Complimentary room upgrades, best time to...

[jkmmah]

When is the best time to check into your resort in hopes of getting a complimentary room upgrade? Would it be better to check in ASAP when most rooms are still open? Or is it better to check in later when most rooms have already been issued? In other words, do resorts hold onto the upgrades until all regular rooms have been filled or do they give out the better rooms first?

And whatever your response, what time do you recommend checking in based on your opinion (no earlier than...or...no later than...)? Thanks so much!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by jkmmah
When is the best time to check into your resort in hopes of getting a complimentary room upgrade? Would it be better to check in ASAP when most rooms are still open? Or is it better to check in later when most rooms have already been issued? In other words, do resorts hold onto the upgrades until all regular rooms have been filled or do they give out the better rooms first?

And whatever your response, what time do you recommend checking in based on your opinion (no earlier than...or...no later than...)? Thanks so much!

Upgrades are given very randomly and probably at some point at some resort have been given at just about every available hour.

The only way to be sure is to book what you would like to have. It depends more on how many people are staying there at the same time you are, etc. Also it depends on the CM checking you in.

So really anytime is as good as any other. There would be no way to accurately predict.

 

[Nolcrest]

I don't try to plan my check-in. We check-in whenever we get there. That can vary because we drive. I wouldn't even count on a free upgrade. I only want what I paid for. I've never been disappointed either. The key to our family's success at WDW is not overplanning or expecting more than we deserve.

 

[wdw4us2]

I don't think there's any way of knowing when the best time for an upgrade is.

I have received upgrades at Yacht Club, Contemporary, AKL and Beach Club.

I checked in at different times and days of the week. I think it just depends on how booked the resort is when you check in.

BTW, I didn't ask for any of them!

 

[n2mm]

Expecting an upgrade is a let down. My best upgrades are when you least expect them. Never expect them when the resorts are at capacity or during busy times. The 4 times we were upgraded were in January (late). I don't think I've ever been upgraded during any other time of year.

 

[2x_dis_dad]

I would think if you get there early, probably before 9A.M. and ask politley if there are any complimentary upgrades and smile real big you would stand the best chance of getting one. The room probably won't ready but you can leave your stuff there and come back later and get your room.

 

[jsmla]

We usually drive and arrive in the late evening. My experience has been that I'm more likely to get my room requests (non-smoking, bldg. #, etc.) if I check-in early the next morning (say 6:00 am) and let the CM know that we are willing to wait for the room we want. I've never requested an up-grade, but we've had one almost every time we've stayed at a Deluxe (BC-2 times, WL-2 times, AKL-1 time). At the BC the CM at check-in said Sunday am was a good time to get your requests fulfilled since so many people check out on Sundays.

HTH
Jennifer

 

[MAC3]

While I have been staying on property for 10 yrs now I have never been given an upgrade. Actually I didn't know they existed until these boards.

Maybe someday!

 

[cmonroe]

We were given an upgrade in April of 2003.
15 of us set to have north wing rooms at the CR (which we are grateful for). Upon check in, they tell us that we've all been upgraded to the tower. It was unbelievable!

Having said that though, that was the only time my family has received a free upgrade staying at the CR for over 20 years.

I faxed a letter to the CR for our August 04 trip and received nothing during check in. As a previous poster said, I wasn't expecting anything, so I wasn't disappointed and was happy to be in the North wing yet again!

 

[Taratink]

We got the best room we could budget. We were lucky to get a good code and got courtyard at the WL. I don't think there is any good stategy. Good Luck.
Tara

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Just wondering, anyone have experience with upgrades when you have adjoining rooms (with a connecting door)? Will the chances be slimmer if this is the case? We will be thrilled to be at WDW regardless!! BTW, we will be at POFQ, April 20, 2005.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

We were upgraded free at the YC to a wonderful water view 11/17-11/22.
We checked in at 8:30 am. I mentioned it was our anniversary and i was worried about the work being done in the front of our building. The cast member said... oh it's your anniversary we can upgrade you to a water view.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

I have always gotten my upgrades when I check in before 12pm...Because they haven't given away all the upgrades yet...although, I was at the CR with a guy who had reservations at AS and he arrived late at night...the AS was sold out so they bumped him to CR!!!!! OMG!!! What an upgrade!