Free Dining value to villa free upgrade?

[MandM-Mom]

What time of year did this happen last year? Just hoping for some magic this year since we weren't one of the lucky ones last year

 

[Seahunt]

I remember this! It was around June 8, 2007 last year - here's some info from last year about it from another site:

BTW - to others reading this, remember that this happened LAST YEAR 2007 - it is NOT currently happening this year for 2008, so no need to get excited!

June 8, 2007
Many Value Resort Guests Getting Free Upgrades
A whole lot of people who’d booked Walt Disney World Value resorts during the Free Dining promotion just received free upgrades to Old Key West (OKW) or Saratoga Springs Resorts (SSR), both of which are Disney Vacation Club (DVC) locations. The free upgrade offer went out by email to specific people; you can’t just call with the code, you have to receive the code direct from Disney.

Some people are being upgraded into one bedroom villas, but most are given studios. Either way it’s a deal. Rack rate for those studios at the time in question is $279/night, while the Values run closer to $82/night.

The email clearly stated that free upgrades could not be combined with other promotions, but those accepting the upgrade have been told by the booking Cast Members that they’re keeping their Free Dining. Kinda like hitting the Disney lottery, really! The upgrade offer also states that all balances must be paid in full when upgrading, but so far it sounds like the Cast Members aren’t enforcing that either. I’ve got to wonder whether there’s some kind of mix-up at Central Reservations.

There’s plenty of speculation about how people were chosen. Maybe it was random, maybe it was people who booked Free Dining on the first day. It does seem clear that everybody receiving the upgrade booked direct with Disney, not through a Travel Agent. And the people receiving the upgrade all seem to be staying over Labor Day weekend, a busy time. But in any case, Disney’s motives in offering the upgrades seem to be clear: There are plenty of rooms available at OKW and SSR, and they’re not likely to fill them up (goodness knows there’s way too many resort rooms at WDW), so why not move some of those Value Guests up, so they can sell more Value rooms? And perhaps just a few of those who got the free upgrades will fall in love with Disney Vacation Club, and buy into the timeshare properties.
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Who knows this year with Disney though? If they would happen to extend the free dining booking period tomorrow, maybe they could keep bumping people up this year too

 

[Claire&TheBoys]

I wouldn't hold my breath on the upgrade taking place this year. I heard that they had a computer snafu last year that caused them to overbook some of the value resorts for the free dining offer, and that was the cause of the upgrade.

 

[RMulieri]

Probably not going to happen this year.As of the end of the free dining promo yesterday, there were still free dining rooms available, and there are still plenty of rooms available that time period that don't have the promo. If they did this every year, no one would book above a value level, because there would be a good chance they would get a free upgrade.

 

[DISNEYNY]

I would agree that it is not happening this year. We got upgraded to a Studio at SSR last year on June 8. Free dining promo is over so I would guess there is no need to offer upgrades this year.

 

[cocowum]

June 6th (2007) for us. We were upgraded to a 1BR @ SSR.

 

[riaesq]

Bumping cuz I was just coming here to ask the same question. Last year we had a free upgrade to a 1-br at OKW- probably the most pixie dust I have had EVER. Wasn't counting on it of course but if anyone hears PLEASE POST!

btw I am impressed with those who know what date they got it lol!

 

[mousiemom]

it was like we received a dream. we received our email around june 3rd of last yr and i immediately called the number and we stayed in a 1br villa @ ssr over labor day. my inlaws were traveling w/us and i asked if they could have one too and they gave them one!!! we couldn't believe it! we are always happy @ pop but we enjoyed every day @ the dvc resort!! we are going again the same time this year and we were praying for that free upgrade but we're so happy just to get it last yr.
mousiemom

 

[disneyfan55]

Funny thing in reading this is that we booked the ASSp on the last day the offer was available and 2 rooms!! No problem. ASMu was available as well. We booked the 2 rooms for 8 days, too. I can't understand if WDW overbooked the Values that the Values were still available on June 24, 2007.