Towl

[LvsTnk]

It is my favorite thing about staying at BLT. From the fireworks to getting a drink after the family is in bed. The menu changes to stay fresh. It's my 3rd trip since owning (4th overall and I've only owned a few years) and the menu has never been the same. I just wanted do to post to tell anyone who looks for info about it.... Take what you read on the Internet with a grain of salt. I've read so many things about it over the years here on the disboards that are the craziest most rediculous things.... I honestly don't know where it comes from. And some of it comes from longtime disboards.com members that seem to think they are in the know. I've had great service/bartenders everything I've gone up there. Top it off with my favorite beer Ommegang... I honestly don't know why I leave the place. Will everyone be as thrilled as I? No... Everyone is different. But just because it's posted on an Internet blog doesn't make it fact.

It's great you have had such great experiences there I have had them too and some not so good that's why everyone is free to post their experience. You take what you want and use it and discard the rest. But I would hope that everyone keep posting their honest experiences regardless.

It's kind of like the threads that discuss who is entitled to go up and use the lounge. Some say you need your membership card, some say just your MB, personally my magic band didn't work as I was staying at BLT on pts so had to show my card just like I did every other trip. I'm sure some people didn't believe me and that's fine I posted what happened and if someone chooses to go up anyway that's their choice.

I am the type of person that would never waste vacation time doing something I would hope worked out okay. I have personally seen the lounge evolve, some in good ways some bad but I will continue to go just for the view the rest is a bonus.

 

[luckyman_apd]

It's great you have had such great experiences there I have had them too and some not so good that's why everyone is free to post their experience. You take what you want and use it and discard the rest. But I would hope that everyone keep posting their honest experiences regardless.

It's kind of like the threads that discuss who is entitled to go up and use the lounge. Some say you need your membership card, some say just your MB, personally my magic band didn't work as I was staying at BLT on pts so had to show my card just like I did every other trip. I'm sure some people didn't believe me and that's fine I posted what happened and if someone chooses to go up anyway that's their choice.

I am the type of person that would never waste vacation time doing something I would hope worked out okay. I have personally seen the lounge evolve, some in good ways some bad but I will continue to go just for the view the rest is a bonus.

It's stated for anything DVC related you need to show your membership card. Discounts and such. The band's are evolving and a WIP still. They scanned mine to prove I was DVC and staying at BLT last night. Is it always going to work correctly? No. What in life is 100%? But did I have my DVC card just in case? Of course.

4 things I will always carry in Disneyworld.

Photo ID... DVC card... Credit card.. And cellphone.

 

[kristenrice]

I own at AKV but booked a stay at BLT (just for 2 nights) back in 2011, solely for the purpose of checking out TOTWL. I loved it...hated BLT, but that's another story. I was SO excited to see that they opened it to ALL DVC members. Now, I try to make it a point to get up there every trip we take. I love the ability to watch the fireworks among a smaller crowd, then chill in the lounge while the masses exit the MK before we walk over to the bus stop back to our resort. The fact that they accept TIW is icing on the cake! I am so excited to take my sister and her family up there to close out our October trip.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

It is my favorite thing about staying at BLT. From the fireworks to getting a drink after the family is in bed. The menu changes to stay fresh. It's my 3rd trip since owning (4th overall and I've only owned a few years) and the menu has never been the same. I just wanted do to post to tell anyone who looks for info about it.... Take what you read on the Internet with a grain of salt. I've read so many things about it over the years here on the disboards that are the craziest most rediculous things.... I honestly don't know where it comes from. And some of it comes from longtime disboards.com members that seem to think they are in the know. I've had great service/bartenders everything I've gone up there. Top it off with my favorite beer Ommegang... I honestly don't know why I leave the place. Will everyone be as thrilled as I? No... Everyone is different. But just because it's posted on an Internet blog doesn't make it fact.

In fact we all are just posting our opinions and personal experiences on things like this - just as you are. We also have experience some truly slow and poor service at TOTWL - to the point that we ordered less than we otherwise intended because the server either took so long at things or just brought a check instead of inquiring if we wanted another drink or anything else to eat. In our case that has been more the norm but it hasn't been everytime.

So congrats on always having excellent service.

