BLT - Top of the World lounge

[VA_mouseman]

Our waitlist for BLT came through, and we'll be staying at a Lake-view studio for our weekend trip in December. Can't wait!

I intend to take advantage of the Top of the World lounge, since we're DVC members staying there on points. Question - are we allowed to bring guests with us, DVC members and/or non-DVC members?

 

[Sox_Fan]

I don't see why not. We visited the lounge last October and, although they don't make it's location obvious, I think anyone can take the elevator up - you just have to know that it's there. I didn't see any indication that it is a members-only kind of place (has anyone else?). They'll be with you anyway, so no worries.

 

[Halle]

We have brought DVC members who were staying at OKW with us. We were honest with the CM regarding our guests. I honestly think that if it's not busy, (which it wasn't when we went) they will allow you to to bring other guests. Revenue is the bottom line and I haven't seen a lot of business their (8 visits).

 

[rlovew]

If the guests are staying with you then you can bring them up with no problem. If they are not staying with you it is completely up to the descretion on the CM working (although technically I suppose it is not allowed). It was much busier last week than I had ever seen it before but according to our server it wasn't that busy to him (I thought the 8-10 groups of people ordering in the lounge was a pretty good number compared to past times).

 

[DenLo]

The elevator to the 16th floor is locked off during the hours the lounge is open. A CM must activate the elevator before you can go up to TOTWL. It is supposed to be restricted to only DVC members staying at BLT on points or on a cash reservation made through MS. Any guests of the member who also staying the on the member's reservation is also allowed access to TOTWL.

However, having said that there was a report this week where someone was invited to TOTWL with a number of people and they all got up there although only one couple was staying at BLT.

So the answer to your question is maybe or maybe not, depending on whether you get a CM that enforces the rules or not.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Our waitlist for BLT came through, and we'll be staying at a Lake-view studio for our weekend trip in December. Can't wait!

I intend to take advantage of the Top of the World lounge, since we're DVC members staying there on points. Question - are we allowed to bring guests with us, DVC members and/or non-DVC members?

According to the rules, no, unless they are staying with you in your villa or they are also staying at BLT.

 

[disneynutz]

We had to go back to our room to get DW's member card because they wouldn't let her up. I had mine and our room keys ID us as members but that wasn't enough.

Bill

 

[castleri]

We went to the totwl around labor day weekend and it was very slow both times I was there. There was a CM next to the elevator the first time and had to show him my card and the second time we had to go to the desk to get a CM to take us up and again only had to show one card. I had my DVC blue card with me and made sure the DGS had his room key also but we didn't need it. As others have said it must depend on who is manning the desk when you want to go up and how busy it is. If your guests are staying with you then there should be no problem, if they are at another resort it really is against the rules, members or not.

 

[DenLo]

When you think about it, CM's demanding DVC member cards for each member of a party doesn't make sense. If you all have room keys and one member of the same room has a DVC member card then that should be enough. After all guests staying on a member's points at BLT are eligible to use TOTWL.

 

[Hopefully]

I don't see why not. We visited the lounge last October and, although they don't make it's location obvious, I think anyone can take the elevator up - you just have to know that it's there. I didn't see any indication that it is a members-only kind of place (has anyone else?). They'll be with you anyway, so no worries.

This is totally incorrect. As PP have said, the rules (whether enforced or not is a different story) say it is restricted to members staying on points and those staying in the Villa with them

 

[cheryl.UK]

Last time we went our room card had our names with 'member' printed undernieth. Our guests who were staying with us also had 'member' printed under their names. We all had to show our room cards before going up in the lift.

 

[etemplet]

How crowded does it get up there ?? How's the atomsphere ?? Is it a bar? What's on the menu ? Is it fun ??

You guys are too fast and keepin me on my toes for sure.

 

[rlovew]

It can get pretty crowded near fireworks time- almost ll the chairs were being used last Monday at about 30 minutes before fireworks. After the fireworks it almost completely clears out. On Monday we went up at about 8:00pm and the fireworks were scheduled for 9 but actually occured at 9:30 due to rain. When we arrived about 4 groups of people were up there and while 1 group left more kept coming up until the fireworks started. For the hour we were there after fireworks (we were watching Monday Night Football on the big screen tv) there were about 3 groups of people there.

