TotWL - For DVC Members only now, not just staying on points??

[Imagineer5]

I think most, if not all, people who ask the question know the answer, and are looking for a way around it. It does not matter how many times you have been up there before---if you are not a member or staying IN THE ROOM WITH A MEMBER, you were breaking the rules. The rule did not get stricter. You have to be a member or a guest of a member staying in the same room on the same reservation with a member, and present the blue DVC member card. I see on your other posts you are planning to take other people up to the Totwl, which is probably the real purpose of your query. Members only (and their guests staying in the same room on the same reservation in the company of the Member) who presents the blue DVC member card is the rule no matter how many times you ask or argue about it. This question is asked so often by renters. If you want all the benefits of membership, buy DVC. Then you can go up everytime without breaking the rules.

No need to be rude and I wasn't trying to skirt the rules, which is why I asked. As stated before I have never been asked for a member card and thought it was for anyone staying on points. I planned to go up twice on my upcoming trip - once with just my 2yo dd and once with DIS friends.

A few months ago I looked into it and was told by a CM who handles TotWL that I was more than welcome to bring friends up and never mentioned needing a dvc member card, so I thought it was fine. Then yesterday I was reading a post about the sunrise safari (only for members) and TotWL came up so had me curious.

Nothing more to it than that - I'm not dumb enough to go on a dvc member board and ask members how to circumvent rules, nor would I want to do so.

 

[wildforgoofy]

Can someone tell me what the blackout dates are for the 2014 holidays, specifically Thanksgiving? I can't find the info. Thank you.

And to the OP have a wonderful trip!

 

[Msmithmd]

Can someone tell me what the blackout dates are for the 2014 holidays, specifically Thanksgiving? I can't find the info. Thank you. And to the OP have a wonderful trip!

Only current 2014 blackout dates are 7/3, 7/4, 12/30, and 12/31. Per member site this is subject to change.

We went up there on thanksgiving last year, when staying at VWL- so I think you won't have any trouble.

 

[wildforgoofy]

Only current 2014 blackout dates are 7/3, 7/4, 12/30, and 12/31. Per member site this is subject to change.

We went up there on thanksgiving last year, when staying at VWL- so I think you won't have any trouble.

Thanks for quick reply. My SIL just joined DVC like me, and she'll be at VGF for Thanksgiving week. I'm so excited for her! I won't be at BLT till next May, and I can't wait.

 

[dvcblt93]

My family went up last week, just scanned my magic band and they escorted us to the elevator no problems!

On a side note, on the evening of our visit a rather large group came in with three pizza's from an outside company, took up a large table, and didnt order a single thing.

People, if you dont want to order food or drinks, please dont take up the limited seats from those of us that do want to use the lounge.....

 

[bobbiwoz]

Only current 2014 blackout dates are 7/3, 7/4, 12/30, and 12/31. Per member site this is subject to change.

We went up there on thanksgiving last year, when staying at VWL- so I think you won't have any trouble.

I think the black out dates are primarily because of the special fireworks on those dates! I can't wait to see 12/30's fireworks from TOTW!

 

[kristenrice]

I need a little clarification, even though the trip in question isn't until 2016, but let's pretend that the same policy is still in effect.

We are DVC members who will be travelling with our extended family, 15 people total. Everyone will be staying on points, but some of them will be rented. Due to the number of people involved, we obviously cannot all be on the same reservation so would I be able to take them up as my guests? What if I transferred in the required number of points and booked everyone in their own rooms with my membership? It may be moot anyways because I'm not even sure they'd be interested. I'm just wondering if this would be allowed within the current rules.

We are sharing a 2BR at AKV this fall with my sister's family and we are so excited about taking them up there to watch the fireworks. We have a 7pm CM reservation on our last night and we plan to go to TOTWL for the 9:30pm Hallowishes show as the grand finale to our stay.

 

[Minniesgal]

I need a little clarification, even though the trip in question isn't until 2016, but let's pretend that the same policy is still in effect. We are DVC members who will be travelling with our extended family, 15 people total. Everyone will be staying on points, but some of them will be rented. Due to the number of people involved, we obviously cannot all be on the same reservation so would I be able to take them up as my guests? What if I transferred in the required number of points and booked everyone in their own rooms with my membership? It may be moot anyways because I'm not even sure they'd be interested. I'm just wondering if this would be allowed within the current rules. We are sharing a 2BR at AKV this fall with my sister's family and we are so excited about taking them up there to watch the fireworks. We have a 7pm CM reservation on our last night and we plan to go to TOTWL for the 9:30pm Hallowishes show as the grand finale to our stay.

