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Top of the World Lounge

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(@tundramom)
Posts: 56
Cast Member Trainee
Topic starter
 

We are going 5/9-5/16 and have never been to the lounge atop Bay Lake Towers. I was wondering whether this is worth a look. We are not bar types, so I was thinking more Fireworks viewing, any thoughts?


May'98-WL
Sept'01-POFQ
Oct'03-ASM
Aug'04-CBR & Charley
Dec'05- WL-Joined DVC
June'06- DL's Grand Californian
Nov '06 SSR
Oct '07 SSR with extended family
Oct '08 Disney Wonder/OKW
Nov '09 AKV @ Kidani
Nov '10 Kidani
Nov '11 VWL
May-June 13 Kidani
Feb-March '14 SSR

 
Posted : March 7, 2015 2:44 pm
faline
(@faline)
Posts: 2935
Staff Member Moderator
 

It's a decent place from which to view the fireworks. To get a good look, though, you really need to go outside the lounge area to see the fireworks.

This spot serves flatbreads and sliders among other snacky types of food.


Linda aka: Faline
INTERCOT Staff: Vacation Planning,Trip Reports and Disney Camping
faline@intercot.com

 
Posted : March 7, 2015 4:06 pm
(@Disney4us2)
Posts: 564
Senior Cast Member
 

I'm not a bar person either. Love that lounge and it is a nice view of the fireworks from outside.


Marci

Many visits. Live 20 minutes from the parks.
Work at Universal Studios in Diagon Alley. Ollivanders/ wand magic.

 
Posted : March 7, 2015 4:39 pm
(@dlpmikki)
Posts: 626
Staff Member Moderator
 

We have enjoyed going there. It has some lovely views (they pipe the music) and the bar itself has some nice paintings, chandeliers etc that are worth a look.


Mikki
INTERCOT staff - DVC, Characters, Collectibles and Games

2017 Feb WDW Festival of Art and hopefully winter sunshine
2017 Aug Disneyland bound

 
Posted : March 7, 2015 5:39 pm
(@DVC Mike)
Posts: 244
Cast Member
 

I was there last night for a meet with some other DVC members. I like it.


DVC Mike

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 6:43 am
(@john)
Posts: 1988
Founder & Chief Imagination Officer Admin
 

So, you might want to check to see who this perk is still being offered to.

When I was there last month, we were told you needed to be staying at a Disney DVC property on points or cash in order to go up. Standard Disney resorts did not apply.

So, if you are a DVC member like I was who just so happened to be at Beach Club but not the DVC portion on cash, I wasn't allowed up.

Now last year, simply being a dvc member and showing my ID got me up with no problem (I was staying on property - but not at a DVC resort).

I honestly don't know why they don't allow all DVC members who are staying at a Disney Resort to use it as a perk of membership. If they want to block out busy times of the year, fine - but it's rarely super crowded up there and the times they ARE at capacity, they could enforce the DVC Resort Only rule.

Just seems stupid to me.


INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 11:33 am
(@vwl-mom)
Posts: 2541
Staff Member Moderator
 

John, looks like the CM was misinformed.

This is from MS

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, 2015 (blockout dates apply. Including but not limited to 12/30/14, 12/31/14, 7/3/15, and 7/4/15). Current operating hours are 6 p.m. to midnight.


- Lynn -
INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 11:46 am
(@john)
Posts: 1988
Founder & Chief Imagination Officer Admin
 

VWL Mom;2449465 wrote: John, looks like the CM was misinformed.

This is from MS

When did you pull that. I specifically called and asked and they were very specific about it being a DVC resort with points or cash. Also Christine was turned away... I will leave her to comment.


INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 12:07 pm
(@vwl-mom)
Posts: 2541
Staff Member Moderator
 

John;2449474 wrote: When did you pull that. I specifically called and asked and they were very specific about it being a DVC resort with points or cash. Also Christine was turned away... I will leave her to comment.

I just did it now, it's also listed on the January - December 2015 Portable Perks sheet.


