Lounge at top of BLT

[tjkraz]

No. You have to meet 3 criteria to access the lounge.

You must:

- be a DVC member
- be staying at BLT
- the stay must be on points

If you don't meet all 3 criteria, you shouldn't be allowed up. The CM in the lobby should ask for you KTTW and DVC membership card to verify. Sometimes you get lucky and the CM is careless or you show up when another group is going up and can blend in, but generally you will be denied access.

Incorrect.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I only stayed in August 2009, the first 4 days it was open.
They required looking at our DVC card, as well as our KTTW card.
But it was new, and they apparently were very concerned about it being mobbed. All the "we can take it away at any time". Haven't heard that one lately. Opening night, many people dressed up to go to it, including us.
A couple nights later we went up in park clothes and stood out on the balcony area, rather than sit in the lounge. We went up a third time too, during that stay. Each time required DVC card inspection.

 

[Who's your Mickey?]

Incorrect.

How so?

 

[tjkraz]

How so?

I posted the exact per language earlier in the thread and it's pretty easy to see how DVC's guidelines vary from your post.

You do NOT have to be a member to gain admission. You do NOT have to be accompanied by a member. Additionally, both points AND cash reservations made through Member Services qualify.

Anyone--member or not--staying on a reservation secured through DVC member services is eligible to use the lounge.

I realize there have been scattered reports of CMs asking to see a blue DVC member ID. Those CMs are either overstepping their bounds or misunderstand the written guidelines for lounge admission.

Kinda sad to think that with the lounge already under-utilized, it's very possible that CMs are denying entrance to guests who are perfectly qualified to use the lounge.

 

[BobH]

My wife went to the lounge last Monday and Tuesday night. We were told twice that we had to be DVC members that were staying at the BLT on our points to be able to go to the lounge. One time we were asked for one DVC Membership card and one room key. We also had a short friendly discussion with the cast member at the desk who pointed out that lately the room key cards are not showing the primary person who made the reservation as a DVC Member the key cards are showing only the other people in the rooms as DVC Members - in this case my wife was shown as a member on her key card and I was not so I was asked for my member card when I asked that we be taken to the elevator that goes to the lounge. The cast member was very nice but had no idea what Disney is up to with the key cards. Once they established that at least 1 of us was a DVC member and had a room key showing we were staying at BLT on points we were escorted to the elevator and the DVC cast member put his key in the proper elevator slot and pushed the button for the 16th floor where the lounge is located.

 

[spiceycat]

Tim if this is indeed not the policy that was told to you - you or someone needs to contact DVC and have them tell CR/BLT the correct rules. So everyone is treated fairly.

 

[ppony]

Tim if this is indeed not the policy that was told to you - you or someone needs to contact DVC and have them tell CR/BLT the correct rules. So everyone is treated fairly.

I just wrote them so I could actually get it in writing and post it here. I also asked about exactly WHAT is needed to be shown. I'll do so when I get my reply.

 

[amypetecar]

Sounds like the policy isn't being followed which is unfortunate.

Perhaps a solution for the original poster would be to ask your relatives to borrow their DVC cards? That way you are covered no matter how uninformed the cast member is on the rules.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

You can't borrow a DVC member card. The names don't match (unless you have the exact name of your relative).

We've stayed there. Show your room key card. It will be coded DVC Member. It will have the dates of stay on it.

Done.

 

[quirty30]

My wife went to the lounge last Monday and Tuesday night. We were told twice that we had to be DVC members that were staying at the BLT on our points to be able to go to the lounge. One time we were asked for one DVC Membership card and one room key. We also had a short friendly discussion with the cast member at the desk who pointed out that lately the room key cards are not showing the primary person who made the reservation as a DVC Member the key cards are showing only the other people in the rooms as DVC Members - in this case my wife was shown as a member on her key card and I was not so I was asked for my member card when I asked that we be taken to the elevator that goes to the lounge. The cast member was very nice but had no idea what Disney is up to with the key cards. Once they established that at least 1 of us was a DVC member and had a room key showing we were staying at BLT on points we were escorted to the elevator and the DVC cast member put his key in the proper elevator slot and pushed the button for the 16th floor where the lounge is located.

