TOTWL: Before and After

[tjkraz]

So is this just a test thing or is it ongoing (I know they can change the rules at anytime of course). We are going soon and I would like to surprise our family staying with us with a trip to that. We are DVC at AKL. There would be 12 of us total.. Can I take that many up? They are all staying on my points and I am going to be there . Are kids allowed? And do I just need my KTTW card that says DVC member or do I need to take our DVC member card also?

Thanks

Right now access is open to all members staying on points at ANY WDW DVC resort through 12/29/12. The end date has already been extended once so that could certainly happen again.

There are no stated limits on the number of individuals who can accompany a member. Children are welcome but the atmosphere is fairly subdued. I remember at least one TV on in the lounge (believe an NFL game was on when we visited) but there is nothing else which would qualify as entertainment.

The indoor lounge accommodates maybe 70-80 with an additional outdoor viewing platform (the roof) with room for a couple hundred. If there's no seating available in the lounge when you arrive, you'll have to go out on the deck. Dress appropriately.

I would suggest bringing both the room key and member ID card. Never hurts to have both.

 

[dburg30]

Sweet.. the two kids are in double digits, so they understand.. the other little feller is pretty laid back and would be fine on dad's shoulders somewhere out of the way or just being held.. Understand totally about the capacity.. For a MNSSHP night would showing up around 8 probably still be ok for the 930 fireworks?


And this "Dress appropriately" was that more for weather? We are probably going to continue our monorail crawl and send the kids back to the resorts with gma and great gma. But knew if we went without the kids and gma and great gma we would be in TROUBLE>>>>>.

 

[tjkraz]

And this "Dress appropriately" was that more for weather?

Yes. Just worried about temps in case you can't get indoors.

 

[daisyduck123]

And do I just need my KTTW card that says DVC member or do I need to take our DVC member card also?

Thanks

We went up on July 21, & the CM at the BLT desk wanted to see our blue member card. We were standing in line while she waited on a father & son in front of us. She was explaining something to them (couldn't quite hear) & then I heard her say, "It looks just like that" & pointed to my blue member card that I was holding in my hand. Clearly then, I realized that the pair in front of us wanted to go up, but did not have a clue about what a blue member card is.

I didn't listen anymore & the father & son eventually walked away. I have no idea if they got up or not.

 

[TravelGrl]

I was there in the week of August 19-25 and found the lounge unbearably crowded. We were able to get in but because of the crowds and the ages of the people we didn't enjoy ourselves. There were many young kids who were very loud doing belly dives onto a couch (the round one in the center of the room) and trowing toys at each other. I compared this experience to our previous ones and if we see it like this again we will skip the lounge. Previously, it was one of our favorite spots at BLT. I actually contacted the Guest Services after our trip and gave our feedback. We used to love enjoying a few drinks and light snacks at the lounge but this time we couldn't wait to leave. Even when we were watching the fireworks, the kids were yelling things to each other. I politely asked them to lower their voices so everyone could enjoy themselves, but they didn't do anything. Their parents didn't try to hush them either. I feel bad because I know that not all kids behave this way, but it was utterly unbearable and not fitting for the atmosphere. I wish it could be like the nightclubs on DCL where there is an age limit.

 

[twinklebug]

I was there in the week of August 19-25 and found the lounge unbearably crowded. We were able to get in but because of the crowds and the ages of the people we didn't enjoy ourselves. There were many young kids who were very loud doing belly dives onto a couch (the round one in the center of the room) and trowing toys at each other. I compared this experience to our previous ones and if we see it like this again we will skip the lounge. Previously, it was one of our favorite spots at BLT. I actually contacted the Guest Services after our trip and gave our feedback. We used to love enjoying a few drinks and light snacks at the lounge but this time we couldn't wait to leave. Even when we were watching the fireworks, the kids were yelling things to each other. I politely asked them to lower their voices so everyone could enjoy themselves, but they didn't do anything. Their parents didn't try to hush them either. I feel bad because I know that not all kids behave this way, but it was utterly unbearable and not fitting for the atmosphere. I wish it could be like the nightclubs on DCL where there is an age limit.

