Looking for info on Top of the World Lounge

[northwenald]

I thought that I read that DVC members can go to the TOTWL even if you are not staying at BLT. I called MS and was told it was true but I must get there early. Can anyone tell me what time I should get there? Can we order food? We will be in Disney the week after Thanksgiving and the night I was looking at was a MVMCP night so the fireworks are 9:15pm. I would Love to try and go there to watch Wishes!!!! Can anyone tell me about this?

Thanks everyone !!!

 

[disneynutz]

Access for non BLT guests runs through the end of the year. Drinks and finger food is available for purchase. The added attendance has created longer waits to get service, they didn't increase the number of servers.

If it were me, I would plan on getting drinks a food after the fireworks. The place pretty much clears out and you will get better service.

Bill

 

[erionm]

From the Member Website:

Top of the World Lounge perk extended through Dec. 29!
The popularity of a special perk originally slated to end on Aug. 25 has prompted its extension! From now through Dec. 29, 2012, Disney Vacation Club® Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at the Walt Disney World® Resort (whether they booked with vacation points or cash) may enjoy complimentary access to one of the vacation kingdom's most exclusive spaces: the Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Note that Members traveling from other resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation, as parking will be unavailable to anyone not staying at Bay Lake Tower or Disney's Contemporary Resort. Upon arrival, Members must walk to the Bay Lake Tower main lobby entrance on the ground floor (the typically locked front door will be unlocked during this time, or a Cast Member will be at the door to assist) and check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the lobby.

The sleekly designed bar and lounge, typically available only to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower, operates from 6 p.m.-midnight daily and offers spectacular rooftop viewing of Wishes™ – the Magic Kingdom® fireworks spectacular – complete with the show's stirring musical soundtrack. The ability to access the lounge has been a frequent request from Members staying at other Walt Disney World Resorts since Bay Lake Tower opened in 2009, and Disney Vacation Club is thrilled to make that "wish" come true during this extended period.

This perk is available exclusively to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current Key to the World card displaying a Disney Vacation Club Membership notation in order to gain admission to the lounge. If the Member's Key to the World card doesn't display a Membership notation, a Disney Vacation Club Member ID is required in addition to the Key to the World card to verify Membership.

This special Top of the World Lounge access is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity. As the lounge is particularly popular during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, arriving as early as possible will give Members the best chance of gaining admission.

There is a limited food menu at the TOTWL.

 

[AirGoofy]

We were there a couple weeks ago, and I posted a small rant in my post. There are a limited number of seats by the windows of TOTWL. We got there between 8 and 8:15, sat by the window, ordered drinks (alcohol + 2 non-alcohol) and our ticket wasn't cashed out close to 9:30. Finally, I put cash in the ticket and we left. The service is absolutely abismal.

 

[northwenald]

Thanks everyone!!!!
Trying to decide if I can fit it in on our next trip. Is it worth it for a good view of Wishes? I would have to cancel a dinner reservation in order to get there for opening. How crowded does it get?

 

[AirGoofy]

Thanks everyone!!!!
Trying to decide if I can fit it in on our next trip. Is it worth it for a good view of Wishes? I would have to cancel a dinner reservation in order to get there for opening. How crowded does it get?

It is worth it for the fireworks view. In addition to the lounge itself, there is a terrace adjacent to it. Like the terrace at CR (outside), except that it is on the 15th floor. The safety wall is a bit tall for children to see over and like CR, there is limited seating on the terrace. If you cancel dinner, there is some finger food at TOTWL. Or, you can stop at the Contempo over at the CR and eat.

 

[monorailmom]

I posted back in August about our terrible experience at TOTWL..but, we were just there last week, and gave it another shot.

Still awful. When we arrived, about 1hr before Wishes, the place had a lot of people, but wasn't packed. The problem was the *several* small children running around playing hide and seek! Parents didn't care, no CM ever said anything. We were able to snag tables in the little room off to the side, but what really frustrated me was the amount of other families/couples who came up, saw the chaos...and then left. Service was terrible. Waited a long time for drinks, couldn't really enjoy the atmosphere.

I know that in Aug. people pointed out to me that the previous system wasn't working. I agree...but this isn't working either. This is supposed to be a Lounge, not an indoor playground. There has to be a better answer.

Worth going up there, spending money on drinks and appetizers? We won't be doing it again any time soon. It's too bad.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We were there last week. We arrived about 9:15 for the 9:30 Hallowishes show. We didn't go to the lounge, but went directly to the patio area. The lounge was packed with people and there were quite a few people on the patio. But there was still room for others to watch along the edge of the patio wall.

 

[northwenald]

We have a 6:15 dinner reservation at Citricos. If we get to the lounge by 9:00 will we be able to go up and get a spot on the patio? Will we be better off watching Wishes from the Grand Floridian? I would hate to try and rush over there only to be told we can't get in or there is no room on the patio or in the lounge.

