Should the Bay Lake Tower viewing be open to all DVC Members?

[ToddyLu]

It would be cool to have a Sunday Brunch there with a sax player and tables of food or small buffet--adults only. It would also be nice to have NYE parties, Halloween or Christmas parties there where you paid a fee to enjoy finger foods and drinks--2 drink minimum...something like that.

I wish there were a couple of exclusive adult only venues in WDW (outside of the usualy resort lounge)--where you could get a really nice buffet and viewing--I would pay for that.

It could have the potential to be very nice and you could show your reservation # to the gate for parking, etc.

 

[dj~merlin]

i agree with the spiceycat -100%.

while i understand the desire for an adult only area, we brought
there for a "family resort". how many adult owners are single
versus those with families ... thus the majority rules, is why
i think it was opened to children.

 

[Snurk71]

okay - but first open the pools at BCV/BC/BWV - to all DVC members - then talk about opening TOWL to all DVC members.

Speaking as a BLT owner, I concur.

Make it even all around - not picking and choosing. We stayed at BCV last Oct and I wouldn't have called SAB busy by any means. So if everyone can clog up the BLT parking lot and take over BLT's unique item, gotta do it across the board and let us go to SAB.

Much of the same reasoning for members not going to the lounge can be made for members not going to BCV.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I wonder how well it would do if it were open to all guest at CR. Another thought would be to open it up to WLV guests.

 

[castleri]

I will try to do my part the 3 nights we will be there in a couple of weeks. I will go up, have a drink or two and some of the food. Opening it to more people may increase the revenues but it may just increase the number of people if they don't partake of the food and beverages available. I can understand how the CMs there would not want that location if only a handful of people use it and only some of those eat or drink.

 

[DenLo]

I don't mind TOTLW being opened to all DVC members, but I just don't think it's practical. The seating/bar area only holds 77 people and the total capacity in and outside is 499 per Allears. I remember seeing a sign with similiar figures and thought that was really a small lounge. It could easily turn into a fire code violation and if Disney doesn't control the number of guests.

So what would be worse, going over to BLT and finding out it's full or knowing ahead of time that you aren't allowed to use it unless you're staying at BLT on points?

 

[jagson]

Imagine 300,000-400,000 DVC members showing up for the fireworks! What fireworks would be more interesting; TOTWL or MK? Maybe set up up reservation system for DVC members? Give DVCers staying at BLT first chance when they place a reservation for BLT, then 1st-come-first-served DVC members staying at other DVC resorts, (only on the day they'd like to go, if openings exist). Take a nonrefundable CC downpayment, per person in your party, on the TOTW reservation to discourage no-shows; unless cancelled 24' or 48' in advance to refund your downpayment. Set a 2 drink minimum per person in your party (adult or child beverage), that would be covered by the reservation downpayment.
I've been up there for the fireworks, and its never been full. Anyone have any other ideas, or shoot this plan down?

 

[Chuck S]

Personally, I'd like to see the lounge area refurbished into a table service restaurant (though they may not have enough space to add a full kitchen) and have it open to all DVCers as an exclusively DVC dining option. However, IMO the observation area should remain for BLT owners staying at that resort only.

 

[disneynutz]

Imagine 300,000-400,000 DVC members showing up for the fireworks! What fireworks would be more interesting; TOTWL or MK? Maybe set up up reservation system for DVC members? Give DVCers staying at BLT first chance when they place a reservation for BLT, then 1st-come-first-served DVC members staying at other DVC resorts, (only on the day they'd like to go, if openings exist). Take a nonrefundable CC downpayment, per person in your party, on the TOTW reservation to discourage no-shows; unless cancelled 24' or 48' in advance to refund your downpayment. Set a 2 drink minimum per person in your party (adult or child beverage), that would be covered by the reservation downpayment.
I've been up there for the fireworks, and its never been full. Anyone have any other ideas, or shoot this plan down?

Don't see this happening. Somebody is already paying for the bartender and servers, security, and the CM who puts you on the elevator, cleaning and maintenance, utilities and insurance. Adding the cost of a reservation system and taking deposits really puts the whole place in the red. They are operating at a loss now and I don't see how they can stay open to the DVC or general public.

Bill

 

[Mister Incredible]

Daily reservations. BLT guests first, all others reserve by 3:00pm. Pick a number, when it's full, it's full.

Not sure how many "spontaneous" people head up there around 9:55pm. There shouldn't be any additional cost because staff is already in place.

My guess is they still wouldn't "sell out" most nights. They could still use it as a "perk" to sell DVC.

 

[jagson]

Daily reservations. BLT guests first, all others reserve by 3:00pm. Pick a number, when it's full, it's full.

Not sure how many "spontaneous" people head up there around 9:55pm. There shouldn't be any additional cost because staff is already in place.

My guess is they still wouldn't "sell out" most nights. They could still use it as a "perk" to sell DVC.

BLT DVCers same day ressies before 3PM; all other DVCers staying only at DVC resorts on points after 3PM; still a nonrefundable CC deposit per guest, noncancellable. I bet they'd get more than they get now, and be profitable. Any takers?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I don't want to have to make a reservation. I especially wouldn't it want to be a non refundable charge on my CC.
Bobbi

 

[DVCJones]

Last April while staying at OKW, I wanted to visit the viewing deck at BLT. We had an ADR at Chef Mickey's and thought it would be great if we could watch the fireworks after dinner. I didn't realize it was reserved for ONLY the members who were staying there! I thought it was for all DVC members. I was disappointed as were the other 7 people in our party.

We stayed at BLT the year before and went up there on 2 different nights and there were maybe five people up there each time.

