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Post by goofydad13 on Jan 15, 2023 21:03:17 GMT -5
Venting- I no longer consider Top of the World Lounge a member benefit. Been there twice at 6:00 opening for 8:15 fireworks and have them to tell me there is no availability. Fireworks at 8:15 and no availability at bar or to just utilize the outdoor terrace. Told there might be availability a half hour or so after fireworks.
I am sorry, but if I need to pay $130+ for the two of us to use the lounge no matter what, it is not a benefit. I cancelled our Wicked Wine Down for later in the week.
So frustrating.
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Post by brp on Jan 16, 2023 9:57:01 GMT -5
Nope. Not at all. It is now a paid event venue apparently exclusively. One can still get to the floor and the outdoor viewing area by taking the elevator to the floor below and walking up one floor (at least it worked the one time we did it), but not to access the lounge due to the paid events.
Cheers.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 16, 2023 11:11:09 GMT -5
Not related, but it made me think of Trader Sam's: people wait 2-3 hours to get in, and it's packed, instantly it's no fun to me anymore.
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Post by noreen99 on Jan 16, 2023 12:53:37 GMT -5
It’s horrible-
I am assuming the announced lounge in in DCA will be the same way
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Post by Brian5581 on Jan 16, 2023 13:44:44 GMT -5
It’s horrible- I am assuming the announced lounge in in DCA will be the same way Actually I think that one will at least start off being more similar to the Epcot lounge. But of course we shall see... |
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Post by PirateLinda on Jan 16, 2023 15:30:28 GMT -5
We were able to go up to the lounge last October. I don't think they were doing the Wicked Wine Down then. It was a Tuesday night and the MK was having the Halloween party. We got to the check in podium around 7:30 or 8pm and were told it would be a 20 minute wait. It actually was only 5 or 10. When they sent us up, we were greeted and seated at the bar. It was strange but really nice because the lounge was not packed like it used to be. So, I looked on the DVC website and I got confused. Is this correct? Do they really have a charged event every night of the week? - The Wicked Wine Down is every night except Wednesday and Friday.
- Wednesday is a dessert party
- Friday is a villan's party
Has anyone attended any of these events? |
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Post by ocean702 on Jan 17, 2023 20:51:21 GMT -5
This makes me so sad to hear, I love going to TOTWL. We don’t go every trip but anytime we stay near MK we would go. My kids do not like fireworks in the park (it’s too loud for them) and the lounge gives us an opportunity to see the fireworks, listen to the music, have space for the kids on the outdoor deck, have a cocktail and be away from crowds.
I don’t foresee us paying for a speciality experience. We are staying in February at BLT and I’m certainly going to try to see if we can be let up there.
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Post by noreen99 on Jan 17, 2023 21:10:44 GMT -5
This makes me so sad to hear, I love going to TOTWL. We don’t go every trip but anytime we stay near MK we would go. My kids do not like fireworks in the park (it’s too loud for them) and the lounge gives us an opportunity to see the fireworks, listen to the music, have space for the kids on the outdoor deck, have a cocktail and be away from crowds. I don’t foresee us paying for a speciality experience. We are staying in February at BLT and I’m certainly going to try to see if we can be let up there. Please let us know how it goes- I have a trip in March and would love to take my fiancé up. |
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Post by richviii on Jan 17, 2023 21:50:18 GMT -5
Agree with what everyone has posted. In the same breadth, I wondered at points if it was financially viable when we went up and it was not crowed or people were hogging table with one empty drink waiting for the fireworks. I also see so many mixed reports on even getting in, I agree it is not a benefit. As a BLT owner, it bugs me since it was something we considered as a benefit and enjoyed going. Since people are paying it, it clearly is probably netting more revenue. If people stopped, they might reconsider but also closing could be another option. I would rather have something over nothing.
