Question about BLT's Top of the World Lounge

[Babbletrish]

One of our favorite surprises last time we went to WDW as DVC members was staying in the Bay Lake Tower and watching the fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge. You could get a drink and a snack inside, then head out to the patio thing to watch Wishes, the Electric Water Pageant, and even parts of Illuminations. As cheesy as it may be, it was a genuinely magical experience.

So this next trip down, we're staying in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. The question of enormous fallout that I have is this: Obviously, Top of the World is a DVC members only area, but do you have to be staying in the Bay Lake Tower to enjoy it?

EDIT: Should note that BLT is our "home" resort.

 

[Sandisw]

Yes, you do have to be staying at BLT in order to go up to TOTWL.

 

[luckyman_apd]

One of our favorite surprises last time we went to WDW as DVC members was staying in the Bay Lake Tower and watching the fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge. You could get a drink and a snack inside, then head out to the patio thing to watch Wishes, the Electric Water Pageant, and even parts of Illuminations. As cheesy as it may be, it was a genuinely magical experience.

So this next trip down, we're staying in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. The question of enormous fallout that I have is this: Obviously, Top of the World is a DVC members only area, but do you have to be staying in the Bay Lake Tower to enjoy it?

Supposedly what I heard is that the TOTW is for BLT Owners only. Now, we rented points last year and I had no problem getting in. I didn't know, nor was I told at the time it was for owners only. Our room was on the top floor, so most of the time I went I just walked the 100 yds or less from my room, but I've read that they may ask for you membership card at the elevator to go up. Maybe it is just for BLT guests? IDK. I wouldn't plan on being able to, but It never hurts to try....especially since it's just a boat ride away.

Now, I openly talked with the bartenders about staying there on rented points and how much I was enjoying my stay. They were friendly and talked about different things we should do on our stay. So, if they were supposed to kick me out because I wasn't an owner, they didn't. My motto is it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission (Not really my motto but it works here)

 

[Babbletrish]

Supposedly what I heard is that the TOTW is for BLT Owners only.

I forgot to mention that BLT is our "home" resort.

 

[billsfan]

The last report I have read on this is it is for DVC members who are staying at the BLT using points. It doesn't matter what your home resort is as long as you are a member using points to stay at the BLT.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've read many many times that it's for owners (of any DVC home resort) staying at Bay Lake on their own points.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I forgot to mention that BLT is our "home" resort.

Doesn't matter. It just matters that you are staying there.

Just like owners of BCV can't pool hop over to SAB if they aren't staying there.

It's a member perk for staying at that resort.

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

ok...i seen this recently repeated & debated many times. we're
blt owners, but are confused just like everybody else.


..we 're down last fall { member cruise & a week afterwards.}
those working did not know the proper way. they thought
if a member invited anyone off the street they could go.
the right way, {referring to guests}, is anyone staying with
a dvc owner.

yes there has been many "loopholes" like the one mentioned by
the renter. slowly but sure, they have been closing them
because they are being reported.

the privilege is for any member using their points and their guests
staying with them. not just inviting all their friends from a different
resort. { due to limited space.}

we have had problems with large crowds crashing the top.
why should we take a back seat to the viewing area when
they are not even supposed to be up there in the first place?

the rule is quite clear but i don't expect that to stop those not entitled.
so we keep reporting the loopholes & staff not following the rules.
we want to enjoy its intended purposes. and it is our home resort. it
isn't very nice when there all wall to wall people.

if you are renting then there a nice viewing area across the blt/comp.'s
bridge. unless if we were not dvc members, staying on points, then
we would not feel right going there.

 

[MkWzwski]

I think like anything else, it's hit or miss. We're owners and were staying at BLT and the first night just went up, no one there to ask for a card. A couple nights later my husband tried to go up to get a drink and wasn't allowed because for whatever reason it didn't say DVC member on his card. We were told it was a common problem for the person whose name is on the reservation to end up with a card that doesn't say it. My card and all three of my children's cards had DVC on them. When he went back with his and my cards, it was fine. Next time we'll take a look at the cards before we leave the check out desk.

We learned later that you are supposed to check in at the front desk. The night we went up for the fireworks, there was someone waiting by the elevator the whole time and the girl at the desk told us to tell him she sent us.

 

[Deb & Bill]

One of our favorite surprises last time we went to WDW as DVC members was staying in the Bay Lake Tower and watching the fireworks from the Top of the World Lounge. You could get a drink and a snack inside, then head out to the patio thing to watch Wishes, the Electric Water Pageant, and even parts of Illuminations. As cheesy as it may be, it was a genuinely magical experience.

