New Complementary Fireworks Viewing Reservations at TOTWL - Report Experiences Here

[VGCgroupie]

Anyone who pre-booked actually get a confirmation email? I got off the phone about an hour ago but haven’t seen anything. Since we have a 2Bed Standard view, I’m going to want to cancel if we can see fireworks from the room. If we can’t we’ll go up, but I don’t want to pay 50 dollars if I don’t have a confirmation email to cancel from.

No email that I can remember but its in my MDE app.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

No email that I can remember but its in my MDE app.

Don’t see mine in the MDE either. I’ll just wait until tomorrow.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Don’t see mine in the MDE either. I’ll just wait until tomorrow.

Mine showed up immediately under future plans. When are you visiting?

 

[foodiddiedoo]

Mine showed up immediately under future plans. When are you visiting?

I reserved January 17.

 

[foodiddiedoo]

I reserved January 17.

I refreshed a few more times since that and I see it now. Gotta love janky Disney IT.

 

[BostonEd]

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

As I recall from my one or two times there, there were three parts to the balcony: a central part and two flanks. Or was it just two flanks coming out from the central interior area. Either way, I wonder if they're just gating off one flank for people with reservations, and keeping the rest of the area open.

 

[AcusTwinhammer]

One side of the balcony is reserved for the paid event, the other side is the side for people just coming up to watch the fireworks, I presume that will remain about the same, they just now have a way to reserve the space.

When I was there a week before Thanksgiving this year, I went up on a party night and there were maybe 15 people on the "free" side--a far cry from what I recall around 2010ish where the entire elevator hallway was jammed full of people after the fireworks ended. I'm guessing this is an attempt to get the space utilized a little more both by making people more able to make it over via parking, but also just making more people aware that they can use it.

 

[crackerjack21]

I was able to book this yesterday for December 30th from 10 pm to 1pm. It is in my MDE. The CM I spoke with said they just released those times recently (I had just asked last Friday and was told nothing available). She said to arrive 15 minutes early as seating is limited if we want a seat. She also took our cc and said we’d be charged a $10 no show fee as others have said. I’m not sure if we have to be there that early, I think we may check in and see if we can come and go. We’ve been there before on a very empty night and the wall is very high, like I am 5’5" and I remember it being chest high. So little kids might have a hard time without help. Everyone there is DVC so very chill and we all lined up short to tall lol so everyone could see. The night we went we were able to get drinks and they had light bites as well.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I was able to book this yesterday for December 30th from 10 pm to 1pm. It is in my MDE. The CM I spoke with said they just released those times recently (I had just asked last Friday and was told nothing available). She said to arrive 15 minutes early as seating is limited if we want a seat. She also took our cc and said we’d be charged a $10 no show fee as others have said. I’m not sure if we have to be there that early, I think we may check in and see if we can come and go. We’ve been there before on a very empty night and the wall is very high, like I am 5’5" and I remember it being chest high. So little kids might have a hard time without help. Everyone there is DVC so very chill and we all lined up short to tall lol so everyone could see. The night we went we were able to get drinks and they had light bites as well.

Thanks!

 

[Judique]

Called to book my arrival day since my friend won't have tickets for that day. Already fully booked! My own fault as I saw this early and didn't jump on it. Really, I like fireworks but I'm not dying to stand on that probably windy terrace.

I did book an alternate night which may get canceled. It's a two hour cancellation window (I think.)

 

[muppets3d]

Called to book my arrival day since my friend won't have tickets for that day. Already fully booked! My own fault as I saw this early and didn't jump on it. Really, I like fireworks but I'm not dying to stand on that probably windy terrace.

I did book an alternate night which may get canceled. It's a two hour cancellation window (I think.)

You can still walk up to the lounge on a space-available basis if you don't have a reservation. What we need to learn is how many tables are they reserving vs. leaving open for walk-ups.

