Online check in and room upgrades?

[Toonses]

Hi all,

We're going to be heading down in November for my mother's bday and I was curious to know if using online check in might decrease the odds of something like a room upgrade? Let me be really clear that I am not expecting to receive anything at all - I simply wanted to do what I can to give the best chance for something monumental like that for my mom's bday. This is also our first trip back in something like 10-15 years (and boy has a lot changed - we still had paper fastpasses the last time I was there lol), so I've been working to try and make it as memorable as possible. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[dansdad]

Hi all,

We're going to be heading down in November for my mother's bday and I was curious to know if using online check in might decrease the odds of something like a room upgrade?

Nope, not one bit.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

We're going to be heading down in November for my mother's bday and I was curious to know if using online check in might decrease the odds of something like a room upgrade? Let me be really clear that I am not expecting to receive anything at all - I simply wanted to do what I can to give the best chance for something monumental like that for my mom's bday. This is also our first trip back in something like 10-15 years (and boy has a lot changed - we still had paper fastpasses the last time I was there lol), so I've been working to try and make it as memorable as possible. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

We did online check-in for our trip last year and were upgraded to club level upon arrival. So no, I don't think that online check-in decreases your chances.

That said, we've done a lot of WDW resort stays over the past several years, and have only been upgraded twice, once to club level and once to a water view. So don't get your hopes up.

Have a great trip!

 

[AngiTN]

Nope

 

[Babsy]

As far as I know, how you check in has zero effect on the potential for an upgrade.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[Lynne M]

No effect at all.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Pay for what you really want. Don't expect to get it for free.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

As others have said, online check-in has no effect on upgrades. That being said, in 40+ onsite stays at WDW, the only upgrades we've ever received were slight room category upgrades (typically standard to garden or water view). I would book the best room you can within your budget and note your mom's birthday on the reservation (and all dining reservations as well).

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Everyone is celebrating an occasion at Disney- first trip, first tooth lost, honeymoon, pregnancy, anniversary, birthday, beating cancer, etc
This is evident with all the buttons everyone wears

Big IF something happens at resort or dining out that’s great BUT with everyone and their family celebrating those pixie dust moments are rare.

Hope you and your mom have a great trip.

 

[AngiTN]

We never change our routine from a special trip to a run on the mill trip
It’s all left to chance
The best Pixie dust the the dust that is totally unexpected. Out of the blue, so to speak. We’ve been lucky enough to get such a time or two. But it was made best because it was random. To us at least

 

[Toonses]

Thanks for all the replies it’s been really helpful!

Just to reiterate- as I said originally - I am not expecting anything at all. I grew up in FL and we went to Disney many times before we all moved out of state and we never received a room upgrade. My enjoyment of a trip is not at all predicated upon something like that, and I honestly don’t understand when someone says their trip is ruined because of (insert stupidity here). I simply didn’t want to do anything to REDUCE the odds, slim though they may be. Hence my question.

Thank you again for the helpful feedback and replies - I really appreciate them!

 

[SarahC97]

From what I understand, rooms are assigned days before you arrive. So, as others have already said, how you check-in doesn't matter. Have a great trip!

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Pay for what you really want. Don't expect to get it for free.

Nice. Don't jump all over someone who asks a simple question.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Nice. Don't jump all over someone who asks a simple question.

Poster did not jump all over the OP. Just stated a fact. Recently there have been numerous posts about how to get a free upgrade (this OP clearly stated they did not expect one). Those posts where people suggest writing to the GM of the hotel asking for one (from their cute kids likes of a certain theme room)- GM of resort has more serious things to deal with (onsite guests). Pushing “cute” kids on CMs at front desks etc.

There is nothing wrong with saying book what you want and are happy with.

Disney can’t give free upgrades to everyone. Disney can’t fulfill all requests.
Disney can’t give everyone celebrating an occasion something free.

Pixie dust is rare but those who receive come and post because they are excited. Then others think it happens all the time.

OP has a good attitude about this and the poster who said pay for what you want did nothing wrong (didn’t jump all over the OP as you implied). That advice has been given in all these threads!

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Poster did not jump all over the OP. Just stated a fact.

Actually, no, the PP did not state any facts. "Pay for what you really want. Don't expect to get it for free," is all that poster said, and that is an order, not a fact. A very abrupt order given to someone who just asked a simple, peaceful & polite question. So yeah, it qualifies as jumping all over someone imo. Simply uncalled for.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Actually, no, the PP did not state any facts. "Pay for what you really want. Don't expect to get it for free," is all that poster said, and that is an order, not a fact. A very abrupt order given to someone who just asked a simple, peaceful & polite question. So yeah, it qualifies as jumping all over someone imo. Simply uncalled for.

The poster did state a fact to pay for what you want and not expect something for free. That is a fact . Sorry we don’t agree

 

[Toonses]

The poster did state a fact to pay for what you want and not expect something for free. That is a fact . Sorry we don’t agree

Minnie - thank you for defending me and my question. It’s appreciated that you want to keep responses friendly.

Zoo - your point is also valid, especially if there’s been a rash of ppl asking for free stuff which I did not know previously.

The truth is that yes, that particular response did make me feel like I was being chastised, which is why I reiterated and expanded certain points in my last post. However, I know text based formats often come across more harsh than intended, and, knowing the nature of ppl, I’d already assumed the poster had been frustrated by someone(s) trying to get free stuff. I had assumed that I was seeing the result of that frustration, and, having had similar frustrations of my own in the past, I figured my post may have triggered an understandable sore spot.

Thank you both for defending me and the other poster. It’s great that ppl care about the discussions on the boards and speak up if they see a problem.

 

[pooh2001]

We have a standard view at POFQ reserved - fine for us
I do not want a pool view - too noisy
We had a pool view at WL and would have rather had a woods view

A water view at POFQ may be ok if it was of the river
or maybe even a garden view of trees

 

[trishadono]

Hi all,

We're going to be heading down in November for my mother's bday and I was curious to know if using online check in might decrease the odds of something like a room upgrade? Let me be really clear that I am not expecting to receive anything at all - I simply wanted to do what I can to give the best chance for something monumental like that for my mom's bday. This is also our first trip back in something like 10-15 years (and boy has a lot changed - we still had paper fastpasses the last time I was there lol), so I've been working to try and make it as memorable as possible. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!

I recently requested a king room for my std cl room at CSR. I did online check in.

I arrived to find they upgraded us to a deluxe suite that has a king bed.

That was 9/14. So with several trips a year I do it because they either upgrade or not depending on requests or business needs.

I highly prefer not dealing at a check in desk so it works for me.