Do you ever pay full price for concierge? - The DIS Discussion Forums

hayesfamof4 · 02-01-2013, 01:07 PM

So, we were going to attempt to upgrade to concierge on our April 27th cruise. There were 4 rooms left... now it's down to 1. It's a 5 night and would cost $3,000 more to upgrade. We upgraded last October on the 4 night for concierge and had a huge 1 bedroom suite. It was amazing. We paid $700 to upgrade. I am debating the upgrade now since it doesn't look like we will get a room at the port. For those who do concierge - do you do it full price or only if you can get an upgrade at the port? We are in a 4A room right now. How do you go back to that after a 1 bedroom suite?

bzss7x · 02-01-2013, 01:15 PM

We have upgraded and paid in full. However, on the classic ships, I don't think the difference is quite as noticeable (no lounge, sun deck, etc). I'd just try to get an upgrade at port by getting there early. Regardless, Cat 4A is still a great room.

hayesfamof4 · 02-01-2013, 01:18 PM

Thank you!! I will stick with the 4A and attempt an upgrade at the port. That 3,000 would pay for another cruise this fall.

disneywonderfun · 02-01-2013, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

So, we were going to attempt to upgrade to concierge on our April 27th cruise. There were 4 rooms left... now it's down to 1. It's a 5 night and would cost $3,000 more to upgrade. We upgraded last October on the 4 night for concierge and had a huge 1 bedroom suite. It was amazing. We paid $700 to upgrade. I am debating the upgrade now since it doesn't look like we will get a room at the port. For those who do concierge - do you do it full price or only if you can get an upgrade at the port? We are in a 4A room right now. How do you go back to that after a 1 bedroom suite?

It is all about Disney's grand plan to assimilate you into its world. By having you upgrade at the port, you are much more apt to pay full freight next time around. For example, on our first stay at the Grand Floridian, we were upgraded to a concierge building for no cost whatsoever. Well, next time we went to Disney, my wife said we HAD TO stay in a concierge room if we stayed at the Grand Floridian. Thanks, Disney. Please take even more of my money. Disney cruises are based on the same thought. If you get a concierge cabin for a nominal port upgrade charge, you might be more tempted to book one on the front end next time. At least that is what I think is going on. Although, I admit frustration must set in if you do pay a full fare and then discover multiple people were able to upgrade for that same nominal charge.

Not really advice, just comments, I guess.

DWF

Silverfox97 · 02-01-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneywonderfun

It is all about Disney's grand plan to assimilate you into its world. By having you upgrade at the port, you are much more apt to pay full freight next time around. For example, on our first stay at the Grand Floridian, we were upgraded to a concierge building for no cost whatsoever. Well, next time we went to Disney, my wife said we HAD TO stay in a concierge room if we stayed at the Grand Floridian. Thanks, Disney. Please take even more of my money. Disney cruises are based on the same thought. If you get a concierge cabin for a nominal port upgrade charge, you might be more tempted to book one on the front end next time. At least that is what I think is going on. Although, I admit frustration must set in if you do pay a full fare and then discover multiple people were able to upgrade for that same nominal charge.

Not really advice, just comments, I guess.

DWF

ITA. I think this is why the majority (not all) of VGT bookings get Cat 4s, or even how on some cruises, inside folks got ocean view or even verandah rooms. I too am in that camp - verandah cabin ONLY (albeit I would take a Cat 8A on deck 5 of the new ships).

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

darkwing818 · 02-01-2013, 01:44 PM

We've done it both ways on the Dream, last year sailing in October there were a # of cabins open so we rolled the dice & upgraded at the port ($680). When we booked our January 2nd cruise while on board in October, there were no concierge cabins available, we booked a 4A & waitlisted for concierge which we got at full price. We've already booked New Years Eve this year at full price. We're looking to upgrade at the port in October, if we sail, there are quite a few cabins open, at this time. Full disclosure: our Concierge cabins were the standard cabin not a 1 bedroom, so the difference betweeen a 4A & concierge was nowhere close to $3,000

which made it more a bit easier on the wallet.

I think your strategy of trying for an upgrade at port might pay off.

NurseDave · 02-01-2013, 01:49 PM

Bummer, checked for our cruise in April and they are all sold out.

Meghatron · 02-01-2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneywonderfun

Although, I admit frustration must set in if you do pay a full fare and then discover multiple people were able to upgrade for that same nominal charge.

I see the price difference as the cheaper port upgrade also losing the privilege of the 120-day booking window advantage. Yes, you are still put at the top of the wait list for sold out things (like a CC cabana), but if no one cancels...

hayesfamof4 · 02-01-2013, 02:00 PM

When we upgraded to concierge in October, we got a cabana (apparently concierge holds some back from what I was told). I ended up with a cabana this time (for our April cruise) but we're going to cross our fingers for an upgrade. If not, it's no biggie, since we won't even drink nearly $3,000 in alcohol to justify paying full price for the upgrade now. We cruise twice a year so if this lucks out, usually we can get the upgrade in the fall

kcashner · 02-01-2013, 02:00 PM

I'm sure this is the plan with upgrades....and once you've done concierge, you don't want to go back.

True that on the cruise, you lose the 120 day window if you upgrade at the port....but the onboard concierge will get you whatever he/he can.

hayesfamof4 · 02-01-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meghatron

I see the price difference as the cheaper port upgrade also losing the privilege of the 120-day booking window advantage. Yes, you are still put at the top of the wait list for sold out things (like a CC cabana), but if no one cancels...

