Asking for an upgrade

[tiger4me2]

I agree. I have never asked and becareful what you wish for. We only wanted connecting rooms at WL in Feb (only request) since we were travelling with a 23 month old. We had 2 woods view. About 4-5 days prior to the stay, my daughter paid her room only in full. She received an email showing that she had a courtyard view. The next day I got the same email. Well, I called and the CM assured me that we would still be able to get connecting rooms. Well, needless to say we didn't because the CMs (including a supervisior) at WL said connecting rooms in the courtyard level didn't exist at the hotel! I don't know if this is true or not but that's what we were told. And not only did we not get the conecting rooms, no pack and play either for the second even though we were told we would have one (asked 4 times) Anyway getting back to the free upgrade thing. We did n't care about one but thought it great when we got one until we found out the underlaying issue-our main request couldn't be fulfilled!! I would never ask for a free upgrade, if I asked for something that cost more, I would expect to pay for it!!

Whoa, that Manager at the WL was wrong to say the courtyard rooms do not have connecting rooms. My DH & myself along with DS & DIL had two rooms that were connecting & they were courtyard.

 

[disneyfan55]

Whoa, that Manager at the WL was wrong to say the courtyard rooms do not have connecting rooms. My DH & myself along with DS & DIL had two rooms that were connecting & they were courtyard.

Who knows. We didn't have a great time at WL this trip. Not only did they say that and I believed them, when we asked for a pack and play in each room since we didn't have the connecting rooms (4 times) we never got the second crib (took 24 hrs to get the 1!) The room with the 23 month old had peanuts on the floor as well as in a few of the drawers. Along with the lack of caring or whatever you might want to call it it was our least magical experience in all our years of going (and WL is really my favorite resort-for the atmosphere etc.)

Not only did this happen but we were the furthest from the lobby/foodcourt and on the 6th floor with really no nice view. Who would have thought on our other stay back in 2003, we booked a standard room at a great AP discount and got a room right off the lobby overlooking the pool area!! No one ever said we were upgraded and a great experience (I assume that this was an upgrade not a standard)

 

[disneyfan55]

Whoa, that Manager at the WL was wrong to say the courtyard rooms do not have connecting rooms. My DH & myself along with DS & DIL had two rooms that were connecting & they were courtyard.

I don't know if this has to do with it but they were both queen bed rooms, no bunk (which are a different type anyway so probably not the issue)

 

[cindym]

When I took my sister to the YC for her first visit, I had raved about it so much that she was really excited. When we got to our room after a long walk we found out that our balcony was on the roof overlooking the air conditioning units and 3 walls. It was actually a space carved out of the roof. There was no view of anything. The balcony was actually on the flat roof. It was very strange. Anyone working out there could look right into our room. I have never seen a room like this. I had booked a standard view. I would have been happy with a parking lot view or anything similar but not this. I had also paid rack rate as there were no discounts available when I called. When I called down and asked to be changed, they upgraded us to a lake view! I was extremely polite through the whole process. I think being polite and stating that it was my sister's first visit really helped with the upgrade. Needless to say my sis was very impressed and wants to go back!

 

[toodycat]

Our first trip to WDW was the most magical by far. It was in 2000, so DS was 6 years old. We received a phone call from the GF a couple of weeks in advance, asking if we would like to upgrade our standard room to Sugarloaf for an additional $50 per night. Of course we said yes and it was just fabulous and so helpful when traveling with a little kid. Honestly, we would have been happy no matter what room we had. We had visited WDW when we were just dating and then first married in the 1980s, saw the GF being constructed and said, "That's where we'll say when we first bring our child someday," and now it was really happening! The next year we returned to GF and DH asked if the same deal was available. Alas, it was not. WDW had stopped making that offer to guests because of some change in how CLs were managed, but the CM at the front desk gave us a theme park view room at no extra charge! We had an amazing view of MK. In 2003, we unexpectedly switched from CSR which DH did not like to AKL. At the time, we were paying something like $140 for CSR and a standard room at AKL was $185. We decided it would be worth the difference to keep his vacation magical. However, I had been reading on Trip Advisor that a lot of folks had been upgraded to savannah view that summer, so I asked if there were any savannah upgrades available. The CMs happily gave us one. I really have not asked for an upgrade since and have been extremely happy with the rooms we have received.

