free upgrades?!?!?

[NYmickey]

Has anyone ever asked if they could get an upgrade on their resort and had their wish granted? If so why do you believe they gave you the upgrade? Would Disney actually do this?

 

[TammiMcMan]

Has anyone ever asked if they could get an upgrade on their resort and had their wish granted?

Personally, the only upgrade I asked about at check-in, I asked what the cost would be up front. I know that people do ask, but many don't won't to be that outright to ask for something free. It's my understanding that the registration CM does not have the authority to process an upgrade, that must be approved by management.

If so why do you believe they gave you the upgrade?

If given at check-in, it's usually to someone who least expects it. There have been a lot of posters who are/were CM's and state that they would purposely say no to someone asking, but instead look for someone who just looked happy to be there.

Would Disney actually do this?

There's a few reasons why upgrades are done and 99.9% of them are for marketing/business reasons. Many upgrades are done behind the scenes either because of a slow season and they are closing a building, a maintenance issue, overbooking, or simply to open up the less expensive rooms for new bookings. It's been proven in business that a free upgrade initially can result in that guest rebooking at the more expensive level the next time. So, short answer, it's good business practice.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I personally believe the best thing to do is making a reservation for the exact view or specific room type that you want, because this way you won't be disappointed at check-in if your not upgraded.

 

[ckdsnynt]

We received a free upgrade in Feb at WL. Completely unexpected and greatly appreciated. A short, wonderful stay was made even more magical!

 

[tekoa]

I would never have the nerve to ask for a free upgrade. I believe you get what you pay for. If you want that Castle view pay for it. Kudos to all that get free upgrades.

 

[KatMark]

I would never think of asking for an upgrade. However, we've received pixie dust on a number of occastions -- at the Contemporary and the Coronado and received upgrades at both.

 

[Haley]

I agree you should book the view you want.

But, it doesn't hurt to ask at check in- the worst they can say is no!

Just make sure you clarify that it is a FREE upgrade.

Someone once posted on here they checked in and asked for an upgrade to Savannah View at AKL. The CM said ok-- and then there was several hundred dollars on their bill at their end of the stay for the charge for the Savannah View room.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The only Cast Members who are authorized to give the free upgrades are the ones who do the room assignments a few days before you check-in, which is what makes them totally random if you are to get an upgrade. So when you are checking-in and the Cast Member types your name into the computer it will show that you got an upgrade and why front desk Cast Members are not authorized to give free upgrades.

 

[Lynne M]

But, it doesn't hurt to ask at check in- the worst they can say is no!

We've had cast members post on other threads here that it does hurt to ask. I really would not recommend asking for a free upgrade, it's just about going to guarantee that you won't get one.

About the best you can do is to ask what it would cost to upgrade to the view, level, etc. that you want. They may quote you a discounted price, if you're lucky. If you're very lucky (and very nice about it), the CM MAY get approval to give you a complimentary upgrade, IF one is available.

 

[aleckendyl]

We ALWAYS ask for a free upgrade....its about 60-40.
60% we dont 40% of the time we do.
It just depends.
But, you need to ASK.
We always try book the best room we can get that is not prefeered.
Then upon checkin, we try for the upgrade.
But even if we dont get it.....we almost always get the building we want at lease.
(i.E. Jazz at the allstar music)
Or certain locations at CSR. (close to pool)

 

[cw21726]

I don't understand why some suggest to not even ask. If it's as some have said and it's truly a pre-determined thing then how does asking affect your chances of getting it?

I say ask away. If it happens then you're set. If not - whatever. Have a good time anyway.

 

[Missytara]

I did once get a free upgrade on the Disney Cruise line. I did the four days in the park and the three days on the cruise, the week after Thanksgiving. The boat was not full and they were moving every up to consolidate all of us, making it easier to get to the cabins for services. We went from an inside cabin on level 5 to an oceanview cabin on level 7.

