New Complementary Fireworks Viewing Reservations at TOTWL - Report Experiences Here

[MyDogTink]

Yes, that hasn't changed. The walls are quite tall, they're basically shoulder-height for my wife. Which makes sense because you're 16 stories in the air, of course.

The walls being tall makes sense until you see people letting their kids stand on them. We cancelled WWD for this reason and booked the Dessert Party at MK.

 

[muppets3d]

The walls being tall makes sense until you see people letting their kids stand on them. We cancelled WWD for this reason and booked the Dessert Party at MK.

Yeah maybe they should do like cruise ships and use glass walls instead. That's scary!

 

[VGCgroupie]

This is a nice update. I'll be interested in hearing what you thought!

I agree it would be nice not to show up so early. Do they make you reserve for 7:30, or can you make one for say 8:30?

There was only one time, when you reserve it just defaults to this 7:30 time so he was confused too but then ended the convo with checkin will start at 7:15 even if fireworks are at 9.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Seems like this can be a good thing.

Even with only small chance of getting turned away, I didn’t like the idea of having to ‘try my luck’ going over to BLT just to find out if we can get in or not. The extra step of getting a reservation is worth being able to make concrete plans to me.

Yeah exactly. I like to know what my plans will be not show up and then have to change things up if it’s full.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Is viewing at the outside terrace? I ask because I booked Wicked Wine Down during a prior trip and then cancelled because the tall concrete wall wouldn’t work for my daughter. I mention this because @VGCgroupie I think your son is close in age to my daughter. She’s 6.

My son is 10 now but this is good to know, he’s for sure too heavy to pick up and hold at this point.

 

[AstroBlasters]

There is a new offering starting Jan 1, 26 where you can reserve the Top of the World lounge for fireworks viewing. No Wicked Wind Down or other purchase necessary. Details here. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...rs/member-experiences/top-of-the-world-lounge

I booked this today but the details are a little fuzzy. CM said check in starts at 7:15. Fireworks are not until 9pm on the day we reserved so I am a bit confused. Don’t really want to sit around for an hour and 45 minutes. He didn’t know exactly how it will all work. The reservation populated in my MDE.

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We really wanted to dine at Chef Mickeys at 7pm and then head over to TOTWL for the 9pm fireworks.

A credit card was required and he said you will be charged $10 pp for a no show.

Please update here your experience booking and come January your experience attending.

Dang…. that is a LOT of time waiting around for fireworks….

 

[VGCgroupie]

Dang…. that is a LOT of time waiting around for fireworks….

Yeah. If we have to wait that long it’s a no. I’m waiting to see if we get more info once January comes around before I cancel.

 

[Sandisw]

Dang…. that is a LOT of time waiting around for fireworks….

I don’t think you have to go then…it’s just if you want a seat for drinks and stuff before them, you get the priority access that early.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don’t think you have to go then…it’s just if you want a seat for drinks and stuff before them, you get the priority access that early.

So do they sell drinks etc up there when not attending Wicked Wind Down? I didnt think they did. But that would make it better.

 

[Sandisw]

So do they sell drinks etc up there when not attending Wicked Wind Down? I didnt think they did. But that would make it better.

Yes, they do. Even now, if you go up at 6 pm, they will seat you in the lounge until the WWD check in.

They will also have a cart outside to get drinks. That is how we got them the past few times because we went on a night with the Enchanted Dessert Party.

 

[Brian Noble]

Disney is not about to give up an opportunity for you to hand them $15-20/glass.

 

[ak517]

I booked this immediately for Saturday January 3rd. Me, DH, our toddler and infant, and my mom. We’re staying at CCV. I asked about arrival and the member services CM said to arrive fifteen minutes before the fireworks are due to start, so I don’t think they’re forcing anyone to get there hours early. MDE does say “reservation time 7:30” though we definitely won’t be arriving until later. It will be our first time at TOTWL. If someone pings here on 1/4 I can fill in about our experience!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I booked this immediately for Saturday January 3rd. Me, DH, our toddler and infant, and my mom. We’re staying at CCV. I asked about arrival and the member services CM said to arrive fifteen minutes before the fireworks are due to start, so I don’t think they’re forcing anyone to get there hours early. MDE does say “reservation time 7:30” though we definitely won’t be arriving until later. It will be our first time at TOTWL. If someone pings here on 1/4 I can fill in about our experience!

Thanks! Just shows you that MS doesn’t always know what they’re talking about. That’s why I love this board.

I had actually called the day before yesterday, and was told that booking wasn’t up yet, and it probably wouldn’t be for a couple weeks and then when I called yesterday he acted like it was never down and had been available since the announcement.

 

[tx911]

Yeah. If we have to wait that long it’s a no. I’m waiting to see if we get more info once January comes around before I cancel.

I just got off the phone and booked a reservation. They are saying 90 minutes before fireworks which is 7:30 PM, but on the DVC website it says you can check in as early as 60 Minutes before fireworks. So it’s clear as mud as usual.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I just got off the phone and booked a reservation. They are saying 90 minutes before fireworks which is 7:30 PM, but on the DVC website it says you can check in as early as 60 Minutes before fireworks. So it’s clear as mud as usual.

Yep! @ak517 would you update us when you get back home how it all worked for you. We would all be very grateful.

 

[Dznypal]

Sorry but I’m really confused on this. So just to go see the fireworks you have to have a reservation. We don’t need the lounge since we really don’t do parks that much anymore we do like watching the fireworks from BLT.
I don’t think I’m remembering this right from last year but I don’t think we had to check in or show ID to snyone. No one was by the elevator we just took ourselves up.

 

[muppets3d]

Sorry but I’m really confused on this. So just to go see the fireworks you have to have a reservation. We don’t need the lounge since we really don’t do parks that much anymore we do like watching the fireworks from BLT.
I don’t think I’m remembering this right from last year but I don’t think we had to check in or show ID to snyone. No one was by the elevator we just took ourselves up.

It sounds like you only need a reservation if you need to park at BLT.

Reports are they've recently moved the check-in table so you will need to check-in to be able to get to the viewing terrace. But it's just to prove DVC-Y eligibility - you do not need a reservation.

The website details this.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don’t think I’m remembering this right from last year but I don’t think we had to check in or show ID to snyone. No one was by the elevator we just took ourselves up.

The outdoor balcony used to be ungated. It sounds like that is changing with this new policy.

My read is that you don't need a reservation, and could still walk-up, but that will be space-available. And, unless they hold back some capacity for walk-ups, I assume there won't be any space available most nights. I also expect many no-shows, because there will be no penalty for making a reservation and no-show/no-calling it. This is why we can't have nice things.

 

[Sandisw]

The outdoor balcony used to be ungated. It sounds like that is changing with this new policy.

My read is that you don't need a reservation, and could still walk-up, but that will be space-available. And, unless they hold back some capacity for walk-ups, I assume there won't be any space available most nights. I also expect many no-shows, because there will be no penalty for making a reservation and no-show/no-calling it. This is why we can't have nice things.

People have been told the $10 fee applies for no shows because you have to CC guarantee.

 

[VGCgroupie]

People have been told the $10 fee applies for no shows because you have to CC guarantee.

Yes this is what I was told. It's free but if you dont cancel 2 hours prior you will be charged $10 pp like a normal dining reservation.