Bay Lake Tower Entry

[robbb13]

Good Afternoon All! I will be spending some time in Disney in a few weeks, but not staying on property as my girlfriend's parents recently purchased a home in the area. I am planning on proposing, and want to include watching the MK fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge in our night. My girlfriend is a DVC member, but we aren't staying on property.

I called to see if it was strictly enforced and if there was any way to get in even though we are not staying on property. The woman wasn't very willing to help, so I thought I would turn to you. If I am out of luck, I will figure something else out, but any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

How exciting! I’d suggest also posting in the DVC forum as members will have more experience with the process of gaining access to the lounge. I believe the policy is that it’s only open to those staying on property. I haven’t been recently but last I did visit they scanned my magic band to confirm I was staying onsite. Would you consider booking a room somewhere on property for a night? Just for the sake of additional clarity, your girlfriend must be a DVC member with a card ... not her parents.

Some other alternatives for fireworks view are dinner at California Grill, beach at Polynesian, Narcoossee’s at Grand Floridian, or private dining at Grand Floridian, Capa at the Four Seasons.

Good luck!

 

[robbb13]

How exciting! I’d suggest also posting in the DVC forum as members will have more experience with the process of gaining access to the lounge. I believe the policy is that it’s only open to those staying on property. I haven’t been recently but last I did visit they scanned my magic band to confirm I was staying onsite. Would you consider booking a room somewhere on property for a night? Just for the sake of additional clarity, your girlfriend must be a DVC member with a card ... not her parents.

Some other alternatives for fireworks view are dinner at California Grill, beach at Polynesian, Narcoossee’s at Grand Floridian, or private dining at Grand Floridian, Capa at the Four Seasons.

Good luck!

Thank you for the response! My girlfriend is a DVC members, so that's at least one hurdle that is cleared. I have looked into all those places you listed, but there aren't any reservations available. But that is my fault - waiting to make a reservation only a few weeks out for a Saturday night in December is recipe for disappointment!

If I book the room in my name, but my girlfriend is the DVC member, are we in the clear?

 

[Lynne M]

Here are the rules for access to Top of the World, from the DVC member site.

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, 2018.

This perk is available for our Members and their guests. People who are in that Member’s traveling party and staying on that Member’s reservation are also eligible to visit Top of the World Lounge. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current MagicBand or card in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. A Disney Vacation Club Membership Card is also required to verify Membership.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Thank you for the response! My girlfriend is a DVC members, so that's at least one hurdle that is cleared. I have looked into all those places you listed, but there aren't any reservations available. But that is my fault - waiting to make a reservation only a few weeks out for a Saturday night in December is recipe for disappointment!

If I book the room in my name, but my girlfriend is the DVC member, are we in the clear?

I think as long as she’s listed as a guest on the reservation and has her member card (you can also get a temp one online to display on your phone) you should be fine. Don’t give up hope for reservations. People cancel all the time, even over the holidays. The Touring Plans reservation finder might be a helpful tool. It’s free... you put in place, date range and desired time and it regularly queries the Disney site and sends you a text if what you’re looking for becomes available. You then have to log into the Disney site and book the reservation so important to act quickly when you get the text. You may already know this but if you have an early dinner or brunch (Brunch is only on Sunday) at California Grill you can present your receipt and go back up for the fireworks. I believe Capa takes reservations directly (don’t have to go through Disney) but I don’t think they pipe in the music if that matters (they could tell you for sure).

I’m sure whatever you do, it will be amazing. Good luck!!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Given the nature of what you want to do, I'd not count on the rules being overlooked.

 

[Jennasis]

Watching the fireworks on the bridge between BLT and CR may be an option too as it is typicallly less crowded there (no music though).

 

[momto3pirates]

Have you thought about the beach at the Poly? It may be too cold but if the weather cooperates it is an amazing spot to watch the fireworks.

 

[squeezle]

You could probably get into the bar area at Capa without a reservation. There are seats at the bar as well as some seating areas with low tables, and they do serve the full menu at both. There is a nice balcony overlooking the parks and you would have the possibility of seeing fireworks from all three parks depending on your timing. Capa is also on Open Table which has more reservation times than the Disney system, so it is probably worth checking.

 

[addiln]

I just got engaged up there a couple weeks ago and it is a great place to do it. The only thing is I think you need to be staying on property to get up there even though you are a member. They just asked my card this trip but in the past they have asked for our magic bands as well.

 

[dansdad]

I just got engaged up there a couple weeks ago and it is a great place to do it. The only thing is I think you need to be staying on property to get up there even though you are a member. They just asked my card this trip but in the past they have asked for our magic bands as well.

Congrats!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you say your girlfriend is the DVC member, is she on the deed or just her parents? If she doesn't have her own member card, she won't be permitted up there either. It has to be the deeded member with the guest staying with them on their reservation at a WDW resort.