TOWL guests??

[MiaSRN62]

Hello!
Need help. Can my guests staying at other WDW resorts accompany me to TOWL?

Or is it only open to DVC Members? I wanted to bring up about 12-15 non DVC Members. I will be staying at BLT on points.

Thanks

 

[MiaSRN62]

Just to add....I have been told "no way" essentially by DVC MS supervisor just now. Even "no" to my guests staying at BCV and VWL ON MY POINTS??? I honestly think no one knows a thing. This sounds wrong to me?

My daughter is getting married April 3 and we wanted a small get-together of not more than 20 people tops. Not all are staying on my DVC points. Some are on their own and others are cash at various WDW resorts.

So really? I am not allowed to go up to TOWL with any of them?

 

[chalee94]

Hello! Or is it only open to DVC Members?

only DVC members (and those staying in your room...with the DVC member). not the whole posse...

 

[MiaSRN62]

only DVC members (and those staying in your room...with the DVC member). not the whole posse...

Thank you. Oh ok....I read something on DVCnews.com that stated:
<<< All DVC members staying at a Walt Disney World resort--on a reservation booked using either points or cash--can access the Top of the World Lounge nightly through December 29, 2014.

The perk extends to members and others in their traveling party. At least one member must accompany the group and provide a Key to the World card or blue Disney Vacation Club member ID card to gain entrance. >>>>>>>

The whole article can be accessed here (this is Tim K's web site)
http://dvcnews.com/index.php/dvc-pr...p-of-the-world-lounge-access-extended-to-2014

 

[Deb & Bill]

From the member website:

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.

 

[Minniesgal]

Just to add....I have been told "no way" essentially by DVC MS supervisor just now. Even "no" to my guests staying at BCV and VWL ON MY POINTS??? I honestly think no one knows a thing. This sounds wrong to me? My daughter is getting married April 3 and we wanted a small get-together of not more than 20 people tops. Not all are staying on my DVC points. Some are on their own and others are cash at various WDW resorts. So really? I am not allowed to go up to TOWL with any of them?

This is correct it is owners only

 

[MiaSRN62]

Ok thank you all.

Then I guess I was completely confused by this other news update circulating the social forums and message boards. Forgive my ignorance, but I took <<<< The perk extends to members and others in their traveling party. At least one member must accompany the group and provide a Key to the World card or blue Disney Vacation Club member ID card to gain entrance. >>>>>>> to mean my guests in our traveling party were included.

Thank you. Not sure what Tim's newsletter is referring to then??? I am confused by it.

 

[MiaSRN62]

From the member website: 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

The funny thing is the MS supervisor told me even those staying at VWL on my points and my friends staying on their own points at BCV cannot go up. That is the real troublesome issue for me. I thought according to what I've been reading, ALL DVC Members can use TOWL thru Dec 2014. But to get back to my other point, even my family staying ON MY POINTS at VWL are not being allowed up as per the supervisor.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The funny thing is the MS supervisor told me even those staying at VWL on my points and my friends staying on their own points at BCV cannot go up. That is the real troublesome issue for me. I thought according to what I've been reading, ALL DVC Members can use TOWL thru Dec 2014. But to get back to my other point, even my family staying ON MY POINTS at VWL are not being allowed up as per the supervisor.

Actually I had to re-read but the key is that the guests must be staying in the same room that you (an owner) are staying in.

Your friends who own at BCV and will be staying on their own points will be able to go up with any people they have staying in their room.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Unfortunately info from MS isn't always correct.

If you're staying at VWL and have other guests in your room you are all eligible to go up together. And the BCV owners and any guests they have in their rooms can go up together.

THANK YOU!!!! That was what I was telling her and she was disputing it over and over. I am just trying to find some concrete written source to back this up so we all don't get there and find we're turned away. I feel like I need to go up there packing some evidence in our favor. Hate that MS makes me feel that way. But thank you so much Kathy!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The funny thing is the MS supervisor told me even those staying at VWL on my points and my friends staying on their own points at BCV cannot go up. That is the real troublesome issue for me. I thought according to what I've been reading, ALL DVC Members can use TOWL thru Dec 2014. But to get back to my other point, even my family staying ON MY POINTS at VWL are not being allowed up as per the supervisor.

It says "This perk is available exclusively to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation." You might have several reservations, but only the guests staying on the reservation you are on. If you have multiple villas, you have multiple reservations. So the guests staying in your villa with you are invited. Others are not.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

THANK YOU!!!! That was what I was telling her and she was disputing it over and over. I am just trying to find some concrete written source to back this up so we all don't get there and find we're turned away. I feel like I need to go up there packing some evidence in our favor. Hate that MS makes me feel that way. But thank you so much Kathy!

