Asking for free upgrade?

[beccasmom]

We’ve been upgraded twice - both times after becoming Vacation Club members. The first time we had booked a studio at SSR and were upgraded to a one-bedroom at no extra “cost (points”). I don’t know why, but the extra space was very nice. We hadn’t asked for the upgrade. On another occasion we were booked at OKW - our home resort - and they had apparently either over-booked or had maintenance issues. We were moved to a gorgeous high-floor 2-bedroom TPV room at BLT and issued a nice monetary credit to use during our stay. We love OKW and BLT equally, but we had booked a one-bedroom at OKW and received a two-bedroom at BLT, so it was a definite upgrade in space with a wonderful view to boot. It was a very nice surprise to see the view when we opened the curtains. And not long afterwards we purchased points at BLT, something we’d been considering for a while, but the unexpected upgrade didn’t hurt. I don’t remember any upgrades during our non-Vacation Club resort stays.

 

[SharonZ]

If "pixie dust" was so easy to achieve, no one would be staying in a standard room.

 

[Disneypro1]

If "pixie dust" was so easy to achieve, no one would be staying in a standard room.

Actually. One should book standard. Then ask for upgrade to preferred. Worse case you get standard. Which in some resorts is just as good as preferred. But since 2011 at POP and Music. We have always gotten free upgrade. After I ask. When we stay at POFQ.we like a certain area that’s standard. So I don’t ask. And we go in May. So it’s not crowded. Either way. Asking works. A lot of
Times.

 

[Nancyg56]

Actually. One should book standard. Then ask for upgrade to preferred. Worse case you get standard. Which in some resorts is just as good as preferred. But since 2011 at POP and Music. We have always gotten free upgrade. After I ask. When we stay at POFQ.we like a certain area that’s standard. So I don’t ask. And we go in May. So it’s not crowded. Either way. Asking works. A lot of
Times.

One should book standard if one is going to be happy with the room that was booked. If you want a preferred view, or does not want a specific view, it is best to book what will make you happy. You cannot rely on the resort to fulfill a request you were not willing to pay for.

 

[Stephen's Mom]

We've gone a number of times and have been upgraded twice (both were Disney issues and had nothing to do with us asking for an upgrade - which I have never done). Once was an upgrade from POFQ to AKL due to renovations that occurred after we had booked at POFQ and the second was an upgrade from a Deluxe Studio at the Poly to one of the over the water bungalows (they didn't have any studio rooms left by the time we got there that evening to check in). That was an awesome upgrade but not one I will likely ever have the pleasure of seeing again! Just luck of the draw!

 

[KenHutch]

We have gone 5 times and have been upgraded 4 times but nothing serious. Because I have to pay for 8 people and 2 rooms we always book standard view and 3 times have been upgraded to garden or water view (thank you Riverside and French Quarter) and the last time while checking in at Animal Kingdom Lodge the receptionist did comment on the fact we had finally moved to deluxe and the rooms they gave me would have been savanna except for the people pens below us but they gave spectacular views but we never would ask for an upgrade. I am planning a 2 week trip now that will be either The Poly or AoA when the girls stop fighting and decide for me.

 

[jo-jo]

We have taken at least 30 trips over the years and have gotten one upgrade. And that upgrade (dvc) almost gave me a heart attack.

We were doing a split stay moving from BLT to BCV. Studios at both resort. We checked out of BLT, ate lunch, traveled over to BCV. Just hanging out in lobby, waiting, waiting. Killing time on tablet, looked at my account and it has us down in a one bedroom. No, no , no, what did I do, how did I mess this up and book the wrong the room??? I had plans for those points. About that time, I got a text see front desk.

I go to front desk and they tell me we were upgraded.

 

[Moliphino]

I think I've have been upgraded in the past without noticing. We only stay value/mod, so it hasn't been anything crazy. I have stayed in the preferred buildings at CSR when only booking standard, but at the time I had no idea what rooms were preferred and didn't realize it was an upgrade.

 

[Disneypro1]

One should book standard if one is going to be happy with the room that was booked. If you want a preferred view, or does not want a specific view, it is best to book what will make you happy. You cannot rely on the resort to fulfill a request you were not willing to pay for.

