BC - how to get upgraded?

[jakvar]

Hello! I am new to the forum....please bear with me....

I have read many times - in various places - that people go to check in to their WDW resort and they are upgraded. We are staying at the BC in a month, and I am wondering if anyone could give me some tips....

Best room requests? What to say to possibly be upgraded? What to avoid?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. We are so excited about staying at the BC....funny thing is we had to call many times and practically BEG to spend more money!! Our original reservation was for POR. We were even willing to go for the Grand Floridian......and we finally got BC.

Thanks!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

If you had a hard time getting a resort for the time of your vacation then there may not be any upgrades available. If the resort is full it isn't likely that you will get an upgrade. Thanksgiving is a busy time. Just relax and enjoy the BC.

Welcome to the DIS!


Lori

 

[paladin]

Keep in mind that upgrades (free ones) generally happen in slower seasons when the resort has a lot of room or in a resort that has a lot of a certain room type. If the hotels are already booked, the chances of a free upgrade are slim. I have never received an upgrade on any of my trips (though I have never asked for one either). Some people have said they got it without asking; others have said they just ask very nicely. But please don't get your heart set on an upgrade - I don't think they happen that often; we just hear about the ones that do because we read these boards. Either way - upgrade or no upgrade - you will be at WDW! Have fun.

 

[jakvar]

Thank you both for your replies.....
We arrive in Disney the Sunday AFTER Thanksgiving...for the whole next week. We thought that would be a slower time....but I guess not!! I am sure, no matter what, it will be great!

Thanks!

 

[VAgal76]

Jakvar - If there is a particular view you want at BC like LV, I'd just keep calling to see if it comes up. I have a sneaky feeling you've got GV and really want that LV - LOL! Don't worry, people cancel all the time. I wouldn't give up hope! Honestly, I don't think there is an ugly view in this hotel. I could be wrong, but you're surrounded by other resorts, lake crescent, nice gardens and Epcot/MGM. How can you go wrong? I think you're going to be very happy with your pick.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Also keep in mind that most upgrades happen days before you check-in. When they are preassigning rooms, they may have an issue, and will upgrade to solve it.

 

[TammiMcMan]

If you really wanted an upgraded view or room when you booked, but weren't able to get it, I'd also suggest that you continue to call. Disney inventory seems to change on a daily basis and some travel agencies and conventions have blocks of rooms, but return those that they don't sell. If calling ahead doesn't work out, you can try again at check-in.

In the meantime, for a room request, I'd go with anything that doesn't overlook the front of the resort.

 

[DisLUV]

The best advice I can give is dont go expecting one, just ask about a better view when you check in and maybe it will be a UPGRADE and if not...

Being at Disney is a upgrade to being at home right?

 

[AJKMOM]

I think that is the timeframe for the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT. It used to not be busy, but, as recent DVC owners, we found out it's a tough time to book at the DVC resorts. Guess it's busy all the time now. Plus, it is the time that they put up all the Christmas decorations.

 

[phyllis1966]

The F&WF is usually over by mid-November, so hopefully it won't be too busy the week after Thanksgiving. Have a great time!

 

[Hope73]

We are staying at the BC in second weeek of Jan. My mom is joining the familly and is recovering from a broken ankle and cancer treatment. I booked thrugh AAA and asked for a certain building because it is close to the food court, us stop and pool. I was told by my agent that there is a an upcharge for this building. We have 2 rooms booked and If I have to pay I will but it sort of stinks but will be easier for her in the end. Can I call and plead my case anywhere?

 

[Jennasis]

If you happen to be going for a special occassion and are particularly enthusiastic with the Cm on the phone at CRO it seems that helps. Let me explain:

I have never...EVER gotten an upgrade in my entire life. I have been to Disney 19 times in my life now (which pales in comparison to the number of times many of the other vets on these boards have been). When I called CRO to book my honeyoom back in May I was giddy as a school girl with the CM I spoke to. In fact the first CM I got on the phone sounded like a grouch, so I politely thanked him for his time and called back later until I got a cheerful sounding lady. We gabbed on the phone about what a super fun time future DH and I would have at BC and traded stories about past trips at WDW. It was pretty fun.

That was MAy.

FAst forward to July. I had finally recieved the confimation letters in the mail, but the room request info on them was messed up plus I had to get my MNSSHP tix and KTTT tou ressies. So I called CRO and spoke to a CM who straightened everything out. We chatted and gabbed and gushed about my upcoming wedding. It was quite nice.