Do you lose all your booking activities *like the cabana* if you upgrade at the port??

lilpooh108 · 02-01-2013, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

So, we were going to attempt to upgrade to concierge on our April 27th cruise. There were 4 rooms left... now it's down to 1. It's a 5 night and would cost $3,000 more to upgrade. We upgraded last October on the 4 night for concierge and had a huge 1 bedroom suite. It was amazing. We paid $700 to upgrade. I am debating the upgrade now since it doesn't look like we will get a room at the port. For those who do concierge - do you do it full price or only if you can get an upgrade at the port? We are in a 4A room right now. How do you go back to that after a 1 bedroom suite?

That's an amazing price to upgrade to concierge. Last time we upgraded from an inside 11B to a verandah cat 4 we paid $500. Overpriced, and only about a 25% discount from what I'd been tracking but we did it anyway.

Meghatron · 02-01-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

Do you lose all your booking activities *like the cabana* if you upgrade at the port??

No, why would you?

tweis · 02-01-2013, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hayesfamof4

Do you lose all your booking activities *like the cabana* if you upgrade at the port??

I think what the PP was saying is that you may save money by upgrading to concierge at the port but you do not get the perks that you would have gotten had you paid full price. If you book concierge to begin with you get the benefit of booking excursions/cabanas/dining at 120 days out if you upgrade at the port you didn't get that benefit. You do not lose anything that you already booked you just didn't get all the perks of paying full price for concierge.

hayesfamof4 · 02-01-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweis

I think what the PP was saying is that you may save money by upgrading to concierge at the port but you do not get the perks that you would have gotten had you paid full price. If you book concierge to begin with you get the benefit of booking excursions/cabanas/dining at 120 days out if you upgrade at the port you didn't get that benefit. You do not lose anything that you already booked you just didn't get all the perks of paying full price for concierge.

Got it! Thank you!

02-01-2013, 01:07 PM	#1
hayesfamof4 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 122	Do you ever pay full price for concierge? So, we were going to attempt to upgrade to concierge on our April 27th cruise. There were 4 rooms left... now it's down to 1. It's a 5 night and would cost $3,000 more to upgrade. We upgraded last October on the 4 night for concierge and had a huge 1 bedroom suite. It was amazing. We paid $700 to upgrade. I am debating the upgrade now since it doesn't look like we will get a room at the port. For those who do concierge - do you do it full price or only if you can get an upgrade at the port? We are in a 4A room right now. How do you go back to that after a 1 bedroom suite? __________________ Sailing on the Disney Wonder out of Miami on April 27, 2013 Disney Dream-4 night Halloween Cruise-October 28, 2012 Disney Fantasy-7 night Eastern Cruise - April 21, 2012 *Disney Dream-3 nights-May 19, 2011

02-01-2013, 01:15 PM	#2
bzss7x Mr. Incredible went to LSU Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: LSU! LSU! LSU! Posts: 109	We have upgraded and paid in full. However, on the classic ships, I don't think the difference is quite as noticeable (no lounge, sun deck, etc). I'd just try to get an upgrade at port by getting there early. Regardless, Cat 4A is still a great room. __________________ 2004 Wonder 4 Nights to Bahamas 2009 Wonder 4 Nights to Bahamas 2012 Fantasy 7 Nights to Eastern Caribbean in Walt Disney Suite 2013 Wonder 7 Nights to Alaska WDW - 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012 Disneyland - 2008

02-01-2013, 01:18 PM	#3
hayesfamof4 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 122	Thank you!! I will stick with the 4A and attempt an upgrade at the port. That 3,000 would pay for another cruise this fall. __________________ Sailing on the Disney Wonder out of Miami on April 27, 2013 Disney Dream-4 night Halloween Cruise-October 28, 2012 Disney Fantasy-7 night Eastern Cruise - April 21, 2012 *Disney Dream-3 nights-May 19, 2011

02-01-2013, 02:00 PM	#9
hayesfamof4 Mouseketeer Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 122	When we upgraded to concierge in October, we got a cabana (apparently concierge holds some back from what I was told). I ended up with a cabana this time (for our April cruise) but we're going to cross our fingers for an upgrade. If not, it's no biggie, since we won't even drink nearly $3,000 in alcohol to justify paying full price for the upgrade now. We cruise twice a year so if this lucks out, usually we can get the upgrade in the fall __________________ Sailing on the Disney Wonder out of Miami on April 27, 2013 Disney Dream-4 night Halloween Cruise-October 28, 2012 Disney Fantasy-7 night Eastern Cruise - April 21, 2012 *Disney Dream-3 nights-May 19, 2011

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

02-01-2013, 01:44 PM	#6
darkwing818 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Franklin, TN Posts: 900	We've done it both ways on the Dream, last year sailing in October there were a # of cabins open so we rolled the dice & upgraded at the port ($680). When we booked our January 2nd cruise while on board in October, there were no concierge cabins available, we booked a 4A & waitlisted for concierge which we got at full price. We've already booked New Years Eve this year at full price. We're looking to upgrade at the port in October, if we sail, there are quite a few cabins open, at this time. Full disclosure: our Concierge cabins were the standard cabin not a 1 bedroom, so the difference betweeen a 4A & concierge was nowhere close to $3,000 which made it more a bit easier on the wallet. I think your strategy of trying for an upgrade at port might pay off.

02-01-2013, 01:49 PM	#7
NurseDave Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 229	Bummer, checked for our cruise in April and they are all sold out.

02-01-2013, 02:00 PM	#10
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	I'm sure this is the plan with upgrades....and once you've done concierge, you don't want to go back. True that on the cruise, you lose the 120 day window if you upgrade at the port....but the onboard concierge will get you whatever he/he can.