Blt TOTW/TOTWL

[supersuperwendy]

I thought the views from up there were fantastic! I only wished I could have spent more time up there!

 

[culli]

Really? I've been up there several times and found the bartenders to be very good. But, I was sitting the bar, chatting with them so perhaps I have a different viewpoint. I understand that the CMs working up there are some of the best on property.
You say nothing for kids to 'eat or drink'....I'm sure there is soda there, but many don't like their kids to have soda. It is best to remember it is a 'lounge' not a full service restaurant. It has offerings that any other 'bar' or 'lounge' would have. It's not where you go to sit and enjoy a meal.

I can only assume you arrived 10 minutes before the fireworks, with the other 100's of people who decend on the place at that time.

I try to get there at least an hour before the fireworks, and have never received anything but stellar and very friendly service! Its a great chance to take a few moments to unwind after a busy day in the parks!

My other favorite time is right when they open, BEAUTIFUL sunsets from up threre!

Nope the place had maybe 6 people at the bar and 2-3 tables full. The observation deck we were one of the first groups there - about an hour ahead of time. I'm not saying they were not nice but absolutely no sense of urgency - not "professional bartenders". They were terrible at figuring out who was next or how to make drinks. Maybe they were breaking in a few new people but they had to ask the customer what was in a drink (I think it was a Manhattan). They didn't make eye contact and one was talking to a customer at the bar - which is ok but not when others are waiting. One couple was standing next to me and after not one of the 3 bartenders acknowledging them they just left. Hey maybe the two nights I just happened to be there on the wrong days.

I don't expect them to necessarily have items for kids, just explaining why we bring snacks and juice boxes up there.

I also realize it is a lounge and not a restaurant, I found the place to be great for the ambiance but very slow service and pricey. When I go to a lounge I expect to be served and/or have a some presence of a waitstaff if appropriate. The place is great and the view area awesome. I'm happy many have found great sevice from the bar staff - I definitely will go there again but won't think twice about bringing my own beverages and sit out on the observation deck.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nope the place had maybe 6 people at the bar and 2-3 tables full. The observation deck we were one of the first groups there - about an hour ahead of time. I'm not saying they were not nice but absolutely no sense of urgency - not "professional bartenders". They were terrible at figuring out who was next or how to make drinks. Maybe they were breaking in a few new people but they had to ask the customer what was in a drink (I think it was a Manhattan). They didn't make eye contact and one was talking to a customer at the bar - which is ok but not when others are waiting. One couple was standing next to me and after not one of the 3 bartenders acknowledging them they just left. Hey maybe the two nights I just happened to be there on the wrong days.

I don't expect them to necessarily have items for kids, just explaining why we bring snacks and juice boxes up there.

I also realize it is a lounge and not a restaurant, I found the place to be great for the ambiance but very slow service and pricey. When I go to a lounge I expect to be served and/or have a some presence of a waitstaff if appropriate. The place is great and the view area awesome. I'm happy many have found great sevice from the bar staff - I definitely will go there again but won't think twice about bringing my own beverages and sit out on the observation deck.

I"m sorry you had such a negative experience. I can only imagine that you caught CMs in an off night. As I said, I have had the exact opposite experience.
I'm glad that you won't be bringing in your own drinks and snacks to the lounge itself. This is not the type spot where one would bring in their own food/drink...not any more so than any other restaurant/lounge.

I think I'm done with this discussion...gotta just drop it before I have to give myself points...

 

[wilma-bride]

I have been there before, when we stayed at BLT last year and thought it was a really pleasant place to have a couple of quiet drinks. We didn't find the service lacking at all, however, we went there early on and were gone before Wishes started (since we were staying in a MK view GV it seemed pointless not to watch the fireworks from our own private balcony).

If we stayed at BLT again, I would definitely go to the lounge again and, if it were allowed when we were staying elsewhere, I would probably visit to have a drink and watch the fireworks but I definitely wouldn't make the trip there just for the drinks/food if I wasn't staying at BLT - it's not that great a lounge compared to some others.

 

[BCfan]

We stayed at BLT second week of sept. (LV on 14th floor). The Sunday night of our visit we went up to the lounge after dinner for drinks and to watch the fireworks. I thought the lounge was very nice, and the staff was very prompt and friendly.

Around 8:30 the skies darkened as a storm moved in right over the tower. What a sight. The lightning and thunder put on quite the show!! At first it seemed that they would cancel the fireworks, but the lounge manager kept everyone informed, and around 10 PM the fireworks got underway. We went out on the observation deck to view them. It was a unique experience, and we would definitely do it again.

BTW, I agree with Goofy4tink that food and drinks should not be brought into the lounge, but the observation deck would be OK .

jerry

 

[Pig Pen]

We LOVED TOWL. We were at BLT for 8 nights and probably visited TOWL 4 nights. We saw Halloween wishes, had flatbread, people-watched, had a couple of drinks, took lots of pictures. It was great.

 

[Chuck S]

We enjoy trying different dining option, and prefer a lighter meal in the evening, with our big meal at lunch time. As we often drive to POP from OKW for a lighter evening meal, we would certainly drive to the TOW for a light evening meal, if they had a little better selection. Even some nice pre-plated sandwiches or salads would do, given they have a very limited kitchen/prep area.

 

[PatsMom]

We just finished our second stay at BLT and on both visits we used TOTWL several times. We would usually go up after dinner and have drinks and unwind while waiting for the fireworks. Last trip I was really enjoying the Grand Margaritas! We've never had a problem with service. When it was just me and my husband, he would go to the bar and get our drinks. This trip there were three adults and one child so we sat at a table and had great service.

The menu is limited. We did have dinner there one night but they could really use a few pre-plated sandwiches or salads.

 

[mommyrants]

If we rent from a DVC owner at BLT, will we have access to the TOTWL?

 

[culli]

I"m sorry you had such a negative experience. I can only imagine that you caught CMs in an off night. As I said, I have had the exact opposite experience.
I'm glad that you won't be bringing in your own drinks and snacks to the lounge itself. This is not the type spot where one would bring in their own food/drink...not any more so than any other restaurant/lounge.

I think I'm done with this discussion...gotta just drop it before I have to give myself points...

Don't get me wrong it wasn't such a negative experience, we had a blast and plan on spending time there whenever we are at BLT. I was just as shocked as you at how inept the bartending was, but hey it was to get a few beers - it had little to no effect on the overall experience. Like I said if I'm with the kids and on the observation deck, I'm bringing my own adult beverages. Of course I didn't, don't plan on or would I ever sit in the lounge and bring my own drinks or food.

 

[ffcheff]

Just returned from BLT and was there twice, once with the whole family once by myself after kids went to bed. Great service both times. Flat breads were delicious. Becareful the long island iced teas sneak up on you .As for kids drinks they can make any dacuiri or pina colava with no alcohol. My wife and daughter each had one. Best place to see the fireworks.

 

[MinnieGi]

We're staying at BLT for the first time over Christmas and are looking forward to checking out the lounge!!