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

[bobbiwoz]

Just wondering!

DH mentioned that he would not be adverse to buying BLT points. Then he said how much he enjoyed our recent trip up there. We were with our family & friends one night in January. I told him the lounge could disappear as a perk, so to speak.

What do you think. We do not have any DVC restricted points now, and I was planning to buy VGF, but to be honest, point cost predictions are troubling me. Whereas BLT points would allow me to access the GF's lobby for the times I really want to enjoy the atmosphere there via the monorail.

I am torn right now.

Bobbi

 

[drusba]

Disney can end TOWL at its discretion. Likely it will continue as long as it makes a profit. If it is not doing so, the next step might be to permit regular Disney guests at Contemporary and possibly elsewhere to use it. If that does not generate desired profit, Disney would likely close it. In essence don't base purchasing at BLT on the assumption of continuous use of TOWL because TOWL's continuing existence likely depends on profit generated.

 

[tjkraz]

I didn't think it would last this long.

At this moment in time DVC seems inclined to expand perks rather than reduce them. Seems like a pretty low cost member perk which does generate some revenue.

One variable which will may change the situation in the near future is the opening of VGF. Right now, I don't think there are great number of guests venturing to BLT on a nightly basis from SSR, AKV, OKW and others. But the short monorail trip from VGF could (should) attract a lot more people to the lounge.

If the crowds grow too large, DVC could look at altering the perk.

 

[chalee94]

i would not be surprised to see it go away. no idea, though.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I could not believe how dead it was three weeks ago. DH and I went for a visit and there was no one there. Then I went for a visit by myself and again no one there. In fact I took a cat nap it was that quiet.

We found it to be a nice break from MK to stroll over and relax for a bit. I hope the keep it.

 

[disneynutz]

DVC is in flux. Three different sets of executives over the last 2 years, who knows what they will do.

Money is Disney's number one reason for everything.
How many TOTWL visitors are spending money?
How long do they stay?
Do DVC owners spend their money in a bar?
Would cash guests spend more money?
Would Disney make more money renting the place out to private parities?

My guess is that they would make more money renting the place out to private parities. VIP parities especially since the Contemporary is a convention resort.

I can see them leaving the observation area open to DVC owners on non party nights. BLT owners pay for the upkeep, maintenance, insurance, and utilities for the deck and lounge anyway.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

Money is Disney's number one reason for everything.
How many TOTWL visitors are spending money?
How long do they stay?
Do DVC owners spend their money in a bar?
Would cash guests spend more money?
Would Disney make more money renting the place out to private parities?

All true but it stands to reason Disney made more money off of the space in 2012 when it opened up to all members. And those numbers were sufficient to expand the perk into 2013.

The lounge does have value as a perk offered to members and prospective members.

My guess is that they would make more money renting the place out to private parities. VIP parities especially since the Contemporary is a convention resort.

Perhaps but Disney has plenty of similar spaces to rent out and only a limited market interested in spending the $$$.

From the beginning I had wondered if the lounge would be closed off on select dates when Disney opted to lease it to outsiders. But in nearly 4 years of operation, I have yet to hear of a single night when it was closed due to a private function.

I do agree anything could change at any time. But if their sole purpose was to maximize revenue generated by the space, it could have been managed much differently from the day it opened.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I will say I wasn't too big of a fan there. Getting a drink for my mother and I this Feb was like pulling teeth. The bartender could have gotten more profit from us if it wasn't an annoyance.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've probably used the lounge 10 times, over the years. The only times we didn't buy drinks and only used the deck was when we were staying at BLT, we had wine in the room, and that's been around 5 times. The lounge has never been "dead" when we've been there. In January, (I was there 3 times in January, always with different people) my friends and I were in the little alcove, no other tables were free. We had a nice pre DCL Member Cruise meet up there too.

So, even if it weren't used by BLT/DVCers, the cost of the lounge would still be paid by BLT owners?

One question for 2013, if you are STAYING at BLT on points, the lounge can be used by you fo rJuly 3,4 and December 30,31. Is that correct?

