are you ALWAYS offered an upgrade???

[MagicPrincess]

I just booked a concierge room at the WL- but after reading about so many people being offered the upgrade at check-in- now I'm torn. Do I keep my room- or should I switch with the hopes of being offered an upgrade.
HELP!!!!
(we're going mid-March)

 

[Eeyore1954]

If you want to stay on the concierge-level, I would keep the reservation you have. Upgrades may be offered based on availability and at check-in you don't know if it will be available for your entire stay.

 

[MarkLem]

No

While at AKL recently, they had a big sign on the chek-in counter that read;

No upgrades, please don't ask

 

[nasmith]

I've stayed at WL 4 times, and was never offered an upgrade to concierge. The only time I stayed concierge was when I booked and paid for it in advance. I don't think that there are as many upgrades as you might think- but that the people who do get them are so excited that they post about them!! (Well, I would be too!)--- When you think about how many hundreds of guests are at the resort on a given day, you realize how few upgrades are truly given. Bottom line- if you want concierge- book it and pay for it; if you don't care either way then maybe take a chance.
Jill

 

[luvdzny]

I would say keep your room if you really want concierge level. Upgrades are sometimes offered, but an upgrade to concierge is rare. I think the reason that it seems like upgrades are given so frequently is because the people on this board mention. Think of the 100's of people checking into a Disney resort everyday - I am sure that a majority of them do not get the free upgrade. Whatever you decide have a great trip

 

[MagicPrincess]

I'm keeping my concierge ressie!
Ease of mind!
Hey Marklem- are you a Buckeye fan???
We LOVE them!!!
thanks!!!

 

[Disneefun]

I always look at it this way...the people on these boards who get upgrades represent only a very small fraction of the people who visit any given WDW resort. Therefore, I just don't think upgrades are as readily available as it would seem from reading these boards. I've been to WDW so many times I've lost count and only received a free upgrade twice. So my advice is to book what you know you can be happy in. If you can only be happy in concierge, book that. But if you can be happy in a standard room, book that and then hope for some magic. But be sure you can be happy with what you book because your odds of getting the upgrade are probably not that great, especailly if you're visiting at a busier time of the year. You may be able to get a paid upgrade, but only you can decide at check in if the cost is worth it to you. So book what you really want and hope for the upgrade if you want it.

 

[dznyntnh]

You are better off booking what you want.

While room views are generally upgraded at no additional cost, I have never seen anyone post that they have been upgraded to concierge for free.

I'm sure it has probably happened (cuz as soon as I say it hasn't someone will say 'It happened to me' ), but it does seem to be rare.

When I stayed at WL, there was no offer made to upgrade to concierge. I did however make a request at check-in for a King Sized bed, which was granted and it came along with an upgrade from a woods view to a courtyard view. Of course, the view is wasted on me, I was more happy with the bed and the room that I was with the view.

 

[nigel-bigel]

I think people getting upgraded to concierge is pretty rare. When we read about upgrades, it is usually from a garden view to a water view, or occasionally to a bigger room.

If you think about it, it doesn't cost the hotel anything for you to be upgraded to a water view room. Staying concierge level, however, does cost the hotel in food and service costs.

If you want concierge level, book a standard view concierge room. Maybe if they aren't full, you could get lucky with a better view.

Nicole

 

[Kimberle]

We have never been offered an upgrade.

 

[lillykat]

I would book the room that you really want - this way you will happy when you get want you want - but if on the off chance you do get upgraded you will know you would have been thrilled with what you would have originally had

 

[daannzzz]

Do not expect an upgrade. I have stayed at WDW resorts 14 times and have gotten and upgrade once and only because it was at the Dolphin and I presented my Starwoods Card. I may have gotten an upgrade at CSR once but am not sure. I booked a standard room and when I arrived at the room at 7:30 A.M. the door wouldn't open. I tried a few times and someone opened the door. They had been sleeping!!! I went back to the front desk and they gave me a room with a nice view including some of the lake. If I really want a particular view or amenity though I will book that class of room.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by MarkLem
No

While at AKL recently, they had a big sign on the chek-in counter that read;

No upgrades, please don't ask

I love it and I bet they wanted to include please go post this on all Internet forums

Thanks for sharing Mark. I guess that fishing hole got fished out.

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

I have been going to WDW for over 20 years and have never received a free upgrade. I will be at AKL for spring break and will try my hardest to get an upgrade from standard to either pool or savannah view, my kids would love it. I know that it is a busy time but what the heck.

 

[MagicPrincess]

Hey-doesn't hurt to ask!
Have fun!!!

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

I have been going to WDW for over 20 years and have never received a free upgrade. I will be at AKL for spring break and will try my hardest to get an upgrade from standard to either pool or savannah view, my kids would love it. I know that it is a busy time but what the heck.

 

[bethbuchall]

I'm glad you posted this. We are staying at the Contemporary in May, and I booked a Tower room. My friend stayed there in September and was upgraded to a Tower room from a Wing room (without asking). In some ways I was feeling a bit foolish for booking the more expensive room, but I really wanted to stay in the Tower.

This made me think about the number of people who come back without getting an upgrade. No one is going to run to a message board and declare that they got exactly what they booked.

 

[cdrn1]

I'm 3 for 3. At CBR got water-view, at Dolphin got Epcot view, at AKL got pool view, always booking standard. I am sure I have just been extremely lucky. I have never asked for an upgrade, and all three times were at traditionally slow times for WDW. I would have been happy in a lean-to in the parking lot; just very happy to be at WDW!

 

[Sally Bradley]

I've been to WDW several times and have NEVER received an upgrade. I would consider it rude to ask for one (I believe in the pay for what you get theory)...and think if its going to happen, it'll happen.

I was pretty excited this past trip when we were given a dormer room at GF. I thought it was an upgrade until i asked and was told a dormer room is considered the same as standard .

Oh well, maybe one of these days I'll be pleasantly surprised...but in the meantime, I'm happy with what I pay for..

 

[zakatak]

The only upgrade we've ever received was October 2002, when after booking and paying for AKL Concierge we were shown to a 1 bedroom suite! WOW! I was stunned! But then, we did pay for concierge and had 5 plus a toddler, so maybe they felt we could use the room, lol. We were only there two nights, though.

Karen