Experiencing the Reimagined Top of the World Lounge - A Villains Lair!

[keishashadow]

If we choose to go without a reservation, what is the 6pm waitlist procedure? You have to go to the podium in person, put your name on a waitlist, and then what? Do you get a call back, how long do they give you to return to the premises etc?

Inquiring minds do need to know.

Costs aside, Many cannot indulge sugary desserts or alcoholic drinks. Do wish there were alacarte options

Even a token cover charge ($10 pp) that included a soda/water & was restricted to SRO outdoors for a portion of the viewing area would be a compromise

 

[Disney102015]

Has anyone been able to bring up a guest who was not a DVC a member and staying in a separate room - either for the first come first served option or the paid option? I am guessing not but just want to check.

 

[Sandisw]

Has anyone been able to bring up a guest who was not a DVC a member and staying in a separate room - either for the first come first served option or the paid option? I am guessing not but just want to check.

I could not bring my friend to the event until we moved her into my room from her sons room. Both we rooms booked on my membership.

 

[DeeCee735]

Inquiring minds do need to know.

Costs aside, Many cannot indulge sugary desserts or alcoholic drinks. Do wish there were alacarte options

Even a token cover charge ($10 pp) that included a soda/water & was restricted to SRO outdoors for a portion of the viewing area would be a compromise

I don’t agree with charging any amount of fees to use DVC designated areas. Part of our dues pay for the DVC member lounges. I don’t agree with Wicked Wind Down events taking up time and space in what was and should remain a DVC member designated space. We are their loyalty members, repeating trips and paying cost increases year after year, besides our annual dues. Disney is starting to squeeze more out of its members and that’s just bad form, IMHO. Whereby, they should continue to increase free events and designated areas for the members, after all the dues go up every year and again, we’re the ones that visit repeatedly, moreso than others.
Dee

 

[DonMacGregor]

I don’t agree with charging any amount of fees to use DVC designated areas. Part of our dues pay for the DVC member lounges.

Absolutely no dues go towards any DVC lounge. Not the one in Epcot, and not TOTW.

DVC Fact Check: Access to Top of the World Lounge

 

[DeeCee735]

Absolutely no dues go towards any DVC lounge. Not the one in Epcot, and not TOTW.

DVC Fact Check: Access to Top of the World Lounge

Thanks. I see where it is stated. Want to show my husband. But we don’t own at BLT so I wouldn’t think to check BLT papers. Thanks for straightening that out.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Thanks. I see where it is stated. Want to show my husband. But we don’t own at BLT so I wouldn’t think to check BLT papers. Thanks for straightening that out.

It's a pretty common misconception. Because the Epcot lounge isn't attached to any resorts, and Moonlight Magic events are very clearly stated to be paid for out of DVD marketing budgets, those are pretty clearly not paid for out of MF's. Due to TOTWL's location in the Bay Lake Tower, and some early days BLT-only access, the confusion about TOTWL makes sense.

 

[DeeCee735]

Yes. I can see how. Thanks. I still feel that as repeat guests, dumping lots of money into Disney, they could continue to make accommodations for us. We’ll see how it goes in October when we try to go to TOTWL without paying for Wicked Wind Down.

Thanks again!
Dee

 

[acebatonfan]

I could not bring my friend to the event until we moved her into my room from her sons room. Both we rooms booked on my membership.

Definitely going to have to remind myself about this when it gets closer to book (if they go to December). I have a friend who will be in the orlando area the same time I am, but I guess since they're not staying in my room they won't be eligible as guests for this. Definitely annoying, especially when you're still paying to go up there in the first place for the event. Dang nabbit.

 

[YoSteph]

Hi, I have a mini-TR about my experience waitlisting for TOTWL. We arrived at 7:05p and joined the list. After showing the DVC-Y/ Blue card, we received a text that said: “Thank you for visiting Top of the World Lounge. We will notify you by text when space is available. Reply STOP to stop messages from this location. Msg&data rates may apply.” CM told me that if we didn’t hear by 8:45p that they would admit us for fireworks. At 8:21 received the following: “Please use the dedicated elevator near the podium and proceed to the 16th floor to be seated.” At this point we were one of the first on the outdoor deck. We went inside and was told that there was a table available for us and this menu of apps/beverages. DS was hanging in there but was close to meltdown stage so we chose to stay outside. The outdoor deck really filled up around 8:50p. Great show as always. Hope this helps some of you who hope to visit in the future.

 

[elgerber]

so with the party people arriving at 8, does anyone know if you get there at 6, if you can likely go up right away at 6? or close?

 

[dropd]

2 questions for those who have been to the Wicked Wind Down so far:

1) Anyone go on the Halloween Party night yet? Fireworks on those nights are much later (10:15pm instead of 9pm), so I'm curious if that affects things much.

