Im done with BLT TOWL

[spiceycat]

still love TOWL - and probably will as long as Disney allows DVC to kept it.
it is Disney property - not DVC.
Disney's pays for the lounge not DVC. It is a lounge - drinks and limited menu.

It does NOT have a full kitchen. So no food preparation is possible.

what have you not heard before? believe me I have stress the fact that the deck was not designed for small ones. Disney could have put some peek holes on the wall if they had wanted too. This was not a DVC decision but Disney. again Disney owns this property and can take it back when they want too.

think sometime in the future - it will be adults/teens and older. that is not a dvc decision but Disney.

hope it continues to be open to all DVC members who are staying on Disney property - of course unless I am staying there . Really wish they would cut back on some of the security too.

It is a great place to see the fireworks and enjoy a drink. Which is all that was promised.

Sorry you were disappointed - but have you been reading the reviews on TOWL - have tried everytime to warn parents that it is not for small kids.

 

[karrit2000]

have tried everytime to warn parents that it is not for small kids.

It never ceases to amaze me when adults are shocked to find that Lounges/Bars are not appropriate places to take kids. Just because you are at Disney does not mean that every place should be open to kids. I know Disney tries not to exclude them from anywhere but sometimes their logic escapes me. As long as Mommy &/or Daddy are willing to pay for the privilege they will not enforce age restrictions on anything it seems.

 

[tjkraz]

It never ceases to amaze me when adults are shocked to find that Lounges/Bars are not appropriate places to take kids. Just because you are at Disney does not mean that every place should be open to kids. I know Disney tries not to exclude them from anywhere but sometimes their logic escapes me. As long as Mommy &/or Daddy are willing to pay for the privilege they will not enforce age restrictions on anything it seems.

That's because there ARE no age restrictions.

I believe spiceycat's comments were directed more at the setup of the viewing platform. Small children will have a difficult time seeing the fireworks, but they are not prohibited from visiting the lounge.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

...... again Disney owns this property and can take it back when they want too.

I think you missed the info that surprisingly enough the lounge was declared into the association back in mid 2011. That would mean it is leased out to Disney from DVC. Of course I don't think it means that DVC needs to keep it open for members but does retain control of it.

 

[edk35]

So what is on the limited menu for those of you who have tried the food? Thanks

 

[tjkraz]

I think you missed the info that surprisingly enough the lounge was declared into the association back in mid 2011. That would mean it is leased out to Disney from DVC.

And "Disney" owns the land on which BLT sits and leases it to Disney Vacation Development.

It's entirely possible that the land leasehold contains conditions regarding use of food and beverage locations, or any number of other contractual agreements between the multiple parties.

The fact that the space was declared into the condo association ultimately says nothing regarding owners' rights to use the space.

 

[karrit2000]

That's because there ARE no age restrictions.

I believe spiceycat's comments were directed more at the setup of the viewing platform. Small children will have a difficult time seeing the fireworks, but they are not prohibited from visiting the lounge.

I didn't mean specifically age restrictions for TOWL lounge. There have been events, classes & such I've attended at WDW where there where definitely age restrictions that were not enforced because the parents/grandparents were willing to pay so their children could attend things that had age restrictions because in their eyes their children were supposedly special enough to not have to adhere to restrictions, rules or whatever.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And "Disney" owns the land on which BLT sits and leases it to Disney Vacation Development.

It's entirely possible that the land leasehold contains conditions regarding use of food and beverage locations, or any number of other contractual agreements between the multiple parties.

The fact that the space was declared into the condo association ultimately says nothing regarding owners' rights to use the space.

I think you posted while I added that to my post to clarify! And ownership would be more appropriate than where I said retains control. They may have done a lengthy lease to Disney.

I do think what was done with TOTWL differs from what was done with the lounge that existed at BWV though, wasn't it? That was not declared into the association I believe.

 

[disneynutz]

And "Disney" owns the land on which BLT sits and leases it to Disney Vacation Development.

