Bay Lake Tower for Non-DVC Guests

[WDITrent]

Hello, everyone. It's never too early to start planning!

I'm planning a trip to WDW for end of May/beginning of June 2011, and plan to stay at Bay Lake Tower. Last time, we experienced the joys of being on the resort monorail line at the GF and couldn't give that up. When I first started seeing BLT rise from the ground, I saw it as a new option.

Now the reason we want Bay Lake Tower as opposed to the old A-frame is because with five people, we really want two bathrooms. After spending hours and hours and hours pricing different deluxe resorts for two rooms, the Bay Lake Tower one-bedroom villas were always the ideal option. We looked at moderates, which we have stayed at before, but we just love being connected with the monorail and being so close to MK.

We have also stayed in a DVC location once before as regular guests, at OKW in 1999, when DVC was still new. However, I hear Bay Lake Tower is a very desirable DVC spot, and I am aware that DVC members always get top priority. So my questions are:

-What should I know when planning to stay here as a regular guest?
-Will I have problems with getting evicted by DVC members in a day's notice?
-Would I have a nightmare of a time requesting a certain type of villa (for example: A standard view 1BR somewhere in the 7X12 area)?

I understand the Top of the World lounge is limited to DVC members, and only as many as it can seat at that. However, just for kicks, is the top floor outdoor viewing area open to any guest staying at Bay Lake Tower?

 

[Master Yoda]

You should have no problem getting a room there. By contract they are required to sell a percentage of the rooms to regular, non DVC guests. Once you book a room you will not be bumped for a DVC guest. I would book as soon as you can as it is a very popular resort. Your have the same chance of having your requests honored as any other guest. Just make sure that what you request is possible and not considered a separate room category that you are not booked in (ie MK view)

 

[WDITrent]

Thanks, Master Yoda. In another BLT thread there was a link to a great resource to reported 1BR standard view rooms with Space Mountain views, so it's definitely possible. If my trip is in early June 2011, how early will they take reservations?

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks, Master Yoda. In another BLT thread there was a link to a great resource to reported 1BR standard view rooms with Space Mountain views, so it's definitely possible. If my trip is in early June 2011, how early will they take reservations?

Standard rooms can be booked as far out as 499 days in advance but I am not sure if the same applies to DVC resorts. At worst I would assume you would fall inline wit the DVC members home resort booking window which is 11 months out. I'll find out for sure this evening and post the answer if no one beats me to it.

 

[MissM]

I am a FL resident AP but NOT DVC (because it's silly when you're a FL resident!) and stayed at BLT in September. No problems being a non-DVC staying there at all. Booked it with an AP discount at 40% off. We had a 1 bedroom and it was very nice.

We upgraded to "Bay Lake View" but I didn't think it was worth $40/extra a night because the back side of BLT curves inward like a "C" so you wind up seeing an entire WALL of the building across from you and hundreds of other windows. Bleck. We wound up keeping our curtain closed most of the time.

I WOULD however pay for a Park View since the views from the common areas like the elevator lobby are MK side and simply beautiful. (Especially the 14th floor that we were on.)

An aside, I so looked forward to taking the monorail "home" for the evening instead of driving back to Tampa but...the resort line was really long at the end of the night so we wound up walking. It's a super quick, easy, sidewalked 5-minute trip.

 

[WDITrent]

Thanks, everyone. This really helps a lot.

 

[wdwfan22]

Hello, everyone. It's never too early to start planning!

I'm planning a trip to WDW for end of May/beginning of June 2011, and plan to stay at Bay Lake Tower. Last time, we experienced the joys of being on the resort monorail line at the GF and couldn't give that up. When I first started seeing BLT rise from the ground, I saw it as a new option.

Now the reason we want Bay Lake Tower as opposed to the old A-frame is because with five people, we really want two bathrooms. After spending hours and hours and hours pricing different deluxe resorts for two rooms, the Bay Lake Tower one-bedroom villas were always the ideal option. We looked at moderates, which we have stayed at before, but we just love being connected with the monorail and being so close to MK.

We have also stayed in a DVC location once before as regular guests, at OKW in 1999, when DVC was still new. However, I hear Bay Lake Tower is a very desirable DVC spot, and I am aware that DVC members always get top priority. So my questions are:

-What should I know when planning to stay here as a regular guest?
-Will I have problems with getting evicted by DVC members in a day's notice?
-Would I have a nightmare of a time requesting a certain type of villa (for example: A standard view 1BR somewhere in the 7X12 area)?

I understand the Top of the World lounge is limited to DVC members, and only as many as it can seat at that. However, just for kicks, is the top floor outdoor viewing area open to any guest staying at Bay Lake Tower?

You should have no problem securing a room at Bay Lake Tower. We are not members and had no trouble securing a 2 bedroom villa for 2 weeks during opening week. As for the lounge and lookout deck it's for members only. Members have to make reservations and are escorted up each night by Cast Members in the lobby area. It's a great place and we will be staying there again this summer. Have fun!

 

[DVCOwner]

Getting a room at this time should not be a problem due to the resort not being sold out at this time. Any rooms not sold as DVC points are rented on a daily basis by Disney. As more rooms are sold it will become harder and harder to get non DVC roooms, but some will always be available as members use thier points for other locations and vacations.

 

[dizzney]

It is a great location, the lounge though is not by reservation, its a first come first served basis for DVC members staying at BLT on points. We had no trouble getting in in early janaury but I hear that it can be difficult for DVC members to use at busy time sof the year as it fills up fast.

 

[Bigart]

You should have no problems if you book a reservation. You will not be in danger of losing that resrvation once it is booked. The sky view lounge is for DVC members only staying on points, but they wont kick you out of the terrace observation deck. Getting up there is by one elevator for DVC members, so tag along or use the stairs.

Its a great place to stay and the east views are the most amazing, especially on higher floors. The view east from the North elevator lobby is the most impressive, and the view from the observation deck is mind blowing. The rooms are outstanding. Getting to the main A frame for the monorail is easy via skybridge. Have a wonderful time !!!!!!

 

[WDITrent]

Thanks everyone. So, are the stairs to the observation deck not locked to regular guests?

 

[dizzney]

I honestly dont think nyuou can use the stairs to the deck, and when we went no one could tag along as we were escorted to the elevator.

 

[Lynne M]

Getting up there is by one elevator for DVC members, so tag along or use the stairs.

Tagging along isn't going to work; you can't get to the elevator without being escorted by a CM, who checks your resort IDs, that must have "DVC Member" printed on them. And they check everyone's ID, so members staying on points at BLT can't even bring along family or friends that are not staying with them at BLT.

As for the stairs, the view is nice, but it's hardly worth climbing up 10 flights of stairs to sneak in. :ROFLOL: