Free Room Upgrades?

[bobbiwoz]

For our 50th anniversary stay, one night, we were upgraded to a two bedroom from a studio at VGF. We were comped a cake and some goodies and were lucky enough to have good friends come visit with us to share.

I have kept the on-line bill from that stay which clearly shows a line item 2 bedroom lake view with a charge of 0. Whatever the points were for the studio went into holding, I called and explained I hadn’t cancelled the reservation, and had gotten the two bedroom! Eventually the holding points did disappear, so we got the room for the price of a standard studio!

 

[Sandisw]

When I was there and talking to a few CMs, I was told that sometimes these upgrades are happening to allow a room to go longer between guests.

I have not gotten one in my 3 trips post Covid yet either, but I think with the lack of full occupancy, they try to move people around if they can so it gives extra time for the cleaning.

When we arrived at RIV, my room was not ready, but the CM said they were not full and found us one that had not been occupied the night before and got us in at 11:30 am..not an upgrade but close enough for us! Lol

 

[Cabius]

For our 50th anniversary stay, one night, we were upgraded to a two bedroom from a studio at VGF. We were comped a cake and some goodies and were lucky enough to have good friends come visit with us to share.

I have kept the on-line bill from that stay which clearly shows a line item 2 bedroom lake view with a charge of 0. Whatever the points were for the studio went into holding, I called and explained I hadn’t cancelled the reservation, and had gotten the two bedroom! Eventually the holding points did disappear, so we got the room for the price of a standard studio!

That's fantastic!

I imagine that a shorter stay makes that a LOT easier to pull off. Seems hard to imagine that they would have a 2BR Lake View sitting empty for a whole week, but for one night? Yahtzee!

(And wow - congrats on 50 years! We're bringing my parents this summer as an early celebration of their 50th in November -- couldn't be more excited!)

 

[dancergirlsmom]

Was the Grand Floridian stay a cash hotel reservation rather than DVC?

Yes, it was.

 

[Chuck S]

I think short stays of one or two nights are likely upgraded more often than longer reservations. I usually stay 6 to 8 nights, sometimes linger, and have not been upgraded in 29 years.

 

[Evita_W]

Another point is, I don't know about in Florida, but I do know in California a room has to be empty for at least 48 hours (might be 72) before it can be assigned to a new guest. This has resulted in more upgrades at all hotels here, simply due to logistical reasons and what makes/saves the hotels the most money. I am sure Disney is no different on this, even at the DVC level.

So there are probably a variety of reasons there seem to be more upgrades right now.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Other thoughts about our 50th anniversary upgrade...
We had taken a DCL cruise before the VGF stay, and just a few weeks before we decided we could not fully celebrate our 50th without a WDW stay.

We were right!

Here’s the cake!

Surprise desserts



Our morning view!



Our family is spread out and we are not party people, but my DSis and a friend surprised us by sending information like “Flat Stanley” to our friends and family. Everyone responded by taking their picture with our picture and saying how they would like to spend our Anniversary with us.



Our upgrade was very special....I hope it’s OK that I relived it here!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Another point is, I don't know about in Florida, but I do know in California a room has to be empty for at least 48 hours (might be 72) before it can be assigned to a new guest.

Florida don't care.

 

[Brett Wyman]

It's all about short stays. If you are only staying a night or two you are much more likely to receive an upgrade. Disney isn't too keen on giving someone staying 7 nights a 1-bedroom upgrade as that removes it from the pool of available rentals.

This last September 2020 we decided to add one more night to our 9 night stay and moved to Copper Creek. It was a cash reservation so we booked a studio. We received a 1-bedroom upgrade then.

 

[DisneyMomof4_86]

Did a split stay in February with DVC points and upgraded at both resorts - Grand Floridian from Studio to one bedroom, and at Riviera from standard to preferred view. We did on-line check-in, going straight to the rooms. I would think it had more to do with availability than anything else, the resorts also felt less busy.

Thats exciting! I hope that happens to us! We have our first DVC stay at Riviera, 3 nights in s preferred studio because that's all that was available, then 3 nights in a 1 bedroom and the last night moving to animal kingdom, I know Im going to be stressed moving so many times , we requested to be put in a studio connected to a 1 bedroom lock off so we dont have to move too far! Hopefully they just say hey lets just put them in the 1 bedroom the whole sat, that would be awesome. Unlikely but awesome!

