Member lounge experience now that Membership Magic Beyond is in place?

[Cyberc1978]

Has anyone verified if the lounge access is available for those of use staying on our resale contract points? (I also have a direct contract and have MMB)

I think @Sandisw did ask about it (iirc) and as long as you are staying on points it doesn’t matter if resale or direct. It only matters if you are using points for an AP.

 

[mamaofsix]

We went to EPCOT on opening day of the Festival of the Arts, and stopped by the lounge -- I want to say maybe around 2-3pm? It was packed, and they told the person in front of us that it could be 30-60 minutes before they got a text message letting them up.

I did buy the MMB for the AP renewal and OTU discount, so when I went to add our name to the list and they saw I had MMB, I will say the cast member was like "Oh, good, it won't be long for you at all" and we were texted within 15 or so minutes. Enough time to get my picture with Figment and rush back before our window closed.

Thanks for this report. I was afraid this might be the case on busier crowd days.

 

[Sandisw]

Has anyone verified if the lounge access is available for those of use staying on our resale contract points? (I also have a direct contract and have MMB)

I visited the character event staying in my resale points in January.

 

[patm95]

I visited the character event staying in my resale points in January.

Sweet!

 

[cheryl.UK]

We were not able to purchase Membership Magic Beyond because we do not live in the U.S. I am curious of others experiences with the Epcot lounge lately. If you don't have Membership Magic Beyond: has the wait to use the lounge been longer than usual for you? If so, how long was the wait?

We have always been able to go right up to the lounge. Worried this will not be our experience going forward since we won't have the MMB benefits.

Wait, I can't buy it because I'm not living in the US? Is that right? So I can't buy it because I live in the UK?

 

[Cyberc1978]

Wait, I can't buy it because I'm not living in the US? Is that right? So I can't buy it because I live in the UK?

Correct.

 

[DanCali]

Maybe, due to size restrictions, but in my mind, Epcot is the second hottest park after AK...

At least it has this!

 

[lowlight]

At least it has this!

View attachment 940478

Where are the twenty people standing in front of it having a social hour and random people on the sides reaching over you with cups to refill without waiting in line?

 

[JackosinDIS]

At least it has this!

View attachment 940478

But why does it say Sprite is from Russia? Very confused as it’s pretty English

 

[SL6827]

Wonder if there will eventually be times where you won't be able to access the lounge unless you have joined the MMB, because there are 200 other DVC members ahead of you with MMB?

 

[Sandisw]

Wonder if there will eventually be times where you won't be able to access the lounge unless you have joined the MMB, because there are 200 other DVC members ahead of you with MMB?

It has never been that busy so I don’t expect it to get where 200 people go on a waitlist.

But, depending on when one goes and size of party, it could increase a wait. We have never had to wait….

 

[SL6827]

It has never been that busy so I don’t expect it to get where 200 people go on a waitlist.

But, depending on when one goes and size of party, it could increase a wait. We have never had to wait….

Ya, just throwing out that number for an example. But it just makes me think that if everyone is first, then no one is mentality. .

 

[Sandisw]

Ya, just throwing out that number for an example. But it just makes me think that if everyone is first, then no one is mentally.

Yes but I don’t see people buying only for this. I think there has to be more value.

Not saying there are not some, but I think the bulk of owners paying $99 for MMB are doing so because the memory maker, BOGO free, points for AP and ticket discounts are the driving factor.

But, the more value they add to it, the more it becomes something people buy.

I think where it may be a great perk is when the MK one opens.

 

[Jwaire]

We went to EPCOT on opening day of the Festival of the Arts, and stopped by the lounge -- I want to say maybe around 2-3pm? It was packed, and they told the person in front of us that it could be 30-60 minutes before they got a text message letting them up.

I did buy the MMB for the AP renewal and OTU discount, so when I went to add our name to the list and they saw I had MMB, I will say the cast member was like "Oh, good, it won't be long for you at all" and we were texted within 15 or so minutes. Enough time to get my picture with Figment and rush back before our window closed.

Hah! We were there that day too. Same story here. I bet our wait wasn't even 10 minutes and there was a heck of a line. MMB is going to come in handy at the Magic Kingdom lounge for sure, maybe a necessity most of the time.

 

[Cyberc1978]

I think where it may be a great perk is when the MK one opens.

What makes you believe that the MK lounge would be any different than the Epcot?

I understand that MK have more guests than Epcot but I would assume that Disney is sizing the lounge appropriately - meaning a bigger park will attract more guests to the lounge. If they don’t we might see a lot of negative comments on SoMe from guests waiting in line for the lounge.

I can already see how it would play out: So we had to wait 90 min for Tron but what’s up with wasting 120min to get into a lounge which is not even a ride at all. When we finally got in it was shortly before 6pm so we had to leave after 10min. Come on Disney you got to do better than that Bl.a. bl.a. bla

 

[Ethanandyclaire]

I bought MMB for the OTU benefit to save $$ there.

Last night my daughter and I were in Epcot and…it was after 6pm and I said let’s check out the lounge (I am a direct Riv owner)

I did a last minute one night trip for her bday and we stayed at all star due to no DVC availability and a cheap AP discount.

I was informed since I wasn’t staying at a DVC I didn’t qualify for the lounge - even though I have MMB.

The nice cast member let me up as a one time courtesy - but this did bother me. So many fine details / print.

I am staying at Yacht club in a few weeks and am DVC Y. Does this mean that I won’t have access to the lounge while open before 6 pm because I am not staying on my points?

 

[deedubb]

We can only go to WDW during busier times of the year and I cannot remember the last time we did not have to wait to get into the lounge. I would buy it simply for wait-list priority, but cannot because I don't live in the US. I now know what it feels to be a "2nd class" DVC member like those without DVC Y, and pretty pissed about it.

 

[Cyberc1978]

I am staying at Yacht club in a few weeks and am DVC Y. Does this mean that I won’t have access to the lounge while open before 6 pm because I am not staying on my points?

As a DVC Y you have access to the lounge during regular opening hours, that’s until 6pm.

 

[Sandisw]

What makes you believe that the MK lounge would be any different than the Epcot?

I understand that MK have more guests than Epcot but I would assume that Disney is sizing the lounge appropriately - meaning a bigger park will attract more guests to the lounge. If they don’t we might see a lot of negative comments on SoMe from guests waiting in line for the lounge.

I can already see how it would play out: So we had to wait 90 min for Tron but what’s up with wasting 120min to get into a lounge which is not even a ride at all. When we finally got in it was shortly before 6pm so we had to leave after 10min. Come on Disney you got to do better than that Bl.a. bl.a. bla

I just think more people with little ones will want a break than at Epcot.

Having said that, I personally dont think there are a ton of owners waiting long for a visit to the long.

Even with MMB, if I had to wait more than 5 minutes. I’m going in with my day.

 

[mamaofsix]

What makes you believe that the MK lounge would be any different than the Epcot?

I understand that MK have more guests than Epcot but I would assume that Disney is sizing the lounge appropriately - meaning a bigger park will attract more guests to the lounge. If they don’t we might see a lot of negative comments on SoMe from guests waiting in line for the lounge.

I can already see how it would play out: So we had to wait 90 min for Tron but what’s up with wasting 120min to get into a lounge which is not even a ride at all. When we finally got in it was shortly before 6pm so we had to leave after 10min. Come on Disney you got to do better than that Bl.a. bl.a. bla

The space they have to build in MK is not that large. I don't imagine it will be much larger than the Epcot lounge?