Bridge to BLT only open to DVC members

[jeanninepl]

I just spoke with my guide about purchasing BLT and he did say you can only gain access to the walkway with your key and it was exclusive for DVC members only.

We are probably buying in to DVC because of BLT and I know this is probably not a very popular opinion but I do like the fact that you cannot pool hop at BLT. It is definitely a selling point for me.

 

[LIFERBABE]

I just spoke with my guide about purchasing BLT and he did say you can only gain access to the walkway with your key and it was exclusive for DVC members only.

We are probably buying in to DVC because of BLT and I know this is probably not a very popular opinion but I do like the fact that you cannot pool hop at BLT. It is definitely a selling point for me.

I think the confusion is when the guides are trying to sell you something, they are showing you the benefits of being a DVC Member.

They are not making the distinction that there are benefits for being a DVC Member, then there are benefits for being a DVC member staying ON POINTS and then there are benefits for Guests staying ON POINTS and also benefits of Home resort ownership.

Once DVC clarifies this all will make more sense.

Welcome Home if you decide to purchase.

Just keep in mind that things are subject to change and members don't get to vote.

 

[5forDiz]

....Now this is just my own personal opinion but if Bay Lake Tower guests can use the pool in the regular Tower which I assume will be able to happen, then wouldn't it make sense to let Contemporary guests use the one at Bay Lake Tower if they had to show their KTTW cards to gain entry? I am going to say again that the DVC Cast Member I spoke with said the Bay Lake Tower pool should be considered an amenity for both set of guests because it's still located at the Contemporary, just like the DVC pool in the Villas section at the Wilderness Lodge. So those were her words which means I am just saying what I was told.

I agree with what you are saying about access to both pools being available for guests staying at both Bay Lake Tower & main resort (as is the case for WL and VWL, BWI & BWV etc). Contemporary Resort's pool is expected to under go a refurb as well so perhaps that may even the playing field.

SuzannePLO raises an interesting point, too - if in fact BLT's pool is too small then could that possibly give reason enough to restrict main CR guests from having access ?

I understand not allowing other DVC resort guests pool hopping at BLT ( as is case for SAB & AKV ) but I think it's going to create a difficult situation if BLT guests can use CR's pool & CR's guests can't use BLT's.

Guess we'll have to stay tuned !

 

[WoodysRoundup]

II understand not allowing other DVC resort guests pool hopping at BLT ( as is case for SAB & AKV ) but I think it's going to create a difficult situation if BLT guests can use CR's pool & CR's guests can't use BLT's.

Just curious.....Why do you think it would create a difficult situation? It is a DVC facility at BLT. At AKV, there will be no pool hopping to Kidani's pool area for AKL guests. Pool hopping is just a benefit of owning DVC....which is why DVC folks can pool hop (where allowed).

 

[spiceycat]

Just curious.....Why do you think it would create a difficult situation? It is a DVC facility at BLT. At AKV, there will be no pool hopping to Kidani's pool area for AKL guests. Pool hopping is just a benefit of owning DVC....which is why DVC folks can pool hop (where allowed).

are you sure about Kidani?

the way the guides are talking BLT will be different - it will have something to prevent non-BLT guests from using it. Like SALB.

have not heard that about Kidani.

Kidani will be far enough away from Jambo - that only AKL guests determine to use this pool will do it. but pretty sure they can use it.

won't checking into BLT be fun - here are your wristbands for the pool, here are your vouchers for the lounge, here are whatever for the observation deck...

 

[disneynutz]

They could have used finger scanners.... but we all know how will they work.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

are you sure about Kidani?

the way the guides are talking BLT will be different - it will have something to prevent non-BLT guests from using it. Like SALB.

have not heard that about Kidani.

Kidani will be far enough away from Jambo - that only AKL guests determine to use this pool will do it. but pretty sure they can use it.

won't checking into BLT be fun - here are your wristbands for the pool, here are your vouchers for the lounge, here are whatever for the observation deck...

We are also members at AKV and according to our guide, AKL guests will not be able to use Kidani's pool unless they are DVC at Jambo, of course.

I personally don't mind how they regulate guests using facilities at BLT.....wristbands, vouchers, whatever. I am hopeful (and will be happy) if they are able to successfully enforce though. We bought into DVC for the priveleges as DVC members. For example, we LOVE the Poly but the pool just gets way too crowded. On our last trip, DS and I witnessed 3 kids (from different families) talking about what resorts they were staying at. I hope BLT can keep the pool hoppers at bay. It's part of what we're paying for.

 

[5forDiz]

Just curious.....Why do you think it would create a difficult situation? It is a DVC facility at BLT. At AKV, there will be no pool hopping to Kidani's pool area for AKL guests. Pool hopping is just a benefit of owning DVC....which is why DVC folks can pool hop (where allowed).

DVC has been attached to existing resorts in these cases. Only wondering about how this will play out based on history (so to speak) of the earlier DVC's built at established resorts & the shared facilities relationship.

Just curious if this will open up a can of worms between WDW Resorts division and DVD if the pool
( or other amenity ) reciprocity is stopped between the established resort and the DVC that subsequently gets attached to that resort ? ( ie SAB was/is Yacht & Beach Resort's - can they decide to stop access to guests at BCV ? ).

I'm not sure I'm conveying my thoughts clearly on this . . . guess what I'm trying to say is could this be a precedent that could happen in reverse ?