It is actually good business, not just because they didn't need as much staff for the week, but also ever since then, I have always booked an oceanview room when I cruise.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

When we were checking in at AKL...person in front of us requested for a free upgrade and was told sorry we are booked and unable to upgrade. Anyway we were checking in after 10:30am (and we booked standard b/c all the savanna view was sold out...my husband booked this trip w/i 5 days) anyway I was thinking we are going to get a parking lot view or the worst view ever. We checked in and said I hope you don't mind we move you to savanna view. The only time we ever got upgraded and very happy.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I forgot to say...we didn't ask and they gave it to us. The person before us asked and they didn't give it to them...I was thinking they could have gotten our room since they check in before us and we both booked standard but I guess they asked and it was not given.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

The only Cast Members who are authorized to give the free upgrades are the ones who do the room assignments a few days before you check-in, which is what makes them totally random if you are to get an upgrade. So when you are checking-in and the Cast Member types your name into the computer it will show that you got an upgrade and why front desk Cast Members are not authorized to give free upgrades.

This is not entirely true. Room assignments are far from set in stone. Often times an upgrade comes from the room assigner discovering that a category is overbooked, a building is down etc. However, managers and some front desk CMs ARE in fact authorized to provide room upgrades. Some really do happen right as you check in. Ex: You can have a waterview room assigned to you and if a CM sees that a club level room is available, knows that the club level is not at 100% capacity and just happens to want to be extra magical, they CAN upgrade you after seeking approval from management.

Additionally, as other posters have stated, some upgrades are given based on a marketing/business development basis. Posters with inside knowledge have said that not ALL upgrades are random, some have rhyme and reason to them.

We have been upgraded 7 of our last 10 trips to WDW. I do not think it is a coinsidence and the upgrades began after an absolutely abysmal experience where a resort manager lied to and misled us.

 

[RMulieri]

I have never in 21 trips( about to have my 22 and 23) gotten an upgrade.Heck I don't even get my room requests.But the fact is that hanging on these boards gives the impression that upgrades are plentiful and fall from the sky.They don't . The fact is disboard members represent a very very very small fraction of disney goers ,who mostly never have and never will get upgraded. It is ok to be hopeful, You can ask at check in.Maybe pixie dust will befall you, but maybe not.But in my experience if you ask about an upgrade you will be quoted the price difference and expected to pay for it.

 

[aleckendyl]

I have never in 21 trips( about to have my 22 and 23) gotten an upgrade.Heck I don't even get my room requests.But the fact is that hanging on these boards gives the impression that upgrades are plentiful and fall from the sky.They don't . The fact is disboard members represent a very very very small fraction of disney goers ,who mostly never have and never will get upgraded. It is ok to be hopeful, You can ask at check in.Maybe pixie dust will befall you, but maybe not.But in my experience if you ask about an upgrade you will be quoted the price difference and expected to pay for it.

true, but as stated, we get them about 40% of the time.,
We also go during the "slow times" Mid May or Sept.
This could be a reason we have pretty good luck.

 

[mddisneyfamily]

My husband and I planned a spur of the moment adult only trip for our anniversary. We were trying to do it on a budget so we made reservations at the All Star Movies resort. Two days before the trip we received a phone call from disney asking if we were interested in staying at the YC instead...of course I quickly said yes! When we got there the CM wished us a happy anniversary then left to talk to a manager (I guess). When she came back she said that they would be upgrading our room from standard to a gorgeous waterfront room! What a treat!

I guess there is some marketing wisdom involved because we have planned our summer trip for the whole family this year...and where are we staying?....yep, Yacht Club. If not for the free upgrade we would never have known how beautiful and convenient it was!!

 

[RMulieri]

true, but as stated, we get them about 40% of the time.,
We also go during the "slow times" Mid May or Sept.
This could be a reason we have pretty good luck.

I go off season only Sept or early Dec. , and still have never ever gotten one.You have been quite lucky.

 

[TagsMissy]

The only time I have ever asked if upgrades were available was when I asked specifically if there was any king rooms available that I could pay the difference for. Sadly there were none for the taking but we did get a lovely corner room standard room in an awesome building.

Otherwise leave it to fate and book the class of room you want and if you do get Pixie Dusted then that is awesome be happy with what you get