Thanks again everyone !!!!

 

[erionm]

We have a 6:15 dinner reservation at Citricos. If we get to the lounge by 9:00 will we be able to go up and get a spot on the patio? Will we be better off watching Wishes from the Grand Floridian? I would hate to try and rush over there only to be told we can't get in or there is no room on the patio or in the lounge.

Thanks again everyone !!!!

The maximum posted occupancy is 77 for the lounge and 499 for the deck.

 

[dvcblt93]

OP

I would suggest showing up about an hour before fireworks if you want to get something to eat or drink. You should be fine.

Showing up 15 minutes before the show is like showing up on Main Street 15minutes before the parade and expecting to get a curb side seat....

 

[Deb & Bill]

OP

I would suggest showing up about an hour before fireworks if you want to get something to eat or drink. You should be fine.

Showing up 15 minutes before the show is like showing up on Main Street 15minutes before the parade and expecting to get a curb side seat....

There is plenty of room to watch the fireworks from the wall outside. But if you want to sit down in the lounge, you'll need a bit more than 15 minutes lead time.

 

[Chuck S]

The problem was the *several* small children running around playing hide and seek! Parents didn't care, no CM ever said anything.

And just imagine the parents of those playing children if a CM had said something. Ever witness a full member meltdown? I have when an arriving member requested a specific room number and it wasn't available. They proceeded to tell the CM that they paid $XXX for their membership and they OWN the resort, and that the CM should be fired. Not pretty, and I can't blame the CMs for not wanting that type of confrontation.

 

[dvcblt93]

If they took that huge round thing out of the middle of the lounge and put in a few tables it would help solve the problem I think. That thing screams "Hey kids, jump on me"!!

 

[monorailmom]

I actually contacted DVC about my experiences at TOTWL...and I did say that the round ottoman has to go!!!! Really, they need more high top tables. That ottoman ends up being a trampoline!!

And though it's frustrating, I do understand why the CM's didn't say anything. Dealing with the public is hard. I mean, even my poor teenagers who work at the supermarket are not allowed to say anything to the folks who come through the express line with 50 items! They're supposed to ring it up with a smile, even though the people in line behind the offender are really upset!!!

I guess I'm just hoping there's an answer out there for TOTWL.

 

[CRobin]

I actually contacted DVC about my experiences at TOTWL...and I did say that the round ottoman has to go!!!! Really, they need more high top tables. That ottoman ends up being a trampoline!!

And though it's frustrating, I do understand why the CM's didn't say anything. Dealing with the public is hard. I mean, even my poor teenagers who work at the supermarket are not allowed to say anything to the folks who come through the express line with 50 items! They're supposed to ring it up with a smile, even though the people in line behind the offender are really upset!!!

I guess I'm just hoping there's an answer out there for TOTWL.

I think there is an answer: It's a BAR. Kids should not be there. If the place was packed solid with an adult crowd, people would shrug their shoulders and remember to come earlier next time. No confrontations with parents, CM's, etc. Problem solved. DCL enforces adult only areas on and off the ship.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[monorailmom]

We actually just came back from CSR ( yes even though we're DVC), and had a nice time at Rix Lounge one night. They do not allow kids. We were able to enjoy drinks and appetizers...and the place was packed! Surely some of the success there coukd apply to TOTWL!

 

[amym2]

We were at TOTWL last week- with our kiddos, who are 8 and 11. We arrived about 6:45pm and the place was empty. We were just checking out BLT for fun and killing time until our 7:30pm Cali Grill ADR. We were celebrating my 40th birthday and ordered drinks... the kids got non-alcoholic fruity drinks and thought they were SO grown up. There was another family there with a little boy who looked to be around 3. It was a great way to sit back and relax. I would hate for them to make it adults-only, although I certainly can understand the suggestion. Obviously we didn't stay for the crowd and didn't experience the chaos, but we enjoyed our peaceful time there!

 

[spiceycat]

no children under 12 allowed.

then just wait for the complaints.

really surprise at the amount of kids that have been reported going to TOW - as has been noted - the deck wall is just too high for little ones to see over it. So would think these kids would be screaming at their parents for bringing to something fun and they couldn't see it....

if the kids really bother you - ask the CM's to call security. Security can do what CM are told not to do - say something disagree to guests.

 

[delmar411]

we showed up about 15mins before the fireworks were to start a couple weeks ago and it wasn't packed at all. Lots of kids running around on the deck which was fine with me (I've got 4 of my own!) and only 1 of my kids couldn't see over the wall so DH held him up for the show.

The bar area had people in there but it didn't appear to be busy and I was able to go up to the empty bar and get a drink (it was heavy on liquor too). I paid for it right then so no tab to settle.

It was really nice and a great experience for us. I would have liked to see some sort of stadium-like seating/standing area away from the wall so the little kids could see but I would think that's probably a safety issue.