For those of you that have had a free upgrade at check-in...did you?

[k_reile]

For those of you that have had a free upgrade at check-in...did you? Book through Disney direct or through a travel agency. I booked through a Disney approved travel agency and I was wondering if it made a difference to the CM's at check-in on whether you qualify for a free upgrade or not.? Tell me about your experiences of a free upgrade and how you booked?
Thanks, just some hopeful wishing for my trip in 24 days!!

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

We've been many times to Disney. I've booked on the phone with Disney, through Disney's website and also through a Disney approved Travel Agent, and I've never received an upgrade.. I guess we'll have to just keep trying!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Booked through Disney and never asked for one.

 

[Disneylvr]

The one and only time we have received a free upgrade was at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (from a standard view to savannah) we made the reservation through a Dreams Unlimited agent.

 

[lkaanda]

We also received an upgrade from standard to savannah at AKL, and we booked through AAA.

 

[fla4fun]

I've booked direct through Disney and had complimentary upgrades a few times. I think it occurs when you check in earlier in the day in a room category they've overbooked. Of course, you can't control, or even know, which categories they may have overbooked, but I think it improves your chances if you are checking in earlier in the day (morning vs. evening or late night).

 

[Waseller77]

In March, I checked into All-Star Music at about 1am. I had a preferred room booked for that night and a standard room for the following night. When I checked in, I asked if it was possible to just get a standard room for both nights so we didn't have to pack up and move rooms. She looked at both reservations and said, "Yes, they've kept you in the same room, you'll just have to go to the desk tomorrow to check out/check in". I was definitely relieved at that hour! When we got to our room and were shocked to see that we had a Family Suite for 2 nights! I guess it is truly just random!

By the way, our Preferred room was booked through Disney online and our Standard room was booked through AAA.

 

[famsen]

Has anyone ever received an upgrade to a different resort upon check-in?
Just asking because I never had(nor expected an upgrade) and really only had a building request at my resort honored only once in 8 trips to WDW.
I can only imagine a surprise upgrade to a better resort must feel like being on cloud 9!

 

[ajk912]

I know this may be confusing, but every resort is run by different people (they are all run by Disney, but are run by different people, if that makes sense). Kind of like around here- a company called Columbia Sussex owns the Marriott and the Crowne Plaza. Sure, they are both Columbia Sussex hotels, but the chances of being upgraded to the Marriott from the Crowne are almost nil (unless they overbook and walk you, but slim) because they are still separate, you know? Same for Disney.

 

[Armandocme]

We stayed at Contemporary for a conference and I guess we were upgraded to the tower Magic Kingdom view. The conference rate didn't tell us if it was a standard wing room or not but I had assumed it was. We checked in around noon and got our room right away. We booked through Disney's online booking for conferences.

 

[pxefig]

Has anyone ever received an upgrade to a different resort upon check-in?
Just asking because I never had(nor expected an upgrade) and really only had a building request at my resort honored only once in 8 trips to WDW.
I can only imagine a surprise upgrade to a better resort must feel like being on cloud 9!

I did- sort of. I had a standard room at Yacht Club booked, but when I checked in they had me at a water view at the Beach Club. It was cool, yet annoying because they offered no explanation as to why there was a switch, just told me I was at the wrong resort and had to check in at Beach Club. The view was the Boardwalk and I would see the Eiffle Tower, so it was neat. But I don't know if it counts as being upgraded to a new resort since they are essentially the same anyway.

 

[tigger813]

We got a free upgrade at Poly last year to Concierge. The CM told DH "you've just won the Disney lottery!" They were renovating part of the resort so that's why we got it. We had booked through a travel agent who did work with Disney. She was really surprised and happy for us! Now we're DVC so we book through MS.

 

[mom2jacob]

We were upgraded at ASMu from a standard to the Family suites but we booked through US Airways Vacation. It was quite a surprise since we only paid like $54 (including taxes) for the room a night.

 

[kat3668]

We were upgraded at the Beach club to concierge and I booked through Travelocity. We did check in early 11am and were super thrilled to get the upgrade! My friend who goes to Disney twice or three times a year and is a DVC owner had never been upgraded and was baffled by this! She called her parents to tell them her good fortune and they were happy for us but sooo mad at the same time!

 

[Kaler131]

LOVE the dog pics! SO cute!

 

[AnninIowa]

I've been twice, both times booked through AAA. First trip we were upgraded at Beach Club from standard to conceirge, and this past trip we were upgraded at Animal Kingdom from pool view to savannah. However, I have chalked these upgrades due to the fact we book early, so we were probably upgraded to make room for more standard rooms.

 

[MomOf2DisneyKids]

2 years ago, we had booked (through Disney) a standard room at WL (AAA rate) and were surprised with a free upgrade to Club Level!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

We were upgraded at WL (didn't ask) and we were staying there through a CM friend/family discount room.

 

[marivaid]

We got upgraded to Concierge at BWI and had booked with Disney on the phone.

 

[k_reile]

LOVE the dog pics! SO cute!

Thanks...he is our "fur" baby! Can't tell that he's not spoiled at all, can you? I thought the snowsuit was a good idea for these Ohio winters here but it is too big so he walked right out of it anyways...so I thought I might as well get a picture.
Looks like we live nearby...we are about an hour or so north of columbus. Your trip is soo close...cannot wait for our trip to FINALLY come! 24 days but not that I am counting.