Top of the World question

[Genie+]

Hmm…lots of conflicting info in this thread about access, especially with regards to the balcony. I am DVC-Y and plan to visit early Thanksgiving week, so I’ll have to report back based on a “busy week.” Staying at BLT so I should have a two or three opportunities to “research.”

Thanks!

My guess is MK party nights create more ToTWL demand. I’d figure Monday of Thanksgiving week might have the best shot at success for using the lounge and watching the fireworks without booking WWD. But who knows? It will be interesting to see your results.

 

[Cfabar1]

I can never figure out the rules in regards to this place. Do you have to be staying on property to go there? Do you have to be staying on property to buy a reservation to WWD? It all just seems so complicated.

 

[muppets3d]

I can never figure out the rules in regards to this place. Do you have to be staying on property to go there? Do you have to be staying on property to buy a reservation to WWD? It all just seems so complicated.

It's all in black and white here...not complicated. People have a bad habit of making simple things complicated. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...rs/member-experiences/top-of-the-world-lounge

I will say that although you're supposed to only be able to access the lounge when staying using your membership, I've never been turned away for that reason. But I've never tried to book WWD (I don't think the food in the lounge is that great so I don't want to pay for it, I just get drinks there - a dessert package would be a waste for me).

 

[Cfabar1]

It's all in black and white here...not complicated. People have a bad habit of making simple things complicated. https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...rs/member-experiences/top-of-the-world-lounge

I will say that although you're supposed to only be able to access the lounge when staying using your membership, I've never been turned away for that reason. But I've never tried to book WWD (I don't think the food in the lounge is that great so I don't want to pay for it, I just get drinks there - a dessert package would be a waste for me).

I hear you, but in practice access is more nuanced than what is posted....

 

[RivGirl]

Hmm…lots of conflicting info in this thread about access, especially with regards to the balcony. I am DVC-Y and plan to visit early Thanksgiving week, so I’ll have to report back based on a “busy week.” Staying at BLT so I should have a two or three opportunities to “research.”

Here I am, reporting back.

We went up to TOTWL at 9:40PM for 10PM Minnie’s Christmas Fireworks on Tuesday night of Thanksgiving week. I’m a direct member and I had 9 people on my reservation (including myself).

The host was stationed at the entrance to the lounge and terrace. He asked if we were just coming up for the show. I said yes, he asked to see my digital card, I showed him, and he said, “Perfect. You’re good to go. You can watch from anywhere on the terrace other than this roped off area to the right,” (which was roped off for a private viewing.

At 9:40 there was plenty of space at the wall. By 9:50 the front row was full. Incidentally there were also plenty of seats available inside the lounge, but we weren’t interested and didn’t ask.

It was lovely to watch with the music piped in. I was slightly annoyed by the very loud chatter from some of the other guests (adults, not children) who were there but didn’t seem all that interested in the show. But overall it was a great time and a smooth experience entering the terrace.

 

[muppets3d]

Here I am, reporting back.

We went up to TOTWL at 9:40PM for 10PM Minnie’s Christmas Fireworks on Tuesday night of Thanksgiving week. I’m a direct member and I had 9 people on my reservation (including myself).

The host was stationed at the entrance to the lounge and terrace. He asked if we were just coming up for the show. I said yes, he asked to see my digital card, I showed him, and he said, “Perfect. You’re good to go. You can watch from anywhere on the terrace other than this roped off area to the right,” (which was roped off for a private viewing.

At 9:40 there was plenty of space at the wall. By 9:50 the front row was full. Incidentally there were also plenty of seats available inside the lounge, but we weren’t interested and didn’t ask.

It was lovely to watch with the music piped in. I was slightly annoyed by the very loud chatter from some of the other guests (adults, not children) who were there but didn’t seem all that interested in the show. But overall it was a great time and a smooth experience entering the terrace.

I wonder if that is only for party nights or if this is a new normal. The viewing balcony has been open to anyone who wanted to go up for a few years now.

 

[RivGirl]

I wonder if that is only for party nights or if this is a new normal. The viewing balcony has been open to anyone who wanted to go up for a few years now.

I don’t know. This was my first time there. I have read multiple reports from the past several years with different experiences. Maybe it depends on anticipated crowd levels.

Regardless of what is actually done in practice, this is the “rule” currently posted on the website.

 

[muppets3d]

I don’t know. This was my first time there. I have read multiple reports from the past several years with different experiences. Maybe it depends on anticipated crowd levels.

Regardless of what is actually done in practice, this is the “rule” currently posted on the website.

It sounds like they may be back to restricting the balcony to DVC-Y only as well. In the past few years the check-in desk was right in front of the door to the lounge so the balcony was open to all. Before that, the check-in desk was on the first floor and you had to verify status before they'd even let you up to the 16th floor. Thanks!

 

[Sandisw]

I wonder if that is only for party nights or if this is a new normal. The viewing balcony has been open to anyone who wanted to go up for a few years now.

It was not when I went in June. They asked for my card and did indeed turn some away while we were up there.

The podium was in front of the lounge still but you weren’t allowed to go into the deck area before checking in there.

We only wanted to see fireworks so weren’t looking for the lounge.

 

[muppets3d]

It was not when I went in June. They asked for my card and did indeed turn some away while we were up there.

The podium was in front of the lounge still but you weren’t allowed to go into the deck area before checking in there.

We only wanted to see fireworks so weren’t looking for the lounge.

The podium being before the entrance to the terrace will help alleviate that friction, so it's good that @RivGirl reported that they moved the podium. Are they also checking if you are staying on property, or simply proving DVC-Y status for the terrace do you know? By the rules you must be staying on property to get in the lounge.

 

[Sandisw]

The podium being before the entrance to the terrace will help alleviate that friction, so it's good that @RivGirl reported that they moved the podium. Are they also checking if you are staying on property, or simply proving DVC-Y status for the terrace do you know? By the rules you must be staying on property to get in the lounge.

Since we were staying on property, I don’t know if it was something he checked for. I think I had to scan my band…but I am not sure.

Yes, the podium where it is now was why I heard some get turned away because they couldn’t access the terrace without being checked in.

I think some thought if they got up there, it would not be an issue!

I hope to visit when I’m there the 8th to 12th, so I’ll report back if I do!!

 

[Genie+]

We’ve seen people turned away as well. While waiting to be seated we’ve overheard some of it. One party did not have their blue card member with them. Another party could not verify their DVC status.