 

[Judique]

You can still walk up to the lounge on a space-available basis if you don't have a reservation. What we need to learn is how many tables are they reserving vs. leaving open for walk-ups.

Yes, I know. That's definitely an option. What appealed to me was that I could drive to BLT and park my car with the prearranged reservation. In years past I've been on that terrace and in the lounge for appetizers while staying at BLT. I've also dined at California Grill many times and watched from there. For myself, I wouldn't have bothered but for my friend, she's not done this and won't have that ticket for our arrival day.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Can’t believe they have included parking since the BLT and Contemporary do have a small parking lot.
I thought they had an expensive NYE party in previous years So this is a surprise.

 

[muppets3d]

Yes, I know. That's definitely an option. What appealed to me was that I could drive to BLT and park my car with the prearranged reservation. In years past I've been on that terrace and in the lounge for appetizers while staying at BLT. I've also dined at California Grill many times and watched from there. For myself, I wouldn't have bothered but for my friend, she's not done this and won't have that ticket for our arrival day.

From the way I read the website, it appears that you can still park on BLT property without a reservation and do a walk-up. We'll see how it ends up working in practice once this new reservation system is in effect.

 

[ShariM]

What is the latest date that anyone has booked for so far? I tried this morning for Feb 22 and they didn't have that date in the system available yet.

 

[Sandisw]

What is the latest date that anyone has booked for so far? I tried this morning for Feb 22 and they didn't have that date in the system available yet.

It’s 60 days so with both Dec and Jan having 31 days, it’s not quite that.

 

[ShariM]

It’s 60 days so with both Dec and Jan having 31 days, it’s not quite that.

Thank you! I wasn't sure if it would include the length of stay time, like the regular ADRs do, or not. It must not. . Appreciate the response!

 

[Judique]

From the way I read the website, it appears that you can still park on BLT property without a reservation and do a walk-up. We'll see how it ends up working in practice once this new reservation system is in effect.

I'm not so sure about that. Without a reservation it leaves it to the gate guards' discretion and I've been turned away before when going for a 'walk in' breakfast. For that one I pulled to the side on the turn around and made a reservation on the spot. Before Steakhouse 71 there wasn't much problem getting a table for breakfast at the previous restaurant and I had always been admitted for breakfast. Anyway, gave my new still warm from the oven confirmation number and in I went.

I still haven't reread the website or email, so I might interpret differently once I get to that.

Okay. edit: This leads me to believe the only 'sure' parking is with a confirmed reservation.
Parking

Complimentary Resort parking is available 2 hours before the Top of the World Lounge – Complimentary Fireworks Viewing reservation time. Please present your valid photo ID and Top of the World Lounge – Complimentary Fireworks Viewing reservation confirmation at the Disney’s Contemporary Resort security gate. Resort parking is subject to blockout dates such as holidays (e.g., July 3, July 4, December 30 and December 31) and special event nights.

 

[muppets3d]

I'm not so sure about that. Without a reservation it leaves it to the gate guards' discretion and I've been turned away before when going for a 'walk in' breakfast. For that one I pulled to the side on the turn around and made a reservation on the spot. Before Steakhouse 71 there wasn't much problem getting a table for breakfast at the previous restaurant and I had always been admitted for breakfast. Anyway, gave my new still warm from the oven confirmation number and in I went.

I still haven't reread the website or email, so I might interpret differently once I get to that.

DVC-Y members are specifically allowed to park at BLT after I think 7PM so we can access the TOTWL lounge. You can't expect to be able to park there at other times without some kind of reservation though!

 

[Judique]

DVC-Y members are specifically allowed to park at BLT after I think 7PM so we can access the TOTWL lounge. You can't expect to be able to park there at other times without some kind of reservation though!

Now I see where you are coming from! Since it's been years since I paid attention, if I ever knew that, I've forgotten it.

Still, wondering if this is a new control feature. Such as if you want free parking, make a reservation. Otherwise take the bus and take your chances.

I just have to remember to hit cancel if we decide not to bother.