How the heck did they get upgraded?

[Blue Eeyore]

I've been going to WDW for years and years and have never gotten a complimentary upgrade. I've never tried and never paid much attention to all those posts I used to see regarding it either.

Anyway, my cousin and her family left for WDW a few days ago and when they called to double-check their ressie at Poly, they were told that they had been upgraded to Concierge Lagoon View! I was VERY excited for them but...

How does that happen? Why? Could it be because of Wilma? They are Florida residents. I know they didn't do anything to ilicit an upgrade.

Can anyone shed any light on this upgrade stuff?

 

[safetymom]

That is Disney pixie dust. If it was uniform it wouldn't add to the magic. The hotel might have been overbooked, they were working on the part of the resort they were supposed to stay in, etc. You can be jealous but nothing to be mad about.

 

[shellybaxter]

I think upgrades are just random, not something people earn. I know a lot of DISers seem to think things like upgrades and pin codes should be used to reward frequent guests, but they aren't. They are used for all kinds of things, and we are not privy as to what those things are. I know it can be hard not to be jealous, but be happy for your cousin, hopefully she will have a magical vacation.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

I agree with Safetymom. In our 20-something trips to WDW, we've been upgraded once -- at the BC -- to concierge level (we didn't pay the concierge price). We never found out why and just assumed it was some Disney magic. Was it fair? I suppose so, because Disney made the decision, not us.

Free upgrades are not that common and sometimes there may be extenuating circumstances involved. Instead of being upset, try to be happy for your cousin and her family, wish them a good time and ask them to take lots of pictures to share their experience.

 

[seashoreCM]

How much did they pay?

Years ago, just a few weeks after booking, I got a notice in the mail saying I was upgraded from All Star Sports to Port Orleans Riverside, which I quietly accepted. 'Sports was brand new then and I concluded that not enough rooms were finished for the bookings taken. There being nowhere to go but up, I suppose Disney upgraded guests starting with the highest price paid. I did book at the summer rack rate of $59., that was before I learned about discounts.

It would be more of a magical surprise if (assuming the upgrade is within the same complex) to not tell the family or party about it until check in.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[melomouse]

Blue ... PLEASE be happy for your in-laws!!!! I wholeheartedly agree with the previous posters - if it were EXPECTED, it removes all the magic and the random nature of the pixie dust.

In many ways - from upgrades to CM's replacing DD's lost and broken pins, we have been dusted many times in our trips. I pay what I pay wherever it is and am glad to be able to swing yet another trip.

One of the reasons I often don't share these "dustings" is because of reactions like yours - from strangers, no less. This is part of your family! Rejoice with them. I'm one of those weirdos who believes in miracles occurring when you expect less...

melomouse

 

[thptrek]

Pixie Dust Happens, lol.

 

[Blue Eeyore]

OH MY GOODNESS! "Because of reactions like mine!?!?!" You all took this the wrong way! I am not angry OR jealous... especially at my cousin! She's my best friend and I was very excited for them since they've never stayed concierge! I didn't mean that I was "peaved" at them... just in general. The "fair" question was kind of like a mini-poll... just curious to know what everyone else thought. I haven't formed my own opinion on this yet. I was kind of thinking out loud - BIG MISTAKE I guess.

Years ago, there were many posts on these boards about trying to get an upgrade. I've never read them so I was curious if anyone knew if it wasn't random. That was the main purpose of my post.

Yes, it does add to the magic. We've had many magical things happen to us over the years as well... just not in this dept. I'm a Florida Resident and a Passholder so I get FABULOUS rates anyway and am very thankful for that.

Please don't take my post the wrong way. I guess I came off like a whiney brat somehow, but I didn't intend to! I've edited my post so I don't get "attacked" again!

 

[Goofy4]

Please don't take my post the wrong way. I guess I came off like a whiney brat somehow, but I didn't intend to! I've edited my post so I don't get "attacked" again!

I understand where you're coming from. I have an Uncle who is always in the right place at the right time -- including chatting with PM Margaret Thatcher while on vacation in the UK many years ago.

We were dusted with a major upgrade 2 years ago and I almost asked if they were sure about it (it never happens to me). Here's hoping that your day will come.

There's a lot of improvements going on over at the Poly. I imagine they shuffle people around a lot.

 

[bicker]

If it was uniform it wouldn't add to the magic.

I think upgrades are just random, not something people earn.

How much did they pay?

Excellent points, all. Unlike airline frequent flyer benefits, there is no organized approach towards rewarding frequent Disney resort guests, other than the Disney Vacation Club, of course.

