Top Of The World Lounge Has There Been Changes To Wording About Access With A 'Card'??

[Wakey]

Sorry title is a question, not a statement.

Cannot remember what the wording used to be exactly, but seems to have changed specifically referring to 'card' now and not identification ?:

Accessing the Lounge
This special access to Top of the World Lounge is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity.

As the lounge is most popular during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, arriving as early as possible will offer Members the best chance of gaining admission to this exclusive experience.

Available to Eligible Members
Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash) may enjoy access to this exclusive space just outside Magic Kingdom park.

Check in
Upon arrival, Members must check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the ground floor lobby.

At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current MagicBand or card in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. A Disney Vacation Club Membership Card is also required to verify Membership.

 

[crvetter]

Cannot remember what the wording used to be exactly, but seems to have changed specifically referring to 'card' now and not identification ?:

Accessing the Lounge
This special access to Top of the World Lounge is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity.

As the lounge is most popular during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, arriving as early as possible will offer Members the best chance of gaining admission to this exclusive experience.

Available to Eligible Members
Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash) may enjoy access to this exclusive space just outside Magic Kingdom park.

Check in
Upon arrival, Members must check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the ground floor lobby.

At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present his or her current MagicBand or card in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck. A Disney Vacation Club Membership Card is also required to verify Membership.

No it is accessible by White Card Holders. The Resale Owners have a card its just digital only and is required to be shown.

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/dvc-direct-vs-resale/

See my post previously addressing this:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/question-for-resale-owners.3746890/#post-60548695

 

[Wakey]

No it is accessible by White Card Holders. The Resale Owners have a card its just digital only and is required to be shown.

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/dvc-direct-vs-resale/

Thanks for link, thought that was still the case, but I think they've added a sentence on the description, referring to 'card'. Technically the white 'card' is membership ID they call it, not a card. Probably they want it to look like you need an actual card.

 

[crvetter]

Thanks for link, thought that was still the case, but I think they've added a sentence on the description, referring to 'card'. Technically the white 'card' is membership ID they call it.l, not a card. Probably they want it to look like you need an actual card.

That sentence was there since for sure October of last year, as far as I knew. My guess is they want to stress the card because technically only an owner (and accompanying guests) can access the lounge. Anyone staying on points isn't supposed to be allowed up (but my understanding is when they use the MagicBand only if the owner renting points doesn't click the person isn't an owner they sometimes are granted access).

 

[DebbieB]

I believe legally they have to admit all members because the space is part of the BLT ownership. I assume there is some kind of lease back to Disney. The Epcot lounge is not owned by members.

 

[crvetter]

I believe legally they have to admit all members because the space is part of the BLT ownership. I assume there is some kind of lease back to Disney. The Epcot lounge is not owned by members.

They are units, just declared as commercial units, that are apart of the Association; however, the association doesn't own the unit. The unit (just as BLT owners own a unit) is owned by one of the subsidiaries of Disney, I believe DVC still and they likely lease the space to a different Disney subsidiary to run the lounge. I would assume if Disney decided they could restrict or open access however they wanted. There isn't really a lease from the association as the commercial unit is owned just as each other unit. It's a misconception that the Club Members at BLT or any DVC resort is entitled to access to the lounge in any way.

My guess why they leave it open to all members is because it is a profit center and they want more members to use it so that DVC can justify keeping it DVC exclusive.

 

[GoofyCoaster]

My digital white membership card for resale lists two perks: pool hopping and top of the world lounge access.

There is no physical card. Website link tells you to screenshot it or print out a copy to show cast members.

 

[Brett Wyman]

My digital white membership card for resale lists two perks: pool hopping and top of the world lounge access.

There is no physical card. Website link tells you to screenshot it or print out a copy to show cast members.

Right, that’s been the case for sometime but it sounds like it just changed?

 

[crvetter]

Right, that’s been the case for sometime but it sounds like it just changed?

No it hasn't changed, direct and resale can access the lounge. The OP should change the title of this post perhaps, @Wakey. It was a misreading of the Top of the World Lounge info page. The assumption/concern, I think, was that since it said you had to show Membership Card that it meant the blue direct card when it also means the white resale card.

 

[Wakey]

No it hasn't changed, direct and resale can access the lounge. The OP should change the title of this post perhaps, @Wakey. It was a misreading of the Top of the World Lounge info page. The assumption/concern, I think, was that since it said you had to show Membership Card that it meant the blue direct card when it also means the white resale card.

Yes title was meant to have a ? and be a question now changed as just worked out how to change a title!

 

[Wakey]

I believe legally they have to admit all members because the space is part of the BLT ownership. I assume there is some kind of lease back to Disney. The Epcot lounge is not owned by members.

This was also my understanding which is why I got a bit concerned about the 'card' bit, but maybe it was always there after all. I just seen to recall it said at one point member ID

 

[crvetter]

Yes title was meant to have a ? and be a question now changed as just worked out how to change a title!

