Top of World lounge

[mcrabeck]

Hi- I will be heading down to Orlando next week for a work meeting and will be staying offsite. I am a DVC member. Can I go to the Top of the World lounge in the evening? Thanks in advance.

 

[vicki_c]

No you can't if you're staying off site.

 

[mcrabeck]

That's what I was afraid of. Bummer... Thanks!

 

[steph]

What if you are staying on site but not at BLT? We will be staying at OKW and are DVC members.

Thanks

 

[Msmithmd]

What if you are staying on site but not at BLT? We will be staying at OKW and are DVC members. Thanks

DVC members staying on property, whether on a cash or points reservation, may access TOWL, subject to blackout dates. The next scheduled 2014 blackout dates are December 30 and 31.

So yes, you can go up. Be sure to take your DVC member card and ID when you go. They will scan your band, but take your card as a backup just in case of "band fail".

 

[Chic]

What if you are staying on site but not at BLT? We will be staying at OKW and are DVC members.

Thanks

Yes, you will have access to TOTWL while staying at OKW.

 

[Deb & Bill]

What if you are staying on site but not at BLT? We will be staying at OKW and are DVC members.

Thanks

Like other said, yes. And any guests staying with you in your villa. Separate reservation from you? No.

 

[Bellecruiser]

Hi There,

I am going down to WDW and will be staying at BLT in January. (very excited as it will be my first time at BLT.) I am a member of DVC, but my guests, DSis and DN are not. If I have my card can we go up to the TOtWL?

 

[bom_noite]

Hi There,

I am going down to WDW and will be staying at BLT in January. (very excited as it will be my first time at BLT.) I am a member of DVC, but my guests, DSis and DN are not. If I have my card can we go up to the TOtWL?

As long as they park in Macon GA or Jacksonville - yes.

Just kidding! Check out other posts.

From my experience - We went over there with 8 of us from our OKW GV and 4 others who were CM's - seemed like e1 coming from a different spot. You speak with the Host/Hostess and a Concierge gets you on the Elevator. As new folks showed up I went down and escorted them up.

I think one day we parked at the MK Lot and left MK an hour before the show - a good way to do it.

One person needs to show their Room Key / Id / or whatever. Then they escort you to the Elevator. On one night - a few members in the group went over and got food from the CR Kiosk - they asked the gentleman to remember them - as they would be coming back. I told them - call or text if an issue. No issue.

I may be wrong - but - one of the kid's friends who worked at the Wave (in CR) came over after work. I explained to the Gentleman in charge that X-person was coming over - I am willing to come down and show my ID - or - can I give you his name so you can let him up? He was great to deal with and said - give me his name - no reason for you to come down. We texted this guy the info - no issues.

Every night we were there a CM came out and counted the folks in attendance. Three consecutive nights in July 2013 - the max was about 120. The CM told me he was happy that more and more folks were attending - but admitted he hoped the word would get out to more folks. 120 folks over 2 hours does not even come close to the bar at the pool at Poly - where this guy used to work.

I was just interested he was doing it and asked him each night what the count was. I can be a chatty one - and talked to lots of folks, Most folks were not staying at the resort - most were from other DVC resorts.

On one (maybe two?) nights - before the show a waiter came out to get drink orders. Very cool.

Was never crowded outside- this is a HUGE pavilion up there. Did get busy after the show in the Bar - but we always found seats.

Great Perk - it is so cool to just look over the Park, Lake and other resorts. Would recommend to any and all!

I am really awaiting the next: "The rules state...... Bom - follow the D@mn rules" Post. Save it Please! Maybe I broke 14 other rules - but - may be ignorant of the rules - but was polite and explained my intent. Had anyone from the Guards or the BLT staff had a concern - I would have listened and not complained. I am a good customer and spent Green Money there.

One persons experience. That I cannot park there - a different story I will just deal with! But, I hope e1's experience is as hassle free and delightful as ours.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hi There,

I am going down to WDW and will be staying at BLT in January. (very excited as it will be my first time at BLT.) I am a member of DVC, but my guests, DSis and DN are not. If I have my card can we go up to the TOtWL?

