free upgrades?!?!?

[litlpixie]

I'd be too embarrassed to ask for a free upgrade. I paid for my LV CL room at the Poly, and if I overheard Joey-sixpack in front of me at check in ask for a "free" something that I had to sell off one my kids to afford, I'd be a little put off..............(didnt really sell any of the kids.....believe you me, I had no takers anyway!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

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

1) A widely known secret is WL upgrades.
2) Three years ago, they reclassified some Standard rooms to Woods view.
3) This left significantly fewer Standard rooms.
4) So, they FREQUENTLY over sell Standards.
5) Then, they upgrade to Woods or Courtyard.
6) I think it is the most frequent upgrade on WDW property.
7) Or, it seems to us.

 

[momtobrynncess]

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.

We were given a completely unexpected upgrade upon check-in. We had been on the fence about whether or not to request a Bay Lake View or MK view at CR. We had booked BLV, but while enroute to the resort, decided we would rather have a MK View. We figured we would ask if they had that available, and pay the difference. When we asked, the CM said she would check, and went into the back office area. When she returned, she said they were upgrading us to Club Level, but without the MK View. She even offered to move us to the MK view the next day. We were so pleased and surprised to be given the Club Level, that we very humbly said thank you, and that we were perfectly happy with the BLV. We found out that it can happen upon check in.

 

[crisi]

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.

There are two ways it can hurt.

The first is that several people have posted here over the years that have said they are CMs and that they are not supposed to give upgrades to anyone who asks. Disney wants people to book the more expensive rooms and if information like "40% of the time I get upgraded just by asking" becomes a known "fact" on a board like this - guess what? They loose revenue because people will take their chances on asking at check in. But the fact remains that some people have luck when they do check in if they ask....what we don't know is how many people get bumped back down quietly by the checkin CM who had been upgraded by the room assigner for asking.

The second is that several people have gotten burned by discovering what they had understood to be a "free" upgrade was put through the system as an upgrade at rack rate. I'm not sure I've ever heard of one of these being resolved in the guest's favor. So if you do ask, make sure that when you sign the paperwork at checkin that your rate hasn't changed.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

There are two ways it can hurt.

The first is that several people have posted here over the years that have said they are CMs and that they are not supposed to give upgrades to anyone who asks. Disney wants people to book the more expensive rooms and if information like "40% of the time I get upgraded just by asking" becomes a known "fact" on a board like this - guess what? They loose revenue because people will take their chances on asking at check in.

I have to disagree. These boards have approx 250,000 members. For contrast, the WDW resort has more than 27,000 hotel rooms on property ranging from an occupancy of 2 to 12 with the average being 4. That means on any given day there are approx 100,000 staying on property alone! The percentage of people that read these boards and take the advice to heart is a VERY small percentage of the guests that visit WDW.

Also, the resorts do not lose revenue by upgrading a guest upon check-in. Lets say they have 100 waterview reservations and 125 waterview rooms. They have 100 standard view reservations and 90 standard view rooms. Those 10 people would be bumped to waterview. Would disney lose revenue? No! They had no one paying for those empty waterview rooms. The room only has VALUE when it is booked. Otherwise an empty room is an empty room. If they have a paying guest in standard, and there is avilability in waterview, they can place them there without losing money. Look at it this way...if a hotel has 500 rooms and 400 are booked, they aren't "losing" money on the 100 rooms that aren't booked. Hotels function on the principle that they will meet an average occupancy. That can range from 100% to 50% or lower, depending on the time of year.

But the fact remains that some people have luck when they do check in if they ask....what we don't know is how many people get bumped back down quietly by the checkin CM who had been upgraded by the room assigner for asking.

CM's do not "bump" guests out of categories they have booked to upgrade other guests. A guest that books waterview is guaranteed waterview. Just because a guest that booked standard asks for an upgrade to waterview does not mean the guest that BOOKED waterview is bumped. Upgrades are given based on availability. If the category is fully booked, no upgrades to that category can be made. Also, if the CM saw an assigned upgrade they would need to get managers approval to "bump" the guest back down (I assume you are implying that the CM would do this as a reprimand of sorts, but CMs dont have that kind of power) if they asked.