It works for us. And, it is even talked about on multiple pod cast..that unless you are 110% wanting a preferred room, Then book a standard and ask for a free upgrade.
Which, again for us...works 90% of the time. All you have to do is ask. There is a lot art WDW/DLR Disney is more than happy to accommodate folks..but they have to ask.
If you don't get it...then you still het the standard room or building you requested. Or area.
POFQ i don't care what building..we just like a certain area that happens to be a standard room area. Closest to pool.

 

[Nancyg56]

It works for us. And, it is even talked about on multiple pod cast..that unless you are 110% wanting a preferred room, Then book a standard and ask for a free upgrade.
Which, again for us...works 90% of the time. All you have to do is ask. There is a lot art WDW/DLR Disney is more than happy to accommodate folks..but they have to ask.
If you don't get it...then you still het the standard room or building you requested. Or area.
POFQ i don't care what building..we just like a certain area that happens to be a standard room area. Closest to pool.

The caveat is that you will be satisfied if you do not get an upgrade. What I said and what I stand by is that you should book what you will be happy with. If you book a standard view knowing that’s not what you really will be okay with, book what you will be happy with. If you book standard you cannot complain if AKL will not swap your parking lot view to pool. If they do fine, but you can’t go in with the mindset that you will pay standard and get a better one for free.

 

[SarahC97]

I'm not sure if this counts, but my daughters and I stayed at All Star Movies last July amidst a horde of South American Teenage tour groups. After a sleepless night and a trip to the front desk assuring me they would be checking out the next day, I went to the front desk and asked if I could switch hotels. I offered to pay the difference to go to Coronado Springs and the front desk person, who I was pleasant to but not overly schmoozy, got on the phone and said: "Let's see if we can get Mickey to pay for it." I was given a free upgrade from a standard room at Movies to a Preferred room at CSR for the rest of my stay. Now, I didn't go into it aiming for it to be for free, but in the end, they even paid for the taxi to take me and all my stuff over to the CSR. It was really nice. But, I was offering from the get-go to pay the difference, so maybe that made the difference?

 

[Dug720]

I'm not sure if this counts, but my daughters and I stayed at All Star Movies last July amidst a horde of South American Teenage tour groups. After a sleepless night and a trip to the front desk assuring me they would be checking out the next day, I went to the front desk and asked if I could switch hotels. I offered to pay the difference to go to Coronado Springs and the front desk person, who I was pleasant to but not overly schmoozy, got on the phone and said: "Let's see if we can get Mickey to pay for it." I was given a free upgrade from a standard room at Movies to a Preferred room at CSR for the rest of my stay. Now, I didn't go into it aiming for it to be for free, but in the end, they even paid for the taxi to take me and all my stuff over to the CSR. It was really nice. But, I was offering from the get-go to pay the difference, so maybe that made the difference?

I'm glad they were able to do that for you!

It's a little different when there's been a problem than the people who book low and show up at the front desk and are all "So...do you have anything that overlooks the pool/lake/animals/Magic Kingdom/etc." *nudge, nudge, wink, wink* without offering to pay and just expecting it.

 

[Disneypro1]

I'm glad they were able to do that for you!

It's a little different when there's been a problem than the people who book low and show up at the front desk and are all "So...do you have anything that overlooks the pool/lake/animals/Magic Kingdom/etc." *nudge, nudge, wink, wink* without offering to pay and just expecting it.

Well, actually..there is no "wink wink" nudge nudge..Not sure where that comes from...
All it is...Is something folks don't do anymore..converse. Talk to the CM and at least for us and our friends that visit WDW....We get preferred rooms as a free upgrade. Nothing special...just a polite ask if we can.
I mean..the world is full of great things.....if folks would ask.

 

[Disneylover99]

Well, actually..there is no "wink wink" nudge nudge..Not sure where that comes from...
All it is...Is something folks don't do anymore..converse. Talk to the CM and at least for us and our friends that visit WDW....We get preferred rooms as a free upgrade. Nothing special...just a polite ask if we can.
I mean..the world is full of great things.....if folks would ask.

I book and pay for the room category I want, but I do agree with you. There’s no harm asking. Be direct and as long as you’re prepared to accept no as an answer, go for it!

 

[nittanyliongirl02]

We actually did get a free upgrade a few years ago. When we checked into BC, our room wasn't ready yet. It was supposed to be just a standard view room. They gave us a choice between a water view and concierge level. I let hubby pick, and he picked the lagoon view. While I kick myself for not having the concierge (it was only one night), our Lagoon view was just beautiful!