Top of the World for Fireworks - questions

[atmail35]

We are renting points from a DVC member and staying at the BLT. From what I can gather we have access to the TOTWL is that correct? I don't want to be totally embarasssed if we try to go up there and are denied!

Also would it be OK to take a 5 year old up there for the fireworks?

Have people done both TOTWL and the observation deck at the CR? Which in your opinion is better?

Thanks!

 

[Lost in Neverland]

Yes you will have access just show your room key.We have done bothviews of the fireworks. The view is basically the same but there is just something special about being at TOTWL during the fireworks. IMHO and I am probably in the minority the effect is not the same as on Main St due to you are seeing the fireworks from an angle and not directly behind the castle. We went one night and the rest of the time we viewed the fireworks from our LV room in the North side of the tower. TOTWL is a great experience and even my kids got virgin drinks which made them feel like grownups. All the CMs at TOTWL are great and really made the kids feel special and welcome.

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

I thought you also had to show your DVC card???

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Nope, you have to show your room key for BLT. For instance, we're BLT owners, but if we are not currently staying in BLT, we do not have access to TOTWL.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We are renting points from a DVC member and staying at the BLT. From what I can gather we have access to the TOTWL is that correct? I don't want to be totally embarasssed if we try to go up there and are denied!

Also would it be OK to take a 5 year old up there for the fireworks?

Have people done both TOTWL and the observation deck at the CR? Which in your opinion is better?

Thanks!

Technically, you are not entitled to member perks. If the member had given you the reservation at no cost, like a gift, you might be entitled to some perks. But since you paid the member for the reservation, you are entitled to none.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Technically, that's true. But realistically, as the guest of a member (whether you are paid guest or have been gifted the reservation), you will be treated as such... and no one would challenge you going to the TOTWL with your room key.

 

[kim532]

You won't have a problem going up. Just showed room key. We just went up Wed night. We took our 3.5 year old asleep in his stroller. We had a couple of drinks, watched the fireworks and then went back to our room. A little date night with DS in tow.

Kim

 

[Deb & Bill]

Technically, that's true. But realistically, as the guest of a member (whether you are paid guest or have been gifted the reservation), you will be treated as such... and no one would challenge you going to the TOTWL with your room key.

But the CM would be within their rights to ask to see the blue DVC member card as well as the room ID.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

I've never had anyone ask to see the member card. Have you?

 

[EAP'sDAD]

I have been a member since 1997 and have never in all my stays been asked to show my blue membership card. I bring it with me but whenever there is a perk the CM's give it to me based on the room key having DVC member written on it.

 

[Hopefully]

We are renting points from a DVC member and staying at the BLT. From what I can gather we have access to the TOTWL is that correct? I don't want to be totally embarasssed if we try to go up there and are denied!

Also would it be OK to take a 5 year old up there for the fireworks?

Have people done both TOTWL and the observation deck at the CR? Which in your opinion is better?

Thanks!

The current "rule" is that you must be a DVC MEMBER staying at BLT on points. As a renter you are not an member.
What you do, is up to you.

 

[atmail35]

Thank you for the information. I certainly don't want to get the DVC member in trouble. I guess we will play it by ear and certainly not abuse the privilege or cause a ruckus if we decide to try it one night.

I thought I read that if you were booked with points (rental or not) you could go up, I truly am not trying to "beat the system" or anything. I think the info I saw said DVC members and their guests, but perhaps you need to have the Member as part of your party (i.e. staying with you). Anyway I appreciate the responses/info.

 

[YourEveryDayAdam]

Chances are very good (95%+) that you will be allowed up.

The ONLY thing the CM at the desk checks for is that you have a current room key, for a room at BLT, and it says "DVC" somewhere on the card.

Technically, as a renter, you aren't allowed up there. But realistically, they have no way to tell if you are a renter or not... UNLESS the DVC member told member services that you were when making the reservation.

The rule for access to the TOTWL is: "You must be a DVC member or their guest, staying at BLT using your membership". This means any DVC member, and anyone staying in a room "paid" for by that DVC member (regardless of if the member is staying at that time or not), or any DVC member who makes a CASH reservation through member services.

 

[puntagordabob]

you can go up...

