BLT - Access to Pedestrian Bridge

[kevmag]

Dumb question but...
I read that you need your BLT room key to enter BLT from the foot bridge from the Contemporary. Do you use your key to get ONTO the footbridge...or just when you get to the entry door at BLT? (In other words, can anyone get onto the footbridge, for instance during the fireworks, or just people staying at BLT)?
Thanks.

 

[Paging Tom Morrow]

It is set-up that in order for the door to the bridge to be opened, a key must be inserted. So whenever there is nobody around, you'll need a key to get onto the bridge (only when entering it from the CR side).

In reality, foot traffic is heavy enough that we only needed to use our room key to access the bridge just twice during our recent 5 night stay.

 

[goofy4tink]

I wouldn't allow anyone to enter behind me, when opening that door. I really hate to be this way, but it's obvious that the OP intends to go to the walkway to view fireworks, while not being a DVC member staying at BLT. And it has been stated that those not staying at BLT aren't supposed to be in there, for any reason, especially fireworks viewing.
If someone has a key, out and ready to use, then fine, they can follow me in. But, it would be the same as someone trying to follow me into my BWV bldg at 1pm, when the outside doors need a key to enter through. Would you allow anyone to follow you in then?? I doubt it.

 

[Sandisw]

I wouldn't allow anyone to enter behind me, when opening that door. I really hate to be this way, but it's obvious that the OP intends to go to the walkway to view fireworks, while not being a DVC member staying at BLT. And it has been stated that those not staying at BLT aren't supposed to be in there, for any reason, especially fireworks viewing.
If someone has a key, out and ready to use, then fine, they can follow me in. But, it would be the same as someone trying to follow me into my BWV bldg at 1pm, when the outside doors need a key to enter through. Would you allow anyone to follow you in then?? I doubt it.

I did the same thing when I was there and got a very dirty look from the person behind me. They didn't have a key and turned around and walked away. I guess they weren't supposed to go in.

 

[tay72699]

I'm sure there is a safety issue here also. If you let one person/group in prior to the fireworks and then another person/group enters and so on, next thing you know the bridge is full of people mulling around on the bridge to watch the fireworks. As I keep telling my DD...rules are rules.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

No, you shouldn't let people in, but it can be tricky. I used to work at a school where parent & staff had a "key" to get in, kind of like WDW resorts. I used to feel bad if I didn't know a parent (many families at this school) & I would have to say "sorry, I can't let you in". Many times, the person would yell at me & tell me they were a parent at the school. I would shut the door & most times the person would pull out a key & come in. If they would have had the key in their hand, or showed it to me, then I would have held the door for them. At many staff meetings, we complained about parents doing this. It just made for a very uncomfortable situation. I have not stayed at BLT yet, but I am sure we will run into this problem when we do. If the person behind me has a key out, I will hold the door for them, if not, I will try to shut the door. Is there a sign that says "BLT guests only"? That might help.

 

[kevmag]

I have not signed on since I posted this last night.

Thanks for the information all, but to Diane, that's not a very friendly intro to the DVC (your comment about the OP just wanting to watch the fireworks and not being in DVC!)

My wife and I just joined the DVC, the BLT is our home resort. That was a completely legit question on my part based on what I had read.

I guess it was not intended that way, but yours was a pretty unfriendly 'welcome to DVC' message!

 

[Silver Queen]

kevmag,
Welcome to the Disboards. I'm sorry that there was a misunderstanding about your post. There are really a lot of great people here.
Concerning your question, we were able to get into BLT a few weeks ago after our dinner at the Cali Grill (and after Wishes). I'm not exactly sure how it happened. We weren't trying to be sneaky. There were no signs and we just walked in. It must be that someone held the door for us. As I say, we weren't on a mission to snoop or anything and didn't realize that it was a closed area. We were staying in Kidani and the lobby abnd halls seemed to be open to anyone.
Good luck with your purchase. We're so happy that we joined DVC and hope you will be too!

 

[spiceycat]

if you just want to see it - there are DVC CM around in the afternoon that can show you the bridge and models.


at least that is what was told - going soon and that is definitely on the list - will be staying there later in the month - but want to see it as soon as arrive.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have not signed on since I posted this last night.

Thanks for the information all, but to Diane, that's not a very friendly intro to the DVC (your comment about the OP just wanting to watch the fireworks and not being in DVC!)

My wife and I just joined the DVC, the BLT is our home resort. That was a completely legit question on my part based on what I had read.

I guess it was not intended that way, but yours was a pretty unfriendly 'welcome to DVC' message!