So this next trip down, we're staying in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. The question of enormous fallout that I have is this: Obviously, Top of the World is a DVC members only area, but do you have to be staying in the Bay Lake Tower to enjoy it?

EDIT: Should note that BLT is our "home" resort.

You're staying at VWL and swimming in SAB? I don't think so. You can only swim in SAB if you are staying at YC/BC/BCV.

 

[Babbletrish]

You're staying at VWL and swimming in SAB? I don't think so. You can only swim in SAB if you are staying at YC/BC/BCV.

That's... not what I was asking at all. But I understand what you mean if it's meant to be an analogy.

So it looks like our best bet is to call ahead and ask what policy BLT happens to be implementing that particular night. So what's the SECOND-best high-up spot to grab a drink and watch "Wishes" from? I don't suppose you could watch from Wilderness Lodge... right?

 

[Deb & Bill]

That's... not what I was asking at all. But I understand what you mean if it's meant to be an analogy.

So it looks like our best bet is to call ahead and ask what policy BLT happens to be implementing that particular night. So what's the SECOND-best high-up spot to grab a drink and watch "Wishes" from? I don't suppose you could watch from Wilderness Lodge... right?

I guess I was just confused. Your ticker says 1 months, 6 days until I'm swimming in Stormalong Bay, but you said you were staying at VWL.

You won't see much from WL. But you could go to the fourth floor balcony at the CR. There won't be anywhere to grab a drink except from the lounge or the store. It's right near the walkway to BLT.

 

[quirty30]

That's... not what I was asking at all. But I understand what you mean if it's meant to be an analogy.

So it looks like our best bet is to call ahead and ask what policy BLT happens to be implementing that particular night. So what's the SECOND-best high-up spot to grab a drink and watch "Wishes" from? I don't suppose you could watch from Wilderness Lodge... right?

Go have a drink at the California Grill and watch Wishes from their observation deck. I'd say that the 2nd best high-up spot.

 

[lions1995]

Go have a drink at the California Grill and watch Wishes from their observation deck. I'd say that the 2nd best high-up spot.

I thought you needed to actually dine at the California Grill to go to the observation deck. Can you just go up and have a drink?

 

[quirty30]

I thought you needed to actually dine at the California Grill to go to the observation deck. Can you just go up and have a drink?

There's a bar there as well. I believe you still have to check in at the 2nd floor reception desk to make sure there is room. And if there is, yes, you can go up just for drinks.

 

[spiceycat]

I thought you needed to actually dine at the California Grill to go to the observation deck. Can you just go up and have a drink?

you need a reservation at CG to get access to that deck.

now for the deck on the 4th floor - just go to the cont bar and ask for a take out cup - then go immediately outside. the chairs fill up fast. now it does have the monrail over head and that does take away some - nothing is like BLT TOWL.

 

[ppony]

We just got back a few days ago and visited the TOTWL. We were staying at BLT (on points of course) but we own at AKV. All they asked us for at the podium in the lobby was our IDs and DVC cards and if we were indeed staying at BLT. The gal also escorted us to the elevator and used HER card to get access and we got on. Would ours not have worked? Just curious. The rules were also clearly printed in the check--in materials for BLT and also in your room. It was dead in there. It was after the fireworks (around 9:30). I can't see them wanting to limit it more than just staying on points or man, no one would be up there aside from fireworks time!

I'll have to go look at my room key. I know our check in packet said we were room only staying on points but I'm not sure if the card did.
Just checked it, it says "DVC room only A02" Maybe A02 is a code?
Oh and anyone want a Soarin' fastpass? Ooops. Oh well, our feet hurt that day.

 

[lions1995]

Just checked it, it says "DVC room only A02" Maybe A02 is a code?

Yes, the DVC implies you are staying on points and some how the resort is coded somewhere on the card. While staying at the Yatch club, I asked how they know what resort youa re staying at in order to get into SAB. They assured me that there is a code on the indicates where youa re staying.

 

[spiceycat]

The gal also escorted us to the elevator and used HER card to get access and we got on. Would ours not have worked?

no - believe me I have tried.
now if you were staying on the 16th floor it might have worked.

the other route that outsiders were taking has also been stopped by DVC.

the use to take the elevator to the 15th floor and go up the steps. the lock on the door is automatic.

 

[ppony]

no - believe me I have tried.
now if you were staying on the 16th floor it might have worked.

the other route that outsiders were taking has also been stopped by DVC.

the use to take the elevator to the 15th floor and go up the steps. the lock on the door is automatic.

I wonder if it's as "automatic" as the entries to the building? I was not too happy to see people could walk right up to those doors that had the card readers on them and just pull on the door and open it went. I mean, isn't there ANY secrurity? No wonder those pizza flier guys can get in w/o any trouble. Sorry, vent over.