The second is that several people have gotten burned by discovering what they had understood to be a "free" upgrade was put through the system as an upgrade at rack rate. I'm not sure I've ever heard of one of these being resolved in the guest's favor. So if you do ask, make sure that when you sign the paperwork at checkin that your rate hasn't changed.

I have *never* in my 22 years of visiting WDW and my 8 years on these boards heard of a situation where a guest was upgraded and then forced to pay rack rate. AND if they were billed rack rate, there is no way that Disney would charge them as they can proove that it was not the original category they booked.

see comments in red

 

[crisi]

I'm afraid you have misuderstood me. I didn't say anyone was bumped from what they booked. And some revenue is still revenue - even if DISBoarders are a small percentage of Disney guests, we have a revenue impact. Disney has taken action based off of what happens on the internet before. And people have posted that they've gotten to checkout and discovered their free upgrade wasn't free - but perhaps you haven't read every thread that appears on the DISBoards - I know I certainly haven't - but I have read one of those.

The lost revenue isn't in the upgrading - its in the initial decision made by the guest not to book the category of room desired because they think they have a good chance of being upgraded. This was a big deal at AKL, where a lot of people book standard view rooms believing that upgrades to Savannah rooms were common (and they sure seemed to be for a long time, I don't know if that still holds true).

 

[SharonZ]

I have been upgraded on numerous ocassions, none of which were initiated by me. When I make my reservations, I don't make any requests and I have never been disappointed with my room assignment. Myself, I would never ask for a free upgrade at check-in because I personally don't believe that I deserve an free upgrade any more than the thousands of other Disney guests who are staying on property. My advice is to book the category that you can afford, and enjoy your trip!

 

[Redbudlover]

I must be wallowing in pixie dust because I have been upgraded a number of times! They were all short stays of 5 to 6 nites. The first time it happened was an anniversary trip with my ex and they upgraded us from standard view at POLY to a room with a partial MK and water view! I had told the CM about how excited we were to be there in a deluxe for our anniversary and he asked us to wait a minute and came back with this view. He didn't even tell us it was an upgrade! The best time was a trip I was dancing on stars excited about. I took my DS, DDIL, and DGD aged 19 months to BC for their first trip. Our excitement was obvious and again I was chattering about why. Again they said nothing but as we walked along the corridor I was thinking "wait a minute. We are going to the end! Are we going to have???" OMG I thought I had died and gone to heaven. We had a full front view of the bay with the pool to our right and Epcot to our left. Fourth floor center facing the water. The absolute best view you can get at BC!

 

[TeenaS]

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)

I work at WDW in resorts and honestly most CMs feel this way: if you ask at the front desk for an upgrade, even if we have availability, that will pretty much seal the deal that you won't get one. We could have loads of room to upgrade and if you ask for one, most of us will actually go out of our way to see that it won't happen. It's just rude to ask. Just last weekend a guest came in and promptly told the CM at the front desk that it was their 6th stay at the resort and therefore they expected an upgrade. We had plenty of room to upgrade but by them asking for one, they blew all chances!!

And whoever said the room assignors are the ones that do all the upgrades, that is partly correct. They do the upgrades that are needed to fix the counts. The other upgrades are done by CMs and managers who just want to make magic. And do you really think we want to make magic for guests that are rude enough to ask for it? No! However, it never hurts to ask NICELY how much it would cost to upgrade (to whatever category you were interested in). You might get a real surprise and it could be alot less than what you think. It all depends on what's available for the length of your stay and how the whole question is presented.

 

[vicki_c]

I have *never* in my 22 years of visiting WDW and my 8 years on these boards heard of a situation where a guest was upgraded and then forced to pay rack rate. AND if they were billed rack rate, there is no way that Disney would charge them as they can proove that it was not the original category they booked.