 

[luckyman_apd]

In fact we all are just posting our opinions and personal experiences on things like this - just as you are. We also have experience some truly slow and poor service at TOTWL - to the point that we ordered less than we otherwise intended because the server either took so long at things or just brought a check instead of inquiring if we wanted another drink or anything else to eat. In our case that has been more the norm but it hasn't been everytime.

So congrats on always having excellent service.

I'm not going to imply anything about you personally so don't take offense to this. My only comparison for service is to other Disney restaurants/lounges. I have friends who are NEVER satisfied wherever they go. They always have a complaint from McDonald's to a 5 star resort. So I would never use their opinion to gauge anything. That can be a problem with Internet posts as well. None of us know each other.... And we don't know what others consider "normal" service. All I know is that comparisons should be kept in the Disney realm. Also there are some (and we have all read them here and met them) that think because they spent $ and are at Disney they should be treated like royalty. That always leads to unattainable expectations. I've also seen a few jerks up there and I know if someone was rude to me... I'd be little slower on their service compared to other more polite guests.

My only real motivation for posting was to dispell some myths I've read like CMs being forced to work there and they all hate it... Or they aren't turning a profit and will close.

 

[disneynutz]

My only real motivation for posting was to dispell some myths I've read like CMs being forced to work there and they all hate it... Or they aren't turning a profit and will close.

My post was based on pre-opening to guests not staying at BLT. Service was routinely poor, servers would stand at the service area at the bar and not even come to the table. If you were served, they wouldn't come back and check on you and more than once we had to go up to them to get our check.

I asked one of the CM's why it was so slow and she told me that Disney wanted to close the lounge but they had an agreement with DVD to keep it open while BLT was being sold. She told me that the servers didn't like working there, they were new to Disney and that they didn't make any tips. All of the experienced servers bid on the best tip locations and work there but because they were new, they were assigned BLT. She was hoping to work at an additional location during the day for a couple of hours.

This isn't rumor, this is what I was told by a Disney employee and what I was told matches what I saw and experienced. Business apparently has picked up since opening the lounge to all DVC so that is good.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That can be a problem with Internet posts as well. None of us know each other.....

Absolutely. For example we also don't know who is bowled over by the Disney Magic, just had a drink of kool-aid and is happy watching the Castle for 20 minutes before having a drink order taken and calls it wonderful service. So all opinions - but that's typical of conversations whether on the internet or in person.

Regarding TOTWL viability - I always said that it shouldn't be open only for BLT guests staying on points. I do think that it was probably pretty disappointing to work at then due to the lack of service opportunities. I also did not think there was any reason that it should close - other than because they kept it too restrictive or because DVC/Disney preferred to just rent it out for functions.

On a slightly different note every time I'm up there I'm reminded of the wasted opportunity to have a venue very similar to Cali Grill albeit smaller. It's a little crazy to have that large of deck area that is really only used for 15 minutes a night and which interrupts the direct views from the lounge towards the MK.

 

[luckyman_apd]

Maybe some of you can help me out. When you use the term "bowled" over by the Disney magic.... I feel you are implying that you have... For lack of a better term... Seen behind the curtain. Are you that disappointed in your ownership? Many of you have owned far longer than I have. But I've traveled enough in recent years to not be a Disney newbie and I'm never caught up in the Magic to lose my wits. I know exactly what I've bought (and I credit some of that to the members posts on the disboards who've answered my questions along the way. I get a feeling that many of you aren't really happy when the it or expect something else maybe? I don't know. And I don't have hundreds of points or 4 or 5 resort ownerships. I just know that my numerous experiences at the TOWL have been nothing like what I've read on here. Every time someone new has a question.... Boom there is a negative post about it from the days when it opened. Correct me if I'm wrong but that was 5 years now wasn't it? Not trying to insult anyone but a lot can happen in five years... And maybe did happen. I wouldn't know... I wasn't up there 5 years ago. But I was there last summer... And December.. And this week, and I my recent experiences are/have been nothing like I've read.

 

[jerseygal]

Will be the first time at the lounge!

SO EXCITED to hear the music and see the fireworks from the lounge!

So happy that they opened it up to all DVC members!