 

[Geomom]

In all our stays we've been "upgraded" twice at BWV, first was Columbus day weekend in 2017?...gave us a village green view 1 bedroom instead of a boardwalk view studio...I think there was an issue with the original room? (We were very happy with that upgrade!!!). Our trip last week we got upgraded from standard view to garden/pool view... although our view was the activity lawn.. actually...it was a view of a tree and part of the building..also lots of boat horns in that area...I think I would have preferred a standard view, lol. No extra points taken for either upgrade. Never asked for it, did online check-in both times.

 

[Lexxiefern]

I’ve been upgraded a couple times. All staying on points. And all short stays.

Last sept upgraded from a studio to a 2 bed! At GFV. It was awesome!

I think it was in 2019 I was upgraded at BLT from a studio to a 1 bed. I think my room was given away because of maybe issues with someone else’s? I got a room ready text and then about 20 min later I got a call telling me my room was actually not ready. No new room ready text came before arriving so I had to visit the front desk. I explained what happened and that I thought my room was given away. She just plugged away on her computer and said oh no I have your room right here. No mention of an upgrade. So we were pretty surprised when we walked in the room!

And at least 3 times over my course of ownership at BWV (since 2003) we’ve been “upgraded“ to preferred view from standard. These trips were usually 3-4 nights in length.

 

[McMonsters]

I think we were upgraded in July....happened to find the Jambo value studio for a two night stay for some birthday happiness a couple weeks after the reopening. It was the most magical trip! Had a studio looking over the pool which I enjoyed the flamingos late evening and early morning with my beverages.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I think we were upgraded in July....happened to find the Jambo value studio for a two night stay for some birthday happiness a couple weeks after the reopening. It was the most magical trip! Had a studio looking over the pool which I enjoyed the flamingos late evening and early morning with my beverages. View attachment 570897

I believe one of the Value Studios overlooks the pool.

 

[momtwoboys]

we have been going to disney for over 25 years, some reg resorts, many years renting points and then buying into DVC and never had an upgrade at all ever. we are leaving WDW now and had a great time at BWV! We were upgraded from a studio to a 1 bedroom and were shocked excited and so grateful!! We did online check in like usual, walked into lobby to get our bags dropped at Bell services and were greeted by a CM who asked us if we were checking in, we told him we already did online and didnt expect the room to be ready. He asked our name on ressie and was chatting with us and he just told us " you are being upgraded!" I almost screamed!! Was sure this afternoon to stop at the desk and thank him again for a wonderful surprise and we appreciated it! so who knows!?!?

 

[supersnoop]

r a two night stay for some birthday

I believe one of the Value Studios overlooks the pool.

I believe there are 8 value studios overlooking the pool, 8 that overlook a savanna, and two that overlook the parking lot.

 

[lizziepooh]

We have been DVC members for 20 years and never had an upgrade. It would be nice if it ever happens, but not expecting it.

 

[jwinky]

I haven't gotten an upgrade during my short stays. However, my rented reservation did get upgraded from studio to 1 bedroom at BLT for 5 nights. So technically I did get an upgrade, but I wasn't on the reservation.

 

[Shamus]

Over the years we have had the occasional upgrade of view upon arrival due to "maintenance issues". We even had a downgrade of view once but they refunded the point difference.

Similar to an earlier poster, a few years back they called in advance and advised that due to maintenance they were moving my niece from a Boardwalk View Studio to a "Village Green" One Bedroom.

Recently however I have had 4 reservations for family members since October and my guests have received upgrades 3 of those 4 times.
October - Upgrade from BLT SV STD to BLT LV STD - 4 nights
November - Double Upgrade from BWV SV STD to BWV PV 1BR - 3 nights Thanksgiving Weekend
January - No Upgrade - BWV BV STD - 4 nights
This Past Weekend - Upgrade from BWV SV 1BR to BWV PV 1BR - 4 nights

 

[Maleficent's Dad]

We've been upgraded twice.
The first time was February 2009 (President's Week). We booked three studios at SSR for 6 nights as we had family joining us. Upon arrival at SSR, we were brought to a 1BR. All three studios were upgraded to 1BR's with no explanation given. It was a nice treat for our family guests.
The second time was April 2018 (Spring Break) at the BWV. We were in a studio on the ground floor and a pipe had burst in that area. All the rooms had to be reassigned. We were upgraded to BWI Club Level Deluxe Room which was a nice treat. This one may not really be an upgrade as it was due to a broken pipe, so maybe it shouldn't count...