Anyone ever NOT get upgraded at AKL?

[mjl]

Just wondering because Im going to a conference for my company, and obviously they would never spring for an expensive room. I am thinking I could go with a standard room @ $109 per night (Guess) for a late January trip. Right now I am booked at POR Riverside for $110 a night incl tax (king room), but I figure any room at AKL would be nicer than POR (not that I dont like POR)

I have read about so many people being upgraded at AKL, I wonder if anyone actuallly gets stuck in the standard rooms at this resort (during value season especially).

Many thanks

 

[LindaR]

We didn't. DD and I were there May 2003. Booked at standard room. I asked at check-in if there were any upgrades available and was told no. When the bellman brought our luggage up, he thought it was odd that we were in a standard room. He said that they were not busy (we checked in on Memorial Day...). Later when housekeeping brought us some extra hangars, she said basically the same thing. Met an internet friend the next day, who checked in within minutes of us, she was given an upgrade from standard to concierge!

We actually were very disappointed in our whole stay there (SEVERAL incidents of rudeness, etc) and when I complained to executive offices, she investigated and confessed that AKL has alot of complaints about the front desk, and told me that because they were at low capacity, I should have been given an upgrade.

I would not stay there again. I know this is not the "popular" answer. I have stayed at many, many upscale hotels and have never been disappointed like here.

If my only two choices of hotel were value or AKL, I would choose the value resort.

Good luck

 

[catheren]

I wouldn't book a room in hopes of getting an upgrade. Its a chance you take.

POR and AKL are like comparing apples to oranges. POR is a moderate and AKL is a deluxe.

AKL gives you the lobby, interior corridors, patio/balcony, more ammenities and of course larger room and bed.
-

 

[LindaR]

Let me add that my disappointment with AKL was NOT because we did not get an upgrade! I always ask at any hotel when checking in; sometimes get one, sometimes not. It never hurts to ask!

 

[DisneyFreaks]

We didn't either. The first rooms we were given had no balconies so my DH went to the front desk and asked to be moved. The lodge was not busy and the CM said to my husband that we would probably be upgraded to pool view. When the room assigner came out though he moved us to a different floor in standard. I have to admit though that they were terrific rooms and we enjoyed them. We loved our stay at AKL.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by LindaR
It never hurts to ask!

Not sure I agree, it sounds like the fact that you asked (or the way you asked) may have rubbed someone the wrong way. Sounds like most of the people got some type of upgrade.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

I didn't get an upgrade at AKL booked Savannah View, received a Savannah View....

 

[CarolA]

I disagree with this statement

and told me that because they were at low capacity, I should have been given an upgrade.

I don't understand why a hotel should be expected to upgrade you to a nicer room then you paid for. Yes, it would be nice and probably reflects the "Disney" way, but.... it is not the way it happens.

I travel a lot and rarely get "upgraded" either at Disney or away. I think that what you read on these boards tends to give people a false expectation. I mean people tend not to post when they don't get upgraded only when they do.....

Now, the OP may or may not get upgraded, but I would make sure you can be satisfied with what you book (which it sounds like the OP will be). If you start out expecting an upgrade and don't get it, it can get your whole experience off to a bad start.

I love the AK, have always had great service. I have also always paid for the Savannah view since I don't want to chance it.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Just to put my 2 cents worth in. My family and I have been going to WDW four times a year since 1980. We have never received an upgrade (even during anniversaries). Does this upset us? Nah, we love Disney and never go expecting an upgrade.

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I completely agree with CarolA. You should not expect to be upgraded and it should not be expected that just because capacity is low should not mean that you should automatically be given an upgrade. Always book the type of room you WANT. If you are offered an upgrade then great, take it.....I was at AKL May 2003 as well and checked out after an 8 night stay on the Saturday before Memorial Day. While I was there the front desk staff was extremely pleasant and helpful, I went to the desk and called the desk from our room to inquire about varies activities several times. I am sorry you had a bad experience but that doesn't tend to be the norm.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We did not ask for an upgrade at AKL nor expect one, but we got one. It was magical. You know what though? Now we will PAY for that view since there is no going back for us without it.

*edited to add we were upgraded to Savanah view.
We also got NS, bunk beds that were requested on our reservation.