 

[mlittig]

Part of what makes Disney Magic so special is that it is unexpected. I had tears in my eyes after reading Tina's story. I had a similar experience at AKL last year. I was there alone celebrating my birthday and my 1st wedding anniversary (my DH works over seas). I was greeted at the door and ushered up to concierge level- I really thought that someone had made a mistake I had only paid for a standard no view, not club level Savannah view. As soon as it was explained to me that I had been upgraded I burst into tears. I couldn't believe that someone who doesn't even know me took the time out to make my vacation even more special. I don't know the name of the CM who dusted me with pixie dust as it happened before I arrived. So I will never get the chance to thank them, I just hope they know what a difference they made in a trip that otherwise may have turned into a pity fest lol I was so shocked, and so touched that I almost barely had time to miss my DH ... almost. That one act of kindness has left a permanent mark on my heart, I still tear up whenever i think about it.
I am going back this year, and every year that my husbands job will keep him away. Do I expect it to happen again? No. And to be honest I would hope that if it ever did I would be a kind enough person to say thank you but I have already had a magic moment and pass it along to someone else.
Get a room that suits your needs in a resort that you love, and enjoy your time there making memories with your family- I truly believe that is the greatest magic WDW has to offer Would I have traded that CL Savannah view room for a broken down Ho Jo to have my husband there? In a heart beat. (not saying it wouldn't have been hard lol that room was pretty nice )

Your story is beautiful as is your positive, appreciative attitude Thanks for sharing

 

[wdwfan1]

We have never asked for an upgrade but have gotten free upgrades several times. One of them was at the WL from standard view to courtyard view--2 connecting rooms. They do exist, but one of the rooms was a bunkbed room.

Another time we got an upgrade from a standard room to CL at WL. Last year we were upgraded from POP to the YC. We have also gotten several upgrades to a higher room level at the same resort.

We never expect them, but it is really, really nice when they happen.

 

[tami82]

I worked in (non-Disney) hotels for years, and my experience says that if you're going to ask for anything, you need to be polite, friendly, and not demanding about it.

I'm sort of surprised at the number of people on here who say they would never ask for a (free) upgrade. There's a huge difference in politely asking and demanding. And trust me, there are a huge number of people who demand things. I've seen threads on here from people who are demanding all sorts of unreasonable things (and don't understand why they're not getting them).

Working in hotels, I've started shifts knowing that the sales department overbooked us in King bed rooms. As a result, I knew that I was going to have to put some people in the two bedroom suites, and one person in the presidential suite. Why should I fill up all of the King rooms and then get stuck putting the couple who is screaming at me in a suite (because that's all I have left). I'd rather put someone nice in there.

I usually ask for an upgrade. Sometimes I don't get it, sometimes I do. If I don't get it, I remain polite and friendly, thank them for checking, and move on. If I do get it, I'm incredibly thankful and make sure they know that they've made my day.

I agree it doesnt hurt to ask politely vs sounding demanding & snooty. I have done it many times through the years (not specifically Disney but other places and have had great luck getting it (i went to great wolf lodge twice in a matter of months last year and because it was both of my little girls birthdays the days we went i kindly asked and i received. I was very thankful and even e-mailed them after we returned home. I asked for an upgrade and got really nice kids themed rooms much nicer then i thought they would give us.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

We have been upgraded three times. First time was at the Poly from a gv room to a TPV room. Second was at BC standard room to gv CL and third time at YC from standard room to gv CL. I would NEVER, EVER ask for an upgrade. To me it just seems tacky to ask for something for free.

 

[luvthemouse71]

When I took my Dad to WDW in 2008, it was his first trip ever to WDW and my first time at the Poly. We got upgraded to CL for free and I didn't stop grinning for two days straight. I was ecstatic to be at the Poly in the first place and then to be upgraded..it was truly magical.

Of course, I think they know what they're doing when they upgrade you. 2010 will be my 3rd time at the Poly and now I book CL, because I love it so much.

I would think asking for a free upgrade pretty much cinches that you won't get one.

 

[Bugsmom73]

I never ask for an upgrade. I am thrilled with what we get. We were upgraded from STandard to Courtyard at WL in 2004.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I have - at Disney or otherwise - a ritual to asking for an upgrade if I'm in the mood.

Typically it goes like this.

Ask :

"Pardon me.. but if I wished to upgrade to (whatever the next level is) .. what might that cost and do you have availability?"

Now.. at this point.. you may be told :

1. There's no availability
2. There is availability and here's the price and how would you like to pay for that?
3. There is availability and as a special welcome to [resort name], I can offer that to you today at no charge.

At Disney I have ever only heard one answer. # 2. And elsewhere in the world... sometimes (rarely) I get # 3.

 

[tami82]

I have - at Disney or otherwise - a ritual to asking for an upgrade if I'm in the mood.