CM told me as long as the room is rented by a member on points then you can go up....for clarification I asked and yes if I as a member reserves a room for you (my friend or family) using MY points then YOU can go up to the TOTWL

Also, my brother and I are both members and are constantly renting rooms for each other lol... so I asked these questions from the CMs for a reason as I didnt want us to be in some limbo at any point.

If the OP is also a member and is still somewhat nervous....just have the dvc member card with you along with your room key that says DVC on it.

!!!!!!Also, lets get real!!!!!!... the Lounge is not being used to capacity by us DVCers....Id much rather people renting the rooms from fellow DVC members go up there and spend money so we can KEEP the TOTWL!!!

...and KEEPING the TOTWL as a DVC only perk is something we ALL should agree is a high priority!

As a side thought...I still say open the TOTWL up 45 mins before fireworks to BLT owners staying anywhere elese on property, 30 mins before fireworks to "ALL DVC MEMBERS" staying on property to fill it up at the last minute... Why? Because if you wait to open it in phases like this it will preserve the chances for the actual DVC people staying at BLT to be 1st priority, BLT owners staying anywhere else as 2nd, and 3rd for all dvc members. All must be on property SOMEWHERE so it keeps you in a Disney Resort.

WILL THEY DO THIS? Likely Not.... BUT I would hope DVC comes up with a plan that keeps the TOTWL as a DVC perk.

For the record, Ill be at the TOTWL on 5/3...Monday evening!

 

[DebbieB]

As long as your room key says "DVC Member" on it, that's all you need.

 

[Shelby5514]

YES you can go up there even if you are renting points. As far as their concerned you are a guest of a member. They will not ask you if you rented the points.

Now more importantly, when you get up there you MUST order the Tenderloin Flatbread. OMG is it good. We'll be at WDW tomorrow for 5 nights (staying at BCV's) and it's driving me crazy that I have NO ACCESS to the FLATBREAD!!!!!!!!

 

[Halle]

you can go up...

CM told me as long as the room is rented by a member on points then you can go up....for clarification I asked and yes if I as a member reserves a room for you (my friend or family) using MY points then YOU can go up to the TOTWL

Also, my brother and I are both members and are constantly renting rooms for each other lol... so I asked these questions from the CMs for a reason as I didnt want us to be in some limbo at any point.

If the OP is also a member and is still somewhat nervous....just have the dvc member card with you along with your room key that says DVC on it.

!!!!!!Also, lets get real!!!!!!... the Lounge is not being used to capacity by us DVCers....Id much rather people renting the rooms from fellow DVC members go up there and spend money so we can KEEP the TOTWL!!!

...and KEEPING the TOTWL as a DVC only perk is something we ALL should agree is a high priority!

As a side thought...I still say open the TOTWL up 45 mins before fireworks to BLT owners staying anywhere elese on property, 30 mins before fireworks to "ALL DVC MEMBERS" staying on property to fill it up at the last minute... Why? Because if you wait to open it in phases like this it will preserve the chances for the actual DVC people staying at BLT to be 1st priority, BLT owners staying anywhere else as 2nd, and 3rd for all dvc members. All must be on property SOMEWHERE so it keeps you in a Disney Resort.

WILL THEY DO THIS? Likely Not.... BUT I would hope DVC comes up with a plan that keeps the TOTWL as a DVC perk.

For the record, Ill be at the TOTWL on 5/3...Monday evening!

Amen!! Let's keep TOTWL alive by using it. Spent several nights there in November and it was a ghost town before and after the fireworks. Folks showed for the fireworks a couple of minutes in advance but didn't partake in any food or drink.

 

[TagsMissy]

I've never had anyone ask to see the member card. Have you?

We were asked for our Key plus Member Card but we were there not long after BLT opened so they may have been more strict?

 

[Starshine]

Now more importantly, when you get up there you MUST order the Tenderloin Flatbread.

Holy cow that looks incredible! We'll be at BLT this Saturday and that just went to the top of my list. I've got to get me one of those!!!

 

[MelissathePooh]

Not agreeing/disagreeing, condoning or opposing - just offering a FWIW. Last December we had to show our room key along with our member card per the hostess' request. The room key doesn't say BLT on it (I guess its just assumed that since you're in the buidling its BLT) and 2 friends that were with us and staying at the Polynesian were allowed to go up with us. They only wanted 1 room key and the member card - 4 of us went up.

I think it just depends on what mood the CM is in and how busy they are on a given night.