How do you manage a free room upgrade?

[kldmom2000]

I think it's definitely having to be at the right place at the right time...

We will be staying at the YC/BC for the EIGHTH time now in 12 yrs.... NOT ONCE have we ever gotten an upgrade I don't go down with the expectation of one... but I always dream of one someday

We always book a standard room. I used to be a CM, so I'm naturally happy and bubbly and I'm always certain to be super friendly to the CM checking us in....

I've asked in the past very politely on 2 occasions.... (we always go during value season BTW, so I can't imagine the hotel is overbooked)....last year on our trip when we were there for our 12th wedding anniversary (AND we spent our honeymoon there too 12 yrs prior ) as well as our younger DD"s 4th bday.... zilch. Nada. Nothing. (It was noted in our reservations too for both things.... not even a "Happy Anniversary" or "Happy Birthday" was uttered upon check-in ) and one other time pre-child that we went for our anniversary.... nothing....

Of course, I seem to bump into people/friends all the time that stay at the YC/BC for their first time and they are totally oblivious to the fact that they were upgraded to CONCIERGE at no extra charge (2 people as a matter fact in the past 2 weeks have told me they don't understand why we bother with the DDP as there's always food available outside your hotel room.... I asked (both times) what floor they were on...... FIFTH..... So then I tell them they were in concierge.... they insisted they only paid for a standard room..... little did they know that when the return, there won't be any "Free" food ) My other friend who is going for the first time next week said she's going to tell them at check-in that she knows me as everyone I know gets bumped up except me

We are going for my other DD's bday this time.... I'm more than certain it's not in the cards again either due to all the AKL transfers....

I'm happy just being there so that's all that's important... we just find it funny at this point... kinda like the Susan Lucci thing and no emmy forever

 

[Mary2e]

We were also told that upgrades happen based on how many times guests have stayed in a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and the other factor being is if there is room where the guests are going to be upgraded to.

Then we should always be upgraded I can't count the number of times we've stayed on property, with the majority of the stays in deluxes. That was always one of my gripes - Disney does not recognize repeat guests at all - not even with a "thanks for coming back" note.

 

[gigi1313]

We were also told that upgrades happen based on how many times guests have stayed in a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel and the other factor being is if there is room where the guests are going to be upgraded to.

i don't buy that at all... i've been to wdw (and stayed onsite more often than not) over two dozen times and have never had a free upgrade... my sis got one on her very first trip to the world!

 

[livndisney]

I'm happy just being there so that's all that's important... we just find it funny at this point... kinda like the Susan Lucci thing and no emmy forever [/QUOTE]

Don't feel bad, I once went to check into All Star Music (last minute weekend trip) and the CM at checkin tried to convince me I had been "upgraded" to a standard room at ALL Star Sports. Uh, I DON'T Think so! I tried to explain to the CM that going from a preferred room at a value to a standard room at a value was NOT an upgrade.

 

[mika911]

The only upgrade I *ever* got at a hotel:

Booked Grand californian standard view

Got Grand californian Downtown disney View

 

[hmp2z]

We got our first free upgrade because we were getting married at WDW, so they upgraded us to GF concierge for our wedding trip.

On the next trip, we had a split stay: GF and BWI. We had a regular BWI room booked, and we were paying to stay GF concierge level. They gave us a BWI upgrade to concierge level, and we figured this was probably because they'd gotten us hooked on GF concierge and wanted to do the same for BWI concierge.

On our next trip, we were staying GF RPC, and we got a free upgrade to the Victorian Suite, which was lovely. That was the last free upgrade that we got, but I really think that being concierge guests and having been married at WDW got us those upgrades.

Cheers!
Heather W

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Then we should always be upgraded I can't count the number of times we've stayed on property, with the majority of the stays in deluxes. That was always one of my gripes - Disney does not recognize repeat guests at all - not even with a "thanks for coming back" note.

i don't buy that at all... i've been to wdw (and stayed onsite more often than not) over two dozen times and have never had a free upgrade... my sis got one on her very first trip to the world!

I was only saying what the Cast Members told me and I think what they meant was if you stayed at one WDW Resort a lot of times, that means you have a better chance of being upgraded at that location. That was the reason we were told why we got upgraded to the Tower Club. So again don't blame me because I am just the messenger.

