Opinions on Top of the World

[dcamdad]

"Old Pick Up trucks"

"Tarps"

"Working Girls"

I'm still trying to figure if that was a serious post

 

[moericus]

working girls?

I guess I'll leave the wife in the room with the kids, j/k.

 

[disneynutz]

I would love it if they would open it up to all DVC members. We stayed there last December and was at the TOWL almost every night. Really liked it there. Sure hope they don't close it before our trips in Sept and Dec this year.

If it is opened to other members, Disney would have to deal with access, security, transportation and other expenses. I don't think that the bar and food purchases would come close covering their costs.

Bill

 

[papertraveller]

Whenever we are at BLT, we are always at TOTW. We love it.

 

[rlovew]

Honestly unless there is a major sporting event on I rarely see a bar/lounge at the resorts we stay at crowded, there were certainly more people at TOTWL than we have ever seen at Victoria Falls at AKL.

 

[Starr W.]

Honestly unless there is a major sporting event on I rarely see a bar/lounge at the resorts we stay at crowded, there were certainly more people at TOTWL than we have ever seen at Victoria Falls at AKL.

We were there in January during the NFL playoffs, One couple there watching the game on that nice big flatscreen.

The one public room at BCV that has a tv in was packed the other year for the NFL playoffs(I think they went to Hess to pick up beer).

 

[cj9200]

No opinions yet but we will be making a stop one night (maybe two) on our March trip.

 

[tjkraz]

Honestly unless there is a major sporting event on I rarely see a bar/lounge at the resorts we stay at crowded, there were certainly more people at TOTWL than we have ever seen at Victoria Falls at AKL.

Perhaps. However most resort bars are needed to prepare alcoholic beverages for nearby restaurants. TOTWL requires at least three dedicated CMs (lobby podium, bartender, waiter/waitress) who can fill no other function.

And your typical resort bar couldn't earn the type of revenues Disney stands to make by renting TOTWL out for private functions.

 

[Uncleromulus]

IF they open it up to ANYONE, word will soon get out that there is a fireworks view. Then it will be like the "old" California Grill--people flocking to the place with no intention of buying drinks or food---just there to look.

I think an expanded menu would help--but can the current "kitchen" do any more???

 

[PatsMom]

We've stayed at BLT three times and on all three trips we visited TOW several times. We do order drinks and sometimes dessert. If they opened the lounge to all DVC members, I think we would be stopping in at least once or twice a trip to have a few margaritas and watch the fireworks. I've gotten to be too old to fight the mobs exiting the MK after the fireworks and really enjoyed watching from the roof.

I think an expanded menu would help but I'm not sure what the current kitchen space can do. I would have no hesitation about taking children into the bar area - we took my eight year old niece with us several times.

 

[DenLo]

Well it is February...

I can't imagine every bar/lounge in WDW is packed except TOWL.

Perhaps. However most resort bars are needed to prepare alcoholic beverages for nearby restaurants. TOTWL requires at least three dedicated CMs (lobby podium, bartender, waiter/waitress) who can fill no other function.

And your typical resort bar couldn't earn the type of revenues Disney stands to make by renting TOTWL out for private functions.

IF they open it up to ANYONE, word will soon get out that there is a fireworks view. Then it will be like the "old" California Grill--people flocking to the place with no intention of buying drinks or food---just there to look.

I think an expanded menu would help--but can the current "kitchen" do any more???

We've stayed at BLT twice and couldn't find the time to go the TOTWL more than once a trip. Our schedule is just too full to find the time and sometimes I'd rather sit on my balcony rather sit in a bar. I too would like BLT to continue to be for DVC members but I just can't see myself going from BWV to BLT just to get a drink and watch the fireworks if it was opened to all DVC members.

There is no kitchen for TOTWL they bring the food over from CR. So that would limit the items. It's a lounge not a restaurant so there's no real incentive to increase the menu.

I think TimK has hit the nail on the head, except for sports bars more lounges at WDW are not that crowded and most have a dual use because of a connection to a restaurant or multiple restaurants and that's how they make their money.

I still have a problem if they open TOTWL lounge to all DVC members what should be done with the locked doors. Should they just open the building and have no locks? The difficulty I see with that resolution is that many non-guests would come to BLT to see the fireworks from the elevator lobbies. I mean right now they crowd onto the skywalk. I'm not too thrilled with large numbers of people roaming the halls outside of my villa that are not even staying at BLT.

