TOWL guests??

[rlovew]

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.

I have been up to the TOWL with traveling parties that included people who were and were not owners staying at various resorts. The last time I did this was the Monday prior to Thanksgiving. The CMs working the desk for the TOWL told us that as long as a DVC member was accompanying the group up we would be fine. I know that on a previous meet up at TOWL we had someone going with us but not on our reservation order a custom cake for the group and she just needed to use the reservation number for the party staying as DVC members at BLT to do this. So while the phone CMs may say otherwise my experience has been that unless it is a very busy night or just before fireworks your whole party should be able to go up with you (especially if you have more than 1 DVC member card within the group).

Just giving you a prospective from someone who has done it. If you plan to do this and plan to get there at least 2 hours before fireworks I can't believe you would have a problem any time in April.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I have been up to the TOWL with traveling parties that included people who were and were not owners staying at various resorts. The last time I did this was the Monday prior to Thanksgiving. The CMs working the desk for the TOWL told us that as long as a DVC member was accompanying the group up we would be fine. I know that on a previous meet up at TOWL we had someone going with us but not on our reservation order a custom cake for the group and she just needed to use the reservation number for the party staying as DVC members at BLT to do this. So while the phone CMs may say otherwise my experience has been that unless it is a very busy night or just before fireworks your whole party should be able to go up with you (especially if you have more than 1 DVC member card within the group).

Just giving you a prospective from someone who has done it. If you plan to do this and plan to get there at least 2 hours before fireworks I can't believe you would have a problem any time in April.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
I know I have read of people doing this. And I've seen friends of mine posting on Facebook too who were taken up there and staying off property actually. I could not believe the amount of different stories they told us. Between the 15 people or so, at least 4 of us have DVC Member cards. I am going to have my 2 bedroom villa as a backup. I will get an offsite caterer and then see if we can go upstairs for cocktails and fireworks. If not, we will all watch fireworks from our room and they will lose our cocktail consumption tab. I'm staying positive and trying to de-stress over what the CM's and DVC MS has been putting me through.
THANKS!!!!

 

[kristenrice]

My guess is that there is the "official" policy that they can fall back on if the lounge is particularly busy or near capacity. It is a well-kept secret so I doubt there is a huge demand or rush to visit. We were there on Veteran's Day weekend (not a super slow time, but certainly not peak) and there were probably less than 100 people watching the fireworks. The lounge had probably about 30 people in it before and afterwards.

On one hand, it is the intimacy and exclusivity of it that I love. On the other hand, if it is too exclusive, it won't make enough money to justify it and I would hate to see it close. Unless you are talking about going up for NYE or July 4 fireworks (blackout dates for non-resort members, I believe), then I don't see a reason to turn someone away. I assume that if it starts to reach capacity, they may be more inclined to enforce the official policy.

 

[MiaSRN62]

My guess is that there is the "official" policy that they can fall back on if the lounge is particularly busy or near capacity. It is a well-kept secret so I doubt there is a huge demand or rush to visit. We were there on Veteran's Day weekend (not a super slow time, but certainly not peak) and there were probably less than 100 people watching the fireworks. The lounge had probably about 30 people in it before and afterwards.

On one hand, it is the intimacy and exclusivity of it that I love. On the other hand, if it is too exclusive, it won't make enough money to justify it and I would hate to see it close. Unless you are talking about going up for NYE or July 4 fireworks (blackout dates for non-resort members, I believe), then I don't see a reason to turn someone away. I assume that if it starts to reach capacity, they may be more inclined to enforce the official policy.

Exactly. I'm looking at a lower crowd day of Wed April 2. If anything, I think we'd make the bartenders night with the business we would provide. To turn me away for such petty reasons. I could see if they told me "you could be turned away if the lounge is full with Members". Been up there 3x. Usually crickets can be heard. I don't get their reasoning of turning away business. But I have to accept it as the rules (as irrational as they may appear to me).

 

[rlovew]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!
I know I have read of people doing this. And I've seen friends of mine posting on Facebook too who were taken up there and staying off property actually. I could not believe the amount of different stories they told us. Between the 15 people or so, at least 4 of us have DVC Member cards. I am going to have my 2 bedroom villa as a backup. I will get an offsite caterer and then see if we can go upstairs for cocktails and fireworks. If not, we will all watch fireworks from our room and they will lose our cocktail consumption tab. I'm staying positive and trying to de-stress over what the CM's and DVC MS has been putting me through.
THANKS!!!!

The last time we were doing this, the DVC members staying at BLT asked a couple of days ahead of time and they were assured it would not be a problem. If you will be there a day or 2 ahead of time you can ask if you wish.

 

[Dean]

The rule is that it's the member and those staying in their villa that are allowed and it must be booked with points. Disney is nothing if not inconsistent. You could add them to your reservation. The other issue is that parking is not technically allowed though enforcement there has been hit or miss as well. This is the type of usage that will lead to the option being removed in all likelihood if it happens very often. I wonder if one couldn't just rent it or some other similar location for the group as indicated above.

 

[yitbos96bb]

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.

Interesting... Last time I went I brought a friend of mine up there who lives local. In practice anyway, they checked for one ID and let the party go up. That may have changed as it was last Dec during Xmas week.

 

[yitbos96bb]

The rule is that it's the member and those staying in their villa that are allowed and it must be booked with points. Disney is nothing if not inconsistent. You could add them to your reservation. The other issue is that parking is not technically allowed though enforcement there has been hit or miss as well. This is the type of usage that will lead to the option being removed in all likelihood if it happens very often. I wonder if one couldn't just rent it or some other similar location for the group as indicated above.