It's entirely possible that the land leasehold contains conditions regarding use of food and beverage locations, or any number of other contractual agreements between the multiple parties.

The fact that the space was declared into the condo association ultimately says nothing regarding owners' rights to use the space.

Bottom line is that the contracts and agreements will always benefit Disney and not the owners, I mean the people who paid for a multi year lease.

Bill

 

[TravelGrl]

BLT is our home resort and we love going to TOTW. We make it a point to order something when we go there, because we want to make sure that they stay in business and don't take away the perk. We got drinks, and a cheese tray and were very happy with both. I also thought the prices were very reasonable. We live in NY and are used to things being overpriced, and the drinks at TOTW cost less than they would back home. I think people should order something when going because nobody can expect them to stay open if people only come for the fireworks.

Our waitress was lovely and she was there in multiple trips. However, the last time we were there was June of last year. We aren't thrilled that they opened it to other DVC members staying in other resorts. If we can still arrive at a decent time before the fireworks without a problem, then I have no issue with it. But I would rather if they let BLT DVC guests reserve a spot in advance, or at least if the additional guests order something to keep the place in business, then that should be a positive thing.

I would hate it if when we go in August, we get shut out of the Lounge which we have been looking forward to for people who don't order anything.

 

[Tink-aholic]

This might be an unpopular position, but I think there should be a minimum order required when using the lounge. It can be food or drinks, alcoholic or not...but a minimum spent per person (including children). That would seem to prevent people from using the lounge without paying, people would think twice before bring little ones, the staff would be getting paid, and the lounge would (potentially) make some money. If it still is in the red after a certain period, then close it down or turn it over to Events.

Other bars have minimums, I don't see why this one should be any different.

 

[spiceycat]

I think you missed the info that surprisingly enough the lounge was declared into the association back in mid 2011. That would mean it is leased out to Disney from DVC. Of course I don't think it means that DVC needs to keep it open for members but does retain control of it.

wow - I missed that - yea no more wondering when Disney will say you can't have it anymore - like they did the BWV thing.

thanks!

 

[spiceycat]

So what is on the limited menu for those of you who have tried the food? Thanks

here a menu
http://allears.net/menu/menu_towl.htm

does look like they have changed it

have food allergies - so I would go to the Cont Cafe and get my own. Which to me would not be a big problem. Now it might if they say only TOWL stuff is allowed - so far that is not a issue.

now do love the drinks! having a drink while watching Wishes - for me can't get better.

 

[ppony]

I agree that the TOWL is pretty much a one and done experience. But if others like it, that's great for them.

I agree too. I'm not a fan of hi-top tables and wooden chairs to "lounge" in and those are most of the seating. The soft places to sit were always full of people and kids. The wait staff ignored us for half an hour until I actually went over to their station and asked them to come over. It was not busy, or even close, it was well after the fireworks. The bartender ...well, I suppose I could call him indifferent. Both about taking orders and getting paid. weird story that would take too long to type. I would really much rather have seen a few more appetizers available too and that's doesn't make me want a Hooter's or a Chuck E. Cheese. Obviously a lot of people haven't been thrilled w/ it or it would be busy all the time. That's my opinion anyway.

Edit: just saw the menu change. That's better anyway. We were last there in Jan..

 

[wdrl]

I think you missed the info that surprisingly enough the lounge was declared into the association back in mid 2011. That would mean it is leased out to Disney from DVC. Of course I don't think it means that DVC needs to keep it open for members but does retain control of it.

Yes, the TOWL and observation deck were declared as part of the BLT Condominium Association. However, the TOWL and deck are part of a Commercial Unit and are classified as Limited Common Elements. According to the Master Declaration, Commercial Units and LCEs are treated differently than other Units.

I'm definitely not an expert on Commercial Units and LCEs, and there is probably more that I don't know about them than I do know about them. I do know that Worldco, aka Disney, is the actual owner of the Commercial Units and retains the right to do what it wants with the CU. In return, I cannot see where the Condo Association is liable for anything to do with the operation of a CU.

