Still able to access TOTW if not staying at BLT?

[MinnieLee]

We were able to go to TOTW in early November. We had to show our DVC member card and KTTW card (we were staying at BCV) showing we were staying on property. Then, escorted up the elevator to the TOTW door. We spoke to the cast member on the way up who told us that the it was originally voted on by BLT owners to be exclusive to BLT members but then voted later again to change it to any DVC member and their guests staying on property. I read in a pp that it will be this way until 12/29.

The views were spectacular and it was a very nice atmosphere. Smaller than I thought it would be but very comfortable. Alot of different seating areas. We had a couple of drinks and a cheese platter. Nice place to just go get away from the running for a little bit. Our server was brand new (only there a week) and thought she was really nice and did a great job.

 

[disneyma]

Just a reminder everyone that all are entitled to their own opinions.

I was there for a few visits in November. There were two servers each night and the bartender. I asked when they had two servers on and they said it has been a few months. Service was very quick and efficient. They were very pleasant and the view were wonderful. The martini's were excellent.

If you arrive ten or so minutes before fireworks you may have to wait for service. As everybody wants their drink immediately to go out to watch the fireworks.

A great place to relax and unwind. No service issues on this end during the three visits our past trip.

 

[amypetecar]

I went up there 3 times during thanksgiving week and was surprised how manageable the crowd was.


As a BLT owner, i was not happy about the new policy at first, but actually dont think it has a dramatic effect on the experience.

By the way, may i just say that watching Wishes! on top of bay lake towers is officially the coolest thing i've ever done while waiting for my laundry to dry in the laundromat!

Its just another thing on my long list of cool things i love about owning at BLT!

 

[ElizabethG]

We went up once in October (staying at BLT). We had planned on more than that, but changed our minds after the experience. We got there about 30 minutes before the fireworks. There was only one place left to sit, so should have been a manageable crowd. It took 20 minutes to get our drinks. After the fireworks were over, we were going to sit and have another drink. The server came to the table next to ours to check on them and didn't even look our way. She never came back. We had a party of 6 who all ordered drinks. We left without getting another one.

 

[smidgy]

Just remember folks the service is lousy at best up there. When we went there in November it was just one bartender and one wait staff person for the entire floor. You will wait a long time to get a drink and relax.

I just want to remind everyone that the lounge had had very little business, hence the lack of staff. it's a work in progress. if dvc members want the lounge to stay open and have quite a few CMs to wait on them, they should utilize it before AND after the fireworks.

last september, we ordered a drink each. both before AND after the fireworks.. service was wonderful.

 

[KBoopaloo]

We went at the end of October and had to show our DVC member card and our hotel room key. In fact, the gentleman sending folks to the elevator was very unpleasant in demanding the room key. It was not very welcoming. Ha.

We did enjoy watching the fireworks from up there but the lounge was super crowded the night we were there and the poor bartender was running ragged. They were running low on glasses and the dishwashing CM seemed to be down at the Wave? (We sat at the bar for the bit and eavesdropped). So the bartender had to keep running out back to run glasses through the dishwasher in between making drinks.

 

[dvcblt93]

We went up once in October (staying at BLT). We had planned on more than that, but changed our minds after the experience. We got there about 30 minutes before the fireworks.

Showing up 30 minutes before fireworks is like showing up 30 minutes before the parade and expecting a great curb side seat on Main Street. It just isnt going to happen. The hour before fireworks is crazy busy up there, thats why you have to plan your visit....

 

[erionm]

We were able to go to TOTW in early November. We had to show our DVC member card and KTTW card (we were staying at BCV) showing we were staying on property. Then, escorted up the elevator to the TOTW door. We spoke to the cast member on the way up who told us that the it was originally voted on by BLT owners to be exclusive to BLT members but then voted later again to change it to any DVC member and their guests staying on property. I read in a pp that it will be this way until 12/29.

There was NO vote by BLT owners to make the TOTWL Lounge exclusive to BLT Members. Before BLT ever opened the access rules (set by DVC) were in place that the TOTWL was open to ANY DVC Member staying at BLT on their membership (Member Cash or Points).

