TOWL Update

[JennG]

I agree, it was given as a "perk" to buying at BLT and when we stayed there and visited the lounge we bought drinks and food, so I am not a fan of the extension. That being said though, what good is the lounge if it is closed because no one is visiting or spending any money. So if they have to do this I guess it is better than losing it.

I'm with both of you as is DH. As soon as I told him about the extension, he was furious. I mean, we paid the $ to be there, and the points there are so much more, we should be able to get the additional privilege of having that to ourselves. Ok....done with my vent....please no flames

 

[disneynutz]

I'm with both of you as is DH. As soon as I told him about the extension, he was furious. I mean, we paid the $ to be there, and the points there are so much more, we should be able to get the additional privilege of having that to ourselves. Ok....done with my vent....please no flames

The perk was available to anyone staying on points at BLT, not just owners.

Some perks are paid for buy the resorts DVC owners and others get to take advantage of them like TOTWL and AKV Club Level. It doesn't seem fair but that's the way it is.

Bill

 

[Maximus68]

The perk was available to anyone staying on points at BLT, not just owners.

Some perks are paid for buy the resorts DVC owners and others get to take advantage of them like TOTWL and AKV Club Level. It doesn't seem fair but that's the way it is.

Bill

No. It is and it should be just for BLT owners. I was up there last night. People come in, spend no money, watch and leave. What is the point? One drink minimum or get out. You are in WDW. Are you going to try and start to save money?
I don't get it. Buy points like I did. They extended it to Dec. 29th. End it already. Sorry fellow dvc'ers I am not for it.

 

[Maximus68]

We watched Wishes from there in December....I was a little disappointed, I guess because I've always seen it from the FRONT of the Castle. At the TOWL, you see the fireworks going off from different locations behind the castle, and it just looks "off".

So I guess you won't be back.

 

[Maximus68]

I'm probably going to be the only person not happy about the extension. We're staying at BLT for a week in November and over my past 2 stays, I've loved going up to the TOTWL for a quiet relax after a day in the parks. It really doesn't seem like the staff can cope at the moment with the increased custom and I don't want to have to feel like I've got to get there really early so that I can get a seat. I don't mind it being open to all on say certain nights but I do think that some nights should just be reserved for BLT guests - ultimately that's what our guide billed it as when we bought at BLT. Having said all that, I was a little worried it might go altogether so I'd rather have the extension than that happen.

I am here now and I am with you. I AM NOT FOR THE EXTENSION.

 

[MouseMomx2]

No. It is and it should be just for BLT owners. I was up there last night. People come in, spend no money, watch and leave. What is the point? One drink minimum or get out. You are in WDW. Are you going to try and start to save money?
I don't get it. Buy points like I did. They extended it to Dec. 29th. End it already. Sorry fellow dvc'ers I am not for it.

It was never for BLT owners. It has always been for any DVC member staying at BLT on points. We have stayed at BLT twice and were allowed up to the TOWL even though we don't own there.

I understand those of you who want to keep it as it originally was, but you have to understand that allowing other members access will probably save the lounge. It just wasn't generating a lot of income. Would you rather have it as it is now or not at all, because I completely believe those are the only two options.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We will be at AKV in early December. We have done the TOWL twice (in eight total nights of staying at BLT) and spent money there both times. There is nothing about that place that makes me want go there again.....ever. Even with our eight night stay in December, I would rather devote an extra evening to the Osborne lights or DTD before I would go through the hassle of trying to get to TOWL for the crummy firework viewing, crummy food, and marginal customer service. If and when we stay at BLT again, I don't know if I would make an effort to set aside time for the TOWL. To all the disappointed BLT owners.....you can have the place, as far as I am concerned.

 

[disneynutz]

It was never for BLT owners. It has always been for any DVC member staying at BLT on points. We have stayed at BLT twice and were allowed up to the TOWL even though we don't own there.

I understand those of you who want to keep it as it originally was, but you have to understand that allowing other members access will probably save the lounge. It just wasn't generating a lot of income. Would you rather have it as it is now or not at all, because I completely believe those are the only two options.

I don't think that it will make enough money for the lounge to stay open. Modifying the access restrictions resulted in more people going there to watch the fireworks but they still aren't hanging out there and spending money.

Bill

 

[CarolAnnC]

It was never for BLT owners. It has always been for any DVC member staying at BLT on points. We have stayed at BLT twice and were allowed up to the TOWL even though we don't own there.

I understand those of you who want to keep it as it originally was, but you have to understand that allowing other members access will probably save the lounge. It just wasn't generating a lot of income. Would you rather have it as it is now or not at all, because I completely believe those are the only two options.

Very true and some good points are made here. It could very well go the way of The Attic at BWV (private functions only).

The only thing we are "guaranteed" as DVC owners is to receive accommodations in the resorts we purchased at. Anything else is subject to change.

 

[Scraper]

seems like your nice, quiet evenings, to have the lounge to yourselves, didn't quite make it for the staff.

you folks want something to be exclusive, you should purchase drinks and tip accordingly.