I too think that when BLT is truly sold out, then the TOTWL will be closed and used for special functions and since it not large enough for a DVC function, it will be used for private functions for smaller groups. It was just a gimmick to increase sales.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

so do you drive an old, beat up pick up , loaded with tarps
& trash? [ & cover with rust ] or are you a blt owner concern
with safety?

for the record, this was factual. with some details left out.
however, that exactly what i would have thought, "a joke"
if i hadn't seen these things myself. blt supposed to
be a nice, safe disney resort. i am reporting what i
"saw" as potential safety risks.

they were a group of people , tailgating in the parking lot.
they were in soiled "work clothes". some of the kids were not
wearing shoes, nor dressed for the colder weather. [ no
jackets, just shorts & tee's]. as i watched, they pulled out a
large rolling cooler. some adults holding/drinking beers. when
i was cutting across the parking lot, they moved from
several cars. [ as to avoid being seen] . but i did stay around
long enough, to noticed they kept going to the pick-up,
reaching into the back & pulling out bottles of beer.

do we have any cm working there? maybe there's a video
camera watching the parking lot? interesting, another diser
was vacationing @ the same time. he posted a picture of
a car with a "boot" on it? probably wasn't able to drive away
is my guess. maybe part of this group?

the parking lot went from 100% full to half, by 1:30 am. but
i also noticed something else, taxi's picking up people @
1:30 am. think about that. who checking out @ that time?
they took a taxi, to get in & out the resort.

as for the "working girls"....they were there on several nights.
they were dressed up, but not in the type of family/lady-like
clothing. their male escort, was also "dressed" for the part.
if you wasn't there, think about the first crocodile d. movie,
except there were 4 instead of 2.

as for the lounge, then why not limit it like they do the california
grill? the building designs make it possible to separate the
two. [ viewing area & the lounge.] i think most blt owners are
there for family vacations. even so, those wanting to experience
a drink or 2, could then "hop" over the bar. the potential problem
with the bar & children. it is a fact, that excessive etoh reduces
self control. sooner or later [ just takes one person], there
will be an incident. disney have a need to demonstrate
safety or take the risk.

safety issues were some of the reasons we decided to go dvc.
the lack of safety we saw, were below our expectations. therefore,
we reported all these observations. we never saw any security
personnel @ blt. in the future, we will take extra safety measures.
deadbolt @ all times-even day time. will not let my children by
themselves outdoor- teenagers. will not stay on the first floor.

 

[diding]

The best would be to make it accesible to all BLT guests so that they could enjoy the view and the facilities.

 

[billsfan]

We did our part this past October.

5 Adults
1 Night
$212

 

[Uncleromulus]

Of course a fair # of BLT guests already HAVE a view of the MK and the fireworks---

 

[n2mm]

IF they open it up to ANYONE, word will soon get out that there is a fireworks view. Then it will be like the "old" California Grill--people flocking to the place with no intention of buying drinks or food---just there to look.

I think an expanded menu would help--but can the current "kitchen" do any more???

Also my first thought too. We stayed at BLT twice last year and one evening we could not even find a place to park because there was a huge function going on at the CR and all of the spots at BLT were taken. We had to park in the CM lot and walk back to the building. I can't imagine what the parking situation would be.

 

[Alan_BLT_2009]

I hope any changes would still require DVC membership.

 

[dvcblt93]

I drive a pickup, have been known to drink beer out of a cooler. The wife and I like to get dressed up for a night on the town, and I have even taken a cab so I don't have to worry about drinking and driving! It's obvious to me now that I am nothing but a trashy pimp!

 

[csharpwv]

I think they should open it up to ALL DVC members staying at ANY DVC resort.
It would be great especially for a night before or after a cruise etc when you don't really have time to get use out of park tickets.

But I agree that they have to do something about the low volume. OR They should offer DVC exclusive Character Encounters both inside and outside the lounge. THAT would bring a crowd - AND be an excellent addition and perk for DVC members. I'd love to watch the fireworks with Mickey & Minnie!
It would be awesome to have the Fab 5 2-3 days a week - and a selection of other characters the other nights - Peter Pan - Tinker Bell - Captain Hook - Mr. Smee - PLUS that would be a GREAT way to promote characters from new movies and such!

If they do THAT I will DEFINITELY be glad that we are not only DVC owners, but also BLT owners!!!!

 

[puntagordabob]

If they open up the lounge to everyone or remove it from our BLT visits that would peeve me off beyond all... our family bought before the BLT was finished of course and the Totwl didnt really come into majore play in that decision.... but every visit we have made since Aug 4th, 2009 has included at least one and usually more nights up there... we spent opening night up there (aug 4th 2009) and my family was the 1st DVC members to check in ever at the BLT (award and everything lol) so we were in the mood to have a good time that night even more so!), NYE 2009, and many other nights there.... I have come to LOVE the Totwl and going up there is almost a passion for me...love the flatbreads...love the drinks (only a soda drinker though!)......love the CMs (and we always tip our server of course)...the ambiance...and the view of The World....

I think what they could do is consider a hybrid of this:

Wishes at 10pm for example.....

5pm-8:30 DVC members staying at BLT on points
8:30-9:00 BLT Owners staying at ANY official Disney resort (even at all stars!)
9:00-9:45 DVC Members staying at ANY DVC resort ON POINTS

If capacity is not met, then and only then at 9:45 would you allow Chas Guests staying at BLT to enter.....

if capacity is met at any previous stage then thats the end of it....

I do not want BLT accessible to anyone who doesnt belong there..... no private parties etc... we may not own the lounge but we DO OWN the doors, elevators, cartpets, and all the common areas...our dues are used to maintain these..... and you never know WHO will slip into the building that is not on the up & up to steal, vandalize, or worse....