Bay Lake Tower question

[pixiepower]

Hi,

We are visiting my inlaws in Fort Myers in February, and decided to try to do the Give a day Get a day promotion, driving up to Disney for just the one day. I called tonight to see if we could get into the Contemporary with the 40% of rack rate promotion, and the least expensive room they had was a studio in Bay Lake Tower. We booked it, but we could have gotten into the Poly for less, and we have never stayed in a DVC property, and I am hemming about a couple of things.

I read that we will not be able to go to the Top of the World lounge because we are not members paying with points. Does this mean we also can not access the outer viewing area for Wishes?? This may be a deal breaker, as one of the main draws for us to stay at the Contemporary is to see the fireworks the night before we go to the park for our one day.

Also, I noticed check in is an hour later than most resorts (4 pm) and we were hoping to get to the hotel as soon as possible and really enjoy our whole day there, as the next day we will be out first thing to go to the park. I understand we will not be able to use the pool or access the tower at all without a room key. Will we be able to hang out at the Contemporary while we wait for our room to be ready?? Will they let us over to the tower with our room key early ( if it's just that it won't be "activated" for us to get into the room until 4)??

Any thoughts?? We've never spent this kind of money per night for a hotel before (we usually do moderates) and don't want to feel restricted or like second class citizens (cash payers instead of dvc members) when we are there.

Thanks!!

[Drince88]

I don't know about the points vs cash question. I think, at one point, I'd heard something like that as well, but that was also before they opened, so I don't know if that went forward in practice.

But you should be able to check in in the morning and enjoy the resort before your room is ready. I know you can at any other resort, and don't see why BLT would be any different.

[DVC Mike]

I read that we will not be able to go to the Top of the World lounge because we are not members paying with points. Does this mean we also can not access the outer viewing area for Wishes?? This may be a deal breaker, as one of the main draws for us to stay at the Contemporary is to see the fireworks the night before we go to the park for our one day.

Currently, only DVC members staying at BLT on points can get to the top floor where the TOTW lounge and fireworks viewing area is.

Your other option is to view them from the 4th floor of the Contemporary.

Also, I noticed check in is an hour later than most resorts (4 pm) and we were hoping to get to the hotel as soon as possible and really enjoy our whole day there, as the next day we will be out first thing to go to the park. I understand we will not be able to use the pool or access the tower at all without a room key. Will we be able to hang out at the Contemporary while we wait for our room to be ready?? Will they let us over to the tower with our room key early ( if it's just that it won't be "activated" for us to get into the room until 4)??

When you check-in, the room key you get will allow you immediate access to BLT, including the pool. They'll call or text you your room number when it is ready.

[pixiepower]

Thank you both! That's what I needed to know. It's a tough call because we have always fantasized about staying at the Contemporary and the new BLT look fabulous. We would probably never spend our typical 8-9 days there because of the expense. The other toughie is that I've always been attracted to AKL but would probably never spend 8-9 days there because of the distance. This time we will have a car....decisions, decisions.