Any tips on how to get upgrades?

[rcraw45425]

Just back last night. On our trip in February to the YC I had requested upper floor, had booked standard room. Upon checking in the CM told us we had a first floor room. I nicely asked if there were any upper floor rooms available, we were planning future trip (true) and DH liekd to be able to see from the balcony. We had a 4th floor lagoon view room! It was great! This trip we came back from yesterday was my younger daughter's birthday. I had booked (or rather Sue Ellen with DU) garden view at the GF, where Amy wanted to stay. I foudn my old statement from when we stayed there in '99, called the resort to find out what building we had. Wound up talking to a guy in room assignments. We talked for a while, he told me to call him back the Monday before we arrived on Friday, he'd see "what he could do", since it was her birthday. I called back and talked to someone, they said they'd try for a Magic Kingdom view. Upon cheking in, we had a wonderful CM, Roberta. She noted the room we were assigned (Boca Chica, lagoon view, view of the EWP). Asked if my two girls could sleep on a pull out sleeper sofa, there was another room with a king bed and a queen pullout with a vie of Space Mountain and Cinderellas Castle available. Sent us over to look and we took that one. The view was incredible, saw Wishes each night from the balcony, The EWP too. Could look out anytime and see Space Mountain and the railroad station. On her birthday "day" they sent up signed pictures from Cinderella for both girls and a beautiful Chocolate bar from the hotel. The king bed/sleeper sofa worked great for my two kids, and it made the room seem larger. This way they were ablr to accomdate another family checking in that ctually needed two queens. All I did was be friendly and polite and act appreciative afterwards.

 

[Hippychickali]

You also have to remember there is a difference between a free upgrade and room assignment preference. If you are asking for the latter, I can give you tips.

Ali

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

play nice people...

always

 

[bhoffman]

Ali - Thanks for the offer, I'm just not sure you and I will "get" what the other is saying. We seem to have a different approach to communication. I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip and enjoy gathering info. on this board! Thanks again for the offer...

 

[momto2]

two WDW trips ago, everyone was faxing room reservations 5 days before arriving. I don't see the link at allears.net and haven't seen any posts here. I am assuming that it isn't done anymore. Am I correct?

Also, Not to fuel any debate, but I think that when people keep posting about their AMAZING upgrades, it makes others feel like they have missed out when they don't get one. I know that people are excited when something 'magical' happens like a room upgrade - but we all have to remember how few people this happens to. Just a thought

 

[Sammie]

two WDW trips ago, everyone was faxing room reservations 5 days before arriving. I don't see the link at allears.net and haven't seen any posts here. I am assuming that it isn't done anymore. Am I correct?

Also, Not to fuel any debate, but I think that when people keep posting about their AMAZING upgrades, it makes others feel like they have missed out when they don't get one. I know that people are excited when something 'magical' happens like a room upgrade - but we all have to remember how few people this happens to. Just a thought

Due to the overwhelming number of faxes being sent, many resorts are now ignoring them and asking the guest to please make requests when you book your room.

 

[momto2]

Due to the overwhelming number of faxes being sent, many resorts are now ignoring them and asking the guest to please make requests when you book your room.

Thanks Sammie. I did ask for a view request when I booked. So I shouldn't follow that up in any way??

 

[rcraw45425]

I agree about the upgrades. If you look at my signature you'll see that we have been several times, and in all those trips have only receivede upgrades three times. I think it truly is the luck of the draw as to your room assigner, the time of year you're booking and plain, simple luck! I always sincerely appreciate anything extra that I receive and voice my appreciation to the cast member responsible. Often, they have thankless jobs. It's like towel animals, in all our trips we have never received one regardless of the tip. There again, luck of the draw. Just my two cents.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

But you really didn't respnd to the OP's question..she wanted to know if there were any tips on getting an upgrade...you didn't give a tip...you said pay for what you want then you won't have to worry about it.
Whether she(or he) wants a free upgrade or paid one what difference does that make?? She is not asking..."How can I use(or should I say abuse) my child to get an upgrade?"
I am not trying to sound like a *itch, but I think that it is so hard to even post on these borads anymore without someone bashing you. I think if you (meaning the general you not YOU in particular) do not want to answer what the OP is asking then just skip over that thread that's all.

This reminds me of several posters over on cruisecritic who click on every thread asking questions about children and always respond "You shouldn't cruise with children." If you aren't being helpful, then, well you aren't being helpful.

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

This reminds me of several posters over on cruisecritic who click on every thread asking questions about children and always respond "You shouldn't cruise with children." If you aren't being helpful, then, well you aren't being helpful.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!!

 

[TammiMcMan]

bhoffman, I just noticed on one of your replies that you are being sent on this trip. That makes your question even the more clear. My guess is that the company (or whoever) is paying for your room, booked a standard view for 5 guests. If you haven't received a confirmation, you might want to request a copy just to be sure.

I don't know if you've seen this site http://www.disneyzone.net/bcresort.htm but it has a nice map of the BC property and a layout of each floor complete with room numbers. It might actually give you a better idea of what area you'd like to be in. The rooms are color coded too, so you can see which ones are considered standard and which ones are water. Some of the standards are actually on the water side of the resort, so you could end up with something very nice anyway.

Just by looking at the 2005 rates, it looks like water view is about $65 more per night and concierge garden is about $150 more per night than standard. Armed with that information, I'd go ahead and ask when you check-in if any upgrades are available. You'll get 1 of 4 answers, either A. no, the hotel is completely booked, B. yes, we can offer you a complimentary view upgrade, C. yes, we can offer you a discounted room/view upgrade or D. yes, we can offer you a room/view upgrade for the rack rate difference. Any way you slice it, it definitely doesn't hurt to ask.

Good luck with your planning.

Tammi

 

[Jasminetigger]

bhoffman.

I truly hope you have a wonderful trip, upgrade or no upgrade. And I would also like to point out that the majority of the people on these boards are genuinely just trying to help each other have a wonderful disney vaction.

 

[Rattat]

I'm just tickled that I finally get to stay at the AKL! We have booked a standard room at a great price. So I'd be happy just about anywhere in the resort. I can't wait til June!!!