Top of the World Lounge if not on-property?

[rebstone]

Need some info based on expeience. I’m going to be visiting Disney next week as a day-trip. I am a DVC and annual pass member, but I am probably not staying in the area overnight at all. I know that the official policy as written is in order to get into the Top of the World Lounge you must be a DVC member and staying in a Disney-run hotel. I’m wondering if anyone has walked up and tried to get in while not staying on property, and if there are ever any exceptions to the rule, (e.g., light crowd...). Any info based on experience would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Ben E N]

Here is my experience, that may be helpful to you. We stayed there on rented points back in July. During that trip we purchased DVC direct, but my wife did not have her ID with her, so they set it up as a mail home contract that we made a first deposit on at the time.
The only evidence of being a member that I had was a credit card payment receipt. My guide told me to try it out as entry to TOTWL. The cast member at the entrance was scanning magic bands, which would be an issue for you, but I instead showed her my receipt. She said "I have no idea what that is, but go on up."
Your situation is very different that mine, but it goes to show you that there is some flexibility in terms of who they let up.
If you are nervous about it, and desperate to get up there, you could always try befreinding a member staying on points.

 

[rebstone]

Here is my experience, that may be helpful to you. We stayed there on rented points back in July. During that trip we purchased DVC direct, but my wife did not have her ID with her, so they set it up as a mail home contract that we made a first deposit on at the time.
The only evidence of being a member that I had was a credit card payment receipt. My guide told me to try it out as entry to TOTWL. The cast member at the entrance was scanning magic bands, which would be an issue for you, but I instead showed her my receipt. She said "I have no idea what that is, but go on up."
Your situation is very different that mine, but it goes to show you that there is some flexibility in terms of who they let up.
If you are nervous about it, and desperate to get up there, you could always try befreinding a member staying on points.

Thank you for sharing your experience. While the fact that you were staying on points probably helped, it gives me hope that I may be able to catch someone in the right mood to use the lounge.

 

[Ben E N]

Thank you for sharing your experience. While the fact that you were staying on points probably helped, it gives me hope that I may be able to catch someone in the right mood to use the lounge.

They had no idea if we were staying on points or not.
As long as the lounge is not too crowded, I can see where it would benefit Disney to let a couple more people in, within reason. More sales mean more profit.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Keep in mind that you cannot park at CAR for TOTW even if you are on property

 

[disneynutz]

Depends on the CM checking people in and if they enforce the policy.

Bill

 

[JETSDAD]

We got to Florida a couple of nights early for a trip in May and stayed offsite for those nights. Figured we'd try to see if we could go to the lounge and did not have Magic Bands yet as we get them on check in (being from Canada). The front desk just gave me a slip to hand to the CM at the elevator and she swiped to let us go up.

 

[rebstone]

Thank you all so much for your input. Really appreciate the info. We’ll try our luck. Worst thing that can happen is hopping the monorail and getting a drink at Mizner’s or Trader Sam’s Terrace.