Top Of The World at BLT...only for DVC members?

[wildernesslodgelover]

I am sure it has been asked a zillion times. I did a search on this fourm (restaurants) but couldn't find any thread titles that matched.

I will be renting points to stay at BLT. Can my DH and I go to TotW? Can DD (is it kid friendly, she is 11)? Anyone been there and can tell me what it is like? Is there food served?

I have a feeling I am going to be told that it is only for MEMBERS...but every time I rent points, I am told at check in that I can have free valet parking (I know that is now discontinued for all DVC members and guests) and I can pool hop...basically, I get all the perks of a DVC member. My room key says "DVC Member." So I am wondering if that will be the case with this lounge, or if they ask you specifically to show your DVC member card.

Thanks!

 

[vicki_c]

Check the resorts forum or better yet, the DVC boards for threads on this. But I think the last I heard is if your BLT key says DVC member on it you can go up to the lounge - no member card needed.

Prior to that I had heard you needed both, so I'm not entirely sure and haven't stayed there yet myself.

 

[wilma-bride]

Technically, in order to gain access to the lounge, you should be a DVC member staying on points at BLT.

Having said that, when we stayed in October, we were only asked to show our room keys at the check-in desk in the lobby. We didn't have to show our DVC member cards. That doesn't necessarily mean that you wouldn't be asked to show a DVC member card.

ETA: whoever is telling you at check in that you can get all the perks of a DVC member is incorrect as, usually, when you are staying on a points rental reservation, you should not receive the perks that DVC members get. Having said that, as you have quite rightly pointed out, your room keys will state that you are a DVC member. It is worth bearing in mind, though, that in order to receive any of the perks you could be asked to show a DVC membership card.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Thanks! I did just now search on the DVC board and found the answer...basically, what you both said. I am looking forward to checking it out.

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks! I did just now search on the DVC board and found the answer...basically, what you both said. I am looking forward to checking it out.

It is an awesome lounge and, personally, the more use it gets the better as far as I'm concerned. When we went in October, one of the bartenders told us that they had not been busy at all since BLT opened and I would hate for DVC members to lose the use of the lounge due to lack of use by members.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

About the member perks...I almost don't like to mention it, because it seems like members just HATE when point renters get the perks. I have actually been told on this board that I should REFUSE the perks. I am just telling you that every time, at check in, they (CM) would tell me, "Ok, show this to get complimentary valet parking" (handing me my kttw) and they would also tell me how I can pool hop, etc. I am certainly not going to argue with them!!

Anyway....I saw on some other threads exactly what you said, that the TotW has been very slow, so I am guessing they will change something eventually. I will be there in the fall, so I will ask again when the time gets closer. Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

About the member perks...I almost don't like to mention it, because it seems like members just HATE when point renters get the perks. I have actually been told on this board that I should REFUSE the perks. I am just telling you that every time, at check in, they (CM) would tell me, "Ok, show this to get complimentary valet parking" (handing me my kttw) and they would also tell me how I can pool hop, etc. I am certainly not going to argue with them!!

Anyway....I saw on some other threads exactly what you said, that the TotW has been very slow, so I am guessing they will change something eventually. I will be there in the fall, so I will ask again when the time gets closer. Thanks!

The problem with that thought process is that 'perks' are for DVC members...not just for staying at a DVC resort on points. Yes, you do have to be staying on points in order to legally pool hop or to use Top of the World...but those perks are intended for DVC owners, not for those 'using' someone else's points.
But...that is open to debate. I personally don't care either way. The problem will come when someone reads here that they can get all DVC member perks when renting points from a DVC owner, but were denied by CMs at WDW when they tried to use those 'perks'. They are going to be greatly disappointed and angry after being told here that it is okay. I just hate to see someone be upset due to dubious info.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

The problem with that thought process is that 'perks' are for DVC members...not just for staying at a DVC resort on points. Yes, you do have to be staying on points in order to legally pool hop or to use Top of the World...but those perks are intended for DVC owners, not for those 'using' someone else's points.
But...that is open to debate. I personally don't care either way. The problem will come when someone reads here that they can get all DVC member perks when renting points from a DVC owner, but were denied by CMs at WDW when they tried to use those 'perks'. They are going to be greatly disappointed and angry after being told here that it is okay. I just hate to see someone be upset due to dubious info.

You make an excellent point. I do always say, when I post about this topic, that "I know that ____perk is supposed to be for DVC members only, but I have gotten it before, when renting points." But yeah, I could see where problems can arise when people EXPECT something.

I will tell you that TWICE I have parked at the CR to eat at Chef Mickey's for breakfast, and twice I have been told by the valet that I am welcome to leave my car there all day and use the monorail to go to the park. I was shocked, but I sure wasn't going to argue! I guess I just assume that is my tiny bit of pixie dust for the day, you know?

So, I can only share my experience, but I would never post on the boards that guests should expect this.

Thanks again!

 

[TDC Nala]

I've been there once and as far as its being "child friendly" yes, there are children there, but it is not "child-centric" in that there were no kids' food offerings and nothing to entertain children other than the view.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I am just telling you that every time, at check in, they (CM) would tell me, "Ok, show this to get complimentary valet parking" (handing me my kttw) and they would also tell me how I can pool hop, etc. I am certainly not going to argue with them!!

Interesting... we've been members for a number of years & stayed at a number of resorts & have NEVER had a front desk CM even bring up valet parking let alone pool hopping

 

[n2mm]

I also wanted to mention about "child friendly". It is a bar, so keep that in mind. Personally I don't see us letting our granddaughters sit around in a bar, but we will take them to the observation area. We'll be there in a couple of weeks and then again in November. It will be our first time there since buying points at BLT.