We were there the same week, luckily we didn't go this night you described. The kids we saw were on the quiet side, some were on the ottoman, one was sleeping in his dad's arms (for hours, that man looked miserable LOL) and the others showed up just before/disappeared right after the fireworks. We were there an hour early and the lounge only had about 10 people in it total. It became very crowded about 30 minutes before the fireworks (it was raining out so no one wanted to stand outside) at which point we abandoned our table and stood outdoors under one of the few covered areas before it was taken. The crowd dissipated very fast after the fireworks leaving about 20-30 folk in the lounge afterward.

That round ottoman has always, since the day the TOTWL was opened, attracted the kids. IMHO it needs to be replaced with a centerpiece table reflecting the chandelier as it gives an otherwise elegant room the feel of a day care center.

 

[allymouse]

Whelp, I don't think it's worth the trip, or the potential embarrassment, if we get turned away. I don't think we will attempt it.

I'll just have to buy at BLT some day!

 

[dburg30]

Whelp, I don't think it's worth the trip, or the potential embarrassment, if we get turned away. I don't think we will attempt it.

I'll just have to buy at BLT some day!

Not sure why you would be embarrassed? If it's full, it's full, doesnt matter if you are BLT members or not. Now if you are talking about going after the date that was mentioned above, that's different.


I will have our blue membership card with us

 

[Buckalew11]

We only viewed the FW from the deck this trip this past week. There were always people there but never crowded outside. I loved it.

 

[allymouse]

Not sure why you would be embarrassed? If it's full, it's full, doesnt matter if you are BLT members or not. Now if you are talking about going after the date that was mentioned above, that's different.


I will have our blue membership card with us

Im not talking about it being too full. I'm not a member, I'm renting points through a broker from a stranger. It seems to be up in the air whether or not a room key that says DVC member is adequate enough. I don't have a blue card, and yes I think it would be embarrassing to be turned away for not having the proper credentials.

 

[dburg30]

Im not talking about it being too full. I'm not a member, I'm renting points through a broker from a stranger. It seems to be up in the air whether or not a room key that says DVC member is adequate enough. I don't have a blue card, and yes I think it would be embarrassing to be turned away for not having the proper credentials.

Ahh ok, yes that is different.

 

[dburg30]

We went up on July 21, & the CM at the BLT desk wanted to see our blue member card. We were standing in line while she waited on a father & son in front of us. She was explaining something to them (couldn't quite hear) & then I heard her say, "It looks just like that" & pointed to my blue member card that I was holding in my hand. Clearly then, I realized that the pair in front of us wanted to go up, but did not have a clue about what a blue member card is.

I didn't listen anymore & the father & son eventually walked away. I have no idea if they got up or not.

So where exactly do you go to be allowed to go up? Are their certain elevators that go right to the lounge? Do you have to go thru CR to get to the BLT or does the BLT have it's own 'front door'??
edit.. nm.. i do see the BIG OLE main entrance lol... So just go in there and request to go up?

 

[daisyduck123]

So where exactly do you go to be allowed to go up? Are their certain elevators that go right to the lounge? Do you have to go thru CR to get to the BLT or does the BLT have it's own 'front door'??
edit.. nm.. i do see the BIG OLE main entrance lol... So just go in there and request to go up?

Yes, BLT has a front desk at the entrance. You go there first, speak with a CM at the desk, who then has a CM escort you up in the elevator.

 

[CandleontheWater]

We were there last week (members, but staying on cash at the Contemporary), and it was moderately crowded. I would consider it a good showing, pretty much all the tables were taken up, but wasn't wall-to-wall people. I brought my two year old, and he was fine, we got him a fruit punch with a light up ice cube, and he was in heaven!

There were a few other kids up there, all behaving just fine. Kids are welcome in all the lounges in Disney, I'd hate to see them banned from this one. Over the years I've seen just as much bad behavior from adults as Disney as from children.

I do hope they keep it open to all DVC members, because I envision us using it a lot in the future. We frequently travel with a mixed age group, and it would be nice to have a place where we can comfortably watch Wishes and get a few drinks as well. I know some of you question as to why someone would leave the parks just to watch the fireworks from the TOTWL, but I think watching from a comfortable spot with a drink in hand sure beats out main street. I could see us doing this often.

Also once the DVC resort at GF opens, I think you'll see a lot of guests heading to the TOTWL to watch the fireworks if the perk remains open to all. It would be really easy to get there and back on the monorail line.