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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jan 18, 2023 10:27:53 GMT -5
Ah, the good ole days when we were at MK, looked at each other and said "let's go try the lounge up there" and walked over, walked in, sat down, and it wasn't crowded. Enjoyed some drinks and snacks, looked at the view, and left.
Makes me remember the good ole days when we got off the monorail at GF to look around, saw a bar called "Mizner's" which was cozy and quiet, walked in, sat down, had peaceful drinks and snacks, and left.
Also makes me remember the good ole days when we were at Disneyland during December, we saw this new place called "Trader Sam's" and walked in, saw an open table, sat down, had drinks, and left.
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Post by bakerworld on Jan 18, 2023 10:35:33 GMT -5
The last 3 times we accessed TOWL the drinks and food were unimpressive so, for us, TOWL has become a non-issue. Personally, I have never cared for the view of the fireworks from TOWL because they're so skewed it bothers me. We'd rather go to the Outer Rim, Steakhouse 71 or Tambo Lounge.
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Post by fuzzylogic on Jan 18, 2023 13:29:56 GMT -5
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
I don't read it that way -- do you? On the Disney site it says: As part of this experience Members have access to a reserved table inside the lounge on the day of their reservation. Does not say that is the only way to go. I think for $55 you can get a reserved table, drink ($20 value) and app ($15 value) so you're paying another $20 for the certainty and no wait. You can also put your name on the list and take your chances. Later it says, 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. Lounge reservations are not required but are recommended to guarantee a spot for your party. This emphasizes it is not a charged event, it's just an option to guarantee a spot. I would probly not pay and just put my name on the list. |
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Post by noreen99 on Jan 18, 2023 14:23:28 GMT -5
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
I don't read it that way -- do you? On the Disney site it says: As part of this experience Members have access to a reserved table inside the lounge on the day of their reservation. Does not say that is the only way to go. I think for $55 you can get a reserved table, drink ($20 value) and app ($15 value) so you're paying another $20 for the certainty and no wait. You can also put your name on the list and take your chances.Later it says, 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. Lounge reservations are not required but are recommended to guarantee a spot for your party. This emphasizes it is not a charged event, it's just an option to guarantee a spot. I would probly not pay and just put my name on the list.
Is that per person? Do we call MS or dinning? So are we interrupting this to mean the reservations can be done for $55 most days? if you reserve is it line dining where your given a specific time? |
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Post by marietn on Jan 18, 2023 15:47:56 GMT -5
DH and I were home in 2nd week of December staying at Copper Creek. My days are starting to blur, but I think that we were planning on heading to MK on Wednesday for extended evening hours. Decided we'd try to get into the lounge, and if we couldn't, we'd monorail bar hop for a bit before heading to MK. Since it was Wednesday, it would have been a dessert party, not Wicked Wine Down.
I think we got there right around 6 and checked at the podium. They said we could go up but only on the terrace. There would be a bar set up on the terrace but no food available for us. Obviously they had to give the dessert party folks some preference since they paid for the experience. I would have bought an appetizer if available, but we weren't starving. Thought about going down to the shop in Contemporary to buy some snack mix, but that seemed like more trouble than it was worth since we were already up there when I thought of it.
I will say that there weren't a ton of people in the lounge for the dessert party when I peered through the windows. Maybe 1/3 full. Personally, I'd prioritize an in-park MK dessert party over this one, for a much better view. But maybe with a big group who want to relax and chat for the evening, or folks who don't like crowds...
For us, it was a really nice night, so sitting on the terrace for a couple of hours was a good break before heading into MK. The bartender was nice and attentive. Chatted with a couple other DVC owners. As it got to around 7:30, all the terrace seats were taken. People still trickled in to stand on the terrace over the next few hours. Stood up around 15 mins before fireworks and got a spot at the wall.
Obviously, your mileage may vary. My takeaway was that I'd go back if it works in my schedule, but will have a backup plan ready if I'm turned away. I probably won't try any of the paid offerings anytime soon.
My biggest complaint was the lack of clear guidance, as evidenced by this thread! There were several people who walked up while we waited to go up on the elevator that went away mad because they hadn't expected the limitations of terrace and outdoor only. I had read enough online that I went with zero expectations of getting in. I did feel sorry for the CM manning the desk. Maybe a portable sign they could throw out with the general info for the night would help?
