Can I use Top of World Lounge if renting DVC points? Can I bring guests?

[NOLAmom]

Hello and thanks in advance for any help you can give. I just researched this and of course found numerous conflicting opinions on the subject matter. I've rented points at BLT from a DVC member whose home resort is BLT for the last week of January...slow time hopefully. Can my family use the Top of the World Lounge if renting points? I have 3 family members who live in Orlando coming for dinner 1 night. Can I bring them up to the lounge with me or do they not accept guests?

 

[rlovew]

Possibly- technically the lounge is only for DVC members staying on points and this past week we were asked for our member card one night and just our room card the other night (although it was the same staff member so he could have remembered us). When we arrived at the elevator there was a couple trying to goup (they had not checked in) and they were asked for their room cards before being allowed to go up but I don't think their member card.

 

[cbg1027]

My understanding is that it's for DVC members, staying on points at BLT.
So someone who is just renting points is not eligible to use the lounge.

 

[TagsMissy]

It depends on who is manning the desk where you check in and how much they follow regulation to see both room and blue DVC card.

Sometimes you can get in with just one person showing a room key, sometimes they ask everybody to show their key and ask for one blue DVC member card that matches a name of one of the keys.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Lots of times they ask to see the Blue Member card. Since you are not a member, you won't have one to show them. And members staying at BLT are not permitted to bring anyone up to the TOTWL unless they are staying with them in their villa or they are also guests at BLT.

It's a member perk. They don't offer member perks to persons who compensate the member for the use of the points.

 

[Lynne M]

Officially, use of the lounge is restricted to members staying on points at BLT, and their guests, who are staying with them at BLT. A cast member is stationed at the elevator to the lounge, checking IDs.

It's possible you may get lucky, and the CM checking IDs doesn't ask to see your DVC member card. I think it's quite unlikely, though, that they'll let a non-member up AND guests who aren't even staying at BLT.


In general, renting a reservation from a member does not give you access to the member perks. You get the benefits that go with staying at a Disney resort (free parking at theme parks, KTTW charging, DME, package delivery, etc), but not those benefits that are offered to DVC members.

 

[NOLAmom]

Thanks for the information.

 

[pixie08]

What if you are a DVC member but you are staying one stay on cash? We are contemplating going NYE, we are DVC members but we can not get a ressie on points this late in the game. Might book cash using DVC discount.Would we be granted access?

 

[Ro Z]

Stayed at BLT in March on rented points (our KTTW did say DVC) and got to go to Top of World. BUT when we got there we found out why it was so easy to get in...........There was one other couple just leaving and 1 person came in while we were there. I am guessing if they had been busy we probably wouldn't have been able to get in.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What if you are a DVC member but you are staying one stay on cash? We are contemplating going NYE, we are DVC members but we can not get a ressie on points this late in the game. Might book cash using DVC discount.Would we be granted access?

Unless they change the policy after the summer trial, and unless you book your cash trip through DVC Member Services, you won't be able to go up.

And the DVC discount might not be available.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

What if you are a DVC member but you are staying one stay on cash? We are contemplating going NYE, we are DVC members but we can not get a ressie on points this late in the game. Might book cash using DVC discount.Would we be granted access?

IIRC, the terminology said something to the effect of Members utilizing their membership. A points res or a cash res booked through MS qualifies.

ETA: From the Member site
"Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis."

 

[daannzzz]

We are meeting a couple of friends at the MK who live in the area. Can we bring the visitors up to our room for a drink or is that not allowed either?

 

[Lynne M]

We are meeting a couple of friends at the MK who live in the area. Can we bring the visitors up to our room for a drink or is that not allowed either?

Absolutely. It's just the lounge that has restricted access.

 

[pilferk]

Edit: Never mind..just saw the date on the first post.

 

[Deb & Bill]

IIRC, the terminology said something to the effect of Members utilizing their membership. A points res or a cash res booked through MS qualifies.

ETA: From the Member site
"Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis."

The new information on accessing the lounge specifies members or guests with members. Not renters.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

The new information on accessing the lounge specifies members or guests with members. Not renters.

No surprise that they are behind in getting the website updated . Just out of curiosity, where is the new/current policy published?

 

[Deb & Bill]

No surprise that they are behind in getting the website updated . Just out of curiosity, where is the new/current policy published?

Came in an email to some members.

From July 8-Aug. 25, 2012, Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at the 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: the Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

The sleekly designed bar and lounge, typically available only to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower, operates from 5 p.m.-midnight daily and offers spectacular rooftop viewing of Wishes™ - the Magic Kingdom® fireworks spectacular - complete with the show's stirring musical soundtrack. The ability to access the lounge has been a frequent request from Members staying at other Walt Disney World Resorts since Bay Lake Tower opened in 2009, and Disney Vacation Club is thrilled to make that "wish" come true during this special summer period.

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. 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 will be 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.

 

[smidgy]

IIRC, the terminology said something to the effect of Members utilizing their membership. A points res or a cash res booked through MS qualifies.

ETA: From the Member site
"Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis."

I do not believe this is rescinded. I think the new email (and rules) is regarding the new access for those staying at other DVC properties.

in other words, during this trial summer period, DVC members staying elsewhere on property (and anyone staying with them) can ALSO access TOWL, besides those already allowed via the previous rules.

in other words, those staying at BLT on points, and any DVC member staying on property, and those staying with them.
JMO.

 

[asmit4]

I read this post 3 times and still do not understand. If I RENT points from someone like through David's rentals- do I get access or not?

In additon, I have a friend who owns at Bay Lake Towers- if I had her KTTW card with the insignia could I get in? (yes, I know it's 'cheating')

 

[vicki_c]

I read this post 3 times and still do not understand. If I RENT points from someone like through David's rentals- do I get access or not?

In additon, I have a friend who owns at Bay Lake Towers- if I had her KTTW card with the insignia could I get in? (yes, I know it's 'cheating')

It is for members and their guests staying with them at BLT using their membership.

So most likely not. CMs are supposed to ask to see your DVC member card and your BLT Key to the World card for your current stay. You could get lucky with a more lax CM who only asks for the room card, but I think reports are still mixed as to whether BLT cards have the DVC notation on them or not.

Not sure how you would get a KTTW card from your friend, unless she's currently staying there when you are. And in that case, I think you could get away with being her guest (even though that's not really what that means in the rule).

Edited: sorry to be repetitive, didn't realize this was already said a bunch of times on page 1.