TOTWL on an exchange?

[noreenkate]

Y’all I am still pretty new to II - any “eligible members “ been able to book Wicked Wind Down, Enchantment On the Top , or just get into the lounge when staying on an II exchange into DVC.

Access has changed quite a bit since the reopening…

 

[Huskerpaul]

Are you talking about the lounge atop Bay Lake Tower? If you are then only DVC owners that bought direct from The Mouse (or purchased resale years ago and are grandfathered in) can access that lounge now. As a lowly resale owner without a "Blue Card" I am shut out. So unless you are on an II exchange AND a DVC owner with a Blue card.

 

[noreenkate]

Re you talking about the lounge atop Bay Lake Tower? If you are then only DVC owners that bought direct from The Mouse (or purchased resale years ago and are grandfathered in) can access that lounge now. As a lowly resale owner without a "Blue Card" I am shut out. So unless you are on an II exchange AND a DVC owner with a Blue card.

that’s exactly what I am talking about

i am an eligible member ( blue card ) through my OKW but next trip is on an II exchange into DVC….I haven’t gone up to the lounge since its reopened and the changes.

Curious if anyone has gotten in since.

 

[Huskerpaul]

I would say add your reservation to your MDE ap and give it a try. Not sure if they have any way of knowing there if you are on an exchange.

I think the procedure now is you have to show up and get put on a list. But as a non-blue card owner I have no experience. Found the below on the Disney site.

Accessing the Lounge
Special access to the Top of the World Lounge – A Villains Lair is available to eligible Members on a first-come, first-served basis until the lounge reaches capacity. Due to the lounge’s popularity during Happily Ever After—the Magic Kingdom park fireworks—arriving as early as possible will offer Members the best chance of gaining admission to this exclusive experience.

To guarantee a spot for your party, you can book a dining experience. Please refer to the “Wicked Wind Down” and “Enchantment at the Top Dessert Party” sections on this page for more details.
Eligibility
Eligible Disney Vacation Club Members with access to Membership Extras may enjoy this exclusive space just outside Magic Kingdom park when using their Membership to stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash).
Party Size
Each eligible Membership can enjoy Top of the World Lounge access for one party per day—which can include eligible Members and Guests staying on that Member's reservation. At least one Member in the traveling party must accompany the group and present their current MagicBand, digital Membership card and government-issued photo ID in order to gain admission to the lounge and observation deck.
Restrictions
No outside food or beverages may be brought in. The lounge is available weekly on select nights, and is subject to blockout dates or limited access on holidays and special event nights. On event nights, Members without reservations may have limited access to outdoor patios at the lounge. In addition, use of outdoor patios is weather permitting.

 

[noreenkate]

I think the procedure now is you have to show up and get put on a list. But as a non-blue card owner I have no experience. Found the below on the Disney site.

for the two dessert-type events require a call into MS for reservations.

when using their Membership to stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash).

It's the wording using your membership that I am wondering about. previously all you needed was a Disney room reservation and the blue card and they scanned your magic band to see the room reservation - for example, we stayed with a discounted convention group at Coronado Springs, it was booked by our car club we weren't staying on our membership.

 

[Huskerpaul]

I think technically you would not be eligible since you are not staying at a DVC resort using points.

 

[dioxide45]

I think technically you would not be eligible since you are not staying at a DVC resort using points.

It doesn't say you have to be staying at a DVC resort or even using points; using their Membership to stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash).

 

[Huskerpaul]

It doesn't say you have to be staying at a DVC resort or even using points; using their Membership to stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash).

You emphased the wrong section. Emphisis should be on "using their Memership to stay..". This means your are using your points to stay at a resort or hotel. You can use your points to stay at Disney hotels -but almost no one does because it is a horrible use of points.

Since OP would not be using their membership to stay on property they would not technically be able to enter TOTWL. I have no idea if they would know your stay at OKW was through Interval and not using your membership.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

It doesn't say you have to be staying at a DVC resort or even using points; using their Membership to stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash).

Actually, Walt Disney World does not have any hotels except the Contemporary, unless you also consider the "value" resorts hotels. Other hotels in the area are on Disney World land but not official Disney hotels. Like the Swan and Dolphin are on Disney land, but they lease the land and are run by Marriott. The Bonnett Creek hotel area is not Disney land, but it is surrounded on all sides by WDW.

