Does Orbitz/Travelocity/Expedia Nix any Pixie dust?

[Hisgirl]

We have booked through Disney and the typical booking companies and never had any pixie dust either way...but...I'm wondering if anyone has received an unexpected upgrade upon check-in when booked using a non-Disney company. Any experiences there?

 

[rwdavis2]

Don't ever count on upgrades regardless of where you book. They are much more rare than you think. I doubt if where you book has any bearing. Upgrades are done to accommodate the hotel's needs.

 

[Hisgirl]

Totally agree. We've gone multiple times and never had anything....even with anniversaries, birthdays, first visit for 83 year olds celebrating their 63rd anniversary, ....nothing. I'm just curious if anyone has ever had an upgrade when booked through one of these companies.

 

[dansdad]

The room assigners have no idea how/where you booked so it's not a factor.

 

[dansdad]

Totally agree. We've gone multiple times and never had anything....even with anniversaries, birthdays, first visit for 83 year olds celebrating their 63rd anniversary, ....nothing. I'm just curious if anyone has ever had an upgrade when booked through one of these companies.

Yes, we have.

 

[Marionnette]

We have booked through Disney and the typical booking companies and never had any pixie dust either way...but...I'm wondering if anyone has received an unexpected upgrade upon check-in when booked using a non-Disney company. Any experiences there?

While I cannot say that it was because I booked thru Orbitz that I got a very nice king room with garden view at YC last September, I can say without a doubt that Disney did not discriminate against me because of booking that way.

 

[gwynne]

The room assigners have no idea how/where you booked so it's not a factor.

Just curious about how you know this?

From my personal experience the room assigners have access to considerable information. I was called by one before our last visit. And I know for certain it was a room assigner.

 

[AngiTN]

Totally agree. We've gone multiple times and never had anything....even with anniversaries, birthdays, first visit for 83 year olds celebrating their 63rd anniversary, ....nothing. I'm just curious if anyone has ever had an upgrade when booked through one of these companies.

Yes I have.

 

[dansdad]

Just curious about how you know this?

From my personal experience the room assigners have access to considerable information. I was called by one before our last visit. And I know for certain it was a room assigner.

The room assigners can get any information that's in the system, but they have to look for it. When they receive all the upcoming reservations that they have to assign rooms for, they contain the bare minimum of details.

 

[AngiTN]

While I cannot say that it was because I booked thru Orbitz that I got a very nice king room with garden view at YC last September, I can say without a doubt that Disney did not discriminate against me because of booking that way.

Correct. There are some out there that want to try and convince folks that Disney will hold it against you for booking with a 3rd party but having done it for several trips I can say with full certainty that they do not. You are not given the worse room in the resort and your odds of an upgrade are not changed at all.

 

[gwynne]

The room assigners can get any information that's in the system, but they have to look for it. When they receive all the upcoming reservations that they have to assign rooms for, they contain the bare minimum of details.

I was left with the strong impression they put a good deal of thought and care into their work. It really wasn't bare minimum, but YMMV.

 

[AngiTN]

I was left with the strong impression they put a good deal of thought and care into their work. It really wasn't bare minimum, but YMMV.

I'm certain that is the case.
But who you booked your room with is not likely to be a required bit of information to assign a room.

 

[dansdad]

I was left with the strong impression they put a good deal of thought and care into their work. It really wasn't bare minimum, but YMMV.

They certainly do. I never implied they didn't. But when assigning rooms, they don't need to know how you booked. But they do see all your requests, how many in your party, your length of stay, etc.

 

[Lynne M]

No, booking through a major travel site will not be held against you.

Disney certainly doesn't consider sites like Orbitz or Expedia to be the enemy. Quite the contrary; they're partners. Disney willingly and happily sells room blocks to these sites, and makes a very tidy sum by doing that.

 

[Lady Marie]

Yes, DH and I booked through an 3rd party site and were upgraded at Art of Animation from LM to Cars Suite. We were there for only one night and know it was because they were probably over sold and not because we were there for our anniversary. Even still it was nice

 

[saskdw]

I was left with the strong impression they put a good deal of thought and care into their work. It really wasn't bare minimum, but YMMV.

I'm sure it's like any job. You have people who do the bare minimum required by their job description and those who take more pride/initiative to go that extra mile.