Hard time believing some of the “pixie” dust upgrades

[Boopuff]

I was on another site and saw post after post of extraordinary pixedust upgrades: one person got dusted -studio RIV to the grand villa at RIV, another had a basic room AKL dusted to a 2BV. I’m sorta douting these wonderful upgrades happened. Of course everyone wants the same dusting. Could be, who knows. But with Dvc occupancy running high that’s why I’m doubtful

 

[CarolynFH]

Well, even though DVC occupancy is running high, the more expensive villas (GV, 2BR) are more likely to be available when something happens (broken toilet, etc.) to make the smaller rooms unsuitable for guests, right? Although I agree that if all these upgrades happened just recently, it's reasonable to wonder about the truthfulness of the posts!

 

[Noodlez]

I’ve never had an upgrade myself, but I don’t doubt that it happens to some people. With DVC they don’t tend to upgrade to create goodwill (as happens with some hotels and companies) but usually because the room you booked isn’t available for a particular reason (eg something is faulty). If that is the case they will give you whatever is available (in your category or above) and in times of high occupancy the only other free room may well be the grand villa.

It hope it happens to me one day, but even on our honeymoon our return flight seats got downgraded to the worst seats on the plane.

 

[Sandisw]

Just got upgraded last week for my one night at RIV from 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom. I was already in the room and they called to say they needed it for something.

Last summer, it was a 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom at VGF. Never happened befor these two times.

 

[Dave006]

I’m sorta douting these wonderful upgrades happened.

They happen when Disney needs the confirmed room for another guest or party of guest in most cases.

For example if you have a short stay 1-3 day reservation vs another group that is staying a week it makes sense to move you to an open available suite or 2 BR DVC for a short period if available.

They are almost always done to benefit Disney's resort capacity optimization. Other times it may be you are late your room type is unavailable due to an issue.

Just don't expect an upgrade at any time but they happen all the time at various resorts.

Over our 40 years visiting we have had some minor upgrades and some major upgrades over the years.

Dave

 

[Stargazer65]

I know what you mean. I live near a casino. Everyone at my workplace that goes there always talks about how they always come back with more money then they went in with. Always. I ask, "Why don't you just quit your job, that way you could just stay at the casino since it makes you money?" No one has ever done that though.

 

[peabody58]

My pixie dust record:
- 2 BR BLT Std to 2 BR BLT LV (Pre-Covid 6 nights).
- BWV Studio Std to BWV Studio Pool/BW view (3 times during Post-Covid reopening). Awesome!!

Never expect any pixie dust, just room ready when requested, Loved the BWV upgrades so much we added on to be able to book Std at 11 months.

Even our 'bad' Standard view rooms have been great.

 

[iteachlit]

We got an upgrade in April 2021. I had booked four nights in a standard studio at SSR on points; SSR is our home resort.

Because we arrived early, we headed to a park (I can't remember which one) through the afternoon. We were tired by late afternoon, so we hopped on the bus to SSR even though we did not yet have a room assignment.

The assignment showed up just as we entered the resort. Much to my surprise, our room was listed as a 1-bedroom. I checked the room number. We were in The Springs section, which is preferred.

Our room was on the second floor of the building closer to the bus stop, directly across from The Carriage House and feature pool.

Since joining in 2007, this was our only upgrade. Well, other than the occasional "secret savanna view" standard room at Kidani Village.

 

[VH103428]

Back in January, we booked a Studio at OKW last minute for one night. We were given a one bedroom. Only upgrade so far.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Never for me at WDW but I was upgraded from a Studio to a 2BR at Hilton Head two years in a row.

 

[kmorlock]

We get a lot more upgrades when on cash reservations vs our DVC points stays.

 

[Boopuff]

We get a lot more upgrades when on cash reservations vs our DVC points stays.

Hmmm... I wonder if that's another angle! Do cash stays get bumped up more than DVC?

 

[Meglen]

I always read about room upgrades and most are 1-3 night stays.

 

[kmorlock]

Hmmm... I wonder if that's another angle! Do cash stays get bumped up more than DVC?

I think there is probably more ability to manipulate a cash reservation vs. DVC. Of course this is based on nothing except my own experiences. Never have we gotten an upgraded DVC room. We barely ever even get the basics of what we request.

 

[TCRAIG]

1 - never received a room upgrade in 11 yrs with DVC - 4-7 trips per year each of those years
2 - only had 1 room request filled during that time as well - I always ask for top floor and I have yet to stay on the top floor, asked for elevator buildings at OKW as I use an ECV, never been assigned one, ask for fireworks side of BLT, always get lake side, asked for a specific building at HH, nope, never get it, etc…only request that was filled was at VWL/BRV last December when I got adjoining rooms as requested.
Doesn’t matter though - I’m at WDW (of Hilton Head) and I’m going to have a great time no matter what!

 

[Sammie]

Were all the ones you read about DVC bookings or cash?

 

[Sammie]

Hmmm... I wonder if that's another angle! Do cash stays get bumped up more than DVC?

yes, definitely. With any DVC upgrade it's almost always a move that benefits the resort. They won't usually share that though. Cash upgrades are more a situation of wanting the guest to fall in love with new room and book it the next time.

 

[The Jackal]

During the pandemic when basically only DVC resorts were open, there were a lot of upgrades. Because cash guest were staying at DVC resorts because the other resorts were still closed. So it seemed that cash people mostly stayed in studios and DVC members were upgraded to larger rooms, from what some people reported at that time. We had a 3 bedroom GV, so there was no upgrade. Pre pandemic we were upgraded from a 2 bedroom standard to a 2 bedroom lake view at VGF.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I get super jealous when I read about other people's Pixie Dust. In 12 trips, we have never gotten even one single fleck of Pixie Dust. Not a single upgrade, not a single free cupcake with our birthday pins, nothing. I know in the scheme of things, there are millions of other visitors that don't get Pixie Dust, but when you read on these boards about all the cool stuff people get for free, it makes it seem like it's much more common than it is I guess.

 

[Sandisw]

Hmmm... I wonder if that's another angle! Do cash stays get bumped up more than DVC?

Absolutely. Prior to the pandemic, upgrades at DVC were rare and only related to issues with the room.

I think we may see more now because thins are still not back to normal occupancy and they have wiggle room.