TS

 

[mj2vacation]

Actually, Walt Disney World does not have any hotels except the Contemporary, unless you also consider the "value" resorts hotels. Other hotels in the area are on Disney World land but not official Disney hotels. Like the Swan and Dolphin are on Disney land, but they lease the land and are run by Marriott. The Bonnett Creek hotel area is not Disney land, but it is surrounded on all sides by WDW.

TS

I’m not sure I understand this comment.

Grand Floridian?
Polynesian?
Yacht and Beach?

 

[dioxide45]

You emphased the wrong section. Emphisis should be on "using their Memership to stay..". This means your are using your points to stay at a resort or hotel. You can use your points to stay at Disney hotels -but almost no one does because it is a horrible use of points.

Since OP would not be using their membership to stay on property they would not technically be able to enter TOTWL. I have no idea if they would know your stay at OKW was through Interval and not using your membership.

But would someone be using their membership with cash? Cash is mentioned.

 

[dioxide45]

Actually, Walt Disney World does not have any hotels except the Contemporary, unless you also consider the "value" resorts hotels. Other hotels in the area are on Disney World land but not official Disney hotels. Like the Swan and Dolphin are on Disney land, but they lease the land and are run by Marriott. The Bonnett Creek hotel area is not Disney land, but it is surrounded on all sides by WDW.

TS

I understand the quoted text is from the DVC site and they are the ones using the term "hotel".

 

[ocdb8r]

I would tend to agree with dioxide's interpretation....but regardless of how the rules read technically, I can report that we have stayed at SSR on an Interval Exchange and still been permitted to access the lounge by showing our "Blue Card".

 

[noreenkate]

It doesn't say you have to be staying at a DVC resort or even using points; using their Membership to stay at a Disney-owned-and-operated hotel at Walt Disney World Resort (whether they booked with Vacation Points or cash).

Exactly somewhere buried in the threads here I have had this discussion with others back getting use of member perks back when they came in on RCI exchanges-

Just wondering if anyone has tried recently

 

[noreenkate]

You emphased the wrong section. Emphisis should be on "using their Memership to stay..". This means your are using your points to stay at a resort or hotel. You can use your points to stay at Disney hotels -but almost no one does because it is a horrible use of points.

Since OP would not be using their membership to stay on property they would not technically be able to enter TOTWL. I have no idea if they would know your stay at OKW was through Interval and not using your membership.

You can book any hotel through MS for Cash and side note if it’s a DVC room booked for cash the savings are generally far better than renting, AP or Florida resident pricing.

See my post above it used to be possible before the shutdown and people here have done it. Again looking to see if anyone has even tried it’s been over a year since it’s been reopened.

If I am the first one to try in July I will post an update

 

[TheHolleys87]

You can book any hotel through MS for Cash and side note if it’s a DVC room booked for cash the savings are generally far better than renting, AP or Florida resident pricing.

See my post above it used to be possible before the shutdown and people here have done it. Again looking to see if anyone has even tried it’s been over a year since it’s been reopened.

If I am the first one to try in July I will post an update

I would call MS when the booking date for the TOTWL events opens and ask to book. Access to the observation deck seems to have loosened up recently, based on multiple reports I’ve read elsewhere - no CM on the first floor, anyone can go up to watch fireworks there, and there’s even a cash bar cart for purchasing beverages. There is a CM at the door to the lounge itself, and DVC-Y (blue card) owners are allowed in on a first come, first served basis for tables that aren’t reserved.

 

[noreenkate]

I would call MS when the booking date for the TOTWL events opens and ask to book. Access to the observation deck seems to have loosened up recently, based on multiple reports I’ve read elsewhere - no CM on the first floor, anyone can go up to watch fireworks there, and there’s even a cash bar cart for purchasing beverages. There is a CM at the door to the lounge itself, and DVC-Y (blue card) owners are allowed in on a first come, first served basis for tables that aren’t reserved.

So is podium gone altogether?

Thanks for answering up

 

[DanCali]

Y’all I am still pretty new to II - any “eligible members “ been able to book Wicked Wind Down, Enchantment On the Top , or just get into the lounge when staying on an II exchange into DVC.

Access has changed quite a bit since the reopening…

I have yet to succeed in booking Wicked Wind Down at 60 days out on a DVC stay... Tried a couple of times (blue card member).

 

[noreenkate]

I have yet to succeed in booking Wicked Wind Down at 60 days out on a DVC stay... Tried a couple of times (blue card member).

Interesting

 

[TheHolleys87]

So is podium gone altogether?

Thanks for answering up

From recent reports I’ve read, it’s moved from 1st floor elevator to entry door of the lounge itself, and anyone can go through the separate door to the observation deck. I haven’t been there myself yet.