 

[disneynutz]

We've probably used the lounge 10 times, over the years. The only times we didn't buy drinks and only used the deck was when we were staying at BLT, we had wine in the room, and that's been around 5 times. The lounge has never been "dead" when we've been there. In January, (I was there 3 times in January, always with different people) my friends and I were in the little alcove, no other tables were free. We had a nice pre DCL Member Cruise meet up there too.

So, even if it weren't used by BLT/DVCers, the cost of the lounge would still be paid by BLT owners?

One question for 2013, if you are STAYING at BLT on points, the lounge can be used by you fo rJuly 3,4 and December 30,31. Is that correct?

My understanding is that Disney reversed their original ownership and turned the lounge and deck over to the BLT owners. We pay all the bills and Disney pays us to use the lounge to sell food and drinks.

The lounge is busy now but is it enough? I'm sure that Disney has a required number to keep the place open, other Disney bars had their hours cut due to poor sales. Just because people are hanging out there doesn't mean that they are hitting their numbers and there have been reports of guests bringing their own drink and food.

The other issue is that 90% of sales only occur just before the fireworks. That means that during a 6 hour shift only 1 hour makes a profit.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

One question for 2013, if you are STAYING at BLT on points, the lounge can be used by you for July 3,4 and December 30,31. Is that correct?

Correct, the restriction is for owners not staying at BLT.

Bill

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Remember the Attic?

Same thing could happen here. I would NEVER buy assuming you will be able to have this perk going forward.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Remember the Attic?

Same thing could happen here. I would NEVER buy assuming you will be able to have this perk going forward.

I think the Attic was never opened to DVCers.

 

[Micca]

The TOTWL has so much potential because if the location/view, but no one seems to be too enamored with it. It is such a non-big deal to BLT members that they opened it to other DVC members who also find it is a non-big deal.

Know what would make it a big deal? Put in an Adventurer's type club up there. People would go ape socks for it.

 

[disneynutz]

The TOTWL has so much potential because if the location/view, but no one seems to be too enamored with it. It is such a non-big deal to BLT members that they opened it to other DVC members who also find it is a non-big deal.

Know what would make it a big deal? Put in an Adventurer's type club up there. People would go ape socks for it.

In the eyes of Disney, the Adventurer's club was no big deal so they closed it.

Bill

 

[smidgy]

unless DVC owners spend some money in the lounge (instead of just using the fireworks viewing area), I doubt it.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

unless DVC owners spend some money in the lounge (instead of just using the fireworks viewing area), I doubt it.

Even if they do, the problem is it's 'one hour" a day. I was up there and folks did spend money, but we all arrived just before fireworks got a drink and maybe an appetizer and then headed home right after fireworks. Hard to make ends meet if you are a "tipped" position and you only have traffic for that short a time. So we don't have the "good" staff and then we whine about the "lack of staff" etc....

 

[Anal Annie]

Disney can end TOWL at its discretion. Likely it will continue as long as it makes a profit. If it is not doing so, the next step might be to permit regular Disney guests at Contemporary and possibly elsewhere to use it. If that does not generate desired profit, Disney would likely close it. In essence don't base purchasing at BLT on the assumption of continuous use of TOWL because TOWL's continuing existence likely depends on profit generated.

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.

 

[disneynutz]

Even if they do, the problem is it's 'one hour" a day. I was up there and folks did spend money, but we all arrived just before fireworks got a drink and maybe an appetizer and then headed home right after fireworks. Hard to make ends meet if you are a "tipped" position and you only have traffic for that short a time. So we don't have the "good" staff and then we whine about the "lack of staff" etc....

The lack of TIPS is the reason that the CM's consider TOTWL a less than desirable assignment. Could be the reason for slow service plus I have been told by many service CM's that DVC people are poor tippers.

They get much better tips from guests that don't go to Disney very often, are excited being there, and feel that they will tip extra because they are on a once in a lifetime vacation.

Bill

 

[Brian Noble]

The other issue is that 90% of sales only occur just before the fireworks. That means that during a 6 hour shift only 1 hour makes a profit.

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.