I would expect that, beyond the fact that opportunities for such upgrades are limited, if a business is going to choose which of the incoming customers should get the upgrade, they'd decide in the same manner they decide who gets targeted promotions: Which guest is in the demographic that is most likely to translate the upgrade into additional revenue for the company.

 

[LoriZH]

OH MY GOODNESS! "Because of reactions like mine!?!?!" You all took this the wrong way! I am not angry OR jealous... especially at my cousin! She's my best friend and I was very excited for them since they've never stayed concierge! I didn't mean that I was "peaved" at them... just in general. The "fair" question was kind of like a mini-poll... just curious to know what everyone else thought. I haven't formed my own opinion on this yet. I was kind of thinking out loud - BIG MISTAKE I guess.

Years ago, there were many posts on these boards about trying to get an upgrade. I've never read them so I was curious if anyone knew if it wasn't random. That was the main purpose of my post.

Yes, it does add to the magic. We've had many magical things happen to us over the years as well... just not in this dept. I'm a Florida Resident and a Passholder so I get FABULOUS rates anyway and am very thankful for that.

Please don't take my post the wrong way. I guess I came off like a whiney brat somehow, but I didn't intend to! I've edited my post so I don't get "attacked" again!

Just to let you know, I didn't take your post the wrong way, I knew you were just curious.

Hope they have a great time!

 

[tommygirl79]

You even said in your OP that you were excited for them. I didn't take it that you were jealous or thought they shouldn't have gotten it when you never have either. I have no answers for you, but wanted you to know I understood what you meant!

 

[kathy387]

We've been upgraded twice. Once at the Poly from garden view to garden view concierge and once at AKL from pool view to deluxe pool view. We never once even muttered the words free upgrade, it just happened and we didn't question it! I think it's all in the luck of the draw. We were very grateful but didn't ask for it.

 

[melomouse]

..Sorry that I misinterpreted.. my experiences do color my interpretations sometimes.

Good for them - hope you can relive some memories when they come back and share on their trip!

melomouse

 

[Ladyhawke10]

OH MY GOODNESS! "Because of reactions like mine!?!?!" You all took this the wrong way! I am not angry OR jealous... especially at my cousin! She's my best friend and I was very excited for them since they've never stayed concierge! I didn't mean that I was "peaved" at them... just in general. The "fair" question was kind of like a mini-poll... just curious to know what everyone else thought. I haven't formed my own opinion on this yet. I was kind of thinking out loud - BIG MISTAKE I guess.

Years ago, there were many posts on these boards about trying to get an upgrade. I've never read them so I was curious if anyone knew if it wasn't random. That was the main purpose of my post.

Yes, it does add to the magic. We've had many magical things happen to us over the years as well... just not in this dept. I'm a Florida Resident and a Passholder so I get FABULOUS rates anyway and am very thankful for that.

Please don't take my post the wrong way. I guess I came off like a whiney brat somehow, but I didn't intend to! I've edited my post so I don't get "attacked" again!

Honestly, I didn't read your post that you were angry or jealous, I thought you were just inquiring about how the upgrades worked....

 

[Blue Eeyore]

Thanks everyone for your input. It seems that there's no rhyme or reason to upgrades. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to be upgraded in the future. I always tell my friends though... no matter where you stay at WDW, whether it's at the all-stars with a view of the parking lot or at Poly with a view of the Kingdom, the cast members still treat you like gold and you will still have an amazing, magical time!

Sorry for any misunderstandings!

 

[SAXMAN88]

a few years ago i was going on the disney cruise. we had a family suite booked and were upgraded to the roy disney suite. it was amazing, and bigger than my apartment at the time. were also given all the perks with the suite. what an unbelievable trip. just wish it was longer!!! only a 3 or 4 night cruise dont remeber which.

 

[crazy4wdw]

As you can tell from my signature, I've been to WDW at least 35 times. In all of the years I've been going, I have only been upgraded twice. Once at POFQ, I was upgraded from standard to water view. At AKL, I was upgraded from savannah view to concierge level! I think I received the upgrade at AKL becasue it was just after 9/11 and attendance at Disney was way down!

I also rarely receive pin codes, maybe once every two to three years. I guess Disney knows I'm coming to visit with or without a discount!

 

[paladin]

It does seem to be be just luck - I have been to WDW many times (even went 5 times in one year a couple of years ago - and have never been upgraded. I'm still hoping that one of these days I am going to walk in and they will tell me I have been upgraded to the Presidential Suite

 

[Susiesnowflake]

I just love reading about magical disney surprises like this!