Do The Resorts Offer Complimentary Upgrades???

[Terk-1]

I have ressies for both the Wilderness Lodge & Animal Kingdom Lodge with a Standard View. Do they offer complimentary upgrades if the resort is not full? If so, how do you go about asking for these? I'm not saying a want a concierge room, but even a pool/courtyard view would be a little nicer than the parking lot. Can anyone help me with this??

 

[ducklite]

I've heard about many getting upgraded at AKL. It seems it mostly depends on how full it is.

Glad to hear you have realistic expectations aout the upgrade possibilities. It pains me to read these boards, and all the people who are hoping from upgrades on a standard view room to concierge. I hope that they do'nt end up really disappointed.

As far as how to get the upgrade, simply ask at check in.

Anne

 

[Terk-1]

Thanks Anne for your response. I definitely made my ressies with the realization that I may or may not get an upgrade to a pool/courtyard/woods view. If I can get one, great! If not, then fine. Better to be surprised, then disappointed. Thanks again!!!

 

[Dad of 5]

Anne,

I agree with those sentiments.

Think about it -- someone (like me, not too long ago) stumbles across these boards, never having the benefit of such a concentrated wealth of info and experience. And it seems like ALL you read about is "We showed up at the All Stars with a dumpster view, and the clerk gave us a complimentary upgrade to the Grand Floridian concierge level." That's the problem -- a concentration of anecdotal evidence that *everybody* gets comped. So, a few will set their expectations up for a fall.

(Sometimes I wonder how Disney resorts ever make any money, since they seem to give away comp. upgrades to any Joe that walks through the lobby.)

We're headed back this November, and we booked a standard view at YC. And I'll ever-so-smoothly try to schmooze the clerk when we check in (while DW looks embarassingly on). If it happens, then great! If not, we'll get the deluxe resort room we paid for (at a nice discount), and be fabulously happy about it.

 

[travelbug24]

I have always received what I asked for in a fax a couple days prior to my arrival.

 

[Disneydenise]

Upgrades must be great. i've been to the Poly at least 10 times in 16 years and I have only gotten an upgrade once. I think that it was a mistake too. It wasn't a concierge upgrade it was view. It was nice but I wouln't pay another $20 a night for it. I love the Poly and when I am there I am thrilled to be so fortunate anything else is a plus.

 

[mrsltg]

I'm with you, Terk... I am hoping for an upgrade at AKL, but I really won't care if I don't get one. It just really seems sometimes that people have a very bizarre sense of entitlement. I'm just thrilled I got a room at the AKL for $119/night!

Erin

 

[eeyore0062]

Well, much depends on the time of year you are there, and how booked they are. If you are there during value season, and they low in bookings, they may offer a complimentary upgrade, or you could just ask. I would bank on it during the summer or during holidays, etc, though!

 

[Disneylvr]

We are the same, hoping for an upgrade at AKL but certainly not expecting one. I have been to WDW 17 times and so far haven't received (nor asked for) a single upgrade and we have stayed all the way from value up to deluxe. We aren't disappointed though as we have loved each and every one of our stays at Disney resorts.

Now just over this weekend we visited some out of town friends in Ohio and there we received an upgrade without asking for one. We went from a standard room to a deluxe room with balcony and turndown service. What a treat!

 

[Debi]

As others have posted, it really seems to be hit and miss. There have been times that I've asked for an upgrade and have had my request denied; there are other times I haven't requested anything and gotten an upgrade (from standard to water view at DxL). As most people will tell you, upgrades are based on the CM at check in, the occupancy rate of the hotel, and if you're willig to wait until later in the day to check in.

 

[n2mm]

I've agreed with the rest. I've been upgraded twice in the past year. Never asked for it, they just offered it. In Jan (hence low/value season) we were upgraded to water view after reserving standard AKL. Then again, last fall Dixie, was upgraded to water view, a surprise to me. It's always a surprise since we get a CM rate, they really don't have to impress us, we are always happy with the rates we get.

 

[Terk-1]

I had it happen to me once. Since I was travelling solo @ DxL, had asked for a room close to the main building and was given a water view. My next trip is in early December, during value season and when it is typically slow. If I can get upgraded, great. If not, no big deal. Got the $119 rate for both the WL & AKL and am calling tomorrow morning for the AP rate to see if it beats this one.

 

[cindala]

Okay, we must just be lucky but....

Stayed at PO 2 times, never upgraded.

Stayed at WL once, upgraded from standard to woods view

Stayed at YC 7 times, upgraded 5 times, (from standard to waterview 4 times, standard to concierge once). The two times we weren't upgraded: booked waterview, got waterview, and booked standard, got standard.

Now, you must say I went during a slow time. Nope! July 4th week each and every time. We always arrive fairly early in the morning, and never fax the room assigner ahead of time with our requests, just ask for non-smoking, 3rd or 4th floor when we make the reservation. I must add though, that the YC aims to please, and they have told me that if they have an upgrade available, they will assign it to you, whether you ask or not.

So Terk-1, there is a 'chance' you could get an upgrade. Just don't set your hopes too high so you are not disappointed. Good luck!

 

[wdisneyaholic]

Well AKL seems to be the ones handing out the free upgrades. I just got back last night from a 4 night stay at the Dolphin and a 2 night stay at the AKL. When I checked in on Wed. I only had a ressie for a 1 night stay for standard room. The place was so spectacular that as we walked in my hubby said lets see if we can do another night. All that I had requested was a king bed. The CM at check in was so wonderful and nice. She started to do our check in and stepped into the back room for a few mins. When she came out she said that she had a room but it was not ready yet and that it was a POOL VIEW!!! Yippee! I asked about a second night and what the rate was (we used the code and got the $153 with tax rate) They gave us another night with the dicounted rate!! I could not believe it. I have heard of people being up graded but never thought it would happen to us.

Our room had the most beautiful pool view I have ever seen. Was a wonderful stay!!