I guess I still don't understand what the big deal is NOT to let all DVC members up there. There doesn't seem to be a huge interest among the actual guest staying there.....

We only wanted to go up there because we were already there for our ADR. I don't see us making a special trip to get up there. It was more like, "hey, we are here, let's check it out.' kind of decision.

Being turned away didn't ruin our night (we jumped on the monorail for a ride) but, it would have been nice to show my guests the view.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Last April while staying at OKW, I wanted to visit the viewing deck at BLT. We had an ADR at Chef Mickey's and thought it would be great if we could watch the fireworks after dinner. I didn't realize it was reserved for ONLY the members who were staying there! I thought it was for all DVC members. I was disappointed as were the other 7 people in our party.

We stayed at BLT the year before and went up there on 2 different nights and there were maybe five people up there each time.

I guess I still don't understand what the big deal is NOT to let all DVC members up there. There doesn't seem to be a huge interest among the actual guest staying there.....

We only wanted to go up there because we were already there for our ADR. I don't see us making a special trip to get up there. It was more like, "hey, we are here, let's check it out.' kind of decision.

Being turned away didn't ruin our night (we jumped on the monorail for a ride) but, it would have been nice to show my guests the view.

I agree 100%. Also, I can not see how opening the lounge to all DVC members would cause parking issues. I would be willing to wager that if the lounge was open to all DVC members --it would have a much lower nightly attendance than BWV & BCV has on any given night. Daily tons of people go to theses resorts for: the boardwalk experience, the restaurants and nightly entertainment, quick access to 2 major parks, nightly Illuminations viewing, etc., and parking is managed.

 

[tjkraz]

I guess I still don't understand what the big deal is NOT to let all DVC members up there. There doesn't seem to be a huge interest among the actual guest staying there.....

Lounge access is only available to members because DVC / DVD is paying for it. Members don't own the lounge--another unit of the Disney company is being compensated so that members can access the lounge rather than it being rented out for several thousand dollars per night.

And the primary reason they have secured access to the lounge for members is to use it as a sales incentive for Bay Lake Tower.

I agree 100%. Also, I can not see how opening the lounge to all DVC members would cause parking issues.

Given the parking situation at the Magic Kingdom, it has the potential to be a major problem. There are thousands of DVC members staying on property at any time. If all members were given free access to the lounge we could see dozens-perhaps hundreds--of people parking in the BLT lot daily when visiting the MK. All they have to do is tell the guard that they are going to the lounge.

No not every member has a car and not all would choose to buck the system in that manner. But there is the potential for trouble and it's just one aspect that would have to be taken into consideration.

 

[thelobstershanty]

I do not see how it would be any different, or have more of a negative effect on BLV parking then it has at other resorts that are located in prime locations to parks. Namely ALL of the MK and Epcot resorts.
How having the lounge open to all DVC members would cause more parking problems for BLV's guest then for a BCV/BCV/Poly, etc guest, does not compute in my logic. Most likely the parking impact would be much lower for BLV guests than for BCV/Poly/etc guests because others would only be parking for a short duration for the firework viewing vs people parking all day/evening to gain access to a park!

 

[tjkraz]

I do not see how it would be any different, or have more of a negative effect on BLV parking then it has at other resorts that are located in prime locations to parks. Namely ALL of the MK and Epcot resorts.

In the other situations you describe, the only overflow is from the "cheaters"...people who know that they shouldn't use the BWI/BWV/BC lots for Epcot parking, but do it anyway.

What you are suggesting for BLT is openly inviting more non-guests into the resort. There are 1400 villas at SSR, 700 at OKW, 600 at AKV. The BLT lot isn't sized properly for even a small portion of those guests to drive over an use the lounge.

That said, it's still a secondary issue to the reason any of us have access to the lounge. Once BLT sales have wrapped-up, I'll be really surprised if even BLT guests still have access for much longer. Nightly lounge access is undoubtedly quite expensive--probably too expensive to be maintained as a perk.

 

[thelobstershanty]

Forget about the "cheaters" what about all the "openly invited" that go to the boardwalk to enjoy the entertainment, restaurants, etc., or go to the Poly for the dinner shows or viewing of the electrical water parade, or go to GF for the Pirate Adventure or High Tea or the Contemporary to rental water craft, etc., etc. I would think that the numbers of these "openly invited" guests would outnumber the amount of DVC members that would be going to BLV for firework viewing; yet all the mentioned resorts handle the parking issues effectively.

 

[tjkraz]

Forget about the "cheaters" what about all the "openly invited" that go to the boardwalk to enjoy the entertainment, restaurants, etc., or go to the Poly for the dinner shows or viewing of the electrical water parade, or go to GF for the Pirate Adventure or High Tea or the Contemporary to rental water craft, etc., etc. I would think that the numbers of these "openly invited" guests would outnumber the amount of DVC members that would be going to BLV for firework viewing; yet all the mentioned resorts handle the parking issues effectively.

How do the resort parking lot sizes compare?

How much excess capacity is currently available at BLT on a typical night now and how much of a traffic increase do you foresee?

 

[thelobstershanty]

..........That said, it's still a secondary issue to the reason any of us have access to the lounge. Once BLT sales have wrapped-up, I'll be really surprised if even BLT guests still have access for much longer. Nightly lounge access is undoubtedly quite expensive--probably too expensive to be maintained as a perk.

I agree 100% with this statement. I wonder though, is it written anywhere in BLT membership docs that use of the lounge is provided for guests staying at the resort? If it is, I do not think this perk could be just stopped. But knowing Disney they probably covered all the bases.