 

[LvsTnk]

It's stated for anything DVC related you need to show your membership card. Discounts and such. The band's are evolving and a WIP still. They scanned mine to prove I was DVC and staying at BLT last night. Is it always going to work correctly? No. What in life is 100%? But did I have my DVC card just in case? Of course.

4 things I will always carry in Disneyworld.

Photo ID... DVC card... Credit card.. And cellphone.

Haha that's just it post your "own"experience and move on. About half the people on this thread believed you didn't need a member card because on that particular night for whatever the circumstance they weren't asked for one. Whose experience is true? Probably both. So the point being if you want to take a chance because you believed the posts that said you don't need a member card then that is your choice. That's what forums are for.

Honestly I think the veterans with lots of posts, points, and trips are most likely spot on but maybe it's the bluntness that your having a problem with its just their experience. I think it's awesome that your getting amazing service and are able to enjoy the lounge so much but that doesn't mean others experiences are less true or that your next trip up may not be as it was last time. I more like to hear how everyone dealt with a bad experience so I know what to do if it should happen to me.

 

[AirGoofy]

My post was based on pre-opening to guests not staying at BLT. Service was routinely poor, servers would stand at the service area at the bar and not even come to the table. If you were served, they wouldn't come back and check on you and more than once we had to go up to them to get our check.

I : Bill

I've been to TOTWL several times when it was only open to DVC members staying at BLT. And, we've been up once or twice since that restriction was lifted. The service was always terrible.

. But I've traveled enough in recent years to not be a Disney newbie and I'm never caught up in the Magic to lose my wits. Correct me if I'm wrong but that was 5 years now wasn't it? Not trying to insult anyone but a lot can happen in five years... And maybe did happen. I wouldn't know... I wasn't up there 5 years ago. But I was there last summer... And December.. And this week, and I my recent experiences are/have been nothing like I've read.

BLT is my favorite DVC resort. When I think of WDW, I think of MK and Cinderella's castle. The magic is still real for me. And, I would plan to end most every day at the TOTWL, watching Wishes (or better yet Hallowishes). I agree that it is a great place. I've just had terrible service each time I've went, but I keep going back. It is magical to me.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney and people, there's something for everyone and we all have our own experiences, likes, and dislikes.

That's why personal experience is the only way to decide on your favorite resort, where to buy, where to stay, and when to stay.

I see all of our posts as a guide, final vote is up to the individual.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Maybe some of you can help me out. When you use the term "bowled" over by the Disney magic.... I feel you are implying that you have... For lack of a better term... Seen behind the curtain. Are you that disappointed in your ownership? Many of you have owned far longer than I have. But I've traveled enough in recent years to not be a Disney newbie and I'm never caught up in the Magic to lose my wits. I know exactly what I've bought (and I credit some of that to the members posts on the disboards who've answered my questions along the way. I get a feeling that many of you aren't really happy when the it or expect something else maybe? I don't know. And I don't have hundreds of points or 4 or 5 resort ownerships. I just know that my numerous experiences at the TOWL have been nothing like what I've read on here. Every time someone new has a question.... Boom there is a negative post about it from the days when it opened. Correct me if I'm wrong but that was 5 years now wasn't it? Not trying to insult anyone but a lot can happen in five years... And maybe did happen. I wouldn't know... I wasn't up there 5 years ago. But I was there last summer... And December.. And this week, and I my recent experiences are/have been nothing like I've read.

My input since I mentioned the magic - my use of it was a way to point out that the opposite of your thoughts that some people can see no positives - but usually it's somewhere in between. Even tables sitting side by side can have varying experiences depending on numerous factors. No where has anybody said that you can't possibly have had very good experiences there - I still say that's great. But it also does not mean that the reports of less than great service are any less valid. It also doesn't hurt for others to know that they may not have been the only one with poor service - or vice versa - with great service. From what I've seen personally I think it's possibly improving but needs more consistency.

None of us may be qualified to run WDW or even TOTWL but we all are qualified to have opinions and to share experiences - we're all consuming the product - and that's all that's going on. Where it gets tricky is assuming that your experience applies to all - and trying to convince that it does. I don't know that it's even necessary to lay out the timeline of things either but it seems like are asking so I'll share that we still were having poor and so-so experiences last year in both May and Dec so not just referring to when it opened. But also had adequate to good service in May and Oct.