 

[connorlevismom]

Normally I don't care if renters get the same perks as I do. With the TIWL though, I have to admit that I am a little peeved that renters get to use it. It is supposed to be for DVC members staying on points at BLT. Meaning that a person who is an actual DVC member, but staying at a different resort, cannot use TIWL. So I have to admit I am a little miffed that a renter gets to use it, but an actual member cannot. I would love to spend an hour up there when we go in May, just to see it. But I will be denied access because I am not staying at BLT, I am at AKV.

It is not going to ruin my day, just kind of irritating to learn.

Kristine

 

[connorlevismom]

Interesting... we've been members for a number of years & stayed at a number of resorts & have NEVER had a front desk CM even bring up valet parking let alone pool hopping

Now that you say that, me either.

Kristine

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

hmmm, maybe they are telling me this specifically because I am a renter? That's all I can figure. I assure you, if I have rented points about 8 times (I am guesstimating, I could figure it out if I looked at my signature) and I would say it has been said to me 5 or 6 of the times, for sure.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I also wanted to mention about "child friendly". It is a bar, so keep that in mind. Personally I don't see us letting our granddaughters sit around in a bar, but we will take them to the observation area. We'll be there in a couple of weeks and then again in November. It will be our first time there since buying points at BLT.

I wouldn't sit at the bar...I would have some drinks and appetizers at one of the sofa/seating areas.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Normally I don't care if renters get the same perks as I do. With the TIWL though, I have to admit that I am a little peeved that renters get to use it. It is supposed to be for DVC members staying on points at BLT. Meaning that a person who is an actual DVC member, but staying at a different resort, cannot use TIWL. So I have to admit I am a little miffed that a renter gets to use it, but an actual member cannot. I would love to spend an hour up there when we go in May, just to see it. But I will be denied access because I am not staying at BLT, I am at AKV.

It is not going to ruin my day, just kind of irritating to learn.

Kristine

Sorry you feel that way. I am sure people that pay rack rate for a room are irritated to learn what we pay to rent points.

We almost bought DVC...we were soooo close. We just couldn't justify having another mini mortgage and maintenance fees when the renting points thing works so well for our family. In the long run, you (as a DVC member) will OWN something, so that should comfort you. If not, you could have just rented points for your trips also, instead of buying, right?

Everyone has to make the decision that is right for their family.

 

[Suellen]

We have stayed on points several times. We have never been told specifically what the perks are such as "valet" parking ~ but they do include the perk booklet in the welcome package and tell us to read through it.

And really ~ how do they know that you aren't a relative. Wouldn't the DVC member be upset if they say lent their daughter the points and she was refused certain things based on not being the Member?

The ONLY perk we used was the free internet (do they even still offer that) and the valet parking ONCE.

Too be honest I don't know what the other perks are as we don't stay for the perks.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

We have stayed on points several times. We have never been told specifically what the perks are such as "valet" parking ~ but they do include the perk booklet in the welcome package and tell us to read through it.

And really ~ how do they know that you aren't a relative. Wouldn't the DVC member be upset if they say lent their daughter the points and she was refused certain things based on not being the Member?

The ONLY perk we used was the free internet (do they even still offer that) and the valet parking ONCE.

Too be honest I don't know what the other perks are as we don't stay for the perks.

Believe it or not, my DD really likes to pool hop! We actually walk from SAB at BCV over to BWV cuz she LOVES that crazy clown slide!

The free valet parking was really nice, as we like to dine at different resorts.

I honestly did not know about the free internet! Hmmm....

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

I am a DVC member (see my username).

If a person rents points, there really is no way for the check in CMs to know that. The record simply shows that the Member made a reservation and xxxxxxx are the people for whom the reservation was made.

DVC allows points to be rented. End of story.

If along with those points come the member perks (as they clearly do) and those perks are useful to you, then use them. End of story.

Enough of the psuedo-ethical "not meant for anyone but..." nonsense.

If I'm worried enough about a "non-member" renter having a perk that is mine, I'll work to change the rules that allow renting.

I don't care either way.

We bought into DVC because WE wanted to. End of story.

I don't care who buys in, or who doesn't; who rents or who doesn't.

As for being told what the perks are at check in, sometimes the basic ones are reiterated, sometimes they aren't.

So! If you have a member DVC room key, and are staying at BLT on points, look for us! We have an upcoming reservation there and are staying there precisely because it's the only way we could get to see the new lounge.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I am a DVC member (see my username).

If a person rents points, there really is no way for the check in CMs to know that. The record simply shows that the Member made a reservation and xxxxxxx are the people for whom the reservation was made.

DVC allows points to be rented. End of story.

If along with those points come the member perks (as they clearly do) and those perks are useful to you, then use them. End of story.

Enough of the psuedo-ethical "not meant for anyone but..." nonsense.

If I'm worried enough about a "non-member" renter having a perk that is mine, I'll work to change the rules that allow renting.

I don't care either way.

We bought into DVC because WE wanted to. End of story.

I don't care who buys in, or who doesn't; who rents or who doesn't.

As for being told what the perks are at check in, sometimes the basic ones are reiterated, sometimes they aren't.

So! If you have a member DVC room key, and are staying at BLT on points, look for us! We have an upcoming reservation there and are staying there precisely because it's the only way we could get to see the new lounge.

Thank you so much. I swear, I am not some awful person tryingt to get something for nothing. This is what is available to me at this time...I am aware it could change at any moment. I am choosing to enjoy whatever perks come my way while I can. I love WDW...spend tons of money there. I love sharing my experiences on the DISboards.

Have a magical day!