Would you allow others to join you at BLT Top of the World Lounge

[TDC Nala]

At any rate I'll be taking my friends up if I'm staying there by myself. I can walk over to the Contemporary and have them put on my reservation. I don't see on the rule that they actually have to spend the night.

It was rather nice that I didn't actually have to take that walk though.

 

[ssawka]

At any rate I'll be taking my friends up if I'm staying there by myself. I can walk over to the Contemporary and have them put on my reservation. I don't see on the rule that they actually have to spend the night.

It was rather nice that I didn't actually have to take that walk though.

Yes, adding guests to your room is no big deal provided you are not at room capacity and are not on the DDP.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes, adding guests to your room is no big deal provided you are not at room capacity and are not on the DDP.

And that's what we did last month. We had a couple from home stopping by to visit with us while we were at BLT. There were three of us staying there..myself, dh and dd (16). I added the dh of the couple to our room reservation and then just gave his wife my dd's room key to use if need be. I wasn't asked for anyone else's roomkey, just mine.
Now, this being said...it would be nice if anyone staying at BLT was able to access the ToTW. It would be nice if it weren't just for members...and yes, I own DVC so I can go there. If they didn't want to turn it into a public lounge then why not make it for anyone with a blue DMV member card? But as it stands right now, it's empty up there much of the time. And that's not good for the bottom line.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...
Now, this being said...it would be nice if anyone staying at BLT was able to access the ToTW. It would be nice if it weren't just for members...and yes, I own DVC so I can go there. If they didn't want to turn it into a public lounge then why not make it for anyone with a blue DMV member card? But as it stands right now, it's empty up there much of the time. And that's not good for the bottom line.

I'd like them to make it available to DVC members staying on the property with a maximum number of guests permitted.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Just curious, is this rule stated at the entrance of the lounge? I think, that is the key here because I don't read everything in my manuals & online at the DVC member site. I also wonder what the sign says. I just can't imagine anyone getting turned away unless there is sign there. I did not know it was a rule that you could not bring guests with that are not staying with you at BLT. For us this is a huge bummer. We never have friends going to WDW at the same time as us (we live in California). Next year we are going with a group of people on the cruise and at the park. It would have been nice to invite them up to the lounge. I guess, we'll just invite them to our room and we can see the fireworks from there since we have MK view.

But I'm with those that say if the lounge is empty all the time, I can't imagine this is doing well for our "dues". I can only imagine how much extra we are paying and wasting to have staff and overhead up there wasting away. And, the above situation they just loss some business because we would have bought snacks and drinks while we were sitting up there. Now, we'll just use our grocery bought items in our room.

 

[Alan_BLT_2009]

The following tread sparked my curiosity about whether you have, would, never have, or never would invite friends to join you at the Bay Lake Tower Top of the World Lounge (assuming you are staying there but they are not).

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2561822

What are your feelings on this matter?

I read the poll question as should we be able to bring guest to the TOTWL. Instead of, would I break a rule. Therefore, I selected I would like to bring guests to the TOTWL, assuming the rules would allow it.

 

[tjkraz]

Just curious, is this rule stated at the entrance of the lounge? I think, that is the key here because I don't read everything in my manuals & online at the DVC member site. I also wonder what the sign says. I just can't imagine anyone getting turned away unless there is sign there. I did not know it was a rule that you could not bring guests with that are not staying with you at BLT.

Many DVC rules and perks are not cited publicly within the resorts themselves. Here is the lounge access rule from the member website:

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.

But I'm with those that say if the lounge is empty all the time, I can't imagine this is doing well for our "dues". I can only imagine how much extra we are paying and wasting to have staff and overhead up there wasting away.

Member dues do not fund the lounge. It is not part of the structure owned by dvc members. Currently DVD is funding operations of the lounge.

 

[daisyduck123]

I haven't voted....yet, anyway. I'm thinking maybe it should just be for DVC members staying anywhere on property.

We stayed at BLT in July.

We were eating appetizers in the TOTWL one evening (6pm or so) and chatting with the bartender. We mentioned how we were heading over to the Poly to visit friends after dining, & would be back later to see the fireworks. (I'm not sure if we'd even mentioned that these friends are DVC members). The bartender must've said at least three times to bring our friends back with us for the fireworks. Finally, I pulled out my cell, gave them a call to let them know we were on our way to the Poly, & mentioned that the bartender said they should come over later.

(Our friends ended up not coming back with us ...too tired that night).

 

[yitbos96bb]

Well, the rule right now says DVC members staying at BLT and the guests staying with them at BLT. So that's what we would do.

But if they changed the rule, we'd follow the revised rule.

Interesting... because the one time I stayed, I specifically asked the cast member said as long as WE were staying, an outside guest was welcome to join us in the lounge.

Seems like Disney doesn't even know the correct rules.

 

[disneynutz]

DW and I were staying at BLT last December and we were told that each guest had to have their own card to be allowed access.

We had to go back to our room to get DW's KTTW card. The TOTW had 8 other guests and 3 CM's so it wasn't a occupancy issue.

Bill

 

[ssawka]

Interesting... because the one time I stayed, I specifically asked the cast member said as long as WE were staying, an outside guest was welcome to join us in the lounge.

Seems like Disney doesn't even know the correct rules.

I really think it depends on the time of year. I think Disney chooses to ignore their own rules at times if it means more money in their pockets. I reall think this how it should be, like pool hopping. If it's a slow period, allow anyone up there. If it is peak season, and the lounge is getting full, then restrict it.

 

[deej696]

I've taken guests to the lounge 3 of the 4 visits we've made. Given how empty the lounge usually is, I think its in their best interest to allow guests. Every time I've gone, the vast majority aren't spending a dime in the lounge, and naturally as soon as the fireworks are over the place is empty. If the guests can't find a way to sustain it as is, then Disney will find another way to better utilize the space, i.e. renting it out like The Attic...