Sorry Maria - I did update my post as I got confused and thought that you were staying at VWL. BCV should be fine for that owner and guests but the VWL ones will be the problem. BLT at best is inconsistent though and if you show up with the VWL guests I honestly don't think it's a given they would be turned away - but they might.

 

[kristenrice]

It says "This perk is available exclusively to Members and those in their traveling party who are staying on that Member's reservation." You might have several reservations, but only the guests staying on the reservation you are on. If you have multiple villas, you have multiple reservations. So the guests staying in your villa with you are invited. Others are not.

Question...How do they KNOW what reservation you have? If I show up with my sister and her family (8 of us total), how would they know that we are in 2 studios instead of a single 2BR or GV??

DH and I were staying at AKV in November and we went to TOTWL to watch the holiday fireworks. We are going back in October with my sister and her family and plan to take them up there with us for Hallowishes. We will probably be in a 2BR (currently have 2 nights in 2 studios and 3 nights in a 2BR) so we will all be on the same reservation, but how would they even know?

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thank you Kathy & Deb&Bill. While I am not happy to hear this, I understand now. Really...this is the verbage that is throwing me a little : " and others in their traveling party." Does not state "on same reservation". It clearly is worded as "traveling party". So that threw me. We will move the get-together to our 2 bedroom villa then.

And because of the run-a-round I've gotten from Disney (I will let you know that in Oct and early Dec, private dining informed me this would not be an issue). Now my daughter's wedding is 90 days out and I'm without night-before plans for guests. I had planned to utilize Contemp Private Dining, but considering what they all put me through with misinformation and false expectations for almost 3 months I will be using an offsite caterer. It's a shame.....15-20 people up at TOWL from our party would have infused some life in to that place. We would have had a decent bar purchase. They are constantly complaining how under-utilized TOWL is and revenue is down that even the bar tenders complain they're not making tips. Yet here I am, requesting to take up 15 of my family/friends on a Wed night in slow season at WDW and they turn us down. Oh well....we'll have just as much fun in our villa.

Thanks to all input on this very confusing and misleading information on the rules. Even the supervisor put me on hold for 12 min because she didn't know.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!!

 

[Minniesgal]

Ok thank you all. Then I guess I was completely confused by this other news update circulating the social forums and message boards. Forgive my ignorance, but I took <<<< The perk extends to members and others in their traveling party. At least one member must accompany the group and provide a Key to the World card or blue Disney Vacation Club member ID card to gain entrance. >>>>>>> to mean my guests in our traveling party were included. Thank you. Not sure what Tim's newsletter is referring to then??? I am confused by it.

It refers to people staying with you in your room under the same booking. It will not apply to non members staying at another resort.

 

[Minniesgal]

Question...How do they KNOW what reservation you have? If I show up with my sister and her family (8 of us total), how would they know that we are in 2 studios instead of a single 2BR or GV?? DH and I were staying at AKV in November and we went to TOTWL to watch the holiday fireworks. We are going back in October with my sister and her family and plan to take them up there with us for Hallowishes. We will probably be in a 2BR (currently have 2 nights in 2 studios and 3 nights in a 2BR) so we will all be on the same reservation, but how would they even know?

They check your KTTW and your member card.

 

[bumbershoot]

I can't get the site to come up right now (my computer is being weird), but have you looked at disneytravelbabble.com? It's run by lurkyloo here on the Dis, and she has a whole section about planning a small event onsite.

 

[MiaSRN62]

It refers to people staying with you in your room under the same booking. It will not apply to non members staying at another resort.

Thank you. I stand informed now. Just wish I had not been given false expectations and promises by staff of private dining for 3 months. Now I am in a tail spin at 90 days out to organize something. It has caused me much stress in addition to all the other wedding plans we are trying to organize. THANKS TO ALL. I will let this issue RIP.

 

[DebbieB]

Question...How do they KNOW what reservation you have? If I show up with my sister and her family (8 of us total), how would they know that we are in 2 studios instead of a single 2BR or GV??

DH and I were staying at AKV in November and we went to TOTWL to watch the holiday fireworks. We are going back in October with my sister and her family and plan to take them up there with us for Hallowishes. We will probably be in a 2BR (currently have 2 nights in 2 studios and 3 nights in a 2BR) so we will all be on the same reservation, but how would they even know?

They might be able to tell by the room keys. I don't have one handy to see if says how many people in the room or if they are different for the non-member room.

The reality is they may not care on a slow night. But it would be embarrassing to show up and they turn you down.

 

[kristenrice]

They check your KTTW and your member card.

We didn't have a KTTW card...just a MB. In addition, the KTTW cards don't specify how many people are on the reservation, unless you have a DP.