 

[bytheblood]

my rule of thumb is this: reserve and pay for what i want... if it get more, BONUS, if not i'm not disappointed... i don't think there's any "trick" to getting a free upgrade, it's likely luck of the draw, availability, "power" of the cm checking you in, etc...

 

[clombardi]

my rule of thumb is this: reserve and pay for what i want... if it get more, BONUS, if not i'm not disappointed... i don't think there's any "trick" to getting a free upgrade, it's likely luck of the draw, availability, "power" of the cm checking you in, etc...

I really agree with you. We have been to WDW many times, and when I could afford it, we stayed Poly Congierge. When money was tight, we booked the POP. We always book exactly what we want. This summer we lucked out, and have been upgraded from POP to SSR. I will never plan my future trips expecting this, however.

A few days ago, I was having a conversation with a neighbor who knows I am a Disney freak. She is a very sweet woman, but something she asked really bothered me.

She asked, "How can I be sure to get my free upgrade?" I really was blown away.

I responded, "What kind of room do you want?"

She said that they want a concierge room at CR.

I told her she should call and upgrade her reservation.

"All the books say to just ask for an upgrade," was her reply.

I just didn't know how to respond!

 

[Mary2e]

You weren't beening blamed, you were being disagreed with

I'm sure that's what the cast member said. I'm also pretty sure that cast member, like most of them at the front desk, doesn't have a clue

I was only saying what the Cast Members told me and I think what they meant was if you stayed at one WDW Resort a lot of times, that means you have a better chance of being upgraded at that location. That was the reason we were told why we got upgraded to the Tower Club. So again don't blame me because I am just the messenger.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I really agree with you. We have been to WDW many times, and when I could afford it, we stayed Poly Congierge. When money was tight, we booked the POP. We always book exactly what we want. This summer we lucked out, and have been upgraded from POP to SSR. I will never plan my future trips expecting this, however.

A few days ago, I was having a conversation with a neighbor who knows I am a Disney freak. She is a very sweet woman, but something she asked really bothered me.

She asked, "How can I be sure to get my free upgrade?" I really was blown away.

I responded, "What kind of room do you want?"

She said that they want a concierge room at CR.

I told her she should call and upgrade her reservation.

"All the books say to just ask for an upgrade," was her reply.

I just didn't know how to respond!

If was talking to you're friend I would have said, the books do not say the upgrade will be free. Anyone can ask to upgraded, however the Cast Members can also charge them the extra $ to upgrade. That has been said many times on these boards, so I would tell her that.

 

[clombardi]

If was talking to you're friend I would have said, the books do not say the upgrade will be free. Anyone can ask to upgraded, however the Cast Members can also charge them the extra $ to upgrade. That has been said many times on these boards, so I would tell her that.

That is pretty much what I wound up telling her.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

That is pretty much what I wound up telling her.

It's a good thing you did because if she went to WDW expecting a free upgrade and not getting it, then she would have been really disappointed.

 

[clombardi]

It's a good thing you did because if she went to WDW expecting a free upgrade and not getting it, then she would have been really disappointed.

I just said I told her...I didn't say she listened. It was clear from the rest of the conversation we had that she planned to storm into the CR brandishing her "I have a right to a free upgrade" handbook.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I just said I told her...I didn't say she listened. It was clear from the rest of the conversation we had that she planned to storm into the CR brandishing her "I have a right to a free upgrade" handbook.

Well if she does stay at the Contemporary and is not upgraded to Conciegre, you tried to warn her there was no guarantee she would have been upgraded for free. Just because others here have reported it happening to them, does not mean it happens every day for 365 days a year.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

In our last seven trips we were upgraded once. It came as a total surprise because I'm a firm believer in booking what you want and not expecting anything else. It was in January 2007 and we were upgraded from Poly gv to Poly MK view. We were celebrating DH's 50th and dd's 8th birthday but I don' know if that had anything to do with it.

My in-laws have traveled with us the last two summer vacations for one of the two weeks and this year they were upgraded from standard view to water view. They didn't ask for an upgrade, just asked for a room closer to our room (we paid for waterview) at check in.

 

[ShooshBrat]

Hey All!!

I was reading everyone's posts, and have been thinking/wondering/trying to rationalize/working on decipering the "keyword or phrase"/whatever it takes to get that upgrade, forever!!