I'm very sorry to come across as unfriendly. You have to understand how heated it got around here when those who were not staying at BLT and not even DVC members, started complaining about not being able to use that walkway. I meant no disrespect and I do apologize. I wish I had known that you own at BLT and would be staying there...that would have changed my answer. I made an assumption.
So, with my apology in mind (and hopefully accepted) welcome to the DIS boards and above all..'Welcome Home'!!!

 

[kevmag]

I'm very sorry to come across as unfriendly. You have to understand how heated it got around here when those who were not staying at BLT and not even DVC members, started complaining about not being able to use that walkway. I meant no disrespect and I do apologize. I wish I had known that you own at BLT and would be staying there...that would have changed my answer. I made an assumption.
So, with my apology in mind (and hopefully accepted) welcome to the DIS boards and above all..'Welcome Home'!!!

Thanks very much Diane, and I apologize for being so thin skinned! That's one of the problems with on-line vs in person 'talking'....the tone gets lost in translation!

Thanks for your welcome, we are tremendously excited to be part of the DVC family!!

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

are there chairs or do we need to bring?

....i do think it is a good point...not to allow others to sneak in.

 

[spiceycat]

are there chairs or do we need to bring?

....i do think it is a good point...not to allow others to sneak in.

this is a walkway - Disney generally does not allow chairs along their walkways - so would not try it - or better definitely try it and see if the security guards or CM tell you you can't.

if they say you can- great - will definitely be doing it too.

 

[5forDiz]

I have not signed on since I posted this last night.

Thanks for the information all, but to Diane, that's not a very friendly intro to the DVC (your comment about the OP just wanting to watch the fireworks and not being in DVC!)

My wife and I just joined the DVC, the BLT is our home resort. That was a completely legit question on my part based on what I had read.

I guess it was not intended that way, but yours was a pretty unfriendly 'welcome to DVC' message!

The comment was unfortunate but there are many folks who are quite passionate ( & I'm not faulting them for it) about policies at BLT and you'll find there are other posts that seem presumptious on other BLT threads where posters have stated things like they've seen people at the BLT pool that ' looked like they didn't belong there ' etc. & similar.....I really don't want to think about what a statement like that is supposed to mean about people ~looking~ as if they don't belong someplace but maybe it's best to take a deep breath & allow the time for the kinks to be worked out at a resort just a little more than 4 weeks old. I understand the concerns BLT owners & other DVC members staying at BLT on points have about key card access to BLT & most, if not all, issues that are raised are quite valid but often there's additional speculation that is just nasty.

Congratulations on your BLT purchase

 

[Sammie]

I would think chairs would be a major safety hazard. The fireworks do not last that long and considering most people stand to watch them in the parks I can't imagine that chairs would be needed.

 

[DisneyDudet]

I think Lil' Grumpy was just poking fun...

As a BLT owner, and staying at 2 other resorts for 2 trips prior to our first stay at our home resort, I fully appreciate DVC for trying to make this resort secure. I think they know the popularity of BLT because of its location, that they want to restrict the amount of people milling around to those staying there. It is your 'home' for the time you are at Disney, and I'm sure they want you to feel as comfortable as you possibly can. I would not like it if there were people all over my home here.

I will wish I could be watching Wishes from the lounge or the bridge on my next 2 trips, but I will just have to take advantage of the amenities at the resorts I will be staying at. It will be VERY NICE to be able to use my home resort activities and areas when I'm there in June.

 

[d23]

 

[CarolAnnC]

I don't think anyone is insinuating that they are the Disney police and will check room keys. The remark was made that for those entering the locked areas with a room key, they will not hold the door open for the folks behind them unless they see they have a room key. Otherwise, they will close the door behind them and the next person must use their own room key. That really is the best mode of operation I think. Though it is nice to be polite and hold doors, with a locked area you really can't worry about if someone belongs in there. If they have a key, then they will get in.

Vero Beach has a locked pool area and it has worked well for many years. I am sure if anyone at BLT sees someone who does not belong on the property, informing a CM should take care of having the person validated and/or removed...

 

[mathmagic]

The walls along the walkway are too high to sit in chairs and view the fireworks. And I'm pretty sure if you sat in the chairs for quite a while up until the fireworks began then someone from security would tell you to remove the chairs.

When we were there last week we never needed our room keys to access the bridge, in either direction. In fact, it seemed like as soon as we set foot on the mat in front of the doors they opened automatically. There were plenty of people on the bridge watching the fireworks. Wishes soundtrack is piped in there, too.

 

[queenie82]

I hope noone tries to bring chairs.
This is a serious violation of fire safety. This walkway would be a part of the evacuation procedures.