 

[jaurban]

Just by way of comparison, at The Signature at MGM Grand in Las Vegas - which is attached to the main hotel, but is like an ownership hotel - guests at the Signature had full use of the MGM pools, but MGM guests could not use the separate pools by each of the Signature towers - that was restricted with key card access and was attended by staff also. It was gated off. So, it can be done in the sense of making the restriction work. Has nothing to do with what is in the BLT docs of course.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I agree with what you are saying about access to both pools being available for guests staying at both Bay Lake Tower & main resort (as is the case for WL and VWL, BWI & BWV etc). Contemporary Resort's pool is expected to under go a refurb as well so perhaps that may even the playing field.

SuzannePLO raises an interesting point, too - if in fact BLT's pool is too small then could that possibly give reason enough to restrict main CR guests from having access ?

I understand not allowing other DVC resort guests pool hopping at BLT ( as is case for SAB & AKV ) but I think it's going to create a difficult situation if BLT guests can use CR's pool & CR's guests can't use BLT's.

Guess we'll have to stay tuned !

I hope your are correct that after the renovation to the main pool in the Tower will make it look just as good as the Bay Lake Tower pool.

I also agree with you that it would not look good if Bay Lake Tower guests can use the Tower pool, but a regular Contemporary guest could not use the Bay Lake Tower pool. While this may sound a little harsh but if Contemporary guests can not use the Bay Lake Tower pool, then maybe Bay Lake Tower guests should not be allowed use the Tower pool to make things even up. Of course if either pool was closed for a specifc reason then I am sure they would make exceptions to that rule.

 

[jdg345]

The booklet that was put out the day after the announcment states "The Top of the World Lounge and oabservation area are not part of the time-share plan. Limited acess is based upon availability and may be terminated"

I wouldn't count on being able to use it despite what the guides are telling you.

Exactly right ... I read this too and it brought back some deja vu moments of the BWV fiasco. What a shame really.

 

[WoodysRoundup]

While this may sound a little harsh but if Contemporary guests can not use the Bay Lake Tower pool, then maybe Bay Lake Tower guests should not be allowed use the Tower pool to make things even up. Of course if either pool was closed for a specifc reason then I am sure they would make exceptions to that rule.

The solution for you might be to consider a DVC purchase? That's just one of the many priveleges of DVC ownership...pool hopping.

 

[Tozzie]

I honestly think the pool situation has not been finalized yet and everyone is going to have to wait and see what will happen at BLT.

As far as the pool at Kidani, I was told and I have also read in a few different places that it will be open to all guests staying at either AKL or AKV. That could also change before it opens. I personally don't think DVC was ready to announce BLT and have not finalized a lot of the details.

I also think after reading about the lounge and what happened at BWV that DVC may have added the info about the lounge not being part of the time share should they decide in the future not to allow guests to use it.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The solution for you might be to consider a DVC purchase? That's just one of the many priveleges of DVC ownership...pool hopping.

My family and I have looked into purchasing DVC and right now the cost is not worth it.

 

[drusba]

As to check-in, I am guessing it will be at the Contemporary. Maybe I am wrong but it does not look like there will be any roads at BLT to allow busses or taxis to deliver guests and luggage for a check-in there. As to access to BLT, I assume there will be access by others, perhaps ground level walkway if they cannot use overhead walkway -- there is going to be a restaurant at BLT and Disney has never set it up to have a profit making restaurant be off limits to anyone.

As to the pool, possibly limited access, but also possible not, or there is the third alternative, no access by Contemporary guests when BLT first opens but then joint access after the "new" period wears off a little. As to the lounge -- well I do remember the Attic at BWV.

As to AKV Kidani pool, there have been conflicting statements made by guides, some saying it is limited to Kidani guests and DVC members from Jambo, others that it will be open to any AKL/AKV guests. I was in fact told the latter. Moreover the Kidani pool will have its own built in barrier to being overwhelmed by Jambo guests -- it will be about a 2/3 mile walk from Jambo to get to that pool.

That last point of course leads to one conclusion: the guides are not necessarily correct about things when they are discussing a resort not yet completed.

 

[crisi]

They said similar things about no hopping to SSR when that was first being built. Never materialized. I think that pool hopping will go away sooner or later to all resorts and you'll be restricted to where you are staying. If BLT has a dedicated pool, I'd expect BWV and VWL owners - whose pools get crowded with MK and Epcot/DHS attendees taking a break (not all of them DVCers) and campgrounds guests at WL will howl.

I have no doubt that the Lounge will be booked for private parties - Disney owns it, not DVC - and it will make a fantastic place for a wedding or a corporate reception. They'd be stupid to give away to DVC something they can sell. They may let DVCers use it when not in use by private parties, my guess is that won't last long because of the wear and tear on the fixtures and the issues that they will have regulating traffic if its "sometimes open."

(I wish The Attic had become a DVC lounge.)

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As to check-in, I am guessing it will be at the Contemporary. Maybe I am wrong but it does not look like there will be any roads at BLT to allow busses or taxis to deliver guests and luggage for a check-in there. As to access to BLT, I assume there will be access by others, perhaps ground level walkway if they cannot use overhead walkwa

I would assume after someone checks in for Bay Lake Tower in the regular Tower building, they would go out the other side towards the Sand Bar and the pool and turn left like they did when the North Garden Wing building was there.

 

[honeymo78]

I thought the artist renderings of the BLT lobby made it look like there would be a check-in desk

 

[twinklebug]

I thought the artist renderings of the BLT lobby made it look like there would be a check-in desk

I think keeping in with the 'yesterday's future today' theme theme they'll employ retro-futuristic pneumatic tubes (like in the jetsons) for transporting guests from the CR front desk to their rooms.

 

[honeymo78]

No more waiting for an elevator