AKL and upgrades

[metta4]

Hi. I have booked to rooms at AKL for late April/ Early May for our 1st family trip to WDW. In one room will be myself, DH, and 2 DS's (one turning 3 during the trip and one who will be 1.5 yrs old). In the other room wil be my mother for 3 of the 7 days we are there. She is coming to surprise DS as the whole trip is to celebrate his bday and also DH's bday (although he wants us to forget its his bday). My mom lives in AZ and we live in MN so we don't see her alot.

Anyhow, my question is this:

What is the chance of getting a little magic in the form of an upgrade. We are booked for a standard room and to be honest that is all we could afford. I have heard of people getting complimentary upgrades. How does that happen? Are people forward enough to ask or do they offer them to some people.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know DS would love a savannah room...he is so crazy about animals right now..it would really be special.

 

[n2mm]

Being upgraded (free) during a slower time is always possible (I was during a late January one year). I would try not to think about it and settle for what you have. Considering that late April early May looks to be an extremely busy time, I'm afraid you might be setting yourself up for disappointment, especially since you need a 2 room upgrade. Of course anything is possible, but IMHO, I think your chances are not great.

 

[hapandpam]

We have a standard view booked for the end of June, and would love an upgrade, but I have never been quite able to bring myself to ask for one. We stayed at AKL last summer, with a savannah view, and it was wonderful, but we just couldn't afford it this year. Still, it is a beautiful resort, and I figured I could grab my coffee and sit at one of the public viewing areas. Even without the upgrade, AKL is a beautiful place. Hope you have good luck with the upgrade!

 

[metta4]

I am totally fine with not getting one...I was just wondering how people get them. I am just thrilled we are going to be at AKL....we had origianlly thought we were going to do POR but decided to splurge and do AKL....the boys will love it either way ...and so will we....

 

[njchris]

I had booked standard room the past two years. They always gave me a pool view room. I think it might have something to do with using my Disney Visa since two years ago when I gave it to the guy he made a call and said "we have another one."

I never ask for it.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

That last week in April does not seem as busy as the ones around it. There are quite a few rooms open at AKL so your chances may be pretty good.
Good luck

 

[racheltyler]

We went last Aug to AKL and were not upgraded. We asked at check-in but they offered a different view for an additional charge. And from most we talked to around the pool area and others we know, no one had luck with upgrades - despite the many people we hear that have gotten them. Maybe not asking for one at all is your best chance!........

I had heard while there though that they reclassified certain rooms with obstructed pool views (roof view w/ pool beyond) as standard views. I could see how someone paying for a pool view room would not have liked this, but if you were paying standard, it would be a treat! Not sure but maybe you could ask about those instead of a parking lot view if this would be more preferable. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind any room at this place, it is wonderful!

 

[kerrynic78]

We went last May and had booked a standard room. We went to check in and were told that we had been given a complimentary Savannah view room. We did not ask for it so we were completely surprised and so excited. I really don't think there is any rhyme or reason, just depends on availability I guess. We are going again in June and booked a standard again but I am not holding my breath that the same luck will strike twice!! Have fun!

 

[AlexTina]

We stayed at AKL year before last and were told at check in that we had been given a complimentary upgrade to savannah view. It was awesome but totally unexpected. I happen to know that they only have around 77 standard veiw rooms in the entire resort so your chances of getting upgraded are actually pretty good. Have fun and I hope you get an upgrade.

P.S. If you ask about an upgrade upon arrival they will usually give it to you if it's available at a pretty significant discount.

Tina

 

[njchris]

AlexTina and kerrynic78, What time did you check in? I've heard it can depend on time of day too.

 

[dawgsgirl]

We stayed for one night at AKL on Feb 12--a Saturday. We checked in about 2:30 and were upgraded from a standard to a savannah view. We were thrilled, but it was not that big a deal. The room was one of those that they give to upgraded people. It was on one of the little wings that jut off the main lodge. Our view was a people pen and fences. The only animals we saw were some cattle things and a giraffe in the distance. I would have been really ticked off with this view if I had paid for it! We also discovered why they call the hallways "trails." They are long, winding, and narrow! We enjoyed seeing the animals from Arusha Rock or whatever it is called. There are so many places to see the animals I don't think you will be disappointed with a standard view. Have a great trip!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Dh and I had booked a standard view king room for a long weekend last fall. Upon check-in, we were told there were no kings available (only around 50 of them in the resort!), so we were being up-graded to a savannah view room. Our room was great! While there was a people pen to the left of our room, it in no way detracted from the view -- the animals can't get that close anyway! We saw lots of giraffes and other animals at all hours. We were especially surprised by our upgrade because the resort seemed fairly busy. However, it's difficult to tell exactly how busy at this very quiet resort. I based my judgement on the number of lit rooms at night. We did note on our reservation that this was an anniversary trip.

 

[AlexTina]

AlexTina and kerrynic78, What time did you check in? I've heard it can depend on time of day too.

We checked in around 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Tina

 

[SqueakyMouse]

We checked-in around 10 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

 

[princesstommi]

In 2002, we checked in around 9pm, and were given an upgrade, much to our surprise. I don't know if I could ever *ask* for one, but it really was a magical start to our honeymoon.