 

[Bojangles]

Once we got upgraded to pool view. Didn't ask. We were just there one night.

Another trip we got a standard view room. Again just there one night.


Don't ever book a room other than the type you are willing to spend your entire stay in.

 

[dizkidz2]

We were at the AKL in june, paid for a standard room with only 1 request, for bunkbeds. We were offered an upgrade to a pool view without bunkbeds. I really didn't want to take it because my kids are DH 15 & DS 12 really wanted the bunks beds. They said they didn't have any standards with bunkbeds available. So we took the upgrade. Boy were we suprised when we walked into the upgraded rooms and there were bunkbeds.
Even though the upgrade was nice, we'd never pay for it.

 

[mrszrw]

I booked a standard room ( thats what the budget would allow) We were going to stay at POP. But I was able to get the AP rate of $109.

I will be very happy in whatever room they choose for me. I know this may sound weird But I"m not sure I want to be upgraded. If they do I may never be able to book a standard room again.


Sorry about all the smiles my 3 year old wanted me to do " all of them"

 

[Mamu]

Upgrades! yes they are great, but never been offered one.

I have always gotten just what I paid for, never more, never less. I usually book a standard view room. Never spent that much time in my room, when I do it's either to sleep or nap. When I'm awake I'm either at a park, walking around the resort checking out all the little nook and crannies, or relaxing by the pool.

We are planning a trip to AKL in February, I don't expect more then I've paid for. I've booked concierge this trip because we plan on spending more time at the resort. Will I be staying in my room more, I doubt it. I booked concierge so I can use the lounge.

I do not understand why people become upset when they are not offered extra's like the person before or after them.

 

[coral40]

We were at AKL March 2002 over Easter. We were not upgraded, but were so happy to receive the connecting rooms we had requested, one with bunk beds. We have stayed on property 7 times now since 1993, always booked standard view, and have never received an upgrade. That being said, we have never had a room we have been disappointed in.

 

[lailah]

Here's our scenario from December 2003. We booked a standard view. I kindly asked if there were any upgrades available and the CM said "oh you have already been upgraded to a poolview!" Yes it was wonderful and unexpected. BUT, lo and behold my 3 year old grandaughter (who was sick when we left, but seemed to have gotten better), got sick again. Vomiting continually. We had to call her mother to come. So mom comes with my other daughter. Went to the front desk to ask if there was a doctor on call. They would get someone for us. Within 5 minutes, the head lifeguard, 2 managers from housekeeping and the paramedics arrive. But that's another whole story. Now, of course, there were 5 of us. Not enough room. I went to the front desk and told them what had happened and they immediately moved us to a deluxe room with 2 queens and a daybed. At no charge. We didn't know what to say! Except Thank you (with strange expressions). With that said, we had great front desk CM's and manager, and another unexpected upgrade.

 

[Gillian]

Originally posted by Lewisc
Not sure I agree, it sounds like the fact that you asked (or the way you asked) may have rubbed someone the wrong way. Sounds like most of the people got some type of upgrade.

Many people (as you can see from the replies after yours) were not upgraded from standard view. We don't know if it was the front desk staff or the room assigner or the way this person asked or what. Why make any assumptions?

 

[TJA]

I'm glad this thread was started because I was beginning to think I was the only one that did NOT get an upgrade at AKL!! We went in November, during value season, and it was very slow. The CM we checked in with was very unfriendly and cold towards our 2 babies. In fact, she gave them dirty looks and they were both very quiet and even smiled at her. Anyway, I asked the CM very nicely if we could have a room close to an elevator because of our 2 babies, etc. She gave us an answer like "oh, it's not too far away." But we were very disappointed to find that our room was WAY at the end of the hall -- the farthest room away from the elevators as you can get. And to make it worse, there weren't many people on our floor (or at the resort). I did not ask for an upgrade, but simply for a room close to elevators. Anyway, I suppose it does just depend on the CM. Unfortunately, we had a grumpy one!

 

[stitch79]

We were upgraded the first time we went, the lady at the check in desk was very nice so I went ahead and asked how much it would be to upgrade. She suprised me by saying we were already upgraded!

The second time the guy at the desk wasn't very friendly so I didn't have the guts to ask and we were in our standard room. We had a great time on both trips, but I wouldn't go expecting anymore than you reserved at the hotel.