Bay Lake Tower New Year's Fireworks Viewing

[collegejunkie]

I'm getting conflicting information from DVC, the resort, and guest services. I'll be at BLT as the guest of a DVC member. The member will not be with me. Am I able to watch fireworks from the Top of the World lounge? I keep getting told different things, like since I am booked through DVC, it will still be considered a DVC registration with access. Another CM told me because I, myself, am not a DVC member, I will not be allowed in. Does anyone have any information about this?

If I can't get into the lounge, can I watch from the observation deck? Will there be music? How early should I get there to get a spot?

 

[dansdad]

No, you won't be able to go up to the Top of The World Lounge.

You can watch from the observation deck. The music is piped in. Get there at least an hour early.

 

[Hopefully]

You will be asked to show your membership card for access. Since you are not a member and you don't have a membership card, you will not be allowed in to the lounge. Access NY Eve is strictly limited to members staying on points at BLT.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

So, here's the thing.

As said, they will ask for your membership card. You don't have one.

Officially stated, people renting DVC points get none of the perks and benefits. People staying at BLT on cash don't get TOTW access. Per documents, people staying as guests of a DVC member (where compensation is not changing hands) can access some of the perks of DVC.

The issues with this are such that in practice, guests never get those perks unless they're staying with the member:

1. NYE is one of the handful of blackout dates year-round at TOTW where only DVC members staying at BLT on points can access (vs. all DVC members with cards)
2. Because of this, they are strict on member cards on NYE.
3. Disney have no way to tell, in the absence of the member being present, if you're a renter, the member's best friend from college, the guy who saved the member from a pack of wild dogs on a hunting expedition, or the member's third-cousin twice removed.
4. And Disney isn't going to bother trying to screen for 3, especially on NYE.

Just being booked on points is not enough, ever, though.

 

[collegejunkie]

Thank you for all of the information. That's a bit disappointing. Is it worth trying to get into the lounge if they are not checking? The DVC member who is making the reservation for me thinks so, but I would want to have enough time to make plans to get into a park or a spot on the observation deck if need be

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Thank you for all of the information. That's a bit disappointing. Is it worth trying to get into the lounge if they are not checking? The DVC member who is making the reservation for me thinks so, but I would want to have enough time to make plans to get into a park or a spot on the observation deck if need be

They will be checking. NYE is a member blackout day at TOTW. There is zero chance they won't check. I think you should make other plans.

 

[addiln]

They will be checking for membership cards so it is not worth trying. The last few trips we have been there they have been asking to see our membership card. A few years ago they would just scan our magic bands but now they seem to have gotten a little more strict on that. I would not even bother wasting my time trying. Instead I would just try to secure a good place to view the fireworks else where.

 

[Hopefully]

I too would not waste the time. It is a member blackout night and they will be stricter than any other night.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There are 4 days a year that TOTW is closed to DVC members not staying at Bay Lake: 7/3, 7/4, 12/30 & 12/31.

This is because it fills up just with those staying at BLT on those nights.

They check cards AND scan bands on those four nights. You have to prove membership, and you have to prove where you're staying.

 

[clayfolks]

For the past two years, we have had to produce our membership cards and magic bands every time we have gone up to TOWL. There have been no exceptions.

 

[collegejunkie]

Ah okay, sorry, I think I misunderstood one of the posts - I thought they may not check. Okay. I will probably head to the observation deck - at least an hour early - and then watch from there. I don't see much of a difference in the view when I compare youtube videos between the two, so that's good at least. Thanks for clarifying!