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

[MagicDVC]

Not sure. I am going to call Member Services to try to get some clarity.

I know characters are up there after hours. But it is essentially just the lounge being open plus characters. It isn’t that different and that’s totally fine.

Wasn’t a huge deal - I was just surprised by this rule.

I think the terms of MMB, you have to be staying on points and eligible once per reservation to go up to the lounge after 6 PM when the characters are present. You get priority access during regular lounge hours. I don't think you can access the lounge and not see characters after hours with just MMB.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Get back to me in July, August, and September, when it's 90 degrees outside with 90% humidity. Then we'll see how priority access affects wait times for the lounges, particularly Epcot...

 

[supercarrie]

Prior to the character thing, did the lounge normally close at 6pm? If so, I can see this as being considered differently from just lounge access.

Yes, previously it was open 11am-6pm.

 

[Mle8308]

Interesting - so they deferred to the character experience rules, even if you weren't going to use that specific experience and just wanted to access the lounge. (Since it runs from 6-9.) That makes sense, I suppose, but could be more clearly explained. I didn't put two and two together until I confirmed the character experience hours. The DVC website just refers to "extended hours of operation for those enrolled in Membership Magic Beyond."

Character experience:

• Character Experience Benefit is valid for one (1)-time entry during a time when the Member has a valid resort stay reservation at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort or Disney’s Vero Beach Resort booked using their Disney Vacation Club Membership and theme park admission to EPCOT; theme park admission is not included in the Character Experience Benefit and must be purchased separately."

Priority lounge access:

• The Priority Lounge Waitlist Benefit can only be used for one-time admission once per day. Members enrolled in the Optional Benefit Program must have a theme park admission at WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort or Disneyland® Resort, as applicable; theme park admission is not included in the Priority Lounge Waitlist Benefit and must be purchased separately.

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/membership-magic-beyond-terms-and-conditions

That's an interesting interpretation, because you can't just go to the Lounge and not experience the characters, they are not in a separate room. They come out to do the meet & greet next to the free style machines. They did tend to go backstage when there weren't any people in the Lounge or after the people "met" them. The CM in the Lounge went to get the characters when we were there, even though we didn't care if we saw them or not (Zootopia characters and it's not my favorite Disney movie). Like I mentioned, we were the only group up there for most of the time, one other party of 2 came in as we were leaving and we were there for about 30 minutes.

 

[TinkB278]

So the characters are only in the Epcot lounge between 6-9?

 

[MagicDVC]

So the characters are only in the Epcot lounge between 6-9?

Yes, after it closes to regular members.

 

[mamaofsix]

Get back to me in July, August, and September, when it's 90 degrees outside with 90% humidity. Then we'll see how priority access affects wait times for the lounges, particularly Epcot...

I would imagine the MK lounge will be even worse.

 

[supercarrie]

That's an interesting interpretation, because you can't just go to the Lounge and not experience the characters, they are not in a separate room. They come out to do the meet & greet next to the free style machines. They did tend to go backstage when there weren't any people in the Lounge or after the people "met" them. The CM in the Lounge went to get the characters when we were there, even though we didn't care if we saw them or not (Zootopia characters and it's not my favorite Disney movie). Like I mentioned, we were the only group up there for most of the time, one other party of 2 came in as we were leaving and we were there for about 30 minutes.

Makes even more sense now! I do think they could more clearly explain it, but I can see why they applied the rules in this manner.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I would imagine the MK lounge will be even worse.

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

 

[vdangelo239]

I think the terms of MMB, you have to be staying on points and eligible once per reservation to go up to the lounge after 6 PM when the characters are present. You get priority access during regular lounge hours. I don't think you can access the lounge and not see characters after hours with just MMB.

Now this makes sense. Wish they just explained it better lol

We were the only two people up there and stayed from 6-630.

We go back in April - yes on points this time - so can try it out again!

 

[mamaofsix]

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

Right. I was thinking just the larger amount of park guests at MK in general would lead to it's lounge being busier.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Right. I was thinking just the larger amount of park guests at MK in general would lead to it's lounge being busier.

Even though MK may have more guests how many of them are members and of them how many are eligible members?
If it’s not an issue at Epcot I don’t think it will at MK.
However to soon to say for the summer months.

 

[TinkB278]

Do we know when the MK lounge will open?

 

[Cyberc1978]

Do we know when the MK lounge will open?

Only that it is expected to open Summer 2025.

 

[mamaofsix]

Even though MK may have more guests how many of them are members and of them how many are eligible members?
If it’s not an issue at Epcot I don’t think it will at MK.
However to soon to say for the summer months.

I'm thinking that whatever portion of day guests are eligible members will be about the same percentage at either park? But with MK having overall higher attendance and this lounge being in a very busy thoroughfare, could get a lot of traffic. But you're right - time will tell.

I called member serviced yesterday to double check and make sure it was still the case that International guests could not buy into MMB. Still the case, unfortunately.

 

[mort1331]

We normally visit the lounge to relax and recharge.

With the meet and greet we might reschedule to go during those times - But honestly the Zootopia characters dont do anything for us, so unless they change we might go as usual - when we feel we need it.

Maybe if the characters change the potential crowds during normal hours will change to the later hours too.

As one of the maybe few non U.S citizens that was able to get MMB, I didnt get it for the characters but for the bogo and subsequently for the memory maker.

Not to go too off topic,,,but how were you able to get MMB. We are in Canada and would love it for the bogo as well.

 

[ThatCubT]

I was there for the first time a couple of weeks ago. We went in multiple times over a week and never had to queue, though on one day there was a small queue forming as we left.

 

[Cyberc1978]

Not to go too off topic,,,but how were you able to get MMB. We are in Canada and would love it for the bogo as well.

The option to buy MMB was available to me online. I did so on the first day in December when they offered MMB. Then a few days after the 12th I called to get the bogo. MS even verified my address in Europe.

 

[Lorana]

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.

 

[patm95]

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)