Crisi was referring to a case where someone asked for an upgraded room, received it and was charged the difference. That is not forcing someone to pay for a free upgrade - that is giving the guest what they asked for, at the going rate.

If you got a free upgrade, of course, you wouldn't be charged the difference - that's why it's free.

I think the point was that if you're going to ask for an upgrade, make sure you're specifying that you're looking for a free one if you're not ready to pay the difference.

 

[wdwmike59]

We received an upgrade on our Aug 2007 trip for our 25th anniversary. We had booked GV at Poly and when the CM who was checking us in showed me on the map where our room was, I almost fell on the floor. He cirlced the Hawaii building. D'oh!! From GV to CL. Wow. Best. anniversary. gift. ever.

 

[vicki_c]

We received an upgrade on our Aug 2007 trip for our 25th anniversary. We had booked GV at Poly and when the CM who was checking us in showed me on the map where our room was, I almost fell on the floor. He cirlced the Hawaii building. D'oh!! From GV to CL. Wow. Best. anniversary. gift. ever.

That is awesome anniversary pixie dust!

We also got 2 free upgrades during Christmas/New Year's, but like others said - short stays. We had a 1 night reservation at Beach Club and were upgraded from a standard view to a fantastic lake view looking towards the Boardwalk.

The next day we had 2 night stay at BCV in a studio and we were upgraded to a 2 BR! That was even better as we had spent 8 nights in a 1 BR right before these days and we were not looking forward to cramming into the studio!

So I agree - short stays - meaning a day or two - it's much easier for them to upgrade you. But those are the only 2 upgrades we ever had in probably 10+ trips on property.

And these are the reasons I'm especially partial to the Beach Club check-in staff. I "heart" them! (and we didn't ask if anyone's wondering)!

 

[mrsswat]

personally - several years ago, prior to buying into DVC, we also had a horrible experience at one of the moderate resorts. Subsequently, our next few stays at a moderate resort were "magically upgraded". Once we joined DVC, that of course doesn't happen. One year however, we had some points to burn, so we booked 2 nights at the GF using those points- we had always wanted to try there. Just a standard room, which upon check is was upgraded to a 3 room suite, complete with foyer entrance way, several balconies, concierge,unbelievable. My thought is that DW will do that to entice you to return to the deluxe, thereby getting more of your $$. Just my $.02.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I work at WDW in resorts and honestly most CMs feel this way: if you ask at the front desk for an upgrade, even if we have availability, that will pretty much seal the deal that you won't get one. We could have loads of room to upgrade and if you ask for one, most of us will actually go out of our way to see that it won't happen. It's just rude to ask. Just last weekend a guest came in and promptly told the CM at the front desk that it was their 6th stay at the resort and therefore they expected an upgrade. We had plenty of room to upgrade but by them asking for one, they blew all chances!!

And whoever said the room assignors are the ones that do all the upgrades, that is partly correct. They do the upgrades that are needed to fix the counts. The other upgrades are done by CMs and managers who just want to make magic. And do you really think we want to make magic for guests that are rude enough to ask for it? No! However, it never hurts to ask NICELY how much it would cost to upgrade (to whatever category you were interested in). You might get a real surprise and it could be alot less than what you think. It all depends on what's available for the length of your stay and how the whole question is presented.

 

[CarolA]

I think the "upgrade" monster is one of the bad things to come out of message boards like this.


These boards paint an "unrealistic" picture leading people to think "everyone gets upgraded" The truth is that MOST people get what they paid for, they just don't come back and post "I paid for a Standard View and got it and was fine with that" So you have the "I got an upgrade" or the "I paid for a Standard view and was upset when I didn't get a free upgrade to the Savannah view and the rest of my vactation was ruined"

 

[CanadianGuy]

In all my Disney trips... I got what I paid for.. usually a lot more than I paid for when you factor in all the good times etc. But not even one free upgrade for me.

C'est la vie!

K

 

[JUJU814]

We got a free upgrade last August, last week of August at Grand Floridian. I was shocked!!!

