Do you think the Top of the World will remain for DVC use?

[disneynutz]

I know this is what happens, but I'm honestly at a loss as to why. It is probably my favorite MK-area lounge, and a place I'd be happy to visit for a nightcap (or a pre-MK-evening cocktail) if I were staying in the area. The other lounges on property all seem to do at least reasonable business throughout the evening---with similar limited appetizer menus, etc.---you'd think TotWL would too. Heck, the Belle Vue doesn't have any food at all, IIRC. I suppose some of the traffic at Tambu is spillover from people waiting to be seated at 'Ohana, but probably not at the others.

Kids and access. Most lounge customers aren't looking for a family place to hang out and you have to be taken to the elevator by a CM. BLT is out of the way unless you are staying at BLT.

Bill

 

[Brian Noble]

I guess, but kids aren't exclusive to BLT---they are at all of those other places too. Likewise, none of the other lounges are all that convenient unless you are staying at the associated resort or bar hopping. That's particularly true of Territory---WL/VWL isn't convenient to much of anything else---but aside from Tambu it is one of the best attended.

 

[disneynutz]

I guess, but kids aren't exclusive to BLT---they are at all of those other places too. Likewise, none of the other lounges are all that convenient unless you are staying at the associated resort or bar hopping. That's particularly true of Territory---WL/VWL isn't convenient to much of anything else---but aside from Tambu it is one of the best attended.

I have never been at any other lounge with kids jumping on the furniture or running through the place except BLT. The Turf club has kids from time to time playing pool but that's about it.

Bill

 

[Brian Noble]

Ah, I see what you are saying; the kids are driving others away. Could be.

I've only been up once, but the only annoying kids were off in an alcove, so mostly ignorable. Plus, it seems that they showed up 10 minutes or so prior to the fireworks, and left immediately after.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would have loved to have stayed up there longer to enjoy it but the extremely limited food menu was a downer. We wanted "real food" so we left and went down to the Contempo Cafe. I think they made a big mistake by not having a real kitchen up there to make more food items. There is nothing up there to "hold you" for any length of time.

Yes! We've had some of the offerings. More choices would be great!

Different venue but I think the Cali Grill is very noisy, and it's not just the kids. Need something to muffle sounds, I guess that's the Contemporary way.

 

[Greysword]

Personally, I don't see any reason for Disney to close the lounge as long as expenses are met. In so much, I like having the availability of the lounge enough to pay for it in my dues, so hopefully BLT members can make it at least net neutral on the profit margin. In addition if the tips are not there, the staff could be paid more per hour to be available.

I guess what I'm saying is that the membership may be willing to support this venture ourselves, so WDW doesn't loose money and the CMs on duty are paid well enough to be happy to be there. In this case, I'd hope management would just leave the lounge open.

 

[disneynutz]

Personally, I don't see any reason for Disney to close the lounge as long as expenses are met. In so much, I like having the availability of the lounge enough to pay for it in my dues, so hopefully BLT members can make it at least net neutral on the profit margin. In addition if the tips are not there, the staff could be paid more per hour to be available.

I guess what I'm saying is that the membership may be willing to support this venture ourselves, so WDW doesn't loose money and the CMs on duty are paid well enough to be happy to be there. In this case, I'd hope management would just leave the lounge open.

Disney like all businesses aren't interested in meeting expenses, they are interested in making a certain profit.

In the past Disney paid to keep the lounge open as an advertising enticement to sell BLT, now that BLT is sold out, if the profit generated doesn't hit their number, the lounge will probably close and the deck remain open.

The membership doesn't support the venue, BLT owners do, just like AKV owners pay for others to stay at Club Level.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

Does the deck HAVE to remain open to those staying at BLT at least?

 

[disneynutz]

Does the deck HAVE to remain open to those staying at BLT at least?

No Disney can do what ever they want.

If you remember the deck and lounge were excluded from the owners legally and was owned by Disney. Then they decided that they didn't want it anymore so gave it to the owners along with the cost of taking care of it. There is some kind of commercial clause buy I don't remember the details.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

No Disney can do what ever they want.

If you remember the deck and lounge were excluded from the owners legally and was owned by Disney. Then they decided that they didn't want it anymore so gave it to the owners along with the cost of taking care of it. There is some kind of commercial clause buy I don't remember the details.

Bill

I don't remember anything, . BLT wasn't something we initially wanted, but we have stayed there and it has grown on us. Thanks for your thoughts and information. The monorail & the ambiance of the GF's lobby with the live music are the real draws for us, not the views or the lounge. I do like fireworks without crowds, that's true, but not why we would buy. I suppose my decision will be based on the initial offering price of the VGF.

Bobbi

 

[disneynutz]

I don't remember anything, . BLT wasn't something we initially wanted, but we have stayed there and it has grown on us. Thanks for your thoughts and information. The monorail & the ambiance of the GF's lobby with the live music are the real draws for us, not the views or the lounge. I do like fireworks without crowds, that's true, but not why we would buy. I suppose my decision will be based on the initial offering price of the VGF.