Typically it goes like this.

Ask :

"Pardon me.. but if I wished to upgrade to (whatever the next level is) .. what might that cost and do you have availability?"

Now.. at this point.. you may be told :

1. There's no availability
2. There is availability and here's the price and how would you like to pay for that?
3. There is availability and as a special welcome to [resort name], I can offer that to you today at no charge.

At Disney I have ever only heard one answer. # 2. And elsewhere in the world... sometimes (rarely) I get # 3.

Thats a great way of putting it, i will have to try that. There are so many things that come into play though like the other posters said. It may also be timing.

 

[STITCH826]

We have been to WDW 6 times in 5 years, and have never asked for a free upgrade nor have we received one. Last year, we were there over 3 actual birthdays in one week! If pixie dust were to fly, it should have flown then! But no such luck for us We always have a wonderful time anyway, because we are in Disney and not at work!! I think it just depends on your luck. I am happy for those who do get the upgrades; at least you know they do happen.

 

[Burnt Toast]

In all the years I've worked at a Front Desk, I've NEVER given a free upgrade to folks who blatantly ask for one. That is about the WORST thing you could do.

There have been folks who have asked for a free upgrade (which isn't very often, to be honest) and I might have gotten them one, except that those few people who's asked for a free upgrade have either been really snotty or would talk down to me.

I HAVE given plenty of free upgrades to folks that have been 1) super nice to me, 2) are there for a special occasion/event, 3) asked if there was any paid upgrades available and also fit in the first two points I listed, and 4) had super cute kids that did random super cute stuff. I do this all the time, unless the hotel is completely sold out and my freedom to do so was either non-existant or was very limited.

Chances for upgrades (whether paid or free) are also greater in non-peak/non-sold out periods. If the hotel is sold out for your length of stay, chances are slightly better that you might have already gotten an upgrade anyways because your room category that you booked might be oversold or whatnot.

Best thing to do is always book what you actually want. Don't book a Standard hoping for a free upgrade to a view room or whatnot, book what you really want so there are no disappointments. Sometimes it can't be helped though... maybe the particular view room might not be available for your stay, then you just kinda hope that something opened up at the last minute and you get upgraded (whether paid or free) or something.

However, point-blank asking for a free upgrade to me is a definite no-no. If you do decide to ask for a free upgrade, PLEASE for heaven's sake be super sweet and nice to the Front Desk clerk... please don't talk down to them.

 

[disneyfan55]

In all the years I've worked at a Front Desk, I've NEVER given a free upgrade to folks who blatantly ask for one. That is about the WORST thing you could do.

I HAVE given plenty of free upgrades to folks that have been 1) super nice to me, 2) are there for a special occasion/event, 3) asked if there was any paid upgrades available and also fit in the first two points I listed, and 4) had super cute kids that did random super cute stuff. Chances for upgrades (whether paid or free) are also greater in non-peak/non-sold out periods. If the hotel is sold out for your length of stay, chances are slightly better that you might have already gotten an upgrade anyways because your room category that you booked might be oversold or whatnot.

Best thing to do is always book what you actually want. Don't book a Standard hoping for a free upgrade to a view room or whatnot, book what you really want so there are no disappointments. Sometimes it can't be helped though... maybe the particular view room might not be available for your stay, then you just kinda hope that something opened up at the last minute and you get upgraded (whether paid or free) or something.

However, point-blank asking for a free upgrade to me is a definite no-no.

Just wondering if you can answer a question for me. We had 2 woods view rooms booked at WL wth connecting rooms requested. A few days before the vacation, we received emails that we now had courtyard view. We had the queen rooms booked and needed them (no bunks were wanted) anyway, I called WDW reservations to make sure this upgrade that we did not request still would provide the queen rooms orig booked as well as connecting rooms and if the conneting rooms could not be provided 2 pack and play. they said yes. Well, when we got there, no connecting rooms, we were told none existed in the resort by the supervisor. We never got the 2 pack and play (one took over 24 hr. to get) and the room with my grandson had peanuts on the floor as well as in the drawers. Is this true about the rooms and why would they upgrade us when the only request couldn't be filled (and why no pack and play even after so many requests) I know you won't be able to answer why this resort provided lacking service but why upgrade at all when first we didn't ask for it (or want it really) and why say the rooms existed if the resort said they didn't. This was our most disappointing WDW trip yet and WL was my favorite prior to this! Thanks.

 

[RMulieri]

Have had 23 trips to WDW and NEVER received an upgrade and never asked.They happen but not as often as you think.Remember the Disboards represents only a small fraction of all disney goers.MOST of which NEVER receive an upgrade of any kind.