 

[RedM94]

Like I said in my prior post, I enjoyed TOWL. That being said, if I owned at BLT I would feel slighted that they opened it to all DVC members. I would be very upset if I were staying at BLT and could not go up because it was at capacity.

Here is the part that I am confused about. Of the times I have been to TOWL, there was next to no one there. Granted it was September, but I just thought the reason it was opened to all DVC members was because it generally does not get crowded. Can someone who has been there in July say how crowed it was then?

I don't see myself using this new perk unless I would be staying at BLT. This year we are staying at VWL and have not even thought about a visit to TOWL. I just wonder if this is really going to have a big impact on the lounge.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Yes, the TOWL and observation deck were declared as part of the BLT Condominium Association. However, the TOWL and deck are part of a Commercial Unit and are classified as Limited Common Elements. According to the Master Declaration, Commercial Units and LCEs are treated differently than other Units.

I'm definitely not an expert on Commercial Units and LCEs, and there is probably more that I don't know about them than I do know about them. I do know that Worldco, aka Disney, is the actual owner of the Commercial Units and retains the right to do what it wants with the CU. In return, I cannot see where the Condo Association is liable for anything to do with the operation of a CU.

Do you know if the restaurants and lounges at SSR and OKW were declared into their respective associations as commercial units? Or has anything happened with the Kidani areas yet? It sounded like what was done at BLT was different from how things were handled previously - at least compared to BWV which disappeared from the members.

Again - not that it guaranteed anything for DVC members but it's strange to have the difference if indeed there is one.

 

[wdrl]

Do you know if the restaurants and lounges at SSR and OKW were declared into their respective associations as commercial units? Or has anything happened with the Kidani areas yet? It sounded like what was done at BLT was different from how things were handled previously - at least compared to BWV which disappeared from the members.

Again - not that it guaranteed anything for DVC members but it's strange to have the difference if indeed there is one.

I don't think that what has happened at BLT is any different than what has happened with the Commercial Units at other DVC resorts.

The SSR Master Declaration for the SSR Condominium Association has the same language for Commercial Units and Limited Common Elements as the BLT Master Declaration. I suspect that such language is common to all DVC properties.

At SSR, there are several Commercial Units. I took a quick glance at the SSR Master Declaration (available at OCC website under Document ID 20040270179) and saw several CUs designated for the SSR Carriage House. As you know, the Carriage House is where Artist Palette, The Turf Club, and the gift shop are located (see pages 39 and 40 of the Master Declaration). I'm positive all of that space is part of the SSR Condominium Association.

As i've said before, I don't hold myself out as an expert on CUs and CLEs. But my reading of the Master Declarations leads me to believe that DVC owners have virtually no financial liability for the operation and maintenance of the CUs. If Disney decided to renovate The Turf Club and change it into a sports bar or a waffle house, the Members would not be liable for the cost of the renovation. In addition, the Members gain nothing if the restaurant is profitable, or lose anything if it is not profitable.

Things may be not be exactly the same at Aulani or at Boardwalk Villas. The Aulani budget has a line item for Commercial Facilities Revenue that is generating $0.6931 per point in income for the Members. Since Aulani is still under construction, there may be things that the developer is doing to supplement the Aulani Condo Association. At BWV, there is a budget line expense item for Sales Tax on Support Facility for $0.0575 per point. BWV is the only DVC resort that has that budget line item. I don't know anything about BWV's budget, so I don't know whether that line item is connected in any way with the commercial operations on the boardwalk.

 

[Cmbar]

Me too! As owners I thought it would be a nice perk, but after doing it once or twice I wasn't impressed. The "lounge" is not very good and unless you are the type to like "hotel lounges" it is not worth visiting. We are not the "hang out and stare at our expensive alcoholic drink" type of people. I want a drink to quench my thirst and some food to fill my hunger. Nothing that can be done at the TOWL and all without much of view. JMHO

 

[twotoohappy]

I'm staying at BCV in August with my friend Barb and I'm planning on going one night just to cross it off my bucket list