Free upgrade from value to moderate

[Ochio]

Woohoo! We received an email from Disney Destinations offering a "Free upgrade" from the value resort (Pop) we are booked at later this month to one of the four moderates, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West. It did contain a pin # and I was asked for it when I called. Even though I'm not paying less $ than I was, I feel so much better because it was really bothering me that I was having to pay rack rate for the value we were staying at for the first part of our trip! At least now I feel like I may be getting more for my money. Wondering if anyone else has received this email?

 

[julluvsdisney]

Woohoo! We received an email from Disney Destinations offering a "Free upgrade" from the value resort (Pop) we are booked at later this month to one of the four moderates, Saratoga Springs, or Old Key West. It did contain a pin # and I was asked for it when I called. Even though I'm not paying less $ than I was, I feel so much better because it was really bothering me that I was having to pay rack rate for the value we were staying at for the first part of our trip! At least now I feel like I may be getting more for my money. Wondering if anyone else has received this email?

Oh wow awesome!!! Lucky you!!! When will you be there? When did you get the email? I would love to get that lucky! We are staying at pop july 17th -23rd! Congrats on your early pixie dust!!

 

[sassysuejones]

Congrats, I got that same upgrade in 2009! We stayed at Saratoga Springs...I would have to say that depending on whether you have little ones...its alot of walking just so you are prepared. Never experienced Old Key West, however if offered the chance again...I would take a shot at that one. Saratoga is nothing to write home about...Nice, but very "UNDISNEY".

 

[Ochio]

We received the email on 7/7 and were supposed to check in at Pop in a pref. room on 7/15 to 7/22. I wondered if they had overbooked some of the nights. We chose Coronado Springs-they offered me a preferred room but I declined and requested Cabannas to be closer to the main pool. I may have chosen Old Key West if we had a car, but not on this trip. I'm really excited now-not that I wasn't before. It's just that we had already stayed at Pop before and this will be a new resort for us!

 

[julluvsdisney]

We received the email on 7/7 and were supposed to check in at Pop in a pref. room on 7/15 to 7/22. I wondered if they had overbooked some of the nights. We chose Coronado Springs-they offered me a preferred room but I declined and requested Cabannas to be closer to the main pool. I may have chosen Old Key West if we had a car, but not on this trip. I'm really excited now-not that I wasn't before. It's just that we had already stayed at Pop before and this will be a new resort for us!

IM SOOOO jealous!!!!!!!! I want an upgrade lol!!!! I wonder if my free dining offer would knock me outta the running for one??? Good for you though!!! I bet they over booked the hotel which makes me a little nervous! I hope POP isnt CRAZY when we arrive! Enjoy!!!

 

[sjs314]

We received the email on 7/7 and were supposed to check in at Pop in a pref. room on 7/15 to 7/22. I wondered if they had overbooked some of the nights. We chose Coronado Springs-they offered me a preferred room but I declined and requested Cabannas to be closer to the main pool. I may have chosen Old Key West if we had a car, but not on this trip. I'm really excited now-not that I wasn't before. It's just that we had already stayed at Pop before and this will be a new resort for us!

Congratulations on the free upgrade. CSR is a beautiful resort. Not sure why your not having a car influenced your not chooseing to stay at OKW When we stayed there the bus service was the best I have ever had at any resort in our 10+ trips, plus you have a water launch to DTD and the studios (if that is what they were offering ) are huge.

 

[Jakesmom504]

Wow that's awesome! Good for you!!

 

[LookinUp]

IM SOOOO jealous!!!!!!!! I want an upgrade lol!!!! I wonder if my free dining offer would knock me outta the running for one??? Good for you though!!! I bet they over booked the hotel which makes me a little nervous! I hope POP isnt CRAZY when we arrive! Enjoy!!!

We got the same upgrade offer in 2009 -- with FD. We stayed at SSR and found we had a 6-min walk to the main pool, but we didn't need it every day. Had read that their TS restaurant is ho-hum, so again, the walk didn't matter. We had a ball trying other fun TSs. Also had great bus service, right outside our building & first SSR stop.

Congrats to OP on getting CSR! Enjoy!!!

 

[nhtinkerbell]

i got the same email. upgraded to ssr a 1 bedroom villa. very excited for the pixi dust.

 

[wdwnut61]

Congratulations

What a great offer have a magical trip.

 

[trying2photo]

I called yesterday to make a new reservation at POP (preferred) and was offered an upgrade to CBR. Wonder if something is up with POP preferred rooms that has not been announced yet?

