NEWS: Paid Event Returns To TOTW Lounge On New Year's Eve

NEWS: Paid Event Returns To TOTW Lounge On New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve 2019, Top of the World Lounge will be available only to DVC members paying to attend a private event. This comes on the heels of a similar July 4 event which saw DVC owners, including registered guests at Bay Lake Tower, blocked from accessing the lounge unless they had paid for an event ticket.

Dating back to Bay Lake Tower’s 2009 opening, DVC owners have enjoyed varying levels of nightly access to the Top of the World Lounge. Initially the lounge was available exclusively to resort guests. After several years, lounge usage expanded to all DVC members staying on Walt Disney World property. However, recurring blockout dates were established on July 3 & 4 and December 30 & 31 during which the lounge was only available to Bay Lake Tower guests due to expected high demand.

The DVC website was recently updated to confirm that the lounge will be closed for private events on July 4 and December 31. Blockout dates remain on July 3 and December 30, with access restricted to resort guests only.

Back on June 11, DVC announced plans to host a private event on the night of July 4, 2019. For $99 per person, members received access to the lounge to enjoy the Magic Kingdom’s Independence Day fireworks display, along with light snacks and beverages. A similar event is presumably in the works for December 31.

The July 4 restriction seems to have caught some hotel guests off-guard. According to online reports, many resort guests did not hear about the change until they visited the resort lobby on July 4, expecting to be granted immediate access to the lounge. Some were reportedly offered access to the outdoor viewing platform–with no snacks or beverages–for a rate of $49 per person.

Those with Bay Lake Tower reservations over New Year’s Eve are advised to adjust their plans accordingly.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story