Advanced Check in vs Upgrade

[jeffnpa]

What would you do, Staying at BCR in May and we have the opportunity to do the advance check in or my original plan was to arrive and "roll the dice and see if we can get upgraded for free" We are currently booked for a GV room and the only up-grade available would be to club level. I know it is a long shot, but hey you never know, so I am leaning towards "rolling the dice."

thoughts ??????????????

 

[mickeynut1]

Free upgrades are very rare and are usually only given for maintenance reasons, overbooking, etc. If you ask for an upgrade, be prepared to pay for it as one sure way to not get an upgrade is to ask for one. Also, if you're booked in a regular GV, waterview would be the next step up, rather than CL. With that said, if CL is something you really want, it's best to upgrade now so you get exactly what you want and you're not disappointed.

 

[megs1313]

I think in your situation I'd do the early check in. I really can't imagine getting bumped to CL unless there were some serious overbooking/maintenance issues going on.

 

[bowbat]

The one and only time we ever received an upgrade at Disney (and it was a BIG upgrade -- from a standard Bay Lake-view room to a 2-bedroom suite on CL at the Contemporary), we did online check-in. So, how you check in has no bearing on whether or not you'll receive an upgrade.

 

[Lynne M]

At Disney resorts, the great majority of complimentary upgrades are done for the resort's operational needs, and are assigned in advance. Doing online check-in won't have any effect on whether you get an upgrade. It's simply going to come down to whether the resort needs to free up a room in the category you booked, for the dates of your stay. In other words, pure luck.

It's pretty unusual for a front desk CM to have the ability to do a complimentary upgrade at check-in, and several who post here have made it clear that if a guest asks for a free upgrade, they won't get it, even if the CM has one to give out. They much prefer to do the 'pixie dust' surprise.

 

[purple figment]

You asked this question before and the answers aren't going to change. Most people would love to have a free upgrade, but it doesn't happen very often. It sound like you really want to stay CL, so it's best to pay for it now and get what you want.

 

[sndral]

What would you do, Staying at BCR in May and we have the opportunity to do the advance check in
Everyone has this opportunity at all resorts from value to the GF
or my original plan was to arrive and "roll the dice and see if we can get upgraded for free" We are currently booked for a GV room and the only up-grade available would be to club level. I know it is a long shot, but hey you never know, so I am leaning towards "rolling the dice."

thoughts ??????????????

My thoughts are that you are incorrect about the room categories at BC - the next step up is water view, as noted by a pp, so perhaps you should spend some time researching where the rooms in the GV category you paid for are located - closer to Epcot or YC side, for example. Have you thought about how important having a balcony is to you? 50% of the rooms at BC don't have a balcony. Rather than fantasizing about something that 99.9% won't happen (GV to club) focus on rooms in the category you booked.
WDW upgrades when there is a problem w/ overbooking or a physical problem w/ a room, they also occasionally downgrade for the same reasons.
I like online check-in because it's quick and easy. Last time at the YC w/ online check-in we had a marvelous room w/ a view of the lake near the elevators to the lobby, it was perfect.
Online has your room preassigned, your keys cut, your package ready - it's grab and go and for people who will be happy w/ what they get and value quick and easy check in.
It sounds to me like you may want to discuss your room category/location when you get there, in which case, please be courteous to others and don't do online check-in, as you will slow down the persons waiting in the online check in behind you. The regular check in where you can spend some time w/ the desk person and not slow down the online people seems to me to be a better choice for you.
Enjoy your time @ the BC, wherever your room is...it's a lovely resort.