Can I bring guests to TOW lounge?

[mousestruck]

Are we allowed to bring guests up to TOW if they’re not on our reservation? We are meeting a local family for drinks and thought that would be nice. If it’s not officially permitted, is there another nice lounge in the hotel that could accommodate 8 people?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

In theory, no. In practice, it often works out.

None of you can park there for the lounge, per rules.

Should you run into the rare occasion your party gets turned away, the Wave has a nice lounge.

 

[mousestruck]

In theory, no. In practice, it often works out.

None of you can park there for the lounge, per rules.

Should you run into the rare occasion your party gets turned away, the Wave has a nice lounge.

Thank you! I forgot about the Wave. That is a very good back-up plan.

 

[The Jackal]

We have brought guests up to the lounge. It’s only an issue if it is crowded. Most of the year it is not crowded.

 

[mousestruck]

We have brought guests up to the lounge. It’s only an issue if it is crowded. Most of the year it is not crowded.

Really? Were they on your room reservation, and how many guests? We would have four. Don't know if that would be too many.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have brought guests up before just showing a membership card. And we have always parked, just telling th guard we are going to watch fireworks from the lounge. It’s never been an issue.

 

[bluecruiser]

Are we allowed to bring guests up to TOW if they’re not on our reservation? We are meeting a local family for drinks and thought that would be nice. If it’s not officially permitted, is there another nice lounge in the hotel that could accommodate 8 people?

We have brought guests up before just showing a membership card. And we have always parked, just telling th guard we are going to watch fireworks from the lounge. It’s never been an issue.

Regardless of what may have been allowed on occasion in the past, the only thing you can really count on is the official information from the DVC website:

Access to this lounge—one of the vacation kingdom’s most unique spaces—is reserved for Members and their guests who are staying on that Member's reservation.

Parking is only available to those staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation.

Anything above and beyond this is, well, above and beyond. You can't count on it happening for you. You can certainly try, but prepare yourself (and your guests) so you won't be disappointed if you are refused.

 

[mousestruck]

Regardless of what may have been allowed on occasion in the past, the only thing you can really count on is the official information from the DVC website:



Anything above and beyond this is, well, above and beyond. You can't count on it happening for you. You can certainly try, but prepare yourself (and your guests) so you won't be disappointed if you are refused.

Understood! That is exactly why I posted this inquiry. I’m not counting on anything and simply deciding whether it’s worth a shot - accompanied by a good back-up plan, or if we should go straight to plan B. I appreciate people sharing their thoughts and experiences.

 

[Sandisw]

Understood! That is exactly why I posted this inquiry. I’m not counting on anything and simply deciding whether it’s worth a shot - accompanied by a good back-up plan, or if we should go straight to plan B. I appreciate people sharing their thoughts and experiences.

I was just there last week and they only asked to see my card and ID, We were a group of 2, but a group of 6 was behind us. Same thing. There was no checking to even see that we had a reservation.

So, I would say your chances are good...if it is not crowded...that you will have success!

 

[The Jackal]

Regardless of what may have been allowed on occasion in the past, the only thing you can really count on is the official information from the DVC website:


Anything above and beyond this is, well, above and beyond. You can't count on it happening for you. You can certainly try, but prepare yourself (and your guests) so you won't be disappointed if you are refused.

I don’t see any limit. It states first come first served. I know it used to to list an amount. It does not state that all have to be on the member’s reservation. I think they are trying to make it profitable. Almost every time I have been up there there is about 15-20 people there.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

View attachment 460301

I don’t see any limit. It states first come first served. I know it used to to list an amount. It does not state all have to be on the member’s reservation. I think they are trying to make it profitable. Almost every time I have been up there there is about 15-20 people there.

Well, actually, it says nothing about guests at all now. It says "eligible members."

 

[Deb & Bill]

View attachment 460301

I don’t see any limit. It states first come first served. I know it used to to list an amount. It does not state all have to be on the member’s reservation. I think they are trying to make it profitable. Almost every time I have been up there there is about 15-20 people there.

There are now three pages with information about accessing the TOTWL.

Important Details

View details about parking, blockout dates, operating hours and more.
Parking
Parking is only available to those staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort or Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation.
Parking will also be available for Guests renting the Top of the World Lounge for the duration of the event.
Hours
Current operating hours are 6:00 PM to midnight. Hours are subject to change.
Blockout dates
This benefit is offered into 2019, but these blockout dates apply:

• July 3: Available only to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower
• 
  
• July 4: Closed for Private Member Event
• 
  
• December 30: Available only to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower
• 
  
• December 31: Closed for Private Member Event

Blockout dates are subject to change.

Highlights

It’s an ideal place to savor light bites and refreshing cocktails—and unforgettable views.
Access to this lounge—one of the vacation kingdom’s most unique spaces—is reserved for Members and their guests who are staying on that Member's reservation.
Top of the World Lounge offers sweeping views of Magic Kingdom park from the 16th floor of Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

 

[bluecruiser]

The info I posted was from two separate sections on the page I linked. The key is to click the Read More link in each section.

As posted above, the Highlights section has the info about guests staying on the member's reservation. And the parking info is under the Important Details section.

DVC could make this a whole lot easier on us if they would just expand all the sections to begin with. But their whole website is designed like this ... you never know what you're missing unless you click on every Read More link.