Today marks a new chapter for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members as the long-awaited Member Lounge opens its doors at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World Resort. Located in the heart of Frontierland, the lounge offers a rustic, comfortable retreat for DVC members looking to relax during their park visit.
The lounge is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, providing a unique space for members to unwind while enjoying exclusive amenities. However, the opening has been met with both enthusiasm and backlash, as it replaces a beloved park attraction.
A Cozy Hideaway for Members
The new DVC Member Lounge offers a retreat from the bustling crowds of Magic Kingdom. With its rustic, Western-inspired design, it reflects the spirit of Frontierland, featuring natural wood tones, cozy seating, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for members to rest and recharge during a long day at the park. It is exclusively available to Disney Vacation Club members, who can access the lounge by showing their membership credentials.
For DVC members, this lounge is a much-anticipated addition, offering a place to cool off, grab a snack, or simply relax in a comfortable environment without having to leave the park. The lounge is stocked with amenities, including charging stations, seating areas, and a range of snacks and beverages. Disney promises it will be a “rustic hideaway,” complete with modern conveniences to ensure an enjoyable experience for those who qualify for access.
Unexpected Opening and Early Buzz
What caught many by surprise, however, is the early opening of the lounge. Originally, Disney fans and DVC members were expecting the lounge to open later in the year, but Disney has made a decision to launch it sooner than anticipated, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding its debut.
The lounge’s sudden availability has been a bit of a surprise to many who were not expecting it to open so early in the year. This fast-tracked debut marks a milestone for the DVC, as it is the first-ever Member Lounge at Magic Kingdom Park, highlighting Disney’s commitment to expanding offerings for DVC members.
Backlash: The Loss of Frontierland’s Iconic Attraction
While the new lounge certainly generates excitement among Disney Vacation Club members, not everyone is pleased with the change. The lounge’s location is particularly contentious, as it sits where the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade once stood.
This iconic opening-day attraction, which allowed guests to try their hand at interactive shooting games, has been a beloved feature of Frontierland for decades. Its removal to make space for the DVC Member Lounge has sparked backlash among park visitors, especially those who have fond memories of the arcade and its role in Magic Kingdom’s early days.
Many Disney fans took to social media to express their disappointment over the arcade’s closure, calling it a loss of one of the park’s original attractions. Some fans are frustrated that a newer offering like the DVC Member Lounge was prioritized over maintaining this nostalgic part of the park’s history. While Disney has stated that the arcade was not seeing the same level of engagement it once did, for many, the loss of the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade represents a departure from the park’s roots.
A Mixed Reception
The DVC Member Lounge is undoubtedly a welcome addition for many club members looking for an exclusive space to relax during their park day. However, the backlash over the loss of the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade serves as a reminder that not all changes are universally embraced. With its early opening and new appeal for DVC members, the lounge marks a new chapter in Magic Kingdom’s ongoing evolution, but it has also triggered a sense of nostalgia and longing for an attraction that has long been a part of the park’s charm.
As Disney continues to expand and update its offerings, it will be interesting to see how the balance between modern amenities for members and the preservation of classic attractions continues to play out in the future.
For Disney Vacation Club members, this new lounge offers a relaxing refuge, but for some, it will always be a reminder of the beloved Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade that once stood in its place.