I am thinking this lounge will (sooner rather than later) , re rented out to private parties, enjoy it while you can.

OMG private parties!

 

[patsal]

BLT owners need to think about what happened at SSR...built a fireworks viewing gazebo for PI and talked up how easy getting back to the resort after a night at PI would be...oops no more fireworks and no more PI....

 

[Lil' Grumpy]

well, we're blt owners, & we're not worry about mk disappearing.

some seem anger or envious? either way, i don't think they are
going to take something away after they gave this area to
blt/dvc owners.

since they handed it off, maybe they should seek blt owners
input on deciding what they should/can do.

i thought dvc opening it up to dvc owners was a step in the
right direction. but i am expecting them to enforce the rules
about parking....not just having a rule against it. ( this could
easily be addressed by requiring cars to have their "passes-
with current dates" in the window. if not then haul the cars
away...& with "check in" moved there, they could make
the rounds when not busy.)

many seem to think it's all about making money.

easily accomplish with some better management....the area is
prime choice. add those umbrella tables & sale p.-basket meals,
so dvc families could reserve ahead of time. the lounge should
be change to an ice cream shop. no bar tender needed.

then to fill the rest in, continue to permit blt guests up for the
fireworks.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney transfered the ownership, maintenance and expenses of the commercial area of the 18th floor to BLT owners because it saved THEM money to do so. IMO that move was a prelude to closing the lounge. Disney doesn't want expenses from a closed lounge that they will only use for special events and parties.

The lounge and TOTW was used heavily in the advertising for selling BLT, we were taken up there a couple of times buy Guides before we bought. The lounge is run by the same people at Disney that run all of the restaurants and bars. Either they make money or they get closed. My guess is that the lounge stayed open this long due to an agreement during the selling phase at BLT.

Just this week Disney announced that the Turf Club at SSR will only be open for dinner. Another change at a DVC resort because it wasn't making enough money.

Bill

 

[nebo]

more food offerings is a good idea. the lounge won't make any money on ice cream only, though (unless there are Ice cream Brandy Alexanders and Grasshoppers!)

even tho I don't have a horse in this race, (I am not a DVC owner, and the one time we were allowed up to TOWL when we stayed at BLT on points, we weren't that impressed, don't care to go again) I think it was a good idea (JMHO) to open it up to all DVC members.

If that doesn't work, I hope for the sake of BLT owners that they would open it up to anyone staying at BLT, rather than lose it completely.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I'm with both of you as is DH. As soon as I told him about the extension, he was furious. I mean, we paid the $ to be there, and the points there are so much more, we should be able to get the additional privilege of having that to ourselves. Ok....done with my vent....please no flames

The points are so much more, because it's a brand new resort, inflation, location, and it's a longer contract...not because of the TOTW lounge. I'd be grateful for the other DVC members going there and supporting it, otherwise it may close.

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

No. It is and it should be just for BLT owners. I was up there last night. People come in, spend no money, watch and leave. What is the point? One drink minimum or get out. You are in WDW. Are you going to try and start to save money?
I don't get it. Buy points like I did. They extended it to Dec. 29th. End it already. Sorry fellow dvc'ers I am not for it.

So I suppose that Storm-along Bay should also be just for Beach Club owners, and not anyone staying on points?

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

So I guess you won't be back.

Ding, ding, ding......you guessed right! Though it's not based solely on TOWL, we didn't care for the small rooms and several other issues. I would never base where I want to buy, solely on one "perk". The only true perks, we liked, that can't be taken away from there are 1. The proximity to MK and 2. Being a monorail resort.

We're hoping we like the new GF Resort enough to enjoy those perks in the future! Besides that, every one we've bought was strictly for location and holiday availability. We bought BWV because we like to go to Food & Wine every Oct. We bought WLV so we can spend Christmas-time at the most awesome place for the holiday season, and we bought at Vero Beach, because, what is cooler than having a DVC by the ocean (plus, it gives us an alternative place to stay when we visit my inlaws who live just a few miles away)?

 

[Scrappy_Tink]

I don't think that it will make enough money for the lounge to stay open. Modifying the access restrictions resulted in more people going there to watch the fireworks but they still aren't hanging out there and spending money.

Bill

I truly believe that's because the service sucks so bad and if that's corrected they could make enough revenue to keep it open. When we were there in Dec, I waited almost 10 minutes to order a drink, and got ignored....they weren't that busy. Result: I didn't get two drinks (one for me, one for DH), and lost $$. How can they NOT know their lack of service is an issue?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Just this week Disney announced that the Turf Club at SSR will only be open for dinner. Another change at a DVC resort because it wasn't making enough money.

Bill

WHAT???? Turf Club is going to be dinner only???? That's one of our favorite places! Dang.

 

[vicki_c]

So I suppose that Storm-along Bay should also be just for Beach Club owners, and not anyone staying on points?

Well SAB belongs to the hotel really, since it was there first. But anyway, it is restricted only to those staying at those resorts, DVC members can't hop there, so I didn't really understand what you said.