Bobbi

We will stay at VGF a couple of times and if we like it enough we will wait for resale. BLT just doesn't do it for us like BWV & VWL.

Bill

 

[spiceycat]

disney could close to the lounge do to lack of customers.

now the deck is different - it looks like it was designed to be used with or w/o the lounge.

so the deck would still be there.

before it opened they tried to put tables on the deck - like they would need for parties. the wind kept blowing everything down. Now this is strange because for me the wind has never been that bad???? (on the deck) told to me by the manager. he was very nice.

the lounge itself is too small for a big party. plus the food must be brought over from the CR.

really though for an reception after a wedding it would be great - but don't think it is even listed as a choice.

there is a big different between tow and ap - ap is all inside - most of tow is outside.

so hoping we get to kept it forever!!!! well at least to 2062 - but with Disney who knows. don't think they can easily take back something that they gave to members - of course they did it with ap.

 

[spiceycat]

Does the deck HAVE to remain open to those staying at BLT at least?

they gave it to us BLT owners - so really think it does have to stay open.

really think they need to open it for anyone staying at BLT - if that does not bring in enough people - then open it up to anyone staying at CR as well.

of course that might cut some of the business of Cal grill - but only a little.

It is a special place and I for one LOVE IT!!!

going to be there on July 4!!!! - now do I see the fireworks from the MK or TOW - guessing TOW. then go back to MK after.

 

[Greysword]

Disney like all businesses aren't interested in meeting expenses, they are interested in making a certain profit.

In the past Disney paid to keep the lounge open as an advertising enticement to sell BLT, now that BLT is sold out, if the profit generated doesn't hit their number, the lounge will probably close and the deck remain open.

The membership doesn't support the venue, BLT owners do, just like AKV owners pay for others to stay at Club Level.

Bill

I guess what I don't understand is that if the membership is paying for everything (space, utilities, staff, etc), then any sales above and beyond is profit for Disney, so why not simply leave the lounge open? Even if they made a dollar the whole night, it is better than not making the $1 profit. Plus, it is still a good sales tool, especially if it remains accessible for all DVC members at WDW.

As for who the membership is, I mentioned the costs being exclusive to BLT members, and not those from another resort. If it can be converted to a BLT lounge, like a standard hotel lounge, then all the better! Open for anyone staying at BLT with drinks and snacks. I'd pay for that!

 

[disneynutz]

I guess what I don't understand is that if the membership is paying for everything (space, utilities, staff, etc), then any sales above and beyond is profit for Disney, so why not simply leave the lounge open? Even if they made a dollar the whole night, it is better than not making the $1 profit. Plus, it is still a good sales tool, especially if it remains accessible for all DVC members at WDW.

As for who the membership is, I mentioned the costs being exclusive to BLT members, and not those from another resort. If it can be converted to a BLT lounge, like a standard hotel lounge, then all the better! Open for anyone staying at BLT with drinks and snacks. I'd pay for that!

If I remember correctly, Disney pays the owners for the use of the lounge, rent if you will. Disney is paying for the servers, bar tender, liquor, bar supplies, food, and the liquor license. Any profit from the lounge goes to Disney.

Like any lounge on property, they are expected to turn a profit. I know that the CM's who work their aren't very happy and they were required to keep track of the number of people using the lounge, what they bought, and how long they stayed.

The thing that makes me wonder is who sets the rental rates and terms of the rental/lease. Isn't it a conflict of interest?

Bill

 

[Brian Noble]

Of course it is. But, so is just about everything having to do with DVCMC.

 

[spiceycat]

Of course it is. But, so is just about everything having to do with DVCMC.

 

[vakamalua]

We were at the BLT Lounge last week (stayed at AKV Kidani). We arrived just past 6:30 and ordered drinks and the pretzels; there was one other couple there when we arrived. Between 7:00-7:30, the place filled up with couples and groups of adults; all the seats were taken. They were all ordering drinks; some food. The waiters were quite busy. Shortly before 8:00, quite a few groups (some with children) arrived on the deck to watch the MK fireworks and then quickly disbursed but most of the adults in the lounge stayed on.

That was our first visit. It is a lovely spot to relax and we would enjoy going back so I hope they keep it operational. Although it may not be fully used for the seven hours it's open each night, it was doing a very brisk business for the time we were there and with the high drink and food prices, the waiters were collecting decent tips.

I would suggest they make the lounge 'adults only' (leaving the deck open to families. Although there were no children in the lounge for the almost two hours we were there, I would not want to linger over drinks with children in such a grown-up setting.

 

[Greatfalls]

We got here last night for our first stay at BLT and went to the lounge at 11:30 after our flight got in at 10 They don't exactly make it easy to find. There's no signage and after looking around, we asked the DVC salesperson in the lobby if she knew about it. Turns out she was the person to check us in, and she walked us to the elevator. It may be because it was late and the desk was closed, but the sense I got was that it was kind of a secret handshake thing. They might get more usage if they advertise it more.