How do you get an upgrade?

[magicalfoursome]

I have the opposite problem. I booked the BC for Nov 1 to Nov 8th last January and I wanted a standard view to save a little $$. The resort is important to me but the view not so important. They only had water view so I booked it. Well, we decided to take the kids a day earlier so we could go to MNSSHP on Halloween! I added a night on Oct 31st at BC in a standard view. I would really love just to stay in the same room for my entire stay and I would be happy in a standard room. Is it ok to ask if we can have one room for the entire stay? Either one is fine with me. Am I crazy to move after one night?
We have never received a free upgrade and we have never asked. I am always hopeful but never expect it.

 

[TammiMcMan]

I would really love just to stay in the same room for my entire stay and I would be happy in a standard room. Is it ok to ask if we can have one room for the entire stay? Either one is fine with me. Am I crazy to move after one night?

There's a very good chance that they'll just put you in the water view room for that first night as well. That way, they don't have to move you at all. If you really want to try and downgrade, I'd keep calling periodically (early in the morning). Inventory levels change all the time, especially when final payments or cancellation policies are due. It's harder to downgrade at check-in, if that level is sold out. Disney won't be too anxious to upgrade another guest for free and give you a refund for the water view.

 

[sbelyo]

I have been upgraded each time that I checked into the AKL. I usually book a standard room and get safari view.

I have never asked, it has always been given. On our last trip they were doing construction for the AKL Villas and they called us a few weeks ahead of time and offered a switch to the CR because of the construction. My wife said no based on the fact that the construction wouldn't be that bad.

We arrived at the AKL and started to check in. They told us that the construction was worse than they had anticipated and there were only a limited number of rooms and no animals because of the noise. The AKL clerk gave us our options.

1. CR garden view (Wife hates that resort)

2. Suite in SSR (Not my cup of tea)

3. GF garden view (Not a given, but they would check)

The manger told us it would be a few minutes to check availability so my wife and kids went to the gift shop while I stood and waited. The manager came out and said you're in at the GF and for your trouble we're going to give you $500.00 in gift cards.

So at this point I hit the Disney lottery. I paid for an AKL standard and got GF garden view plus $500.00

In short upgrades to other resorts happen, but not often.

 

[momof3poohlovers]

We were once upgraded at the GF to Royal Palm Concierge. We did not ask and it must of been done before we checked in because when we drove up to the valet, they asked us our name and the valet took us up to the concierge desk. We had no clue that we had been upgraded and I was wondering why they took us upstairs to check us in. Even the cm checking us in didn't say anything to us until she said something about the concierge lounge and I asked her if we had been upgraded. I still have no idea why we were upgraded but it was wonderful. We were celebrating DD's 13th birthday so maybe that is why we were picked?

 

[biscuitgirl]

Well, I've got a question.

I booked a room at POR with free dining. I had originally booked a king bed at POR but when I called back to add free dining, they said they had no king rooms with free dining available, so I had to switch to a standard. I had the CM put on my reservation to highly request a king room anyway. Even looking at the Disney website, they still have king rooms available for the duration of my stay. When I check in, would it be wrong of me to ask for the king room even still? It's just my DH and me, and he really wants a king bed to sleep in. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable about anything. What would be the best way to go about it?

 

[Aisling]

When you think about it, it's kind of crazy to think one can get something that others of us pay good money for, for free!

I have been upgraded on two separate trips without asking. It was a total surprise at check-in, once at the Beach Club, and once at AKL.

 

[lilyv]

Well, I've got a question.

I booked a room at POR with free dining. I had originally booked a king bed at POR but when I called back to add free dining, they said they had no king rooms with free dining available, so I had to switch to a standard. I had the CM put on my reservation to highly request a king room anyway. Even looking at the Disney website, they still have king rooms available for the duration of my stay. When I check in, would it be wrong of me to ask for the king room even still? It's just my DH and me, and he really wants a king bed to sleep in. I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable about anything. What would be the best way to go about it?

I'd tell the CM "My husband really prefers a king bed." Then I'd ask "Are there any king rooms available and what would be the additional cost if there are?"

 

[TheRustyScupper]

It must be great to help Tinker Bell spread a little Pixie Dust once in a while.

1) There are times you go home smiling the entire drive !
2) And, sometimes when the Pixie Dust means a lot to the guest, you drive home misty-eyed.

 

[lisa3383]

I should have clarified my earlier post. What I meant was that I think its a bit twisted to be researching how to get a deal by asking for something more/better than what anyone else who paid your price got. I guess I just read it in a way that seemed selfish?

Sorry this sounds harsh, I shouldn't knock anyone looking for a deal especially in this economy, but this is certainly not something anyone NEEDS!

 

[jeanninepl]

I should have clarified my earlier post. What I meant was that I think its a bit twisted to be researching how to get a deal by asking for something more/better than what anyone else who paid your price got. I guess I just read it in a way that seemed selfish?

Sorry this sounds harsh, I shouldn't knock anyone looking for a deal especially in this economy, but this is certainly not something anyone NEEDS!

I understand what you are saying. We are headed to Disney on Saturday. If we check in and they offer us an upgrade it would be an added bonus. If not, I will be smiling while looking at my garden view at the GF!!