Yeah but before they started allowing all DVC members how often was the lounge super busy? Fireworks time sure but in the 6 times I've gone I've never seen it jammed packed. Even over Christmas. I thought Cali was busier for fireworks than TOWL was.

 

[disneynutz]

There is a written policy but like all things Disney, it's up to the CM guarding the door.

DVC made the rules but Disney leases the lounge from the DVC and keeps the money that they make so they would love to sell you something.

If Private Dining told you that you can go up then use them for access, or that your chances at the door.

We had to go back to our room last year because DW didn't have her room key with her, I had mine but it wasn't enough for access.

Bill

 

[WMorganS]

FYI, When we went up this past Sep, the CM checked all our cards. An owner had to be present AND everyone had to be in that owner's room.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I appreciate everyone's input and I can understand limiting people if it looks like it's getting a bit busy. I have been up there 3x now since owning at BLT and never was there more than 12-15 people tops. One time there were only 4 other people besides my husband and I and this was for firework viewing time. I think Disney is choosing to lose revenue in these situations of scrutinizing. But that is their decision and I have no say. And to rlovew....we will be there a few days ahead of time. If I choose to have guests over to my room, where do they park? I will probably have to get this all ironed out with security.

Certainly DVC Members entertain in their villas? How are guests at other resorts handled? I guess if I have to drive around and pick everyone up I will.

 

[Dean]

Yeah but before they started allowing all DVC members how often was the lounge super busy? Fireworks time sure but in the 6 times I've gone I've never seen it jammed packed. Even over Christmas. I thought Cali was busier for fireworks than TOWL was.

My point was there's a balance and this is the type of attempted usage that has the potential to limit or remove the perk, esp if it ends up conflicting on a busier night or there are complaints. However, that's not the responsibility of the OP and I have no issue them doing as planned if allowed. Just like I think walking is wrong but it's currently allowed so I'm not upset with anyone who does it and I think it will be removed at some point.

 

[jagson]

simple, but shady solution--put yourself, as a DVC member, on each reservation that you book, with your points, for your guests. That way you'll have a card for each room you book, with your name on it, which should allow you to bring guests staying with you. Just present all your keys to CM at TOWL when you go.
Is that possible, or is there some fine print preventing that?

 

[rlovew]

I appreciate everyone's input and I can understand limiting people if it looks like it's getting a bit busy. I have been up there 3x now since owning at BLT and never was there more than 12-15 people tops. One time there were only 4 other people besides my husband and I and this was for firework viewing time. I think Disney is choosing to lose revenue in these situations of scrutinizing. But that is their decision and I have no say. And to rlovew....we will be there a few days ahead of time. If I choose to have guests over to my room, where do they park? I will probably have to get this all ironed out with security.

Certainly DVC Members entertain in their villas? How are guests at other resorts handled? I guess if I have to drive around and pick everyone up I will.

When we have visited friends staying at BLT towers we give there name and room number to the gate guard when we drive in and have had no problem being allowed to park. If you were trying to do this at a busy time of year there might be a different answer but on a regular day that is all we have done.

 

[MelissaTnNc]

In sept of 2012 we were staying off site (family of 5) and our friends (family of 3) who are owners were staying in a 2 bedroom villa at BLT. Everyday during their stay, we checked in at the front gate and gave the members name and room number and we were shown where parking was located and allowed to park. We also joined them at the lounge, where one of them showed their KTTW card at the elevator check in.

 

[Deb & Bill]

simple, but shady solution--put yourself, as a DVC member, on each reservation that you book, with your points, for your guests. That way you'll have a card for each room you book, with your name on it, which should allow you to bring guests staying with you. Just present all your keys to CM at TOWL when you go.
Is that possible, or is there some fine print preventing that?

You can't have your name on more than one reservation at one time.

When we have visited friends staying at BLT towers we give there name and room number to the gate guard when we drive in and have had no problem being allowed to park. If you were trying to do this at a busy time of year there might be a different answer but on a regular day that is all we have done.

But DVC has instructed members not to park at BLT and to use Disney transportation to visit the TOTWL.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You can't have your name on more than one reservation at one time.

That hasn't been true for 2-3 years now. We've done it without question. Back in 2008 - big scrutiny. Now - none. I am curious what happens now with MB's and all that - could be interesting.

 

[WMorganS]

That hasn't been true for 2-3 years now. We've done it without question. Back in 2008 - big scrutiny. Now - none. I am curious what happens now with MB's and all that - could be interesting.

It must have something to do with how you make the res, because in my experience Deb & Bill are right. One time, I had to pull myself off a res in order to make another, but another time I had no problem.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It must have something to do with how you make the res, because in my experience Deb & Bill are right. One time, I had to pull myself off a res in order to make another, but another time I had no problem.

Nothing special I know of. When booking online I virtually always just book the rooms in my name first and then later add whomever will be staying in what room. And if I did it calling I just gave my name with others. Just to quantify I know for certain I've done this at least 4 times but think it's probably even been 6 or 7 times. Twice to allow family members who were staying in different rooms to also be able to join us at another resort (BCV) or access to AKV concierge. Never a boo about it since the 2009 or 2010 time frame. One time when calling in a CM did notice I had 2 room under my name but it was just to clarify that I was aware of that and nothing more said.

 

[Dean]

It must have something to do with how you make the res, because in my experience Deb & Bill are right. One time, I had to pull myself off a res in order to make another, but another time I had no problem.

As I understand it Disney does not want a person on more than one reservation at a time. From what I've seen you can actually be listed on more than one but just not the lead person on more than one reservation.