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BLT checkin?
- Thread starter reptar77
- Start date
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
Our vacation starts in 14 days, woooooo
I was wondering if the check in is still at the Contemporary?
A girl can dream that we get our own checkin and gym.
Yes, check-in is at the front desk of the contemporary.
roadtripper
Member
We can also dream that they'll keep the stairwell entrances to the top floor and to Top of the World lounge locked to all but DVC members, but apparently that's not gonna happen. Last time we were up there had a guy drinking saying what snobs DVC members are and told us how people know how to "sneak" up there. Then we saw a plastic tie wrapped around what was supposed to be a locking door. So much for that perk. Nice!
Zummi Gummi
Pioneering the Universe Within!
The perk is having a member lounge (something I think they should have more of...for DVC, AP holders, D23 members, etc.). The self-locking doors are not the perk; they are supposed to ensure that the lounge itself remains a perk.
The lounge is on the 16th floor. The 16th floor is only accessible to those with a room on that level and those who check-in at the lobby podium and are sent up by a Disney cast member.
Still there is nothing in BLT for anyone other than a guest at the resort. There are no restaurants, unique shops, etc, just rooms and a pool. If anyone wants to see the resort they can schedule a DVC tour. And no I am not a DVC member and I have zero issue with them locking down BLT to guests only.
I agree...and that's exactly my point. The auto locks are a subtle way of saying "there's nothing to see here." It keeps CR Tower guests and others from wandering over thinking they will find more shops, restaurants and cast members waiting to help.
I don't have a problem with the locks either. But to portray their intent as some impenetrable security system designed to protect a "perk" is just wrong.
Ehh yes and no. I agree it is a little pretentious, but if I was a member I would like knowing that they are there.
roadtripper
Member
Some people have figured another way to the 16th floor and then with the self locking doors being kept unlocked by the plastic ties it negates the exclusivity of the lounge. I have no doubt that the employees at the bar put the ties on there, it's probably rather slow much of the night, so it's extra money, who cares who uses it? I also think the ladies room is beyond the doors, so bad design flaw there. You can also simply wait at the Contemporary doors to Bay Lake and when they open, walk onto the tunnel connecting the two resorts and watch fireworks from there. I pay for the yearly dues and I'd like to think that I get the perk that others don't get. Do you think that Stormalong Bay should let everyone who wants to swim in? Not being a snob, it's one of the reasons we bought Bay Lake Tower. Animal Kingdom was cheaper.
So you are alleging that lounge staff is surreptitiously disabling the lock in hopes that people will come along who:
1. Actually wish to visit the lounge
2. Know about this super-secret method of reaching the 16th floor
3. Plan to order food and beverages while there, AND
4. Will tip well during their stay
I'm not in any position to argue against the claim but it sounds extremely far-fetched to me. Perhaps some people go out of their way to sneak up but I can't imagine they are plentiful.
Of course, posting about this workaround publicly only shares the info with more non-members. In 2+ years since BLT opened, this is the first I've ever heard of specific ways to bypass the lobby security. :shrug:
Manipulative bartenders aside, my position remains unchanged. The locks are a mild deterrent at best. As is the case with most things in life, if someone puts their mind to breaking the rules, they will figure out a way to do it successfully.
When I visited the lounge--as a BLT guest--I simply enjoyed the lounge. I didn't spend any time wondering how many ineligible rule-breakers were surrounding me.
(BTW, member dues do not cover operating costs for any food & beverage locations at DVC resorts.)
roadtripper
Member
When you say you visited the lounge as a guest does that mean you are not a DVC member? The lounge is not supposed to be for all guests staying at BLT, only DVC members staying at BLT. If they let all guests go up then the exclusivity of the place is gone. It's kind of like giving a GAC card to everyone who enters the park, what's the point of it then?
I'm thinking we're never going to agree on this issue so I'm done with my differing opinion on the subject.
I'm thinking we're never going to agree on this issue so I'm done with my differing opinion on the subject.
Guests of DVC members are admitted but they must be with said member.
<sigh> No, I was staying at BLT as a Disney Vacation Club member--using MY points--and was rightfully entitled to visit the lounge. So you can take my photo down off of the "Most Wanted DVC Perk Violators" list.
(And as the other poster pointed out, ANYONE staying at BLT on a points or cash reservation made through DVC Member Services is entitled to use the lounge. That includes guests of members, renters, etc.)
