Drinks and Illuminations at Top of the World Lounge?

[ckpoodge]

Hi all.

We have a trip coming up, and we are finally getting to stay at our home resort.

As I drifted off to sleep, I thought of 2 questions that I'm hoping someone has the answers to.

1. Do they serve Chocolate Martinis at the TOTWL? My husband and I are not drinkers, but I had an espresso martini to celebrate the end of tax season, and I thought "Wow, that would be dangerous if it came in chocolate." We decided that since we didn't get to have a drink at our wedding, we would have one up there while we watch Wishes. If they have chocolate martinis, he said he would have one. Otherwise, can anyone else suggest a not so alcoholly alcoholic drink for us? We're lightweights, we never drink, and only plan on having 1 drink. We need to be prepared for a full day of fun at the Magic Kingdom in the morning.

2. Can you see Illuminations from there as well? I know you won't be able to see the low fireworks, but how cool would that be if you could see some of the lasers/higher fireworks? We had an Illuminations dessert party, so that would also tie in to our magical "2nd honeymoon" evening. I know that when we took a tour of the TOTWL, we were able to see the other parks in the distance, so I thought I'd ask.

Thanks, and I can't wait to get back home.

 

[LauraLea]

No you cannot see Illuminations from TOTW. They are a full bar and can make any drink you would like, even non-alcoholic ones for you.

We were at BLT earlier this month and had a Lake view studio reserved and made no special requests for room location.

OMG, we got the best view. 16th floor, north side. Perfect view of Spaceship Earth and Illuminations. One night there was a special private event and fireworks (very impressive ones I might add) set off from the old River Country area just before Illuminations. Then we only had to walk a few steps to TOTW to see Wishes. 3 fireworks show and we did not have to leave our resort floor.

Laura

 

[hakepb]

On a different photography forum I follow, I saw someone post a picture of Illuminations from the top of the Contemporary (not BLT) so I would think there is a possible site line from any upper part of BLT that aces that direction, but that is probably 5+ miles away so it is not much to see.

If this link works I think it is a high digital zoom on top of a 16x optical (416mm 35mm equivelant) zoom so it needs more of telescope to see any real detail

 

[jstarcze]

Yes they have chocolate martinis at TOWL. I know because I've had one. And yes you can see the higher illuminations fireworks from TOWL. There is a small deck area outside behind the bar that looks in the proper direction to see the Epcot fireworks.

 

[Pleglech]

Yes on the chocolate martinis
You can see illuminations from the observation deck, but not from inside.

 

[BuzzLiteyear]

On a different photography forum I follow, I saw someone post a picture of Illuminations from the top of the Contemporary (not BLT) so I would think there is a possible site line from any upper part of BLT that aces that direction, but that is probably 5+ miles away so it is not much to see.

If this link works I think it is a high digital zoom on top of a 16x optical (416mm 35mm equivelant) zoom so it needs more of telescope to see any real detail

Care to share that photography forum? I follow a few and would love to see another where a few Disney pics get posted.

 

[spiceycat]

don't you want to see 'wishes' from the Mk at TOW?

 

[ckpoodge]

Thanks to all that posted. Now I'm really getting excited!

don't you want to see 'wishes' from the Mk at TOW?

Yes, we will be seeing Wishes as well. I was hoping that we could watch Illuminations (which happens at 9:00 on the dot - always) and then get into position for a 10:00 Wishes. 2 fireworks shows for the price of 1.

Can't wait!

 

[amypetecar]

I saw illuminations fireworks from the CA Grill. It was really cool to see them go off in the distance as part of the "magic" of being up there. But it really is too far off in the distance for most people to consider it to be a viewing area for illuminations.

 

[dvcbrad]

I was thinking I had read that access to TOTWL was restricted to registered BLT guests only. Is that true, or is it (TOTWL) accessible to all DVC members?

 

[smidgy]

I believe it is available t anhyone staying at BLT on points.

(but they should think about changing that to either all dvc members, or anyone at BLT ,or even anyone at CR) reason? while the viewing area was busy, the lounge itself was empty.. the poor bartenders and wait staff were crawling over each other, trying to make a few lousy bucks!

DVC might very well lose it entirely, in it's effort to keep it so "inclusive". disney might rent it out.. who knows?

 

[hakepb]

Care to share that photography forum? I follow a few and would love to see another where a few Disney pics get posted.

It was in dpreview.com (in the Sony Non-DSLr forum). It was just 1 group of Disney pictures from a poster trying out his new camera on vacation at Disney. 99% of the pictures posted are non-Disney landscapes and macros, though.

 

[kruegeme]

TOTWL is currently only available to DVC members staying at BLT.

We've found that the crowds vary night to night. On some nights you may be the only family there while other nights, there's not a chair open in the lounge and the viewing area is wall to wall. While I'm not 100% sure, I believe the busier nights are during the MVMCP or other special ticket events at MK.

 

[dvcbrad]

TOTWL is currently only available to DVC members staying at BLT.

We've found that the crowds vary night to night. On some nights you may be the only family there while other nights, there's not a chair open in the lounge and the viewing area is wall to wall. While I'm not 100% sure, I believe the busier nights are during the MVMCP or other special ticket events at MK.

Thanks, I thought the restriction was something like that. Given that two posters have said the crowds are fairly light, I hope DVC relaxes the restriction at some point. I'd love to go up there for cocktails and fireworks sometime, but not sure that will happen without a rule change. I guess I just don't see us staying there in the foreseeable future, as we prefer some of the other resorts better.

 

[twinklebug]

Thanks, I thought the restriction was something like that. Given that two posters have said the crowds are fairly light, I hope DVC relaxes the restriction at some point. I'd love to go up there for cocktails and fireworks sometime, but not sure that will happen without a rule change. I guess I just don't see us staying there in the foreseeable future, as we prefer some of the other resorts better.

You should consider trying it for just one night - I didn't think I'd like BLT either (I hate high rises - remind me of work and the city too much) but we started off our VWL trip with 2 nights there a couple years back and I found I really loved some aspects of the resort (like the pool, fountain, bridge over to CR, and LOVED hanging out on the balcony with a lake view). Surprisingly, I can see us staying there again someday.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Had the Chocolate Martini at TOTWL also..... I am not a big drinker but all I can say is YUMMY!!!

 

[dvcbrad]

You should consider trying it for just one night - I didn't think I'd like BLT either (I hate high rises - remind me of work and the city too much) but we started off our VWL trip with 2 nights there a couple years back and I found I really loved some aspects of the resort (like the pool, fountain, bridge over to CR, and LOVED hanging out on the balcony with a lake view). Surprisingly, I can see us staying there again someday.

Not a bad thought, twinklebug ... you do make it sound intriguing. Who knows, maybe it would be one of those pleasantly surprising kind of things! Thanks for the alternate pint of view.