 

[shyjade]

I would never ask for a free upgrade.

Once, at AKL, I asked if there was a Pool View room available that I could upgrade to and pay the difference (I made it clear I was willing to pay for it because when I booked the room, only Standard was available). The CM was a bit snippy and told me yes, but that I'd have to pay for it, which I had just said to her (maybe she thought I was fishing for a freebie upgrade despite saying I was looking to pay the difference).

What a mistake that was...we were put into a room that I later found out hadn't been used in weeks and hadn't been cleaned since the last guest (it was a ground floor room with no actual view of the pool). There were actually dead bugs all over the nightstand, table, etc. and a layer of dust so thick that the towel animal actually had brownish dust all over it.
Then I had a very hard time trying to get it cleaned (finally at 10pm, 9 hours after we checked in, they had to move us to a different room because they forgot to clean it). Will never stay at AKL again, or ask for a paid upgrade!

 

[Burnt Toast]

Just wondering if you can answer a question for me. We had 2 woods view rooms booked at WL wth connecting rooms requested. A few days before the vacation, we received emails that we now had courtyard view. We had the queen rooms booked and needed them (no bunks were wanted) anyway, I called WDW reservations to make sure this upgrade that we did not request still would provide the queen rooms orig booked as well as connecting rooms and if the conneting rooms could not be provided 2 pack and play. they said yes. Well, when we got there, no connecting rooms, we were told none existed in the resort by the supervisor. We never got the 2 pack and play (one took over 24 hr. to get) and the room with my grandson had peanuts on the floor as well as in the drawers. Is this true about the rooms and why would they upgrade us when the only request couldn't be filled (and why no pack and play even after so many requests) I know you won't be able to answer why this resort provided lacking service but why upgrade at all when first we didn't ask for it (or want it really) and why say the rooms existed if the resort said they didn't. This was our most disappointing WDW trip yet and WL was my favorite prior to this! Thanks.

I'm not super knowledgeable about the room categories at the Wilderness Lodge, but isn't Woods view and Courtyard view the exact same room category? Like it's called "Woods/Courtyard View" or something?

Typically, at least to my knowledge at the Deluxes, most connecting rooms wouldn't be of the "two queen" connecting to "two queen" variety... but of something like "two queen" connecting to "one king + daybed" or "two queen" connecting to "one queen + bunks" variety.

Also, bedding types is also a request, unless it's part of the room category. At Deluxe resorts, bedding is a request unless it's a special bedding type like queen and bunks (like at the two "Lodge" Resorts) and no, king beds is not considered to be a special bedding type. The moderates are pretty much the resorts where you can actually book a "King" bed room. Bedding is a request and are NOT guaranteed. "Connecting", "adjoining" (or referred to the current term of "side-by-side") rooms are also requests and are NOT guaranteed.

It looks like you mistook your requests as guaranteed. Doesn't help that Reservations continued to give you the impression that they were guaranteed and not a request. Again, I'm not super knowledgeable about the way that their "connecting" rooms are laid out but I'm pretty sure it's the same as the other "Lodge"-style Resorts.

The Housekeeping issues are something completely different and other then expressing concern that that had happened to you (the condition of your room as well as the time it took to deliver the pack-and-play, assuming that you checked the closet to see if there wasn't one already there), that is something you should have brought up with Housekeeping or the Front Desk during your stay.

 

[Burnt Toast]

What a mistake that was...we were put into a room that I later found out hadn't been used in weeks and hadn't been cleaned since the last guest (it was a ground floor room with no actual view of the pool). There were actually dead bugs all over the nightstand, table, etc. and a layer of dust so thick that the towel animal actually had brownish dust all over it.
Then I had a very hard time trying to get it cleaned (finally at 10pm, 9 hours after we checked in, they had to move us to a different room because they forgot to clean it). Will never stay at AKL again, or ask for a paid upgrade!

Big mistake you made is trying to clean the room yourself. That's not your job (those nine hours wasn't going to result in nine hours of Housekeeper pay given to you) as a Guest and you should have called Housekeeping (if you really wanted to stay in the same room and just wanted the room cleaned while you were off at the Parks) or the Front Desk (if you wanted a room change) immediately to have that resolved. I'm sorry that happened to you!

I would bet that the room was down for rehab (for whatever reason) and Housekeeping just cleared it without really checking. It happens every so often but I wouldn't let that deter you for asking for upgrades or for staying at the AKL. You wouldn't have happened to stay at the AKL during or right after the pool rehab they just had recently did you?