I had booked a garden view, passholder rate and considered myself soooo lucky just to be able to stay at the GF with the discount. I walked up to the desk with a big smile on my face and said "Hi! we have a reservation for ____" and she typed us in, smiled big, and said "wow! You have received an *awesome* upgrade!

They upgraded us to the concierge building and we could clearly see the fireworks at night over cinderella's castle!! Not only that, but all the free food and drinks.

THEN, she said " you are about to be whisked away to sugarloaf and they'll check you in" While checking in, the CM asked me about my ADR's (sigh...what a pain!) I told her we were all set...that we had been trying to get 1900 Park Fare for dinner to no avail, but that was ok. Well, she said all in a peppy voice, "oh! hold on just one sec" a couple types on the keyboard and she said "is 6pm tomorrow night ok with you?" Uh YEAH!

I was in tears. It was so utterly magical!

Anyway, we're going back in August and staying at the polynesian, garden view, passholder rate. I have no expectation of getting upgraded again..although if it happens, wow..I'd consider us tremendously blessed!

 

[NikitaZee]

personally - several years ago, prior to buying into DVC, we also had a horrible experience at one of the moderate resorts. Subsequently, our next few stays at a moderate resort were "magically upgraded". Once we joined DVC, that of course doesn't happen. One year however, we had some points to burn, so we booked 2 nights at the GF using those points- we had always wanted to try there. Just a standard room, which upon check is was upgraded to a 3 room suite, complete with foyer entrance way, several balconies, concierge,unbelievable. My thought is that DW will do that to entice you to return to the deluxe, thereby getting more of your $$. Just my $.02.

We have had a similar "magical upgrade"! We love the Poly - upon check-in were upgraded from garden view to lagoon view concierge. It was pixie dust thrown our way! On a side note, we were also upgraded once at WL from woods view to pool view at check-in. We didn't ask for it, it was a nice surprise.

 

[traylorc]

I think the "upgrade" monster is one of the bad things to come out of message boards like this.


These boards paint an "unrealistic" picture leading people to think "everyone gets upgraded" The truth is that MOST people get what they paid for, they just don't come back and post "I paid for a Standard View and got it and was fine with that" So you have the "I got an upgrade" or the "I paid for a Standard view and was upset when I didn't get a free upgrade to the Savannah view and the rest of my vactation was ruined"

I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[aubriee]

I work at WDW in resorts and honestly most CMs feel this way: if you ask at the front desk for an upgrade, even if we have availability, that will pretty much seal the deal that you won't get one. We could have loads of room to upgrade and if you ask for one, most of us will actually go out of our way to see that it won't happen. It's just rude to ask. Just last weekend a guest came in and promptly told the CM at the front desk that it was their 6th stay at the resort and therefore they expected an upgrade. We had plenty of room to upgrade but by them asking for one, they blew all chances!!

And whoever said the room assignors are the ones that do all the upgrades, that is partly correct. They do the upgrades that are needed to fix the counts. The other upgrades are done by CMs and managers who just want to make magic. And do you really think we want to make magic for guests that are rude enough to ask for it? No! However, it never hurts to ask NICELY how much it would cost to upgrade (to whatever category you were interested in). You might get a real surprise and it could be alot less than what you think. It all depends on what's available for the length of your stay and how the whole question is presented.

OT sort of: How about this: I booked CSR Sept 26th-Oct 4th using the AP discount. Unfortunately I could get a standard room only for the 27th-4th and had to go with a King room for the 26th. I couldn't care less about the King room and would really just prefer to be in a location where I can stay in the same room all week. Would I be out of line, to ask at check in if I could give up the King room for a chance to stay in a room where I didn't have to move after one night? I wouldn't be asking for an upgrade, in fact it'd be a downgrade. What would be my chance of getting it?

Back on topic: I've received upgrades at CSR (to a water view) and at Boardwalk (to Boardwalk view). Both times was a pleasant surprise.