in concert with other Disney-owned companies to generate revenue for itself or another Disney-owned company while DVC members subsidized all or part of the maintenance and such of this portion of the DVC property.

The best analogy (or rumor) would be if DVD allowed WDW to have exclusive access to BWV's community hall--without WDW reimbursing DVD for any use.

I believe it will eventually come out that early BWV owners subsidized the Attic while not being able to use it as a common area at all.

I suspect that this story will begin to make some noise in 2004.

The point was that DVC itself would likely be in the clear and that the members would be unlikely to sustain any losses or legal fees.

 

[cuttleclan]

The legal chat sounds like a lot of lawyers and wannabe's talking. Anyone remember the "Sue Me Sue You Blues"

I've been a member since 1998 but I've never been to an AGM. Does this stuff come up then?

Why isn't a proposal made to WDW to use the Attic on idle nights (eg. 2 weeks notice) for scheduled family-friendly receptions at nominal cost. Light snacks, cash bar...Sounds like a plan to me!

You've got me curious. I'll be sure to slide over to BWV to check out the Attic when we're at OKW in March.

 

[pmcpmc]

you must have got the room at the end of the loooooooooonnng
corridors to find the Attic