How much luck have you had getting a room upgrade at a Disney resort (specifically PO

[JennyDrake]

I think if you're really THAT picky about the room you want, you need to splurge and pay the difference. You can then request a specific building/room, but there are still no guarantees you'll get exactly what you want. You'll get something within your room level, but not necessarily the exact room.

If room is so important that not being where you want will impact your vacation, go ahead and pay for the right level of room!

Agreed. In over 35 stays at WDW over the last 8 years, I've had a free upgrade--ONCE. From regular room to preferred at an All Star.

 

[AuroraRora]

We've been upgraded the last three times we were there, but it was always a wonderful surprise and never expected. Last year at POFQ we were upgraded from Standard to River View, at ASMu in March I had to extend my trip and move rooms, and they moved me from Standard to a Family Suite, and then at Pop in May they exchanged my Standard room for a Preferred.

 

[Sue M]

I would just book exactly what you want so you won't be disappointed. Don't count on getting something for nothing.

 

[fbb]

I agree with the posters who think the view upgrades at POFQ have zero value.

 

[emilyindisney]

I heard directly from a front desk CM that the only reason free upgrades are given is when a certain room category is overbooked. Asking, or mentioning birthdays/celebrations/etc has no impact on changing rooms for free when you check in. Obviously that is the experience of one CM, so I suppose we should all take that with a grain of salt.

IMO, it sort of makes sense that yes, having a longer stay would hurt your chances. If I were doing booking, longer stays would take priority because if I had to give out a free upgrade and lose money I'd want to do so for less nights.

 

[Nancyg56]

Agreed. In over 35 stays at WDW over the last 8 years, I've had a free upgrade--ONCE. From regular room to preferred at an All Star.

We were offered an upgrade from garden view to lagoon view once at the POly. We had to decline because we had two rooms and as much as a lagoon view would have been lovely, we really wanted connecting rooms, and that was not an option if we took that gift. I don't know how that offer came to be, but I think it had something to do with my DS arriving before us and getting us checked in. He was in hospitality so I bet they were chatting. Anyway, for us, we requested and paid for what we wanted and could afford. We were not disappointed upon checkin because we got exactly what we wanted.

I was new to the DIS when we were planning our first return trip in many years, and of course I read all about those lovely upgrades. I also read tht if you want it, best to pay for it. I wanted AKL Savannah view, CL, so that is what we paid for. I did not want to chance waiting until we arrived and then when I was ready to pay, my request was already taken by someone who paid in advance. Nope, pay for what you want Anything else is a gift!

 

[emilyindisney]

We were offered an upgrade from garden view to lagoon view once at the POly. We had to decline because we had two rooms and as much as a lagoon view would have been lovely, we really wanted connecting rooms, and that was not an option if we took that gift. I don't know how that offer came to be, but I think it had something to do with my DS arriving before us and getting us checked in. He was in hospitality so I bet they were chatting. Anyway, for us, we requested and paid for what we wanted and could afford. We were not disappointed upon checkin because we got exactly what we wanted.

I was new to the DIS when we were planning our first return trip in many years, and of course I read all about those lovely upgrades. I also read tht if you want it, best to pay for it. I wanted AKL Savannah view, CL, so that is what we paid for. I did not want to chance waiting until we arrived and then when I was ready to pay, my request was already taken by someone who paid in advance. Nope, pay for what you want Anything else is a gift!

Very good point!

 

[KrazeeK120]

I'd have to question why a regular room at POFQ doesn't "fit the bill." Seriously...how much time are you going to spend looking out the window?

When I stayed there on my honeymoon, DH and I paid extra for a king bed with a river view. It was nice, but looking back, probably rather unnecessary.

 

[TagsMissy]

My family will be going to POFQ for the first time in September and we are particular in the rooms we like (as we have our room preference down to a science) The problem is, the rooms that fit our bill are all above the standard room. I have read that if you have a long vacation, it is harder to get an upgrade. We are going for 9 nights so this definitely may hurt us.

So my fellow Disney lovers, the questions are:

Have you had luck requesting an upgrade and getting it?

and

Any hints on how you got it?

My biggest hint is the quite logical one -- pay for the view/room category you want to be in then you'll get it barring any uncontrollable issues.

 

[Missytara]

There is definitely something special about all the buildings at POR. As you said, the scenery is not to be missed. The ability to stop and enjoy it, whether pausing on the bridge or sitting on one of the benches is the best part of POR.

 

[NC Disney Fan]

Thanks

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Looking for a free upgrade? You can't count on that. You should probably book the type of room you want, if it will diminish your experience to not have that type of room.

