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

[Mister Incredible]

I hear the BLT viewing area for the Magic Kingdom Fireworks is very rarely full, should this area be open to all DVC member instead of just those staying at Bay Lake?

The one time I was there, the lounge and viewing area was basically empty. why not open it to all members? This could be on a first come first serve basis or reservation (of course BLT guest would get first preference).

Just wondering.

 

[tjkraz]

Honestly 90% of the reason it's even available at all is to serve as a purchase incentive. BLT dues do not fund operations of the lounge. It appears that Disney Vacation Development (the sales arm of the DVC operation) is paying for the lounge as purchase perk. "Buy at BLT and you get exclusive access to the lounge!"

So DVD has every reason to NOT allow outsiders to access the lounge. They want to hold it up as something that is most easily accessed by owning at BLT.

Once BLT is sold out, we'll have to see what direction this goes. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me a bit if lounge access was simply revoked. Disney could make a lot of money on a nightly basis by renting it out to wedding groups, convention groups and any other party willing to pay. There are no cooking facilities but it would be a very appealing location to set-up prepared foods and host a reception. There are prime viewing spots around the Epcot lagoon which are rented out nearly every night of the week for Illuminations parties.

DVC could still lease the lounge on some basis, perhaps finding a way to roll it into member dues. I think it would be nice if they would just rent out the lounge a couple nights per week and allow all members to access. Would undoubtedly get larger crowds.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I would be fine with that and always thought it should be open to all DVC members currently staying at WDW.

 

[disneynutz]

I really wonder how many members would travel over to BLT to view a 20 minute fireworks show. Disney Guests don't fill up the observation deck at the Contemporary now and it's open to everyone. Think of the process just getting there using Disney transportation and getting to the TOTWL. it's not like it isn't the same show the everyone has seen from the MK.

Sometimes wanting something is better than having it.

Bill

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I really wonder how many members would travel over to BLT to view a 20 minute fireworks show. Disney Guests don't fill up the observation deck at the Contemporary now and it's open to everyone. Think of the process just getting there using Disney transportation and getting to the TOTWL. it's not like it isn't the same show the everyone has seen from the MK.

Sometimes wanting something is better than having it.

Bill

I've heard a lot of arguments about the status and future of TOTWL over the years but you make one of the best points I have ever seen. I never thought about it that way.

 

[Beth]

I always suspected one of the reasons - in additions to the ones already mentioned - that they don't open the lounge to DVC guests staying at other resorts is simply the "parking issue."

If all DVC guests had a "right" to park at the Contemporary due to their "Observation Deck Priveleges," there may be some concern that that "right" could be abused?!?

Plus a minor note, access to the resort is "normally" restricted to BLT room keys - you can't get inside without one. ...They would have to modify that, as well. (I know - it's often pretty easy to get in without one, but it's "supposed" to work that way...)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope it stays as something you can do while staying at BLT! We weren't members when the Attic (if that was the name of the room) was available at BWV, but that isn't available now.

 

[BabsBunny]

When we were in there in February, our server told us that they have a hard time keeping employees up there. No customers = no tips. I think they need to do something.

 

[logan115]

If they're looking for additional revenue and want to keep it as a perk for those staying at BLT, why not just open up the lounge to anyone staying at BLT ? However, to keep us DVC members happy it could be set up such that it is available to all staying at BLT, however members staying on points have priority during busy periods. This doesn't put any additional strain on parking either.

Chris

 

[RobDoc]

I hope it stays as something you can do while staying at BLT! We weren't members when the Attic (if that was the name of the room) was available at BWV, but that isn't available now.

The Attic was never available to DVC members. In the early sales promotional info when BWV started sales, it was listed as a perk (place for members to watch the fireworks), but that was revoked well before the resort opened and disappeared from all sales info.

It is used for private groups and catered events.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I really wonder how many members would travel over to BLT to view a 20 minute fireworks show. Disney Guests don't fill up the observation deck at the Contemporary now and it's open to everyone. Think of the process just getting there using Disney transportation and getting to the TOTWL. it's not like it isn't the same show the everyone has seen from the MK.

Sometimes wanting something is better than having it.

Bill

And these are the reasons why I was not concerned about all members currently at WDW having access and have never thought access should be limited only to members staying on points at BLT. My greater concern has been the access being taken away because of lack of business.

 

[tjkraz]

I really wonder how many members would travel over to BLT to view a 20 minute fireworks show. Disney Guests don't fill up the observation deck at the Contemporary now and it's open to everyone. Think of the process just getting there using Disney transportation and getting to the TOTWL. it's not like it isn't the same show the everyone has seen from the MK.

Sometimes wanting something is better than having it.

Bill

I agree. I don't think a ton of people would take advantage of it.

