BLT - Top of the World - Rented Points

[pkhosla]

Hi All,

There is a great deal of information out there on whether or not people staying on a reservation that was booked by a DVC member will have access to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT.

Can anyone confirm?

The policy on the DVC Members site says that access will be granted to those staying in a room booked by a DVC Member... however, there seems to be instances where people are asked for the membership card.

Looking for some help on this.

Thanks!

 

[Minniesgal]

Strictly speaking following the rules you have to be a member to go up and they do ask for membership cards for that reason. That said it depends on the individual cast member some don't check. However, according to the rules renters aren't allowed.

 

[pkhosla]

Thanks for the quick reply. It's interesting, as the policy says that guests in rooms booked by a DVC member will have access. Confusing. Perhaps it's best to just try but not plan on it?

I'd be interested if anyone has had recent experience with this.

Thanks

Paul.

 

[rackle]

Thanks for the quick reply. It's interesting, as the policy says that guests in rooms booked by a DVC member will have access. Confusing. Perhaps it's best to just try but not plan on it?

I'd be interested if anyone has had recent experience with this.

Thanks

Paul.

The rules actually say the member and anyone staying in their party, not necessarily anyone staying on points.

"Top of the World Lounge Access

Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member’s reservation at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort may access Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort through December 29, 2014. Refer to DVCMember.com for full offer guidelines."

But like you said, you can try, the worse they can do is say no and if you are already expecting them to then nothing to be upset about.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

I have ALWAYS been asked for my membership card when going up to TotW.

Last time I was there, there was a CM "earning their ears" and her trainer was advising her to "never let up a party without asking for and seeing their membership card."

 

[barrysprot36]

We have never been asked for our membership card just our room card with DVC on it. The only time I can see being asked for our membership card is if we are not staying on points.

We have also taken guests up to the lounge with us a number of times. I don't think the CMs are bothered unless it's a busy/blackout time of year and are happy that the lounge is being used.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

We've taken up guests with us. About 50% of the time, our KTTW card does not have the DVC notation on it. No rhyme or reason to it.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hi All,

There is a great deal of information out there on whether or not people staying on a reservation that was booked by a DVC member will have access to the Top of the World Lounge at BLT.

Can anyone confirm?

The policy on the DVC Members site says that access will be granted to those staying in a room booked by a DVC Member... however, there seems to be instances where people are asked for the membership card.

Looking for some help on this.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, access to the TOTWL is a member perk and you are not a member. Guests who compensate a member for a reservation are not entitled to any DVC perks.

 

[erionm]

We have never been asked for our membership card just our room card with DVC on it. The only time I can see being asked for our membership card is if we are not staying on points.

We've taken up guests with us. About 50% of the time, our KTTW card does not have the DVC notation on it. No rhyme or reason to it.

All Disney owned and operated resorts are MagicBands only. KTTW cards are only issued on request.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

While the official wording has changed a bit, as a renter, the answer is still no. You wuld have to be travelling with the member as their guest to get access.

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, 2014 (blockout dates apply. Including but not limited to 12/30/13, 12/31/13, 7/3/14, and 7/4/14). Current operating hours are 6 p.m. to midnight.

This perk is available exclusively to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current Key to the World card displaying a Disney Vacation Club Membership notation in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. If the Member's Key to the World card doesn't display a Membership notation, a Disney Vacation Club Member ID is required in addition to the Key to the World card to verify Membership.

 

[supersnoop]

What if you ARE a member, but you're staying on someone else's rented points?

I know this guy who decided to rent, but then decided he should go ahead and buy before his stay. It's a guy I know.

 

[erionm]

What if you ARE a member, but you're staying on someone else's rented points?

I know this guy who decided to rent, but then decided he should go ahead and buy before his stay. It's a guy I know.

Members staying on any reservation at any Disney owned & operated hotel can access the lounge.

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, 2014 (blockout dates apply. Including but not limited to 12/30/13, 12/31/13, 7/3/14, and 7/4/14). Current operating hours are 6 p.m. to midnight.

This perk is available exclusively to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current Key to the World card displaying a Disney Vacation Club Membership notation in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. If the Member's Key to the World card doesn't display a Membership notation, a Disney Vacation Club Member ID is required in addition to the Key to the World card to verify Membership.

Note that Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation, as parking is unavailable to anyone not staying at Bay Lake Tower or Disney's Contemporary Resort. Upon arrival, Members must walk to the Bay Lake Tower main lobby entrance on the ground floor and check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the lobby.

This special Top of the World Lounge access is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity. As the lounge is particularly popular during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, arriving as early as possible will give Members the best chance of gaining admission.

 

[amy66b]

If I am reading the new verbiage correctly can you stay at "ANY" DW hotel and use the TotWL? Or do you need to be stay at BLT?

 

[erionm]

If I am reading the new verbiage correctly can you stay at "ANY" DW hotel and use the TotWL? Or do you need to be stay at BLT?

If it's not one of the black out dates (7/3, 7/4, 12/30, 12/31), it can be any Disney owned & operated hotel. On the black out dates, you have to be staying at BLT.

 

[supersnoop]

Members staying on any reservation at any Disney owned & operated hotel can access the lounge.

Sweet! I just hope I ...er; I mean "my friend," gets his membership card in time.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

I really don't understand the fascination people have with top of the world.

It's a nice space, but I much prefer the view of the fireworks from California Grill - or even the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary. The fireworks always look a little "off" from the TotWL.

I do love how it clears out afterwards though - it's a nice place for a cocktail after a day spent with crowds.

 

[disneynutz]

I really don't understand the fascination people have with top of the world.

It's a nice space, but I much prefer the view of the fireworks from California Grill - or even the 4th floor observation deck at the Contemporary. The fireworks always look a little "off" from the TotWL.

I do love how it clears out afterwards though - it's a nice place for a cocktail after a day spent with crowds.

If Disney builds it, they will come.

Bill

 

[amy66b]

If it's not one of the black out dates (7/3, 7/4, 12/30, 12/31), it can be any Disney owned & operated hotel. On the black out dates, you have to be staying at BLT.

Thanks so much for the info and quick reply!!!

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

If Disney builds it, they will come.

Bill

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It really depends on the CM at the check-in podium. We went with a group of 8 last year, and he just wanted to see one membership card even though we were on multiple reservations with multiple membership cards.