I noticed this too when we stayed in December. My room key didn't say DVC Member, but my kids' room keys did. Good thing I brought them with me to go up to the lounge. Actually, I was just getting ready to get out my member card when the kids noticed and showed theirs to the CM. But really, how silly is that? Do they just assume that the actual member who made the reservation will have their member card with them and not need the notation?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Maybe they are referring to DVC term of guest as noted in the public offering statement. Meaning someone who did not compensate the member for the stay. Instead of the Disney term for guest which means anyone visiting the theme parks.

 

[quirty30]

"Guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points"

A CM would have no way of knowing if a DVC Member is being compensated for their points, or simply allowing family and/or friends to use their points for a stay.

 

[Deb & Bill]

"Guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points"

A CM would have no way of knowing if a DVC Member is being compensated for their points, or simply allowing family and/or friends to use their points for a stay.

But members are required to notify MS if they are renting a reservation. And that should be noted on the card as not a DVC member and not entitled to any DVC perks.

 

[quirty30]

But members are required to notify MS if they are renting a reservation. And that should be noted on the card as not a DVC member and not entitled to any DVC perks.

My point was that particular blurb about access to the lounge doesn't differentiate "renters" from friends and family of the member. A guest who compensates a member to use a villa is still a guest. Just like I am a guest of Disney when I pay to stay in a regular room. We can argue semantics all day long, but at the end of the day, I guess it's up to the CM manning the desk in the BLT lobby and their interpretation of the rules.

P.S. I do see your point about what should and shouldn't be printed on the room key of a renter. Hadn't thought about that.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My point was that particular blurb about access to the lounge doesn't differentiate "renters" from friends and family of the member. A guest who compensates a member to use a villa is still a guest. Just like I am a guest of Disney when I pay to stay in a regular room. We can argue semantics all day long, but at the end of the day, I guess it's up to the CM manning the desk in the BLT lobby and their interpretation of the rules.

P.S. I do see your point about what should and shouldn't be printed on the room key of a renter. Hadn't thought about that.

But not according to DVC rules. If you read the POS for the resorts, it will tell you what a guest is and isn't. And since the posted rules are DVC rules and not WDW rules, it makes sense that only members and true guests of members are entitled access to the lounge.

 

[ppony]

Do they just assume that the actual member who made the reservation will have their member card with them and not need the notation?

I can't tell you why it was that way because it sounds more like a mistake to me. Ours both had the notation on it. Consistency is too much to ask I think. What would we talk about if we were chatting and debating DVC polices that have so many inconsistencies in them? Stroller and ECV use? Pool Hopping? Predicting crowd levels and weather 6 months out? Oh the humanity!

 

[Jennasis]

Sooo, since the relative is giving us points without compensation we CAN use the lounge. Maybe. I guess we'll try it and see.

 

[Sandisw]

Sooo, since the relative is giving us points without compensation we CAN use the lounge. Maybe. I guess we'll try it and see.

That is all you can do, try--as it really is up to the CM at the desk to decide if your KTTW card is enough with it's DVC notation.

Good luck!

 

[luckyman_apd]

I understand the point of written rules on what "guest" means. As a soon to be member, it only infuriates me that ANYONE staying would be denied access when reports are out there that it is not profitable or even being cost neutral. If the lounge truly could use more business, then let anyone up there so dues do not increase. I never understand why common sense appears to uncommon at times. I get it about perks and what not but if the place could use the business, by all means, give it the business. If on any given night it gets too crowed, then restrict access to those who should have it, but why deny someone access when the place is fairly empty????

 

[Deb & Bill]

I understand the point of written rules on what "guest" means. As a soon to be member, it only infuriates me that ANYONE staying would be denied access when reports are out there that it is not profitable or even being cost neutral. If the lounge truly could use more business, then let anyone up there so dues do not increase. I never understand why common sense appears to uncommon at times. I get it about perks and what not but if the place could use the business, by all means, give it the business. If on any given night it gets too crowed, then restrict access to those who should have it, but why deny someone access when the place is fairly empty????

So, if a bunch of DVC members not staying at BLT, but staying at a DVC resort onsite using points goes up to the lounge and later on, say 30 minutes before Wishes, a group of DVC members on points staying at BLT arrive, only to find the place full, who is asked to leave or not allowed up?