If I were to summarize my thoughts toward this discussion, they would be:
1. Disney is never going to go to extreme lengths to protect exclusivity of DVC member perks. They aren't going to post armed guards at all entrances. They aren't going to ignore fire codes by blocking stairwells between the 15th and 16th floors. The processes in now are an effective deterrent to keep 99.9% of non-eligible Disney visitors out of the lounge.
2. I don't know who is placing zip ties on locking doors or why they are doing it. But even if it is the lounge waitstaff as you claim, the number of people who would happen to come along knowing how to crack BLT security and get into the lounge is infinitely small. On most nights the lounge is so under-utilizied it's a miracle that DVC hasn't discontinued this perk.
3. This sort of "Disney needs to do a better job of protecting MY perks" attitude is exactly why there are people who refer to DVC members as snobs (and worse.)
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
<sigh> No, I was staying at BLT as a Disney Vacation Club member--using MY points--and was rightfully entitled to visit the lounge. So you can take my photo down off of the "Most Wanted DVC Perk Violators" list.
(And as the other poster pointed out, ANYONE staying at BLT on a points or cash reservation made through DVC Member Services is entitled to use the lounge. That includes guests of members, renters, etc.)
If I were to summarize my thoughts toward this discussion, they would be:
1. Disney is never going to go to extreme lengths to protect exclusivity of DVC member perks. They aren't going to post armed guards at all entrances. They aren't going to ignore fire codes by blocking stairwells between the 15th and 16th floors. The processes in now are an effective deterrent to keep 99.9% of non-eligible Disney visitors out of the lounge.
2. I don't know who is placing zip ties on locking doors or why they are doing it. But even if it is the lounge waitstaff as you claim, the number of people who would happen to come along knowing how to crack BLT security and get into the lounge is infinitely small. On most nights the lounge is so under-utilizied it's a miracle that DVC hasn't discontinued this perk.
3. This sort of "Disney needs to do a better job of protecting MY perks" attitude is exactly why there are people who refer to DVC members as snobs (and worse.)
The only time I would have a problem with non-DVC owners being there is if it starts to make the place crowded.
If there are a total of 5 people in the longue and one is not supposed to be there - who cares.
If the place is mobbed during Wishes and a "rightful" user of the longue is impacted by non-members being there, then it is an issue
-dave
roadtripper
Member
We were there in July and the lounge got pretty crowded. no tables were open by the time Wishes started.
We were told that the lounge is only available to DVC members, and a DVC member card has to be shown downstairs to get up. The representative specifically said only DVC members, not people staying at BLT who were not DVC.
I don't mind an occasional 1 or 2 who make it up there every once in a while, but this guy made it seem as though many people knew about this way around things.
Is Hilton Head full of snobs who don't wabt the general public using the facilities and beaches there? Same with Vero Beach? As I've stated, are the guests at Yacht and Beach Clubs snobs because they are the only ones allowed to use Stormalong Bay? Should all guests be entitled to the AAA story time lounge above the Norway pavillion? Should they also be allowed to use the "secret" lounge over by Space Mountain? Disney sets the rules, not me, I just don't want to see the lounge at BLT become everyone's hangout, because then it takes a perk away from me when I'm staying there. I'd like to be able to sit at a table and get served rather than stand outside. If that makes me a snob, then so be it. Apparently there are plenty of other Disney snobs as well.
We were told that the lounge is only available to DVC members, and a DVC member card has to be shown downstairs to get up. The representative specifically said only DVC members, not people staying at BLT who were not DVC.
I don't mind an occasional 1 or 2 who make it up there every once in a while, but this guy made it seem as though many people knew about this way around things.
Is Hilton Head full of snobs who don't wabt the general public using the facilities and beaches there? Same with Vero Beach? As I've stated, are the guests at Yacht and Beach Clubs snobs because they are the only ones allowed to use Stormalong Bay? Should all guests be entitled to the AAA story time lounge above the Norway pavillion? Should they also be allowed to use the "secret" lounge over by Space Mountain? Disney sets the rules, not me, I just don't want to see the lounge at BLT become everyone's hangout, because then it takes a perk away from me when I'm staying there. I'd like to be able to sit at a table and get served rather than stand outside. If that makes me a snob, then so be it. Apparently there are plenty of other Disney snobs as well.
