Does Disney ever offer free upgrades or promotions from a value to a moderate?

[nuge67]

Any chance of that happening or is Disney pretty cut and dry, what you see is what you get, no chance of a free upgrade for whatever reason?

[dansdad]

Usually the only time that happens, and it does happen, is when it benefits Disney. Like if they are booked to capacity and have issues with a room, block of rooms, a whole floor or a whole building.

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by nuge67

Any chance of that happening or is Disney pretty cut and dry, what you see is what you get, no chance of a free upgrade for whatever reason?

Upgrades happen due to things totally out of your control, so it is not worth expecting it.

One thing that CMs have said on the boards is that the best way not to get an upgrade is ask for one.

Best to pay for what you want or enjoy where you are at.

[shaynar]

The rule of thumb really is reserve where you want to stay. Upgrades are awesome, but never to be expected.

[TDC Nala]

Sometimes. But not often, and not out of the blue - there is usually something going on that necessitates guests being moved from one resort to another.

If you are booking a value mostly because you are thinking you might get a free upgrade to a different resort that is more to your liking, while it's not impossible the odds are very slim. You should probably expect that you will be staying in the same category you booked.

[DebbieB]

There have been recent reports of upgrades from values to Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. They have a hard time filling the cash rooms there (both are DVC resorts, with separate inventory for cash & points stays).

[nuge67]

Originally Posted by DebbieB

There have been recent reports of upgrades from values to Old Key West or Saratoga Springs. They have a hard time filling the cash rooms there (both are DVC resorts, with separate inventory for cash & points stays).

How does on have a chance to get one or is it random?

[Missytara]

Originally Posted by nuge67

How does on have a chance to get one or is it random?

Completely random.

[Lynne M]

Originally Posted by nuge67

How does on have a chance to get one or is it random?

From the guest's perspective, it's totally random. Meaning, there's nothing you can do to increase your chances of getting an upgrade.

Disney resorts primarily upgrade guests for their own operational reasons. For some reason, they need the room they would otherwise have put you in, so they've got to put you somewhere else. Maybe the resort has been overbooked, maybe they need to take a block of rooms out of service to do some repairs. It's really just a matter of being in the right place at the right time - pure luck.

[Polydweller]

Lynne is absolutely right. Hotels, not just Disney, give upgrades based on the hotel's business and operational needs. And hotels have policies for upgrades that front desk (that includes room assigners) must follow. The type of upgrade you are asking about although it can occur is the rarest and definitely don't expect it. If you want moderate then book moderate.

[TDC Nala]

Originally Posted by nuge67

How does on have a chance to get one or is it random?

Totally random and is usually done only when a value resort has been oversold.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Upgrades do happen every day.
2) But, as a percentage of rooms, they are quite small.
3) When there are Value upgrades, it is usually to a DVC (OKW or SSR).
4) There are VERY specific rules and regulations for upgrades.
. . . mechanical problems
. . . over-sold resorts
. . . over-sold room classifications
. . . group sales has a chance to sell a big group (with lots of extras) to Values
5) When an upgrade is made, the "ROOM ASSIGNER"
. . . lists the room
. . . lists the specific reason for the upgrade
. . . lists the upgrade price change on a daily report to the General Mgr
6) The Sending Resort must pay Receiving Resort for the room at Rack Rate.
7) So, these are done very sparingly.

NOTE: These do not include the "Pixie Dust" upgrades where a Front Desk
or Concierge CM will spontaneously upgrade a guest. CM's have a lot of
leeway in upgrading, a) if they like you, b) if they feel generous, c) if they
like the family, d) if they like the phase of the moon. These can be done
almost anytime and at any resort. We have a lot of fun doing this. So, treat
your check-in people sweetly!

[catherines_mama]

We've been upgraded to Water View at PORFQ once but it was just luck. I never ask and was just dosed with pixie dust that trip. I agree with others, if you are bent on a certain level room, book it.

[Missytara]

Therustyscupper - we have often posted bits and pieces of your post, but it is great to see it all in one comprehensive post, especially from a CM perspective.

You can ask the question a million different times and a million different ways. You can say you are not interested for yourself exactly, but just wondering. You can ask if it hurts or helps your chance if you do regular or online check-in. But it is all the same.

Book what you can afford and be happy you are at the happiest place on earth.