Top of the WOrld Lounge ?

[tjs198]

if i am renting dvc points and staying at BLT, will I have access to the top of the world lounge?

 

[RobDoc]

Possibly. It will depend on whether or not your room id identifies you as a guest of a member.

Enjoy!

 

[Deb & Bill]

But if you are renting the reservation, the member should notify DVC and it would not say DVC member.

Technically, it's a member perk for members staying at BLT.

 

[JenSop]

To access Top of the World Lounge, you must be a DVC member staying at BLT. We saw people being turned away when we were there in July.

 

[tjkraz]

I don't believe the Top of the World Lounge access is technically listed as a "Member" perk. From the time the resort opened it was marketed more as a perk available to anyone staying at BLT on a reservation made through Member Services.

My understanding is that point stays qualify as well as cash rooms booked through MS. Both members and non-members staying on those reservations can visit the lounge. There was never any distinction made between owners/guests/renters which would disqualify certain individuals.

 

[JenSop]

I don't believe the Top of the World Lounge access is technically listed as a "Member" perk. From the time the resort opened it was marketed more as a perk available to anyone staying at BLT on a reservation made through Member Services.

My understanding is that point stays qualify as well as cash rooms booked through MS. Both members and non-members staying on those reservations can visit the lounge. There was never any distinction made between owners/guests/renters which would disqualify certain individuals.

Actually, in July when we stayed at BLT, they made us show our DVC cards at the desk in the lobby before they would take us up there. There was another family staying there that tried to get up and they were not DVC. The girl told them they were not allowed up. Just sharing my own experience.

 

[Sandisw]

I don't believe the Top of the World Lounge access is technically listed as a "Member" perk. From the time the resort opened it was marketed more as a perk available to anyone staying at BLT on a reservation made through Member Services.

My understanding is that point stays qualify as well as cash rooms booked through MS. Both members and non-members staying on those reservations can visit the lounge. There was never any distinction made between owners/guests/renters which would disqualify certain individuals.

When it first opened, we were asked specifically if we were the members staying on points--it was opening weekend, so maybe that had something to do with it.

This past summer, they only asked to see the KTTW card of one of us and that was enough to get up.

So, I think that the CM running the desk decide how to enforce the rules so if a blue membership card is required at that particular instant, a renter would be out of luck.

 

[tjkraz]

So, I think that the CM running the desk decide how to enforce the rules so if a blue membership card is required at that particular instant, a renter would be out of luck.

I think it's more of a case of the CM's own interpretation of the rules. Here is the access language from the DVC website:

Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Pretty much covers anyone staying on DVC points or paying cash through Member Services.

 

[Chuck S]

With the new reservation system, the KTTW world cards don't always indicate DVC Member. Ours did not indicate anything other than Room Only on our last visit for our DVC stay. There may still be a few bugs in KTTW system.

 

[kristenrice]

Quote:
Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.


Is this any room reserved by a DVC member on points? Or only a room at BLT on points?

After reading here that the lounge is appearing "underused", I wonder if they will open it up to any DVC member staying in any resort on points/cash. Although it could no longer be marketed as an exclusive perk to staying at BLT, it might generate a little more revenue to keep the lounge open. I have no desire to own or stay at BLT, but I wouldn't mind hitting the lounge for one night during our stay.

ETA: Ok, I get it...I read it wrong. I see that it means guests of DVC members staying at BLT, but not necessarily in the same room as the member...like if I took my parents and got them their own room.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I had to show my BLUE MEMBER CARD to go up. I've read a lot of posts saying they got up with just their KTTW card. I really think it depends on the CM working the podium.

 

[Brian Noble]

But if you are renting the reservation, the member should notify DVC and it would not say DVC member.

This is true. But, it almost never happens. Naturally, most landlords "forget" to identify their renters as such, because doing so only reduces the value of the reservation.

 

[MinnieGi]

We just got back today from an 8 night stay at BLT and were never even asked to show any identification to go up to TOWL.

 

[Daddio]

Here's a first for me. My KTTWC does not say DVC on it and I made the reservation using my points. My wife, who is a guest in the room, does have DVC on her KTTW card. Go figure.

David

 

[Brian Noble]

David, I think there have been "issues" relating to the Grand Computer Unification. That said, I have had stays mis-coded in the past. Not common, but it has happened. For example, I had an II exchange a few years ago that was coded as a Member stay, when it should not have been.

 

[Chuck S]

David, I think there have been "issues" relating to the Grand Computer Unification. That said, I have had stays mis-coded in the past. Not common, but it has happened. For example, I had an II exchange a few years ago that was coded as a Member stay, when it should not have been.

Agree, it is not a coding issue if one occupant has a DVC designated key and the other doesn't, it is an issue caused by the reservation system upgrade...this has been happening since December 1.

 

[Daddio]

David, I think there have been "issues" relating to the Grand Computer Unification. That said, I have had stays mis-coded in the past. Not common, but it has happened. For example, I had an II exchange a few years ago that was coded as a Member stay, when it should not have been.

The situation has been confirmed by a CM at the TOTWL check in desk as a glitch in the new computer system that sometimes will and sometimes won't indicate DVC on the cards. The CM stated that it has been a real inconvenience to both CMs and guests.

It is easy for them to pull up your reservation and verify but he indicated that many members resent the interrogation, sometimes as simple as asking "Are you a DVC Member staying on points?"

Anyone receiving a non DVC card can easily ask the desk to reprint another one with the identifying letters.

David