You can take with you those people who are your guest staying under the same reservation as you so basically those in your room

 

[bobbiwoz]

As far as your 2016 trip. I do not think that the people making the rules would want to deny you the ability to take your extended family up to TOTW. I would send an e-mail to MS and if you get permission, copy the e-mail and bring it with you!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

*delete*

 

[VrBchJ]

My family went up last week, just scanned my magic band and they escorted us to the elevator no problems!

On a side note, on the evening of our visit a rather large group came in with three pizza's from an outside company, took up a large table, and didnt order a single thing.

People, if you dont want to order food or drinks, please dont take up the limited seats from those of us that do want to use the lounge.....

I've seen this happen twice. Not only did the family bring their own food they brought their own beers and cokes too. And as in your case, they didn't spend a dime.

 

[twoj]

I just had a friend stay on my points and I was NOT with them. They were able to go up to TOTWL and the cast member said they could since they were a guest of me. So, the DVC member does not have to be present in order for someone to be considered a guest.

 

[Msmithmd]

The wording on the rule per the DVC member site is that the member does have to be present. But I agree with the pp, that many have reported going up otherwise.

Disney stands to gain financially if there are more people using the food and bar service at TOWL in slower times, and they risk angering a bunch of members if they have to close to capacity during a peak season and not let members up. (The latter scenario is something that I've actually never seen anyone report.)

So there appears to be a difference between the rule and the enforcement. Nobody is wrong here, just be aware that if you try to gain access without a DVC member present, you MIGHT be denied.

 

[smidgy]

From the Member site
"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."

this was in 2012. note the bolded part.

if the DVC members want this to be al so inclusive, they should actually go into the lounge ans spend some money!

we were staying on points from friends. we went INTO the lounge, (not just the balcony) ordered a few drinks. tipped well. the CMs were thrilled to have people spending money and tipping.

 

[RobynPrincess]

A couple of days ago I had to show my card and then they scanned my band too

 

[LvsTnk]

I could care less who is up there I just reported what happened to me. I was told at check in I needed a pin for my magic band to gain acess to TOTW because I don't use a credit card I didn't already have one. This was at check in at BLT where I was using my membership points.

Of course when we were going to go up the darn pin would not take and they asked for my membership card. This just happened the last week in March when we went up the previous Nov. they asked for my membership card.

I like to have all the info so I assumed everyone on this thread did too.

 

[smidgy]

LvsTnk, my post wasn't directed at you personally. yes, the OP was looking for info and it was very kind of you to post your experience.

some people in past threads have gotten all up in arms. I just wanted to post some info I had, and my opinion..

(I also sent a PM to a couple people with a little more info)

 

[Deb & Bill]

From the Member site
"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."

this was in 2012. note the bolded part.

if the DVC members want this to be al so inclusive, they should actually go into the lounge ans spend some money!

we were staying on points from friends. we went INTO the lounge, (not just the balcony) ordered a few drinks. tipped well. the CMs were thrilled to have people spending money and tipping.

That is old information. From the Member Website today under Bay Lake Tower:

Top of the World Lounge is located at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.

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.

 

[disneynutz]

I still say that who gets to go up to TOTWL is under the control of the CM in the lobby. Even the re-written rule is out of date because KTTW cards are no longer given out to everyone. As long as valid members aren't being displaced by others, I don't see a problem with others using points to have access.

The reality is if Disney doesn't sell enough drinks and food, they will close the lounge.

Bill

 

[wildforgoofy]

I still say that who gets to go up to TOTWL is under the control of the CM in the lobby. Even the re-written rule is out of date because KTTW cards are no longer given out to everyone. As long as valid members aren't being displaced by others, I don't see a problem with others using points to have access. The reality is if Disney doesn't sell enough drinks and food, they will close the lounge. Bill

Exactly! Well put, I also think if the new rule of any DVC member staying on point doesn't drive in enough business it will be expanded to rented points at BLT.