Thanks, it's funny I don't even know how to change a title but yet I suggested it... Thanks though for the change I was worried people would read only the title and start getting upset/concerned, which DVC's recent changes has made people rightfully sensitive to any potential change.

 

[Bing Showei]

Thanks, it's funny I don't even know how to change a title but yet I suggested it... Thanks though for the change I was worried people would read only the title and start getting upset/concerned, which DVC's recent changes has made people rightfully sensitive to any potential change.

Word.

I was all "WHAT THE?!" And then I was all, "Dude. Wakey just click-baited me."

 

[cixel_SID]

As the OP noted, TOTWL admission is:
"Available to Eligible Members
Disney Vacation Club Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort"

So there are two requirements ... (1) DVC Membership and (2) staying in a Disney resort.

DVC membership has been addressed by the previous replies. However, I believe that the OP's initial concern about the words "MagicBand or card" relate to fulfillment of the second requirement; not membership. A MagicBand or card (because not everyone uses a MagicBand, key cards are still in use) would indicate that you are currently staying in a Disney resort. So, I believe that the card referred to in the admission requirement is your Disney Resort key card, which you would have if you aren't using a MagicBand. Thus, a member of the group must "present his or her current MagicBand or card in order to gain admission" in addition to a DVC membership card.

 

[DebbieB]

They are units, just declared as commercial units, that are apart of the Association; however, the association doesn't own the unit. The unit (just as BLT owners own a unit) is owned by one of the subsidiaries of Disney, I believe DVC still and they likely lease the space to a different Disney subsidiary to run the lounge. I would assume if Disney decided they could restrict or open access however they wanted. There isn't really a lease from the association as the commercial unit is owned just as each other unit. It's a misconception that the Club Members at BLT or any DVC resort is entitled to access to the lounge in any way.

My guess why they leave it open to all members is because it is a profit center and they want more members to use it so that DVC can justify keeping it DVC exclusive.

Right before BLT sold out, they declared the space to be part of the timeshare.

https://dvcnews.com/index.php/resor...lt-declared-including-top-fo-the-world-lounge

 

[crvetter]

Right before BLT sold out, they declared the space to be part of the timeshare.

https://dvcnews.com/index.php/resor...lt-declared-including-top-fo-the-world-lounge

Yes it’s apart the association same as every unit, but that is different than being owned by. However, the owner of that Commercial Unit (100%) is Disney. This would function like a condo where the condo is apart of an association; however, the owner of the condo retains the right of usage in the capacities the declaration dictates. The declaration dictates the owner of the Commercial Unit can use it as they please.

There is a difference between ownership of the real estate interest and declaration into the condo. The association doesn’t own the residential units either and never did, DVC did and sold fractional ownerships to BLT owners. Declaration gives that Unit (commercial or residential) ownership of the Associations Limited Common Elements and benefits of that Association such insurance, common maintenance, etc.

 

[disneynutz]

So Disney owns it but the BLT owners pay all the bills and Disney runs the lounge and keeps the profits! Wasn't there a flip/flop that was filed after the initial commercial filing?

Bill

 

[crvetter]

So Disney owns it but the BLT owners pay all the bills and Disney runs the lounge and keeps the profits! Wasn't there a flip/flop that was filed after the initial commercial filing?

Bill

I wouldn’t consider that BLT pays all the bills. The Declaration is quite clear on this that the owner of the Commercial Unit is responsible for the maintenance, operation and repair of Commercial Unit (not BLT owners since they don’t own it). It also states that Commercial Units share in the Common Expense (and Surplus is one occurs). The part that you people perhaps misread is the repair of the Commercial Units Limited Common Elements (just Common Elements that the Commercial Unit has exclusive access to) are done by the association but because the Commercial Unit technically shares in the Common Expense its entitled to that just as the Residential Units have their Limited Common Elements maintained by the Association.

Though the owner of the Commercial Unit can give ownership to the association at any point in time I don’t believe this happened, couldn’t find anything to support it (no deed to the association transferring ownership which would be required).

 

[TammyLynn33]

Ok newbie question .. what is up there? Do they have food and drinks ? At a cost ? We checked out the Epcot one last time
Also I’m taking just two if the 4 kiddos but there’s a chance dad may take the other two that weekend as well . Dad is not a member and I don’t want to allow him to access my benefits ha ha but I’d love to take the boys up with us. They won’t be on my reservation is this ok ?

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Ok newbie question .. what is up there? Do they have food and drinks ? At a cost ? We checked out the Epcot one last time
Also I’m taking just two if the 4 kiddos but there’s a chance dad may take the other two that weekend as well . Dad is not a member and I don’t want to allow him to access my benefits ha ha but I’d love to take the boys up with us. They won’t be on my reservation is this ok ?

There is a nice bar and lounge which also serves a few appetizer and dessert type things. It is not complimentary like the Epcot lounge. It adjoins a place on the roof where you have a view of the fireworks in the Magic Kingdom.