 

[FourBees]

When did you make reservations for?

 

[skier_pete]

From what I've been hearing...Disney is struggling to fill the moderates...without getting into a political debate, I think it may have to do with the way the economic system is becoming in this country where people are either having to tighten their belts (those that end up at the Values) or have a lot of disposal income (those that end up at the Deluxes). The # of people in between that would stay at a Moderate are shrinking...especially with "moderates" pushing $200+ a night, which is far from Moderate in most views.

So, if Disney finds they have people calling for availability at a value, but can't sell the mods...their better off upgrading people to mods.

I'd take this deal for our November trip in a heartbeat. Not quite free dining, but would be in the ballpark (we want to stay at a mod - but can only do it with free dining.)

If you are listening oh great Disney spies - send me that PIN, we'll free up the value room for you!

SkierPete

 

[havoc315]

From what I've been hearing...Disney is struggling to fill the moderates...without getting into a political debate, I think it may have to do with the way the economic system is becoming in this country where people are either having to tighten their belts (those that end up at the Values) or have a lot of disposal income (those that end up at the Deluxes). The # of people in between that would stay at a Moderate are shrinking...especially with "moderates" pushing $200+ a night, which is far from Moderate in most views.

So, if Disney finds they have people calling for availability at a value, but can't sell the mods...their better off upgrading people to mods.


SkierPete

This isn't new. Disney has always had the most trouble filling the moderates, which I don't think is a reflection of class demographics in America.

It's really much simpler -- Those who want to Disney on the tightest possible budget can do very well staying at a "value" resort. They can get the "on site" amenities, and it's not that much more expensive than staying off property. (Especially with a discount like free dining -- plus staying off-site means paying for transportation, etc).
Those who want to splurge -- Who want all the advantages of perfect location, nicer resort, etc-- those people go to the deluxes.

For the "middle of the road" people.... perhaps there are fewer of such people, plus they have far more options available, plus, the moderate hotels don't provide such enhanced value.

The moderate hotel is about $200 per night --- For that price, you are not getting huge advantages over the value resorts. You don't get signature restaurants at the hotel, you don't get located on the monorail.

And for a similar price as a Disney moderate -- You can stay at the Swan/Dolphin, you can rent DCV points and stay in a "deluxe villa," or you can stay in a "deluxe" accommodation off-site... plus some of the on-site deluxe resorts are only slightly more expensive.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

I was upgraded from ASMovies to OKW in 2007. OKW was my "only in my dreams because I'll never afford it in real life" resort. I was on all week. DS still talks about OKW and how much fun we had.

 

[trying2photo]

When did you make reservations for?

I was quoting a rate for October 13 -19.

 

[mousiemom]

we also received this awesome free upgrade from pop to saratoga in a 1br villa. my inlaws who were traveling with us also upgraded to a 1 br villa with no extra chg. we were there for 7 nights and also had free dining that trip!!! we enjoyed every moment there. i believe we were located in the section to the back on the right which worked out great cause we were the 1st pickup @ the bus depots. have fun and enjoy it! this doesn't come a long too often. i believe it was 2008 for us.
congrats!!!

 

[Toystoryfan32]

Congrats! You will have a great time. We got this upgrade in 2009 and we stayed at SSR. It was fantastic. I even went home with suitcases full of clean laundry since we had a washer and dryer. And the spa tub was awesome! Have a great trip.

 

[mlittig]

What a magical way to start your trip

 

[KELLY]

From what I've been hearing...Disney is struggling to fill the moderates...without getting into a political debate, I think it may have to do with the way the economic system is becoming in this country where people are either having to tighten their belts (those that end up at the Values) or have a lot of disposal income (those that end up at the Deluxes). The # of people in between that would stay at a Moderate are shrinking...especially with "moderates" pushing $200+ a night, which is far from Moderate in most views.

So, if Disney finds they have people calling for availability at a value, but can't sell the mods...their better off upgrading people to mods.

I'd take this deal for our November trip in a heartbeat. Not quite free dining, but would be in the ballpark (we want to stay at a mod - but can only do it with free dining.)
SkierPete

I agree for us to upgrade to a moderate is 750.00. Granted that is for 10 days and we would be getting the regular dining plan vs the QSDP. We are at our 45 day mark today and we will have the money next week for the upgrade. But I'm still on the fence. Part of me says to do it for the larger room and the pool. I know it is going to be super hot. Than part of me just says to upgrade our tickets to the WPM option for 230.00. In all honestly we prefer the QSDP so to me that is not the deal breaker.