Epcot Lounge to remain open through 2019

[LSchrow]

Just got an email from DVC:
Due to popular demand, Epcot® Member Lounge access has now been extended through 2019 (YAY!)

 

[Chancery8]

Awesome! Man, I never get these emails letting me know what's up. Good thing I've got the DIS!

 

[ScubaCat]

They really kind of slipped it in nonchalantly at the bottom corner there, right next to the moonlight magic and toy story land link that has nothing new in it at all.

Here comes another year I'll never make it to that lounge

 

[PoohsFan1]

So glad to hear this, we will be there in June 2019 and that is one thing we love to take advantage of while in Epcot .

 

[Chuck S]

Good, I visit the lounge almost every trip. It is a nice place to rest a few minutes, have a snack, charge your phone, and head back out into the crowd.

 

[bbn1122]

Is open the whol time the park is open?

I completely forgot about on our last visit. My family is only visiting the parks for 2-3 days this trip, we are in HHI prior to our stay at VGF in a couple of weeks.
We are planning just an evening at Epcot when it’s open Till 11pm. My sons and their friends enjoy the rides and not too many at Epcot. DH likes h countries.

 

[Dancind]

Yay! Maybe we will get there next year!

 

[Geomom]

Is open the whol time the park is open?

I completely forgot about on our last visit. My family is only visiting the parks for 2-3 days this trip, we are in HHI prior to our stay at VGF in a couple of weeks.
We are planning just an evening at Epcot when it’s open Till 11pm. My sons and their friends enjoy the rides and not too many at Epcot. DH likes h countries.

The lounge is open from 10AM-6PM.

 

[bbn1122]

The lounge is open from 10AM-6PM.

Ok, so unless we hit it first we will miss it again. No big deal. Someday.

 

[Newsies]

Awesome! Can't wait to check it out when my family visits in November.

 

[disneynutz]

People love free and exclusivity. IMO it's a nice touch if you need a place to sit down in the AC but not worth thinking twice about.

Bill

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

Awesome! Man, I never get these emails letting me know what's up. Good thing I've got the DIS!

Me neither. : (

 

[AdamsMum]

I visited the lounge last October when my sister and I went for F&W. It was nice to sit and relax with a cold beverage out of the hot sun, no snack lady though. I wouldn't go out of my way to fit it into my plans. If I'm in the area and in need of a rest though, I'll drop by. I get why people want to experience it once though. It's a nice little perk.

 

[Woody412]

We were in Epcot last week and didn’t get within 200 feet of the place. I was too scared my magic band would shock me if I got any closer (as a resale buyer, I am effectively banned for life). I thought I would suffer from a bout of FOMO but it never happened. It turns out that if I can’t get dry pulled pork on top of a rubbery beef patty, I’m not interested.

 

[PleasejointheFarque]

we actually liked the lounge the one time we visited, it wasn't crowded and the DH could soak up some AC. we may check it out this time, we love looking at the architecture of the place, the drinks are just a bonus. Shame there is no paid bar service, that would be nice.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The lounge is a nice respite from the afternoon summer heat. It's also a good place to recharge my phone and enjoy a Keurig cup of coffee! Certainly better than the Chase lounge that was only open during Food & Wine.

 

[Meriweather]

Yay...we have gone several times and really like it

 

[tb1972]

Are resale buyers banned? We have 3 resale contracts bought 2011-2012 many years ago and never had trouble at the lounge. Perhaps that’s a new restriction?

 

[Chuck S]

Are resale buyers banned? We have 3 resale contracts bought 2011-2012 many years ago and never had trouble at the lounge. Perhaps that’s a new restriction?

Having bought in 2011, you are likely grandfathered and able to use the lounge. There were newer restrictions put onto resale contracts a couple of years ago.

 

[DenLo]

Are resale buyers banned? We have 3 resale contracts bought 2011-2012 many years ago and never had trouble at the lounge. Perhaps that’s a new restriction?

Some resale buyers are restricted and others are not as Chuck S said. Here is the official wording from DVC:

Disney and Concierge Collections options are not available for ownership interests not purchased directly from Disney Vacation Development, Inc. after March 21, 2011, and, effective April 4, 2016, Members who have not purchased an ownership interest directly from DVD will not have access to Membership Extras.

The Epcot Lounge is considered Membership benefits, however the Top of the World Lounge at BLT is not a membership benefit, so resale buyers can use that lounge when staying at WDW on their membership, the same as direct purchased buyers or those members that were grandfathered in. I guess the difference is that the TOTWL does not have free drinks and snacks only a free view of the fireworks. You pay for any refreshments in the lounge at BLT.