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Post by jawfish on Jan 17, 2023 23:39:48 GMT -5
Not related, but it made me think of Trader Sam's: people wait 2-3 hours to get in, and it's packed, instantly it's no fun to me anymore. Yeah, so we just spent 5 nights at Poly at the end of our trip and the first night we walked up to Trader Sams around 6pm. We were told the wait list was around 4 hours and they were not taking any more on the list. We actually went back to the resort one day early just to get on the list. Showed up at 4pm and was told the wait would be 3 hours. When we said ok, she seemed surprised. Maybe because we did not act surprised. She then told us we would get a text and had only 15 minutes to get there or our reservation would be given to the next person. And, the woman told us we were not guaranteed any seats and may have to stand at the bar. Almost exactly 3 hours later, we received the text and had to hustle, since we were in our room in the middle of Pagp Pago. When we got there, we were then escorted to a table and told another couple would be joining us. No seats could be empty. We were fortunate and the couple was fabulous and we had a very nice night. I did notice that about 45 min later a couple of tables were empty for 10-20 minutes. Guessing someone missed their time. We spent 90 minutes and enjoyed 4 cocktails (bought 4 glasses) and two appetizers. They did not rush us out in 45 min like at Olga’s, which was nice. It was worth the wait but if you are not there by 4 or so, you likely will not get in. When we were about to leave, another 4 people were ready to take our table. I am guessing that when you ask for the bill, the next people are notified. The outside is great but it is not the same. We had not been to Trader Sams in a few years, so we made a point to get back early just to get in. I will post pics and more on my trip report - still a work in progress! |
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Post by BWV Dreamin on Jan 18, 2023 7:35:03 GMT -5
Looking forward to those pictures! Have never been to Trader Sam’s. Now I know how to get in! Not related, but it made me think of Trader Sam's: people wait 2-3 hours to get in, and it's packed, instantly it's no fun to me anymore. Yeah, so we just spent 5 nights at Poly at the end of our trip and the first night we walked up to Trader Sams around 6pm. We were told the wait list was around 4 hours and they were not taking any more on the list. We actually went back to the resort one day early just to get on the list. Showed up at 4pm and was told the wait would be 3 hours. When we said ok, she seemed surprised. Maybe because we did not act surprised. She then told us we would get a text and had only 15 minutes to get there or our reservation would be given to the next person. And, the woman told us we were not guaranteed any seats and may have to stand at the bar. Almost exactly 3 hours later, we received the text and had to hustle, since we were in our room in the middle of Pagp Pago. When we got there, we were then escorted to a table and told another couple would be joining us. No seats could be empty. We were fortunate and the couple was fabulous and we had a very nice night. I did notice that about 45 min later a couple of tables were empty for 10-20 minutes. Guessing someone missed their time. We spent 90 minutes and enjoyed 4 cocktails (bought 4 glasses) and two appetizers. They did not rush us out in 45 min like at Olga’s, which was nice. It was worth the wait but if you are not there by 4 or so, you likely will not get in. When we were about to leave, another 4 people were ready to take our table. I am guessing that when you ask for the bill, the next people are notified. The outside is great but it is not the same. We had not been to Trader Sams in a few years, so we made a point to get back early just to get in. I will post pics and more on my trip report - still a work in progress! |
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Post by henrycpa on Jan 18, 2023 8:50:41 GMT -5
If we as owners, vote to increase the charge to them to offset some of our dues would they stay? We technically own the HOA. can we force the managment company to allocate more cost to TOPTW and lower dues.
Now, I say we..but I do not own at BLT so it could not be me.
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Post by JaxFLBear on Jan 18, 2023 9:00:48 GMT -5
If we as owners, vote to increase the charge to them to offset some of our dues would they stay? We technically own the HOA. can we force the managment company to allocate more cost to TOPTW and lower dues. Now, I say we..but I do not own at BLT so it could not be me. The TOTWL is a commercial space just like any restaurant, bar/lounge, and/or store at any other resort. As a commercial space, it's not funded in any way buy dues. |
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Post by henrycpa on Jan 18, 2023 9:06:00 GMT -5
If we as owners, vote to increase the charge to them to offset some of our dues would they stay? We technically own the HOA. can we force the managment company to allocate more cost to TOPTW and lower dues. Now, I say we..but I do not own at BLT so it could not be me. The TOTWL is a commercial space just like any restaurant, bar/lounge, and/or store at any other resort. As a commercial space, it's not funded in any way buy dues. It is a commercial space contained 100% inside a DVC owned Facility. The HOA owns the building. They can choose what they want to charge for rent for that commercial space just like the HOA does for the restaurant at my beach condo. |
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Post by noreen99 on Jan 18, 2023 9:08:25 GMT -5
I don’t see why they just couldn’t make it food or drink minimum per person…
It’s the whole reservations thing that bothers me.
I don’t see how people are paying that price for a dessert party up there- don’t get me wrong I love dessert parties, but part of what your paying for is the less crowded area, a location right up front with better views. I dunno I just can’t see paying more for that than the plaza garden.
Most trips we are a minimum of 5-6 adults so cost wise the TotWL dessert party isn’t much more than the private fireworks cruise.
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