DVC rental at AKL: potential room upgrades--any tricks or tips?

[YawningDodo]

I rented DVC points for a Deluxe Studio - Standard View at Kidani Village for a 7 night stay in January 2021 (I have regrets about not booking something more flexible, but what's done is done!). I've heard that not doing the online check-in process and doing check-in at the front desk can increase your chances of getting a room upgrade, but is that actually true? And does it apply to DVC rentals? I've found the online check-in nice and convenient on past trips, but I'd be willing to forego it if there's a chance it'll pay off. This will be my housemate's first trip to WDW--and a birthday trip for her--and I kind of want to spoil her.

Potentially relevant info:

• As mentioned, it's a 7 night stay
• We're arriving on a Friday
• Our flight gets into Orlando around 6:00 PM

That last one is what makes me think it might not be worth trying/getting our hopes up. One would think that if there were going to be any upgrades to hand out, they'd be given out to the earliest arrivals.


Update: Looks like my question has been answered! Thank you! I am now aware that 1.) an upgrade is very unlikely, 2.) in-person checkin (if it's even offered) won't have an impact, 3.) I must not request an upgrade at the front desk because it will incur a charge for the DVC owner, and 4.) I should ask the DVC owner to request a room near the Timon Pumbaa elevator to increase my chances of a semi-savannah view within the standard view category. Thanks, all! This really helps me in my planning and I'm glad to know I can utilize online check-in without "missing out."

 

[JETSDAD]

DVC runs at such a high occupancy that there really aren't upgrades unless the room you were assigned happens to get pulled for maintenance issues and they don't have a similar room available.

 

[OKW Lover]

Agree with he PP, the likelihood of an upgrade for a DVC unit is close to zero.

 

[Lynne M]

The above posters are correct. DVC reservations don’t get upgraded unless something has gone wrong with the room and they don’t have a comparable room to give you. It does happen occasionally, but much less often than a non-DVC resort. And the non-DVC upgrades happen far less than people think they do.

 

[NicoleLarson]

I'm assuming you are talking about chances of getting upgraded to a savanna view vs the standard view you actually booked? Like others have said, this pretty much never happens because DVC runs at 100% capacity. Also for the sake of the owner that you rented from please do not ask for an upgrade at check in. There have been reports of renters asking for upgrades and thinking they were free but in actuality the owner was charged the difference in points. The good news is that there are several viewing areas all over the resort so you are never too far away from being able to see the animals

 

[rwdavis2]

Online check in has no affect on upgrades. The folks abce are correct on how upgrades are handled.

 

[erionm]

Do not ask for an upgrade at the front desk when renting points. If they upgrade you based on you asking, the owner you rented from will be charged the additional points.

 

[suemom2kay]

Agree with all others. I suggest looking up room views on a certain Disney touring website. I also think that in-person checkin is a thing of the past due to COVID.

There are some standard rooms that have views of the Savannah. People didn't like looking at the people "cages" (evacuation locations with fence to separate from the animals) so they dropped the category to standard view. Bear in mind, there are very few of these rooms. Have a nice vacation.

 

[drusba]

Be aware that if you arrive at AKV and ask for, and are given, an upgrade, you could cause a serious problem between you and the member providing the rental. There are not supposed to be any upgrades upon request at check-in for DVC rooms, only those that happen because the resort does not have your category of room available, which upgrades result without request, and for which it is irrelevant whether you do online check-in or wait until arrival to do check-in. However, what has happened in the past is that sometimes the front desk grants such an upgrade request at the front desk at check-in for a DVC room. And then what happens is that the member is charged for all the extra points needed for that new room, points not yet paid for in the rental, and the member will seek for the renter to pay for them.

As to standard view at Kidani, the rooms have road, back of the bus stop, front entrance, pool area, or Pembe Savanna view. If you want a chance of getting a Pembe savanna view room with standard view, you should ask the member to put in a request for a room near the Timon elevator.