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Post by fuzzylogic on Jan 18, 2023 21:05:59 GMT -5
Is that per person? Do we call MS or dinning? So are we interrupting this to mean the reservations can be done for $55 most days? if you reserve is it line dining where your given a specific time? That's how I read it. Per person, $55. It's not a terrible deal, given you can put your name on the list if you prefer. They'll just prioritize anyone who's paid and the list will get in if there's space. I think you call MS. Any day, except the special exceptions (some dates are called out in Dec / Jan). I imagine you'll get a time but I haven't done it. I might do this with my wife and i but surely not with kids as $55 for soda's is a terrible deal, but for the drink and app it's okay. Let us know if you try it! |
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Post by noreen99 on Jan 18, 2023 21:38:10 GMT -5
Is that per person? Do we call MS or dinning? So are we interrupting this to mean the reservations can be done for $55 most days? if you reserve is it line dining where your given a specific time? That's how I read it. Per person, $55. It's not a terrible deal, given you can put your name on the list if you prefer. They'll just prioritize anyone who's paid and the list will get in if there's space. I think you call MS. Any day, except the special exceptions (some dates are called out in Dec / Jan). I imagine you'll get a time but I haven't done it. I might do this with my wife and i but surely not with kids as $55 for soda's is a terrible deal, but for the drink and app it's okay. Let us know if you try it! I might give it a shot in March- it’s a semi solo trip. My fiancé is not a fan of the parks so if he does make it down it’s worth a try… What I find disappointing is I wish it was just open as a lounge - it’s a shame we can’t just go up for cocktails for a late afternoon break. |
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Post by brp on Jan 19, 2023 9:46:00 GMT -5
Personally, I have never cared for the view of the fireworks from TOWL because they're so skewed it bothers me.
The recent time we wandered up to the floor via the stairs for the last floor, it was not for fireworks. But we did get this view.
Cheers.
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Post by Wiltony on Jan 19, 2023 12:12:14 GMT -5
I've always loved BLT for the views. It's gorgeous in pretty much every direction. Here are my favorite views, in order of preference for me: - SE: My favorite view. Is of greater Bay Lake, with beautiful sun rises, ferry traffic, and the dock. Epcot is in the background with the WL rooftop peaking above the trees. The nightly electric water pageant is a bonus. It's the most serene and "vacation-y" view for me. My wife loves to sit out in the Florida sun, legs up on the railing, basking in the sun, reading her favorite book. It's her happy place.
- SW: brp's view above. Love to see 7 seas lagoon behind the contemporary with the monorail, and the sun setting behind the Grand Floridian in the background.
- NE: View of the northern portion of Bay Lake. This view feels like I'm out on a remote, lake-side cabin. You can barely spot civilization anywhere and get to enjoy a thick forest lining the north shore.
- NW: Even the NW view, which some consider soiled by loading docks, tennis courts, and parking lot, has the MK and fireworks in the background. It's magical to see the fireworks every night right outside your window with Cinderella Castle shining like a beacon in the distance.
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Post by cpnkirk on Jan 19, 2023 14:52:22 GMT -5
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. So is Toppolino's Terrace...but no one is complaining about free walk ups there. I think the issue is that it used to be free and easy to get into, but like so many other things at WDW, that has now changed. |
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Post by Cali10 on Jan 19, 2023 14:57:34 GMT -5
The last 3 times we accessed TOWL the drinks and food were unimpressive so, for us, TOWL has become a non-issue. Personally, I have never cared for the view of the fireworks from TOWL because they're so skewed it bothers me. We'd rather go to the Outer Rim, Steakhouse 71 or Tambo Lounge. Agreed, the last couple of times we went the service wasn't great, and neither was the food. The drinks were okay. And I feel the same way about the view of the fireworks, seeing the different launch sites and how they are separated bugs me too. It's not the way the show was meant to be seen. And for me it's not worth the trade off of avoiding the crowds or wait in the park. |
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Post by Kerri jo on Jan 20, 2023 13:44:37 GMT -5
We went up to TOTWL last week around 8:00pm, at least 50% of the tables were unoccupied but unavailable without a reservation, and every single barstool was open but unavailable as well. It was a very cold night, and there were a few dozen people out on the balcony ready for fireworks viewing. I find it hard to believe that these outdoor guests were the same ones leaving warm seats indoors near the windows, but who knows! We were told we could add our name to a waitlist, order a drink from the bar, and wait outdoors for an indefinite amount of time for tables to open. We did #2 and took our drinks to go. Sad that this is what the lounge has become.
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Post by frank808 on Jan 31, 2023 20:54:54 GMT -5
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. We don't have any votes for the HOA to do this. I believe the way the T&C is written and we signed to purchase DVC points, we are owners but all voting rights belong to DVC. |
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Post by ocean702 on Feb 18, 2023 20:36:28 GMT -5
Heading to the world on Monday. TOTWL is my favorite part of staying at bay lake so I’m really hopeful for easy access. My kids dislike the noise from the fireworks when we are inside he park but will watch fireworks from poly so I think they’ll love being up in the lounge. Neither of them remember being at the lounge before covid.
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Post by Hi from RI on Feb 19, 2023 17:50:58 GMT -5
Were heading there in 2 weeks maybe we will give it a try...
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