As BLT Owners since sales started, we have NEVER been asked to vote on anything regarding the TOTWL.

DVC Owners have NO say what so ever in what happens within DVC. By way of our contract we have turned over all voting rights to the board of directors.

 

[Brian Noble]

If DVC ever asks the Members to vote on anything, ever, I will be shocked. That's not really the way Disney works.

 

[hidingmickey]

Is there a dress code/age restriction on going up there?

 

[erionm]

Is there a dress code/age restriction on going up there?

No and No.

 

[Pirate Granny]

We were there last week, had dinner at the Wave, and walked over to TotW and brought 4 friends. Needed to show my KTTW key along with my membership card. It was wonderful...we watched the MVMCP fireworks, had a drink.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

A stroll down memory lane for sure...DH and I took the kids ,then maybe 9 and 11 (they are now 46 & 44) to Top of the World for dinner one nite...We even danced and Phylis Diller was performing...
She mentioned she would have to" clean up her act" cause there were so many kids up there!

 

[RevKjb]

We were there last week, had dinner at the Wave, and walked over to TotW and brought 4 friends. Needed to show my KTTW key along with my membership card. It was wonderful...we watched the MVMCP fireworks, had a drink.

This has been extended thru 2013. As per annual meeting.

 

[erionm]

This has been extended thru 2013. As per annual meeting.

With the exception of Dec 30 & 31 and Jul 3 & 4.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jfair1219]

We were at WDW last week. We were staying at the Dolphin because we already have used all our points for this year. We went to TOTW with our DVC member cards on 12/6. At the desk the cast member refused us access because we were not staying at a DVC hotel on points. He actually was very rude. When we showed him the card, he barked at us saying "You're not allowed up there". When my husband tried to talk with him, he just shut us down. Even if he refused us in a nice way, it would have been fine, but he was extremely rude. I was surprised a cast member would act like this. So we took our money elsewhere to spend. They lost some income that night.

 

[Pirate Granny]

I believe you must be staying at a DVC resort along with being a member...they indeed were checking room keys along with the membership cards when we were there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We were at WDW last week. We were staying at the Dolphin because we already have used all our points for this year. We went to TOTW with our DVC member cards on 12/6. At the desk the cast member refused us access because we were not staying at a DVC hotel on points. He actually was very rude. When we showed him the card, he barked at us saying "You're not allowed up there". When my husband tried to talk with him, he just shut us down. Even if he refused us in a nice way, it would have been fine, but he was extremely rude. I was surprised a cast member would act like this. So we took our money elsewhere to spend. They lost some income that night.

This is from DVC News (TJKRAZ's site) from the annual member meeting

A popular member perk is being extended through 2013. All members staying at Disney Vacation Club resorts using their points can continue to access Bay Lake Tower's Top of the World lounge. Execs stresed that the resort does not have sufficient parking for non-Bay Lake guests wishing to visit the lounge--Disney transportation must be used to reach the resort. Due to expected high crowds, the lounge will be available only to Bay Lake Tower guests on July 3 & 4 and December 30 & 31, 2013.

 

[bobbiwoz]

This has been extended thru 2013. As per annual meeting.

That is great!

If you are going on the January 10, 2013 MC, we're getting together for a Pre cruise meet up there on the 9th!

 

[KBoopaloo]

We were at WDW last week. We were staying at the Dolphin because we already have used all our points for this year. We went to TOTW with our DVC member cards on 12/6. At the desk the cast member refused us access because we were not staying at a DVC hotel on points. He actually was very rude. When we showed him the card, he barked at us saying "You're not allowed up there". When my husband tried to talk with him, he just shut us down. Even if he refused us in a nice way, it would have been fine, but he was extremely rude. I was surprised a cast member would act like this. So we took our money elsewhere to spend. They lost some income that night.

I am guessing you dealt with the same gatekeeper CM I dealt with in late October. We were staying on points at a different DVC resort and he was still very rude, however we were allowed up.