- Lynn -
INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 12:43 pm
(@john)
Posts: 1988
Founder & Chief Imagination Officer Admin
 

VWL Mom;2449477 wrote: I just did it now, it's also listed on the January - December 2015 Portable Perks sheet.

Why am I not shocked - as usual that one hand doesn't know what the other hand is doing. Kind of makes me mad because I would have gone there but skipped it because of the answer I got on the official DVC member phone line. Mad


INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 1:17 pm
(@dlpmikki)
Posts: 626
Staff Member Moderator
 

In the old days if I was unsure about something I used to ring member services. Nowdays I check with Intercottees who know more than the cast members most often. Nice to have the option but frustrating that you can't trust what you are told by member services.


Mikki
INTERCOT staff - DVC, Characters, Collectibles and Games

2017 Feb WDW Festival of Art and hopefully winter sunshine
2017 Aug Disneyland bound

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 2:29 pm
(@SBETigg)
Posts: 576
Senior Cast Member
 

Just back from our first stay as DVC members. We bought at BLT, but we stayed at an AKL Kidani 1 BR villa. We spent two lovely evenings at Top of the World Lounge, no problems getting up. Just showed our card and they directed us to the elevator attendant.

It's a very comfortable lounge, lots of tables, not too much of a nightclubby/bar atmosphere (though of course there is a bar and alcohol served). They do have some snack foods (sliders, warm soft pretzels, etc) and lots of non-alcoholic drinks on the cocktail menu, too.

It started crowding up about an hour before fireworks and got crazy crowded about a half hour before fireworks. If you want a snack or beverage before fireworks, I recommend getting there with plenty of time to spare. You can leave your snack or drink to go outside when the time comes and come back to it. The views are spectacular, plenty of viewing space outside, and even nice when it's not fireworks time. You can also catch some of Illuminations fireworks from one side. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, even when overrun with orders in that half hour before fireworks.


Sherri
Next: Aulani Celebration 10/2018 (50th)
Past Stays: Contemporary, GF, Poly, BC, POP, POR, Dolphin, AKL Kidani, BLT
1990 August Honeymoon- GF
Delighted Disney Return Guest since 1981, DVC (BLT) since 2014

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 2:37 pm
(@Christine)
Posts: 180
Cast Member
 

I was indeed turned away. Had a printout from MS website and the CM at BLT said "look lady, if you're not staying on points, you're not coming up! "
Now about 5 other times I have been allowed up with that printout & my member card.
it depends on the CM. I'm done with it. If they want it exclusive to members only staying on points, that's fine. But when I do stay on points, I won't bother going. It's silly. This isn't club 33!!


INTERCOT Staff-
Nightlife, Shops, Water Parks/DCL/runDisney

DVC owner- BLT, Alauni, SSR, Vero, OKW

Next:

Oct- WLV
Nov- Vero
Dec- BWV
Jan- SSR runICOT WEEKEND!
Feb- Poly
Mar- Disney Wonder
Apr- AKL Kidani
May- Vero
Sept- BLT

 
Posted : March 8, 2015 10:49 pm
(@vwl-mom)
Posts: 2541
Staff Member Moderator
 

Christine;2449521 wrote: I was indeed turned away. Had a printout from MS website and the CM at BLT said "look lady, if you're not staying on points, you're not coming up! "

:jaw:

You're a better woman then me because had a CM spoken to me that way he/she would have felt my wrath. I would have gone through every possible channel to ensure that night was their last.

It's one thing to make a mistake, it's another to be belligerent - unacceptable behavior!

I sent an email to MS regarding access and the treatment members are receiving, will let everyone know if/when they respond.


- Lynn -
INTERCOT Staff: Theme Parks, DVC

 
Posted : March 9, 2015 5:45 am
(@john)
Posts: 1988
Founder & Chief Imagination Officer Admin
 

Excellent!


INTERCOT Founder & MCP
The OG Disney Fan Site - Founded 1997

 
Posted : March 9, 2015 9:45 pm
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