BLT Lounge and Observation Deck Update

[RweTHEREyet]

This may already be known, but, FYI ~~ the CM that checked us in to go up to the Observation Deck last night told us that DVC members that are stying at BLT on cash can now access the Lounge and Observation Deck. This came up when I told her that we would be returning in December on cash and would be sorry to not be able to come up to the Lounge and she said, oh, that has changed. I didn't ask when it changed.

Just to make sure, I plan to ask someone different tonight.

 

[DVC Mike]

DVCMember.com states:

Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

Excellent! We still have a couple cash nights at BLT at the tail end of our Dec/Jan trip. I was worried we wouldn't be able to go up to the lounge on those nights. Still hoping the waitlist for those days comes through so we can book with our new BLT points!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I clarified this tonight with Rich, the manager, and he said that your room had to be booked thru MS. DVC members booking a room thru CRO on cash will not have DVC on their room key and will not be able to access the Lounge.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

The rule has always been: a DVC member, staying at BLT, using their MEMBERSHIP.

Membership is defined as a reservation (points or cash) booked through member services.

 

[dizfan]

Thanks for posting this.

Early on there were several reports of DVC members staying on cash not able to get to the lounge. Sounds like they are working through the kinks of a new resort and it's amenities.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

The rule has always been: a DVC member, staying at BLT, using their MEMBERSHIP.

Membership is defined as a reservation (points or cash) booked through member services.

It was reported by some of the first members to stay there, that only those staying on points would be allowed to use the Lounge, and the CM I talked to indicated that the rules has recently been changed.

 

[disneynutz]

According to DVC Management, attendance for the lounge is far below what was expected. Disney is considering opening the venue to all BLT guests.

 

[DenLo]

According to DVC Management, attendance for the lounge is far below what was expected. Disney is considering opening the venue to all BLT guests.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I don't really see what is wrong with opening TOTW to all of BLT guests. It's still pretty exclusive and eventually when BLT sells out 98% of the rooms will probably be booked by DVC members so in the end it will be our lounge. Since the doors require a keycard for entry, I think opening the lounge to BLT guests makes more sense than opening it to all DVC members.

 

[dizfan]

I know I'm in the minority here, but I don't really see what is wrong with opening TOTW to all of BLT guests. It's still pretty exclusive and eventually when BLT sells out 98% of the rooms will probably be booked by DVC members so in the end it will be our lounge. Since the doors require a keycard for entry, I think opening the lounge to BLT guests makes more sense than opening it to all DVC members.

I completely agree. It's like SAB, where everyone staying at BCV has access.

 

[DVC92]

I'll soon be staying at BLT for several nights using an AP discount of 40% booked through CRO with daily housekeeping. This is in lieu of booking through MS for a 25% discount with no housekeeping. The lounge certainly isn't worth the $$$ difference IMHO, but I personally believe any guest staying at BLT should have access to the lounge. The policy will be ever evolving.

 

[askopp]

Staying at BLT on cash in January. Thanks for the update.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I'll soon be staying at BLT for several nights using an AP discount of 40% booked through CRO with daily housekeeping. This is in lieu of booking through MS for a 25% discount with no housekeeping. The lounge certainly isn't worth the $$$ difference IMHO, but I personally believe any guest staying at BLT should have access to the lounge. The policy will be ever evolving.

I totally agree.