Top of the World Lounge

[stitchlover]

Going to be at WDW later this week and have a question.

Do you have to sign up to visit the TOWL if you aren't a DVC member at BLT? Or do you just arrive and show your DVC card on the evening you would like to visit? What are the hours of the lounge?

TIA!

 

[erionm]

There is no signup, you just show up at the BLT lobby. The lounge opens at either 5PM or 6PM (used to be 5, may be 6 now) and is open until Midnight. You will need you DVC Membership Card. You will need to use Disney Transportation as you will not be able to park at BLT or the Contemporary unless you are staying there.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You will also need to show your KTTW that shows you are currently a guest at WDW.

 

[BCV23]

During our Oct/Nov BCV stay, we visited TOWL and were allowed to park. In fact, our party arrived in two different cars. We told the guard our plan and showed our resort id. As noted, you need a current DVC resort id as well as the DVC car to go up in the elevator.

 

[Deb & Bill]

During our Oct/Nov BCV stay, we visited TOWL and were allowed to park. In fact, our party arrived in two different cars. We told the guard our plan and showed our resort id. As noted, you need a current DVC resort id as well as the DVC car to go up in the elevator.

But the information from DVC has specifically asked members not to park at BLT.

 

[BCV23]

But the information from DVC has specifically asked members not to park at BLT.

I didn't read that, Deb. Interesting. In that case, we would never have gone. We weren't at the MK before or after and left TOWL just as Wishes began. It was just a fun place to meet for appetizers and a drink since we haven't stayed at BLT in a couple years. No way would we have bused to the MK and made our way to BLT.

 

[erionm]

I didn't read that, Deb. Interesting. In that case, we would never have gone. We weren't at the MK before or after and left TOWL just as Wishes began. It was just a fun place to meet for appetizers and a drink since we haven't stayed at BLT in a couple years. No way would we have bused to the MK and made our way to BLT.

Here's the information from when it was on the member website:

Top of the World Lounge perk extended through Dec. 29!
The popularity of a special perk originally slated to end on Aug. 25 has prompted its extension! From now through Dec. 29, 2012, Disney Vacation Club® Members staying at any Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at the Walt Disney World® Resort (whether they booked with vacation points or cash) may enjoy complimentary access to one of the vacation kingdom's most exclusive spaces: the Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Note that Members traveling from other resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation, as parking will be 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 (the typically locked front door will be unlocked during this time, or a Cast Member will be at the door to assist) and check in at the Top of the World Lounge desk in the lobby.

The sleekly designed bar and lounge, typically available only to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower, operates from 6 p.m.-midnight daily and offers spectacular rooftop viewing of Wishes™ – the Magic Kingdom® fireworks spectacular – complete with the show's stirring musical soundtrack. The ability to access the lounge has been a frequent request from Members staying at other Walt Disney World Resorts since Bay Lake Tower opened in 2009, and Disney Vacation Club is thrilled to make that "wish" come true during this extended period.

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 Key to the World card displaying a Disney Vacation Club Membership notation in order to gain admission to the lounge. If the Member's Key to the World card doesn't display a Membership notation, a Disney Vacation Club Member ID is required in addition to the Key to the World card to verify Membership.

This special Top of the World Lounge access is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity. As the lounge is particularly popular during the Magic Kingdom fireworks, arriving as early as possible will give Members the best chance of gaining admission.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks, Michael. If this was intended to increase business at the lounge, I think the parking ban will defeat the purpose. Just too much trouble unless you are staying at BLT, possibly VWL and the future GF villas. Perhaps they changed their mind since that was first published??? It will be interesting to see what happens next month.

 

[Brian Noble]

I suspect most people just ignore it. They drive over, and if the guard lets them in great, if not well there's nothing wrong with happy hour elsewhere.

The one time we visited, we ended up walking over after an afternoon in MK, and then took a cab "home" to BCV after calling it a night.

 

[erionm]

Thanks, Michael. If this was intended to increase business at the lounge, I think the parking ban will defeat the purpose. Just too much trouble unless you are staying at BLT, possibly VWL and the future GF villas. Perhaps they changed their mind since that was first published??? It will be interesting to see what happens next month.

I believe the parking ban is due to the limited parking at the Contemporary. At slow times the guards probably don't say anything. But at busy times I'm sure they turn those away that don't have room reservations or confirmed dining reservations.

 

[spiceycat]

not sure why but the parking lot at BLT has been full or close to full - with CM

some seem to work at the CR/BLT - others seem to work at the MK? not sure.
they had parking closer to the MK - so not sure why Disney has changed the policy and allowed them to park at BLT. might have something to do with the work being done in fantasyland????

so yes right now the parking at BLT is limited.