Ok....so I had a chat with member services on the website, and here is the transcript. They contacted Bay Lake Tower directly to inquire. I think I will still call member services to see if I can get the discount, but this is nice to know.
Live Chat - Exit Survey
General Info
Chat start time Jun 25, 2015 5:06:29 PM EST
Chat end time Jun 25, 2015 5:25:57 PM EST
Duration (actual chatting time) 00:19:27
Operator Todd
Chat Transcript
info: One moment while we route your chat to a Disney Vacation Club Cast Member. The approximate wait time to chat with an Advisor is 1:39
info: You are now chatting with Todd.
Todd: Welcome Home! How may I assist you today?
Nicholas: Hi Todd, well I was wondering if I could inquire if there was a dvc unit available to rent with cash with a dvc cash discount?
Todd: That's a great question! To check rates and availability for cash reservations with the Member discount, you will need to call Member Services and speak to one of our Vacation Advisors. This information is not available online.
Todd: We can be reached by phoning (***) ***-****, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 7:30 PM ET and Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET.
Nicholas: Oh ok, thank you. Do you know if usually something is available on disneyworld.com if it's also available as a cash reservation through member services, or is that like a 3rd separate inventory, lol.
Todd: Very good question! Usually if its available through disneyworld.com we can book it too, but the discount isn't always available.
Todd: That cash availability comes from your fellow Members booking exchanges through things like the Concierge Collection or the
Disney Cruise Line.
Todd: Those locations don't accept Vacation Points so we have to rent out the equivalent time at the Disney Vacation Club Resorts to get the cash to pay for those reservations.
Nicholas: I guess the reason I ask that is because I was considering renting a unit at Bay Lake Tower over 4th of July weekend to go to the Top of the World Lounge, and people on the discussion boards said it may make a difference whether I am eligible to get in the lounge if I make the reservation through member services versus the disneyworld.com site.
Todd: For July 3 and 4 access to the Top of the World Lounge is limited to Members staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Todd: Let me check with the resort to see if you could access Top of the World if you have a cash reservation at Bay lake Tower on those nights.
Nicholas: I guess we were looking to clarify further, if I am a member staying at Bay Lake Tower with a cash reservation, whether it would matter if I just booked that reservation on the disneyworld site or if I had to book through member services for it to show up as a member reservation to get access to the lounge. I don't know if their computer systems make that distinction or not, lol. Yes thank you for checking.
Todd: The resort has advised that if you are a Member staying at Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort on those nights, even on a cash reservation, you will be able to access the Top of the World Lounge based on capacity. You will have to show your Member ID Card to gain access.
Nicholas: Ok thank you! So it doesn't matter to them where you make your cash reservation, as long as you're a member staying in the Bay Lake Tower building?
Todd: Yes, that is what they have advised us.
Nicholas: Ok thank you very much! Ok yes I will still give member services a call to see if I can get our discount, but nice to know even at rack rate on the general site I could still do it. Thanks!
Todd: You're welcome! Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Nicholas: Nope that's it thank you- have a magical day!
Todd: Thank you for chatting with Member Services and remember to view the latest Membership Magic offerings on the Membership Magic tab. Once you are done with this chat session, please click the word 'close' at the top right of the chat box to end the chat. I would appreciate it if you would take a few moments to provide feedback on the service provided today by completing our survey. Thanks again and have a magical day!
info: Your chat transcript will be sent to
freediverdude@yahoo.com at the end of your chat.
Note: Edited to remove MS toll free phone number - Chuck S