2) I know the food is prepared offsite (maybe in the Steakhouse 71 kitchen?) - does anyone know how accommodating they are with food allergies? One of my little ones has a severe tree nut allergy so if he can't enjoy dessert it's going to be unpleasant.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Sandisw]

so with the party people arriving at 8, does anyone know if you get there at 6, if you can likely go up right away at 6? or close?

Those going to the party can arrive earlier and go up FCFS with everyone else..subject to availability..

They simply can’t check in until 8 pm for their guaranteed reservation. If they arrive before then, and it’s full they have to wait..but if it is not, they will be allowed up.

So far, no reports on how it’s been since the change.

 

[MB_Ellie]

2 questions for those who have been to the Wicked Wind Down so far:

1) Anyone go on the Halloween Party night yet? Fireworks on those nights are much later (10:15pm instead of 9pm), so I'm curious if that affects things much.

2) I know the food is prepared offsite (maybe in the Steakhouse 71 kitchen?) - does anyone know how accommodating they are with food allergies? One of my little ones has a severe tree nut allergy so if he can't enjoy dessert it's going to be unpleasant.

Thanks in advance!

I can't answer your first question, but I have allergies, and I was able to have them noted when I made my reservation by calling Member Services. I'm not sure what alternatives are offered if you can't have the 7 lair cake though.

 

[dropd]

I can't answer your first question, but I have allergies, and I was able to have them noted when I made my reservation by calling Member Services. I'm not sure what alternatives are offered if you can't have the 7 lair cake though.

Have you already attended the event? If so, did they give you any special menu/etc.?

 

[MB_Ellie]

Have you already attended the event? If so, did they give you any special menu/etc.?

I go on Sunday and can report back after.

 

[MB_Ellie]

Have you already attended the event? If so, did they give you any special menu/etc.?

So, they didn't give me a special menu, but the CM did ask about any allergies before I ordered and checked with the chef. She did also offer to swap out one part of the appetizer to avoid an allergen.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We visited for fireworks without securing a wicked wind down reservation. We were able to sit and eat right after fireworks ended. It seemed like a fair number of tables emptied right after fireworks.

 

[ThisIsTheWay]

2 questions for those who have been to the Wicked Wind Down so far:

1) Anyone go on the Halloween Party night yet? Fireworks on those nights are much later (10:15pm instead of 9pm), so I'm curious if that affects things much.

2) I know the food is prepared offsite (maybe in the Steakhouse 71 kitchen?) - does anyone know how accommodating they are with food allergies? One of my little ones has a severe tree nut allergy so if he can't enjoy dessert it's going to be unpleasant.

Thanks in advance!

My family has food allergies (dairy for me, peanuts/tree nuts for the kids). They were able to swap out the 7 lair cake for a vegan/nut free apple tart for us all that was really good. I will say though, the waitress did not know that the sauce for the shrimp dish is made with almonds and one of my kids almost ate it. I happened to look up the sauce because I was wondering if it had dairy (which it did), and noticed it's traditionally made with almonds. She did not warn us about either ingredient which could have been bad news.

Overall, we didn't feel the paid event was worth it. We would have been good with just a drink and maybe one appetizer and a dessert between us all (we are a family of 5 and had to order 5 appetizers, drinks, desserts in order to feel like we were getting our money's worth). Also the appetizers aren't really kid friendly at all with no other options, and only 1 (technically 2 if you have an allergy) choice for dessert.

 

[dropd]

My family has food allergies (dairy for me, peanuts/tree nuts for the kids). They were able to swap out the 7 lair cake for a vegan/nut free apple tart for us all that was really good. I will say though, the waitress did not know that the sauce for the shrimp dish is made with almonds and one of my kids almost ate it. I happened to look up the sauce because I was wondering if it had dairy (which it did), and noticed it's traditionally made with almonds. She did not warn us about either ingredient which could have been bad news.

Overall, we didn't feel the paid event was worth it. We would have been good with just a drink and maybe one appetizer and a dessert between us all (we are a family of 5 and had to order 5 appetizers, drinks, desserts in order to feel like we were getting our money's worth). Also the appetizers aren't really kid friendly at all with no other options, and only 1 (technically 2 if you have an allergy) choice for dessert.

This is super, super helpful, thanks! I'm on the fence about whether to cancel or not - we are booked for Friday which is a NSSHP night, which means the fireworks are > 1 hour later than usual. We have a 9yo, and a 6yo with a tree nut allergy, and I'm worried they won't be able to hang long enough to enjoy the fireworks. I would guess I'm probably leaning towards cancelling.