Complimentary room upgrades...

[Hollywoodsign]

I recently stayed in a hotel in Spain and plucked up the courage to ask if there was any chance of getting a complimentary room upgrade. A few clicks later I found myself in a junior suit!

I was wondering sas anyone ever experanced anything similar is WDW?

We're staying at SSR for two weeks at the end of September and was wondering if it was worth as ask? Not sure how this would go down, would I end up just embarrassing myself!?

 

[dansdad]

From speaking to a couple CMs, one way to NOT get a pixie dust upgrade is to ask for one. Now that is how those 4 CMs felt, can't say they speak for all but...

And, most upgrades are given to help the resort and are determined before you even arrive.

 

[undertheradar]

I recently stayed in a hotel in Spain and plucked up the courage to ask if there was any chance of getting a complimentary room upgrade. A few clicks later I found myself in a junior suit!

I was wondering sas anyone ever experanced anything similar is WDW?

We're staying at SSR for two weeks at the end of September and was wondering if it was worth as ask? Not sure how this would go down, would I end up just embarrassing myself!?

There have been numerous posts about this subject over the years. The CM feedback has been that they do not like being asked this question.

Rule of thumb: book what you will be happy with and be prepared to pay for an upgrade if you ask for one.

 

[scard192]

when WDW upgrades someone it is likely because of overbooking, or a room is not available for some reason.

Asking for a free upgrade is probably the least likely way that someone would get one at WDW.

 

[kjs1976]

I've also heard it can depend on the resort. Some are more likely to do this than others, if available.

Speaking from some experience...seven years ago we traveled with my DD for her first trip when she was 8 mos. I was checking in at the front desk at POFQ and my DH was changing my DD in the restroom. It was around 2 and I was told our room wasn't ready. I was just about to wrap up the check in process when DH came back with a very smiley and happy DD. The CM took one look at her, chatted it up with us about how cute she was and how lucky she was to be on her first trip. Then she said she'd find a room for us that was ready and close to the main bldg. In less than 5 min. she did.

Last year we had booked a standard room at POFQ through Orbitz. We arrived around 2:30 and our room was ready and it was a pool view room, close to the main bldg. I read on another thread that POFQ will "favor" (I guess that's the best word?) return guests who consistently stay with them.

Just my experience!

 

[BudgieMama]

We were lucky enough to be upgraded at SSR in August (we booked a Studio, as it was just two of us, and were only there for a week) and were upgraded to a one bedroom villa. We didn't know until we arrived at our room. We couldn't have afforded to upgrade our room, and didn't ask. We were on our first visit, celebrating our wedding anniversary and were nice and friendly to the CM on check in. We were very lucky and very grateful. I wouldn't expect that again.

I think your best thing is to be nice and friendly, but I wouldn't ask or expect anything. Pixie dust like a room upgrade is best when it is a surprise. If you really want a better room, you should book one, which will avoid any disappointment. (Having been upgraded last time, we are saving extra hard as we loved the villa and want to stay in another one... but next time, we'll pay for it!)

 

[tiger4me2]

back in 2007 we had a regular room booked at the BWI . We really wanted club level but no room. I kept calling weekly but still nothing. I called the night before and talk to a GR person. She said to ask at front desk it they had one and pay the difference if they had a club level room. We got there and asked if they had one and how much more would it be. We got it but we paid for it.

I wouldn't ask for a free one it is up to the CM at front desk. Might get lucky but don't expect one free. Good luck.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's kind of difficult because Disney resorts have such high occupancy rates. They don't need to upgrade people most of the time. could happen, but don't count on it. If you booked via DVC at SSR you can pretty much forget it.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

We were upgraded 3 times to MK view at Gf and Poly (2x). I asked, and my wishes were granted...It never hurts to ask. The worst they can say is no. Be polite and kind.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

There have been numerous posts about this subject over the years. The CM feedback has been that they do not like being asked this question.

Rule of thumb: book what you will be happy with and be prepared to pay for an upgrade if you ask for one.

This! We received a very good upgrade recently but only because something was wrong with our initial room.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

We received an upgrade (from a 1 bedroom villa to a 2 bedroom villa) at VWL in December. We did not ask, we didn't have a problem with a different room, we didn't complain about anything. We just walked in and had a 2 bedroom villa instead of a 1 bedroom. It was pretty sweet.

ETA: Honestly, in our case I think it was an issue of them overbooking the 1 bedrooms. 1 Bedrooms were showing as available up until the day we checked in, which seemed implausible to me considering what a popular Christmas-time (though this was the week before Christmas) resort the WL is.

 

[DebbieB]

Sometimes they intentionally overbook. That happened a lot at Animal Kingdom Lodge before DVC. More people wanted the cheaper standard view rooms and the more expensive savannah views were harder to fill. So they overbooked the standard and upgraded some people to savannah.

 

[Arden01]

Last summer my family stayed at BC. My BIL and SIL were upgraded to CL upon arrival with a full balcony. We weren't, but we visited them

 

[Tonberry]

When my wife and I were on our honeymoon in 2004, we stayed at the GF. We booked a lagoon view room. When we arrived at 12:00 noon, our room was not ready, so we hit Downtown Disney and got back to GF around 7:00 in the evening. Our room was still not ready, so they gave us a different room which happened to be a theme park view in Boca Chica!

 

[mevelandry]

**wrong thread**

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

On a stay a few years ago we were traveling with my husbands two married children, spouses and their small children, and the families live pretty far away from each other. In addition to our room, We paid for one of the families who could not otherwise afford the room and the admission tickets so I booked two standard view rooms. The other family booked a family suite at ASMu. At check-in I asked if the rooms could be close together, knowing how large All star resorts are. The other family was upgraded to a family suite right next to the other family and we were upgraded to a preferred room right up the hall. It was wonderful!

 

[OKW Lover]

I think the best way to do this is to say something along the lines of "How much would it cost me to upgrade to a better room? when you check in. If the CM wants to create some magic you'll get a free upgrade. At worst you'll hear a $$$ and then can decide for yourself if that's worth it.

 

[hookedonears]

I recently stayed in a hotel in Spain and plucked up the courage to ask if there was any chance of getting a complimentary room upgrade. A few clicks later I found myself in a junior suit!

I was wondering sas anyone ever experanced anything similar is WDW?

We're staying at SSR for two weeks at the end of September and was wondering if it was worth as ask? Not sure how this would go down, would I end up just embarrassing myself!?

I highly doubt you will receive an up grade by requesting it. I don't believe the front line people have that authority. Room assignments are a major juggling operation, done by a separate group of cast members and are done several days in advance. Complimentary room upgrade decisions are made days in advance and typically revolve around different classes of rooms being over booked or under booked.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I would never ask for one. They did once for us because they read in the system that it was our honeymoon and they had the room at Pop.

 

[DisneyBelle_x]

I've never asked for one but our rooms at Disney have been upgraded twice, 1st time at CSR we got upgraded to business club level and 2nd time at AKL we got upgraded from standard to savannah view