 

[YawningDodo]

Excellent, thank you all for the responses! In a way I'm actually really glad to know that an upgrade is extremely unlikely, since that means I can do online checkin (which I prefer) without worrying about opportunity cost. That simplifies and streamlines things. Also good to know that requested upgrades at the desk can have a hidden (to the renter) cost. Sounds like I'll just do check-in online and let the chips fall where they will. I don't expect to get a better room than I've paid for as a matter of course; I just wanted to know the odds. And now I do!

The above posters are correct. DVC reservations don’t get upgraded unless something has gone wrong with the room and they don’t have a comparable room to give you. It does happen occasionally, but much less often than a non-DVC resort. And the non-DVC upgrades happen far less than people think they do.

I've long suspected this is true, especially considering I didn't get even any of my standard requests on my last (non-DVC) trip--they just put you where they have an empty room, I'm sure. I've just seen people writing about it online as though they get upgrades all the time.

Agree with all others. I suggest looking up room views on a certain Disney touring website. I also think that in-person checkin is a thing of the past due to COVID.

There are some standard rooms that have views of the Savannah. People didn't like looking at the people "cages" (evacuation locations with fence to separate from the animals) so they dropped the category to standard view. Bear in mind, there are very few of these rooms. Have a nice vacation.

I suspect that as well, but figured I'd take a wait and see approach if there were any advantage to in-person check-in.

As to standard view at Kidani, the rooms have road, back of the bus stop, front entrance, pool area, or Pembe Savanna view. If you want a chance of getting a Pembe savanna view room with standard view, you should ask the member to put in a request for a room near the Timon elevator.

This is really helpful, thank you! I'll see if I can put in a note about that through the broker.

 

[Best Aunt]

Online check-in may become mandatory to cut down on the number of people standing in line at the front desk. I believe people have reported lately that it is required for their upcoming stays in regular (non-dvc) hotel rooms. (Social distancing)

 

[Deb & Bill]

With DVC you get what you booked.

 

[eeyoreandtink]

Frankly, an upgrade will not happen on DVC points. DVC rooms sell out well before check in so you get what you booked. You can request a location within that category, but I have heard varying reports on how successful that is.

 

[drusba]

Excellent, thank you all for the responses! In a way I'm actually really glad to know that an upgrade is extremely unlikely, since that means I can do online checkin (which I prefer) without worrying about opportunity cost. That simplifies and streamlines things. Also good to know that requested upgrades at the desk can have a hidden (to the renter) cost. Sounds like I'll just do check-in online and let the chips fall where they will. I don't expect to get a better room than I've paid for as a matter of course; I just wanted to know the odds. And now I do!


I've long suspected this is true, especially considering I didn't get even any of my standard requests on my last (non-DVC) trip--they just put you where they have an empty room, I'm sure. I've just seen people writing about it online as though they get upgrades all the time.


I suspect that as well, but figured I'd take a wait and see approach if there were any advantage to in-person check-in.


This is really helpful, thank you! I'll see if I can put in a note about that through the broker.

I misspoke. That should be a request near the Pumba elevator to get Pembe savanna view.

 

[YawningDodo]

I misspoke. That should be a request near the Pumba elevator to get Pembe savanna view.

Thanks for the update!

 

[drusba]

It is Pumba elevator, not Pembe

 

[Lewisc]

The other side of the same question. I've read complimentary upgrades, if available, generally go to cash customers vs DVC reservations.. I was upgraded from a studio to a one bedroom at Aulani.

 

[CastAStone]

Just an FYI the savannah view standard rooms at Kidani are a HIKE from the lobby and bus stop. I put in a room request for room “7853 or one near it” using the Touring Plans room request feature and got room 7853. We had great views of Okapi and Warthogs. But like I said, hike.

 

[kevtlas]

Just an FYI the savannah view standard rooms at Kidani are a HIKE from the lobby and bus stop. I put in a room request for room “7853 or one near it” using the Touring Plans room request feature and got room 7853. We had great views of Okapi and Warthogs. But like I said, hike.

We did the same exact thing and CastAStone is absolutely spot on. Fabulous views but a pretty long hike to pretty much everything!