Top of the World Lounge Question

[supersnoop]

Regardless of the rules - I would tell you to drive over their. 98% chance you will be let in.

We all realize that there is frequently a difference between policy and implementation, but your 98% certainty is ridiculous. I'd say it's much closer to 50%/50%, or worse depending on the time of year. And I won't recommend someone make their plans based on a coin-toss chance of it working out for them.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Regardless of the rules - I would tell you to drive over their. 98% chance you will be let in. Give it an hour or so in advance and tell the guard you plan to watch the fireworks and spend green money at the Lounge and at the Contemporary.

This is what is posted on the DVC Website regarding access to the Top of the World Lounge including Resort stay and parking:

"Enjoy access to one of the vacation kingdom's most exclusive spaces: Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. This access is granted to 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).

This perk is available exclusively to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation. 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.

Note that Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation, as parking is unavailable to anyone not staying at Bay Lake Tower or Disney's Contemporary Resort. Upon arrival, Members must walk to the Bay Lake Tower main lobby entrance on the ground floor and check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the lobby."

1) You should already be staying at a Disney Resort in order to even have access to the TOTWL.
2) Why not use Disney's transportation since it's available for you?
3) You should follow the rules that Disney has, because they have them for a reason.

I was going on vacation and didn't have access to a car. Therefore, I was forced to use disney's transportation, and had no issues at all. Took the monorail from EPCOT and the Resort Monorail. We got to the TOTWL in 30 minutes. Then we had a nice walk to the MK Transportation area, and had a nice bus ride back to our Resort. Disney Transportation > driving around Disney property any day.

 

[bom_noite]

We all realize that there is frequently a difference between policy and implementation, but your 98% certainty is ridiculous. I'd say it's much closer to 50%/50%, or worse depending on the time of year. And I won't recommend someone make their plans based on a coin-toss chance of it working out for them.

Harrumphhhh. Here we go again. I think I suggested moving over to the area a few hours early to allow to be sent away? And during a dozen attempts in May, June, August and September I never have.

While you say it is 50/50 I am not batting 98% I am batting 100%. Maybe because I am not Anal - but polite? Perhaps you need to call and tell them to shun all of us away in the future to abide by the silly rules they set?

I understand the rules posted by WDW if they are busy they are busy. Why not allow the guards take control and let folks in when attendance is down - like October? Attendance is DOWN - you shun away somebody with a Credit Card in their pocket or a Magic Band on the wrist. On our visit our group spent $500 on gifts, food, drinks etc.

Why would WDW want to say: Love to have you here and spend money - but - take an hour Bus ride to get here!

Ask yourself - who is ridiculous!

 

[supersnoop]

Why would WDW want to say: Love to have you here and spend money - but - take an hour Bus ride to get here!

More like, "come by briefly while your out spending money at the parks; don't show up exclusively for to watch fireworks for free."

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Harrumphhhh. Here we go again. I think I suggested moving over to the area a few hours early to allow to be sent away? And during a dozen attempts in May, June, August and September I never have.

While you say it is 50/50 I am not batting 98% I am batting 100%. Maybe because I am not Anal - but polite? Perhaps you need to call and tell them to shun all of us away in the future to abide by the silly rules they set?

I understand the rules posted by WDW if they are busy they are busy. Why not allow the guards take control and let folks in when attendance is down - like October? Attendance is DOWN - you shun away somebody with a Credit Card in their pocket or a Magic Band on the wrist. On our visit our group spent $500 on gifts, food, drinks etc.

Why would WDW want to say: Love to have you here and spend money - but - take an hour Bus ride to get here!

Ask yourself - who is ridiculous!

This gets back to an overall question on established rules that can happen anywhere. Do they all make sense to everyone? Or even anyone? Not always, but that isn't actually the point. IMO nothing to debate - Disney gets to set the rules for parking. And it doesn't matter if they make sense to any of us or not. It's their playground.

As mentioned, and as you've found, implementation doesn't always match the rules but the best that we can do is to post what the rules actually are so that people are aware. If someone wishes to ignore then that's on them but at least they'll know what has been defined as allowed.

Personally I see a few reasons to have the rule and I see reasons to not have it. But again, that's not my decision to make - Disney gets the say.

Frankly, in this day and age we're quite lucky they don't charge for the parking. I'm not going to put to much concern into whether any other rules for parking are "right" or "wrong".

 

[disneynutz]

Since TOTWL is a bar, they need customers to stay alive. Depending on the CM and their mood, my guess is that they will let you up especially if your MDE account room reservation is tagged as a DVC member.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Since TOTWL is a bar, they need customers to stay alive. Depending on the CM and their mood, my guess is that they will let you up especially if your MDE account room reservation is tagged as a DVC member.

Bill

But the bartenders don't man the elevators. Unless they are giving a cut to the CM at the elevator.

 

[Deb & Bill]

And I sure don't want to be that DVC member who tells the CM "But I spent $40K on these points and I..... (fill in the blank)". We all spent tons on money on our DVC points and tickets and food and transportation. Unless you are staying in the Presidential Suite and have bodyguards, you are just like all the rest of us.

 

[disneynutz]

But the bartenders don't man the elevators. Unless they are giving a cut to the CM at the elevator.

True but if the bar closes, there isn't really a reason for DVC to keep the lounge open and the CM's know this. That's why they count everyone going up.

Bill