On Tuesday night we went up about 8:15- the fireworks were at 9:30pm(MNSSHP night). There were about 5-6 groupsd there when we arrived and once again the lounge was full by fireworks time and after the fireworks it went down to about 3-4 groups. I don't know how much any group was ordering - our tab was about 30-40 each night including tip.

The biggest problem they had both nights is parents who thought it would be fine to bring the bar stools outside and put them up against the walls for their children to stand on- so they were standing above the level of the wall- 16 stories up- the parents then got upset with the staff when the chairs were taken away and they were told they were not to be moved outside- if they wanted seats outside they had to use the benches (way back from the walls and unmoveable).

It is a relaxed lounge- there are 3 couch sitting areas and 5 high tables with 4 stools at each and about 5 shorter tables with about 4 chairs at each and the bar with about 10 stools. They have 1 sitting area that is private with a curtian seperating it from the rest of the lounge and they have a large screen tv on one wall that they will put on any channel someone asks for- you just need to ask earliest (and it changes to firework music during the fireworks). They have 1 flatbread (it change seasonally), crab cake, a shrimp appetizer, and a pretzel appetizer, 2 desserts- 1 the cake for 2 is the best dessert I have had on property, 2 kids appetizers (a make your own PB&J and nachos. They also have a full bar.

 

[tjkraz]

According to the rules, no, unless they are staying with you in your villa or they are also staying at BLT.

Agree.

When you think about it, CM's demanding DVC member cards for each member of a party doesn't make sense. If you all have room keys and one member of the same room has a DVC member card then that should be enough. After all guests staying on a member's points at BLT are eligible to use TOTWL.

They shouldn't be demanding member cards for all guests. Room keys for all and some CMs ask for a blue member ID. One member ID would suffice.

How crowded does it get up there ?? How's the atomsphere ?? Is it a bar? What's on the menu ? Is it fun ??

Not crowded. Yes, it's a bar. Flatbreads and other minor appetizers.

Fun? It's a unique way to see the fireworks. Also free if you happen to not have MK park admission for the day. But not sure I would call it "fun."

 

[etemplet]

Wow, good stuff. I know more than I found for sure. Thanks !!

 

[VA_mouseman]

Thanks all for the comments and clarification about TOTWL. I'll enjoy it with my wife on our December trip, and hopefully make some new friends when we're in the lounge.

 

[AmandaRG]

Is there somewhere else on property to hang out? I have a friend that lives in Orlando and will be coming to visit us while we are there. If our girls are tired and need to go to bed, we might want to go out and have a drink while DH sits with the girls. Is there someplace we could do that, since I can't bring a guest not staying with us up there?

 

[rlovew]

You can go over to the bar at the CR or try and go up to the bar at the California Grill. In all honesty I would probably just let your friend use one of the girls cards and go up to the lounge with her- it is not like you would be having the whole group plus someone else going up anyway.

 

[castleri]

l of the wall- 16 stories up- the parents then got upset with the staff when the chairs were taken away and they were told they were not to be moved outside- if they wanted seats outside they had to use the benches (way back from the walls and unmoveable).

The first night we went up it was just one DGS and me and we were there for the fireworks. I did get drinks for both of us and was asked if it was for inside or outside. Since we were going outside the drinks were put in plastic glasses. It was drizzling that night and there was a crowd in front of the windows of the lounge trying to stay dry under the overhang. We went over to where the benches were and DGS stood on the bench and we could see the fireworks just fine. Just about all the benches were full with children that night. We also stayed dry. I would think that only the tall tables right next to the windows would offer a good view of the fireworks from inside. One night we went up and had drinks and had one of those tables but left before the fireworks and watched them from the balcony of out lake view room instead. If we stay there again I would go up for drinks and maybe some food but not with the idea of watching the fireworks from inside the lounge. I think some of the elevator lobbies offer just as good a view - ours on the 8th floor did.