 

[sjaakie]

1) There are times you go home smiling the entire drive !
2) And, sometimes when the Pixie Dust means a lot to the guest, you drive home misty-eyed.

I hope this feelings makes a little bit up for the guests that give CM a bad time.

A friend of mine works at Disney Land Paris and he tells me often how rude people behave.

 

[vacation16]

Most have mentioned an upgrade from one view to another. Has anyone ever been upgraded from a studio to a one bedroom at one of the Disney resorts (such as SSR) with or without asking?

 

[haveitall]

We stayed on property for the first time in 2006. It was just DH and I. We were celebrating our 32nd wedding anniversery. We stayed at ASMU. We were very excited to be staying there. We were upgraded from standard to perferred. It was a wonderful surprize.

We are going back to celebrate our 34th. Just DH and I again. We are staying at POP. If we are upgraded that would be great, if not that's o.k. too. We don't spend alot of time in the room anyway.

Sylvia

 

[Jedi_Galvatron]

One year my best friend had booked a Disney vacation for him and his wife. His wife ended up leaving him for another man a few months before the trip, he was devestated but rather then cancel he asked me to come along instead as he wanted to "get away from it all" for a while. On check-in he was so happy to be on vacation but also so filled with emotions (they had honeymooned in Disney at that very resort) that he started crying. The wonderfull POR front desk CM (who I believe was also a manager) consoled him and went in the back once he had calmed down. When he returned from the back he told us to gos tand out front of the resort and that a car would be there for us shortly. We asked where it would take us but he insisted that we would enjoy our trip and to just wait for the magic. A few minutes later a limo pulled up and the driver asked if we were the ones he was there for then told us to get in our trip to the contemporary would only take a few minutes. Overwhelmed with joy we hopped in, and when we arrived at the CR we were escorted to the concierge desk. Despite the poor circumstances that lead to it the trip was one of my friend's favorites and I wish I could find that POR CM to thank them, so if you're reading this, thank you so much.

 

[flyball]

We've paid for upgrades to club level at AKL (at check in at a discounted rate) and have also been surprised by an upgrade (last year at CBR to a preferred room). On the flip side, we've paid for a water view that turned out to be a view of a dumpster and a mud puddle at best!

This year, we're booked at AKL studio villas on the first night of our AKL stay and pool view for the second 2 nights. I had been planning on requesting that we stay in the same room (if possible) all three nights, but I was going to suggest the pool view room, since that would be the cheaper of the two. My awesome sister booked our first night (2 rooms!) with her points and we could only afford the pool view for the other two. I didn't think the CM's would mind seeing as I was requesting the less expensive option for the convenience of not having to move.

 

[Cindy B]

One time at WL, we paid for standard (during the buy 3 or 4 and get 3 free deal in 2003) and we got a window that overlooked VWL and some water.

Didn't ask-- it just happened. We also got to be Flag Family one day that week of that trip.


We've gotten better room upgrades onsite at Universal. At Royal Pacific, we have had theme park views from our windows BOTH times. There is something to be said about looking out and seeing HULK! My DH booked Hard Rock for Christmas week. We have some Loew's loyalty points and we got a queen deluxe. Once he hang up Hard Rock called again-- they called us with another upgrade. (I think it's club but I'm not sure)

 

[MissyDVC]

I should have clarified my earlier post. What I meant was that I think its a bit twisted to be researching how to get a deal by asking for something more/better than what anyone else who paid your price got. I guess I just read it in a way that seemed selfish?

Sorry this sounds harsh, I shouldn't knock anyone looking for a deal especially in this economy, but this is certainly not something anyone NEEDS!

I agree. I wouldn't call it twisted maybe but it takes the magic of being surprised by getting more than you paid for

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I've gotten a couple of upgrades, once I asked and recently on a DVC trip it was a surprise.

It was several years ago I asked if an upgrade would be available at the Poly (we booked a garden view) and I seemed to totally confuse the front desk CM. She started looking up prices for me! When I said I meant complimentary, she disapeared into a back room and came out saying she had a lagoon view for me I assumed she talked to a room controller. While it worked I felt very uncomfortable asking.

More recently, last March when I checked in at the Boardwalk Villas the CM announced to me that I was given a upgrade. That really surprised me as I've been told it's even more rare in DVC (we are members, were staying on points). It was an upgrade from a standard to preferred view, not a larger room, but pixie dust none the less.

I've stopped asking, I think the Poly incidence was the only time I did. I'm rather picky about my room so I book the room I'm happy with now and if pixie dust comes my way - then great, but either way I'm happy.

Just my philosophy . . .

Great story Jedi Galvatron

OP - a free upgrade from a mod to a deluxe is a rare thing and usually involves, as other have said, overbooking or a resort closing - that kind of thing. More likely to get a room category upgrade but still nothing to count on.

 

[madamy]

I hope this feelings makes a little bit up for the guests that give CM a bad time.

A friend of mine works at Disney Land Paris and he tells me often how rude people behave.

Of course they are rude! Most of the guests are probably French!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Of course they are rude! Most of the guests are probably French!

Oh man, I know it's a joke and a sterotype but I've got to say, I've been to France and they were all extremely nice to me (seriously).

Maybe it's all in the approach . . . but I honestly don't know how that sterotype started, it wasn't my experience.