Not correct. From DVCMember.com:
Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How often do you hear someone moaning and groaning about (allegedly) ineligible people crowding their beaches or private lounges?
(Answer: A lot less than you will hear fellow DVC members whining about others using their perks, lack of perks, lack of respect from Disney, lack of "free dining", and on and on and on.)
I've been a member for nearly 10 years so this is nothing new to me. In general DVC members seem to think that they are entitled to preferential treatment from Disney. "I paid ____ so Disney should give me ___."
I'm not saying that you are personally guilty of all items listed above. But if you want to know why there is a perception that DVC members are "snobs"--or some other choice adjective--there's your answer.
If you find yourself questioning aloud why a self-locking door isn't latching properly or wondering how many ineligibles are crowding the exclusive lounge, think about how those comments are perceived by non-members.
BeachClubNut
New Member
Keep dreaming anything you want or need (exception Top Of World) requires a walk on the bridge or outside to Contemporary, only thing BLT has is rooms.....
Hope that its not raining when you want your luggage or they either won't deliver or it will be soaked as it goes to Contemporary and gets trucked outside on open carts, no one was bright enough to put a luggage storage area in BLT.....
We sold our BLT points (lost money) because its just not for us anything you want is a hassle.... we are very spoiled with our BCV amenities and the whole Boardwalk area.
Hope that its not raining when you want your luggage or they either won't deliver or it will be soaked as it goes to Contemporary and gets trucked outside on open carts, no one was bright enough to put a luggage storage area in BLT.....
We sold our BLT points (lost money) because its just not for us anything you want is a hassle.... we are very spoiled with our BCV amenities and the whole Boardwalk area.
Our vacation starts in 14 days, woooooo
I was wondering if the check in is still at the Contemporary?
A girl can dream that we get our own checkin and gym.
Zummi Gummi
Pioneering the Universe Within!
Maybe because I'm a fairly new DVC member, I don't quite understand what all the snobbishness is about. I wasn't a member back in the "old days" when Disney appaerntly really wined and dined DVC members. However, even before I was a DVC member, I had no problems with there being exclusive member lounges or other perks. In fact, I've long advocated for more of them- where's the AP lounge? What about a D23 lounge? Disney should be catering to all of these markets more, because they represent their most loyal customers. Instead, they've gone the route of guilting every parent in America into thinking that you're a bad parent if you don't take your kids to WDW, by catering almost exclusively to the one-off guest. But that's a discussion for a whole other thread, in a whole other forum.
My point is this...I would like someone to explain to me exactly how it is "snobbish" to think that a perk reserved exclusively for DVC members (specifically, DVC members staying at BLT) should be kept that way.
roadtripper
Member
Due to anticipated high demand for this location, access is available only to Disney Vacation Club Members who are staying at Bay Lake Tower using their Membership (Vacation Points or cash), guests staying in the room with that Member, and guests who are staying in a room reserved by a DVC Member with Vacation Points. Access is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
So guests going to the lounge have to be associated with DVC directly in some way. If I called Disney and wanted to make a reservation just like I do at AKL, I should not get access to the lounge. Maybe they just check your room key to see if it says DVC reservation on it? My point being that it's not supposed to be for anyone staying at BLT.
I'm not being a snob nor am I sorry if others feel that way. That's why airlines have first class seating with priority boarding and special lounges for club members, Disney has concierge level rooms, and occassionally I see families walking around Disney with a private tour guide who gets them fastpass access to all the rides they want to go on.
All of these people have something in common...they paid for an extra service, it was stated that it would be given to them, and they expect it. If they didn't get what they paid for they all have a right to complain, otherwise the issue is never addressed, so it never gets fixed. Plain and simple.
So guests going to the lounge have to be associated with DVC directly in some way. If I called Disney and wanted to make a reservation just like I do at AKL, I should not get access to the lounge. Maybe they just check your room key to see if it says DVC reservation on it? My point being that it's not supposed to be for anyone staying at BLT.
I'm not being a snob nor am I sorry if others feel that way. That's why airlines have first class seating with priority boarding and special lounges for club members, Disney has concierge level rooms, and occassionally I see families walking around Disney with a private tour guide who gets them fastpass access to all the rides they want to go on.
All of these people have something in common...they paid for an extra service, it was stated that it would be given to them, and they expect it. If they didn't get what they paid for they all have a right to complain, otherwise the issue is never addressed, so it never gets fixed. Plain and simple.