FAst forward to August. I called to make ADR's. The CM was almost busting with excitment about our honeymoon! She was making suggestions about places to eat and such...She asked where we were staying. I told her BC and she about fainted (her favorite place of course!).

THen in September I called CRO one last time 3 days before the trip to confirm all the details. I almost fainted when the CM who said everything was fine, called me back a few hour later and said that I owed them $600! When I called to see what was wrong the CM said that we had book a water view room at BC. I said no way...I booked a std view and have the confirmation letter to prove it. Then she looked agian and said OOpps! Never mind! You do have a water view room, but it's because one of the CM's you spoke to earlier upgraded you! I wish I knew which on it was...

the kicker? When DH and I checked in, the CM says to us "Ok I see you have a lovely water view room..." (I turn to DH and grin) "and will be joining us on our concierge floor!"

I almost passed out!

 

[VSL]

But I'm thinking Jennasis' upgrades may have also been because of the honeymoon..?

 

[adrock1976]

But I'm thinking Jennasis' upgrades may have also been because of the honeymoon..?

I agree with you VSL. Big, special occasions seem to work out. I called CRO when my then girlfriend and I were going on the Disney Cruise line (they had just started sailing at the time). We were booked in the Contemporary, and I told them I was going to propose on the trip. When we got to the Contemporary, the CM was going to put us in the garden wing (which is SOP for cruise line guests, who are only getting run of house rooms). I quietly pleaded with him to check the notes on the res. again, which he did, and gave us a tower room, MK view...that was awesome. I don't think that stuff happens too much, but we were very fortunate.

 

[patsal]

Book what you want when you reserve your room and maybe you'll be surprised with an upgrade.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We are staying at the BC in second weeek of Jan. My mom is joining the familly and is recovering from a broken ankle and cancer treatment. I booked thrugh AAA and asked for a certain building because it is close to the food court, us stop and pool. I was told by my agent that there is a an upcharge for this building. We have 2 rooms booked and If I have to pay I will but it sort of stinks but will be easier for her in the end. Can I call and plead my case anywhere?

That doesn't sound right at ALL. Technically, I suppose, Beach Club does have two buildings - but one of those is the Beach Club Resort and the other is the Beach Club Villas.

To the best of my knowledge, EVERY Disney property has handicap-accessible rooms but it doesn't even sound as if that's what you want. You just seem to need rooms that are centrally located, right? The only price difference of which I'm aware at BC is based on your view, standard vs water.

No offense intended to your Travel Agent, but are you sure he/she knows where you're staying?

 

[TammiMcMan]

We are staying at the BC in second weeek of Jan. I booked thrugh AAA and asked for a certain building because it is close to the food court, us stop and pool. I was told by my agent that there is a an upcharge for this building.

Definitely sounds like a mis-communication somewhere. The Beach Club is a deluxe resort, so they don't technically have a food court and their resort rooms are all in one building. The values and moderates are the one's with the preferred location buildings and they do charge more for them. I think you should call AAA back or pull out your confirmation and double check which resort you are booked into. Let us know if there's anything we can help you out with.

 

[Twende]

Does anyone know in the BC, what the rooms with the roll in showers and special grab bars by the potty, are located or what room numbers they are?

I am getting mixed answers on this. We have five people(3a adults & 2 kids) in the room, two queens and a day bed. Special Requests tells me that we have a handicapped room booked but the main desk at BC tells me that such a room arrangement does not exist.

Does anyone have any experience with this resort?

 

[anniebell]

Twende..I don't have the answer to your question, I'm sorry...but we are staying at the BC in just a few days with 3 adults and two children as well.

It will be our first visit there...have you been there before? I hope you get the answers you are looking for...sorry I couldn't be of any help!

Have fun!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

We are staying at the BC in second weeek of Jan. My mom is joining the familly and is recovering from a broken ankle and cancer treatment. I booked thrugh AAA and asked for a certain building because it is close to the food court, us stop and pool. I was told by my agent that there is a an upcharge for this building. We have 2 rooms booked and If I have to pay I will but it sort of stinks but will be easier for her in the end. Can I call and plead my case anywhere?

Are you staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, or the Beach Club Resort? If at the Caribbean Beach, there is an extra charge for a close building (called a "preferred location" room), but at the Beach Club (a deluxe resort) there are rooms close to the lobby and far away, it just depends on what is assigned.