And this is the conclusion I've come to--

My opinion, it's all luck of the draw. Nothing more, nothing less.....completely random. And let me tell you why.......

:::stepping up on my soapbox::::

AHHHHEEMMMM!!! Is this thing on?


*I live in Florida- barely 2 1/2 hours from Disney.
*We have season passes and go approximately once a month during off season (summertime-school out-too hot-too crowded)
*We stay on Disney property everytime we go. (with exception to one last minute trip in February, when EVERYTHING was booked)
*We have stayed in all levels from Value to Deluxe to FWCG to Vacation Club.

I have recieved free upgrades twice now......very BIG ones, at that-

First one was when we were booked for ASMu for 3 nights, 2 rooms, preffered. We arrived late, waited in the check-in line for 45 minutes- tried to check in and were told that they had overbooked. First we were told that we would be bumped to CS. Great! Just get us there....we're tired. We waited another 30 minutes while the CM tried to get us adjoining rooms. Finally he came out from his little office, and told us CS was not available either.....okay....so where are you going to put us? "Well......I'm making it worth your wait...........you're going to be staying at YC" WHAT?!!?!?! SCORE!!!! "errr......ya, I guess we'll take it"...DUH!!!
*** This reservation wasn't under my name- it was my BFFs ressie, but she is in the same situation I am- My Fellow Disney Junkie- Lives in FL, goes as often as I do......we're usually together and split who's name ressie goes under.

Second one- very recent- haven't even made the trip yet, but I can't WAIT!!! We originally booked for Aug 26-Sep 2 due to the free dining plan. Made plans with some friends to meet there and spend the week. Lets book Value so we can stay longer...won't be in the room much anyway. So we booked ASMo. Our friends children are small and our niece and nephew (who we are taking on the trip) are as well so we thought they'd LOVE all the huge charachters at the hotel. Great!! Low rates- Free Dining. What more could you ask for? We get an email- "You've earned a free upgrade- To SSR!!!!" You have GOT to be kidding me!!! So we are now staying 8 days at SSR with Free Dining for the price of Value!!! AWESOME!!! This will make the hot/huge crowds worth it.
***Once again, a ressie not under my name! These friends are from out of state and have only visited and stayed on WDW property twice before.

Two completely different situations- different people.
I PERSONALLY have never been given an upgrade under my ressies.

So- We are just UNlucky people with LUCKY friends. Which makes us Lucky by Proxy?!?!

I'll take whatever I can get!!

The ressies we make, are what we can afford to continue to stay as often as we do, and what we want. IF we get a free upgrade, big bonus!!!! Cha-Ching!! Yay us!!! But---- We are just happy to be away from work, and home, and stress and living the Magic for however many days we can.

If they'd let me set up a box with a pillow and blanket outside the gates of the Magic Kingdom, I'd be just as happy!! Lucky Me!! I'm at Disney!!!

Hopefully oneday I'll get a ressie with a free upgrade under my own name, and be able to share it with friends the way it's happened for me.
If not, I hope that some of you can be as "Lucky by Proxy" as I have been.....cause it DOES make the vacation that much MORE magical!

Please remember, It's not any LESS magical when you don't get that upgrade, though. You're STILL at DISNEY!!! And it's what you chose!

::::Stepping off my soapbox::::::

Sorry to be so longwinded....I'm just a wee bit passionate about Disney...it's why I'm here!

Have a Great Day All!! To make it even better....think of the time you were or will be at THE WORLD!!!!!

We're getting SO CLOSE.......can't WAIT to have our week with the kids!!!!

ttfn,
Da Brat

 

[jdb0822]

POP to SSR, thats a nice upgrade. When did you receive the upgrade? upon check-in at POP, or did Disney contact you prior to your trip with the upgrade?

 

[HockeyMomR]

We just received our first upgrade this past trip July 8 - 14 . We had booked BC standard view (this was to be our first standard view booking, had always stayed water view or concierge) DDP and 8 day hopper passes. When we arrived at BC Sunday morning to check in, the nice CM asked if we would not mind switching to stay at YC water view room instead. Of course we said yes and just loved our room! This was our first upgrade in 7 trips, but our room was just excellent!

I did notice they were doing roofing work at BC (looked as though some rooms were closed), so, my thought was there were extra rooms at YC and they had overbooked BC due to construction.