Top of the World Lounge/Viewing Deck Reconnaissance Thread

[pditullio]

Now that BLT is open, I thought I'd start a thread where we can discuss whether what we were told about TOTW access prior to opening differs from what the first guests are experiencing so far.

What did we learn last night? I read one post last night that said at lobby check-in they needed to present BLT KTTW card and "be a member." Were folks asked for blue member cards, or were they asking only for "DVC member" to also be on the KTTW card?

[Let's not rehash what the published rules are, as we all know those - but in practice things may shape up to be quite different].

Can people post here over the next few days what their experiences are with the logistics of going up?

 

[tmgandolph]

Jack Spence wrote on his blog over at AllEars
"While at the Top of the World, we sampled three of the flatbreads offered. One is appropriately called a BLT – Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato. Another contained beef, mushrooms, and onions. And the third had mozzarella cheese and tomatoes. Deb and Donald both thought the BLT was the best. I preferred the beef."

He added pics of the flatbreads too!
http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/

 

[d-r]

I wonder if they have any decent beer.

 

[pditullio]

So in his blog entry (http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2009/08/bay_lake_tower_part_two_1.html), Jack says,

"Check-in for the Top of the World lounge takes place at a podium in the lobby of BLT. From there, a cast member escorts your party to a special elevator that only stops at the 16th floor. Once there, it’s just a short walk to the lounge."

What exactly did "check-in" entail? What did they ask for?

 

[DenLo]

jonesmatNY has a live blog going with a link from this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2247783

In he stated the following regarding going up to TOW lounge:

Had to checkin on the first floor,each person must have a resort ID w/ Vacation Club Member on it. Then you get escorted up to the 16th floor. Any 16th floor access requires a special room card.

TLPL said something similar on another thread. http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33026436&postcount=86

Here's what TLPL actually said in the above link: "Top of The World Lounge is the rooftop lounge, they check your key to the world card before letting you get on the express elevator to the top floor. They serve cocktails and drinks in the lounge. And there is the viewing area outside the lounge. You can see Mk from there.

They look for 2 things on the Key to the world card: DVC membership, and staying in BLT for the night."

 

[TheDISneyFamily]

We just got back from the lounge and it's really nice up there! You have to check in on the 1st floor of the BLT lobby and everyone has to have a KTTW card saying that they are DVC members staying at BLT. They escort you to the elevator to the 16th floor. Food was good - I asked if it came from The Contempo Cafe & was told the prep is done there, but that the lounge has their own kitchen area where they heat the apps fresh on demand. The tenderloin flat bread was great! Drinks were good as well. We'll be going back later tonight or tomorrow...

 

[pditullio]

It just occurred to me...is there any issue with kids being in the lounge area?

 

[dcfromva]

It just occurred to me...is there any issue with kids being in the lounge area?

Nope, there were kids in strollers there last night.

 

[DVC_Mater]

How much are drinks and food or are they complimentary like conceirge level?

 

[BayouMickey]

What are the lounge hours?

 

[wisbucky]

What are the lounge hours?

Hours are 5p.m.to 12 a.m. Lounge holds 77 people and the viewing deck can accomodate 499.

 

[Broker]

My wife and I, my inlaws and my kids are going to be staying in BLT. I booked my brother and sister in law in Jambo house. Would they be allowed to go to the observation deck with us?

 

[dianeschlicht]

My wife and I, my inlaws and my kids are going to be staying in BLT. I booked my brother and sister in law in Jambo house. Would they be allowed to go to the observation deck with us?

Not according to the stated rules or to the reports about what has been happening so far.

 

[DenLo]

My wife and I, my inlaws and my kids are going to be staying in BLT. I booked my brother and sister in law in Jambo house. Would they be allowed to go to the observation deck with us?

Nope. Sorry to say they won't even be able to see your room. Everybody in the party has to have a keycard with DVC staying at BLT on it to get in. I understand if you had reserved a room using DVC points for your inlaws at BLT they would be your guests and eligible to go to the TOTW lounge and the observation deck.

 

[DebbieB]

Nope. Sorry to say they won't even be able to see your room. Everybody in the party has to have a keycard with DVC staying at BLT on it to get in. I understand if you had reserved a room using DVC points for your inlaws at BLT they would be your guests and eligible to go to the TOTW lounge and the observation deck.

Every person has to show their key to get in the front door? You can't have a guest up to your room?

 

[wdw1972]

Every person has to show their key to get in the front door? You can't have a guest up to your room?

************
Of course you can have a guest up to your room. You just can't bring them to the lounge because they don't belong unless they're a registered guest at BLT on your points.

 

[CarolAnnC]

How much are drinks and food or are they complimentary like conceirge level?

They are not complimentary. We do not yet have the menu posted here on our WDWINFO site, but I have seen them over on the AllEars website so you may want to check there.

 

[5forDiz]

Nope. Sorry to say they won't even be able to see your room.

This is incorrect. You may invite non-BLT staying persons to your room.

But not to lounge.