 

[Missytara]

At POR, we always kept our shades closed like the OP mentioned so that people walking by could not see into our room. Even with the shades open, I can't recall being able to see anything of interest outside. Personally, I think you will be just as happy with the VIEW from a standard as you would a water room because there really isn't a view until you walk outside. Not sure how many people stand out on the walkway and look at the view for any length of time, we sure didn't! We noticed the beauty of the POs while walking to the food court, onthe boat to DTD and while making the big circle on the bus rides LOL!

I have to agree. It is not so much the view at POR or POFQ, it is the convenience of what you want to be nearest.

This year, since we will have a car, I prefer to be near the parking lot. We have a standard room a few years ago, and it was quite nice that very few people walked by our rooms and we were able to pull our chairs out at night and have a bit of time outside while the kids were sleeping. It was not a very busy week, so we rarely saw anyone - we were in Acadian House and really close to the bus depot.

Last year, we preferred to be closer to the pool, so we booked garden view.

A few years ago, I did a solo, all resorts, no parks trip and preferred to be near the footbridge closer to the marina, since I was using the water taxi a great deal as transportation. I booked riverview and requested Parterre Place.

 

[Masonmj84]

We got upgraded at BC from woods view to water view (at least I think it was a water view, it overlooked the volleyball court, but you could clearly see across Cresent Lake).

We were with my parents and requested adjoining rooms with full balconies.

They gave us adjoing rooms but with smaller balconies and a water view. Overall, we were pleased not only for the view but the location within the resort was fantastic (on the Epoct side but not too far from the lobby).

I think requesting full balconies may have helped us get upgraded (i.e., they gave us a water view in exchange for not getting a full balcony).

 

[NC Disney Fan]

Thanks to all of you for your input. I have gone ahead and changed my booking to a Garden view room that will cost $101. more. But, it seemed like from what most of you wrote, upgrades at this resort were not very likely. Since 3 of the 5 rooms I found to fit our bill are garden view, I felt that while money is tight, I better do it.

I also wanted to explain to you all who think I am crazy that it is not about the view. I agree, with no balconies and with so little time spent in the room, room placement and/or view might not be very important. However, for us, we sleep in for our 9 night vacation. We stumble into the parks about 10:30 after a good night sleep but stay to the bitter end. It is what works for us. Therefore, having a quiet room is paramount (as quiet as it can be at Disney that is). I have found over the years that what fits the bill for quiet room is one on the top floor, corner. Additionally, it means not near another building, not near stairs or elevator, and against the logical traffic pattern of the exiting of the building. We knew the rooms that fit the bill in the values but since this is our first time at POFQ with so many upgrade options, I didn't know what to do. I truly appreciate your advice. I am hoping that with paying the extra $100 that they will consider the room location requests (as I am not asking for a free upgrade necessarily). I know, there are no guarantees but it's worth a try for a perfect and somewhat restful vacation (despite the fact we are on the go the whole time!).

 

[Nancyg56]

I wish that you had started with this update, because we could have had more feedback. POFQ is small, with only 7 buildings. The furthest from everything in BLDG 1, and it has a river view. To meet your requests, I would request BLDG 1, water view, 3rd floor, far corner. The elevator is no where near that back corner. I wish I was better at reading the map, you coul dnarrow it down by requesting a series of room numbers.

 

[jenvandyne]

Only time I have ever gotten an upgrade was at POR, and it was my birthday and we were staying for one night. I knew exactly what building we wanted and asked super nicely when we checked in. I think they only gave it to us because it was the actual date of my birthday and we were there one night.
The longer stays I have never gotten lucky.

 

[Bob NC]

We have been told 5 or 6 times that our rooms have been upgraded.

It's never been anything we really would have noticed or cared about much.

When we are at a moderate we never sit and gaze out the window so view has never been an issue.

Even when we are staying deluxe, we aren't really lounge around on the balcony type people.

LOL, all those upgrades were wasted on folks who don't even care, I wish they had saved them for people who really want them.

 

[germ539]

We were at POR last week and had booked a standard room and got upgraded at check in to a garden view for both rooms in our party. So I just chalked it up to some pixie dust.

I had also requested a corner room for one our rooms in our party and did get that.

 

[mskermit]

i was just told this week by 2 different people i should ask for an upgrade. i have never heard of this, i have always just paid for what i wanted. my ins agent stays at BC and said they have upgraded her to a preferred room free of charge. my cousin just told me today that twice she has been upgraded to a pirate room at CBR free of charge!!! i wonder what my chances are of an upgrade from a LM room at AOA to a suite!!?? i would guess 0