Here are the rules from the member website:

"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) may 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 through December 29, 2014 (blockout dates apply. Including but not limited to 12/30/13, 12/31/13, 7/3/14, and 7/4/14). Current operating hours are 6 p.m. to midnight.

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 and observation deck. 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.

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.

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. "

 

[PrincessJasmineDVC]

Has anyone been to the lounge recently? We will be down in a few short weeks and want to give it a try for the fireworks. How early should we get there? Would 8/8:30 be too late this time of the year?

Thanks!

 

[rickwelch49525]

This lounge is great. It isn't very busy because of how they let people in. They only time it gets busy is for fireworks, and many come just for that and leave, so it's quiet again. We have gotten to know many staff. They would love more to come as they have little to do from open til fireworks, then it can get crazy. So if you are in the World and staying on points, make the trip over. I think it's worth it.

Rick

 

[JessseJ]

I have a question for those who have been there...we will be there in 6 days and would like to check this area out but are wondering if it's a place for kids. Our DD is 10 but is it something we should skip?

 

[erionm]

I have a question for those who have been there...we will be there in 6 days and would like to check this area out but are wondering if it's a place for kids. Our DD is 10 but is it something we should skip?

Children are welcome.

Keep in mind that the lounge portion is basically a nice bar and you enter the lounge from the observation deck area.

 

[JessseJ]

Perfect, thank you!

 

[eeyoresmom]

It is very kid friendly (sadly, almost too kid friendly, and I can say that, I have 4 of them) I have seen strollers pushed up to the bar. little ones zooming their cars up around my chair, etc. Really not a "lounge" at all. You will be fine there with your 10 yo.

 

[MrsB919]

This is our first time planning on going. We would like to be there for the fireworks as I'm sure most people do as well. If we were to get there about an hour or so before the fireworks would that be enough time? I don't foresee us hanging out there for hours on end but I don't want to risk not being able to go in.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

This is our first time planning on going. We would like to be there for the fireworks as I'm sure most people do as well. If we were to get there about an hour or so before the fireworks would that be enough time? I don't foresee us hanging out there for hours on end but I don't want to risk not being able to go in.

You'll be fine. I don't think I've ever heard of a time that people were turned away and also the best fireworks viewing is out on the open balcony area not in the lounge itself. It's not good at all from the lounge although you can see a few of the fireworks.

We usually go up ahead of time and have drinks and apps but a time or two I've arrived just shortly prior to fireworks starting.

 

[LisaS]

I agree with KAT. Being up on the outside deck about 10 minutes before the fireworks start is plenty of time for the normal Wishes fireworks. For Hallowishes we got there 30 minutes ahead of time. We thought there might be a much larger crowd and we didn't want to risk getting turned away. As it turned out I don't think we had to worry about that but being there that early got us a prime spot along the wall on the outside deck. By the time Hallowishes started it was pretty crowded out there so it turned out to be a good plan.

The lounge is always full when we get there so we wait until after the fireworks to go in and have a drink. Lots of people leave soon after the fireworks are over so it's easier to find a spot to sit at that time.

 

[MrsB919]

You'll be fine. I don't think I've ever heard of a time that people were turned away and also the best fireworks viewing is out on the open balcony area not in the lounge itself. It's not good at all from the lounge although you can see a few of the fireworks.

We usually go up ahead of time and have drinks and apps but a time or two I've arrived just shortly prior to fireworks starting.

I agree with KAT. Being up on the outside deck about 10 minutes before the fireworks start is plenty of time for the normal Wishes fireworks. For Hallowishes we got there 30 minutes ahead of time. We thought there might be a much larger crowd and we didn't want to risk getting turned away. As it turned out I don't think we had to worry about that but being there that early got us a prime spot along the wall on the outside deck. By the time Hallowishes started it was pretty crowded out there so it turned out to be a good plan.

The lounge is always full when we get there so we wait until after the fireworks to go in and have a drink. Lots of people leave soon after the fireworks are over so it's easier to find a spot to sit at that time.

Oh that's great to know thanks! So you can technically go up and go outside first without hanging out at the lounge? Also do they pipe in the music?