I do think they could help the situation by going down to just a couple of nights per week. For instance, if they announced that member access to the lounge was limited to Sunday and Thursday nights, members could plan around that. I think they would see larger crowds in the lounge--mostly from BLT guests, the overall cost would go down, and people could still plan their trips around viewing fireworks from the lounge if they so desire.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I do think they could help the situation by going down to just a couple of nights per week. For instance, if they announced that member access to the lounge was limited to Sunday and Thursday nights, members could plan around that. I think they would see larger crowds in the lounge--mostly from BLT guests, the overall cost would go down, and people could still plan their trips around viewing fireworks from the lounge if they so desire.

This I would find to be a bad direction to take. Overall - it's a bar. WDW is a 7 day a week operation and has people staying at it 7 nights a week. A bar is a service and should be available to match the 7 day operating schedule. The only real need is to make it a profitable operation, not a packed one on a few nights. The have a large untapped market that could be all they need to accomplish that.

 

[tjkraz]

This I would find to be a bad direction to take. Overall - it's a bar. WDW is a 7 day a week operation and has people staying at it 7 nights a week. A bar is a service and should be available to match the 7 day operating schedule. The only real need is to make it a profitable operation, not a packed one on a few nights. The have a large untapped market that could be all they need to accomplish that.

If they went with a limited schedule, I would put it more on par with something like Welcome Home Wednesdays--a scheduled event. As it is, the bar is only open 4-5 hours each evening. Not exactly a reliable resort amenity.

As others pointed out, there are several logistical issues which would keep non-BLT guests from making the trip in great numbers. Bus transportation can be an issue. IMO, most people who would make the trip from another resort to BLT would just walk a few extra steps and view the fireworks from Main Street. Parking capacity is an issue.

The idea behind a limited schedule is to save the perk rather than risk losing it altogether. Instead of 30-40 people, 7 nights per week, a more limited schedule would ideally drive crowds up to 100+ over two scheduled nights. Disney could then rent out the facility the other 5 nights.

At this point, I think there's greater than 50/50 chance of members simply losing access to the lounge. I don't think allowing all members access will drive crowds to a sustainable level as a 7-night / week operation.

If Disney made the space available to groups, they would get $1500+ per night in facility rental fees plus food & beverage minimums.

 

[GBBTomorrow]

Maybe not tons and tons of members would make the trek to BLT for the lounge, but I would. If MK were crowded, I would definitely walk with my family over to the lounge for a relaxing, uncrowded fireworks experience. I think it sounds like fun. If somebody is at MK anyway, I don't see why transportation would be an issue in this decision, since the monorail is right there, as well as buses to everywhere.

If it would help the workers make more tips, and if it's not too crowded anyway, I think opening it to any members is a great idea. I'd open it to all DVC members before I'd open it to non-DVC guests. Not trying to be mean to the non-DVC guests, but I think it would be a good perk for the members.

 

[spiceycat]

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

but first open SLB.... (not to mention AKL/AKV pools)

BLT is open to all DVC members now if you are staying at BLT. So if you want to use it - then use your points and stay there.

It was done for two reasons - one is definitely sells - the other to kept the place full.

they have both worked very well.

I was talking to the manager - he manages other things so he is not often there. he say that he had not heard that Disney might take it back from DVC.

Know this is in contract - that Disney can at any time take TOWL back. but so far and hopefully for a few years they won't.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

If they were ever going to open up more access to the Top Of The World lounge shouldn't the next set of people to be allowed up there are non DVC Members already staying at Bay Lake Tower?

 

[disneynutz]

Maybe not tons and tons of members would make the trek to BLT for the lounge, but I would. If MK were crowded, I would definitely walk with my family over to the lounge for a relaxing, uncrowded fireworks experience. I think it sounds like fun. If somebody is at MK anyway, I don't see why transportation would be an issue in this decision, since the monorail is right there, as well as buses to everywhere.

If it would help the workers make more tips, and if it's not too crowded anyway, I think opening it to any members is a great idea. I'd open it to all DVC members before I'd open it to non-DVC guests. Not trying to be mean to the non-DVC guests, but I think it would be a good perk for the members.

The problem is that it's a perk used for sales at BLT and the sales are almost over. DVC doesn't own the TOTWL, Disney does, as stated in our contracts. If it doesn't generate a profit, Disney will modify it until it does. Lets say on a busy night 100 people go up to view the fireworks. Only 10, if that buy a drink, the same drink at any Disney bar. They stay for 30 minutes and everyone leaves. It just doesn't have the draw to make it profitable no matter who you give access to.

Bill

 

[sissy_ib]

I really don't want one more thing I have to reserve months in advance. It would turn out like everything else. People will freak out about it, book it for every night of their trip, show up once and the rest of us are shut out anyways. I would like to use the TotW lounge so I booked at BLT. Easy. If they want to open it to more people, great!
Maybe they could do a fireworks dessert party like at MK. Except maybe charge less or a la carte.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I haven't stay at BLT, but my parents did last Nov, and they were up there just about every night of their vacation. They also said that it was pretty much dead. I would definitely take advantage of the lounge if it was open to all DVC members. Watching the MK fireworks in a comfortable, air conditioned room, with a drink in my hand beats fighting the crowds on Main Street any day!