Room upgrade

[Disneynutinlondon]

For the 1st time ever I am thinking of asking Disney for a complimentary room upgrade.

We are going 2 days after my DH and my birthday and we leave just a couple of days before our wedding anniversary. As we are travelling out of season i.e. no school holidays (28/9 - 8/10) what do you think of the chances of us getting an complimentary upgrade. Also how do I go about requesting one, do I email a request before hand or do I just ask nicely at the check in desk at The Yacht Club ??

As always thanks for all your advice

 

[angelbaby29871]

Have you made Disney aware of your birthdays and anniversary so it's noted on your reservation? Sometimes this is all that is needed for an upgrade. If not, a polite enquiry at check in may get the upgrade. If you don't ask you don't get. But you might get a polite no in return.

 

[WizardLarz]

I would say that is all depends. Are you hoping to go from a Gardenview GFa Castleview GF or are you wishing for a upgrade to CL. I could see one level, of a sightly better room possible, but that Big mega ugrade less likely.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I would say that is all depends. Are you hoping to go from a Gardenview GFa Castleview GF or are you wishing for a upgrade to CL. I could see one level, of a sightly better room possible, but that Big mega ugrade less likely.

Actually my dream upgrade would be to two interconnected rooms. As the boys will be 14 and 16 it would be really nice if DH and I had our own room and of course 2 bathrooms would be very nice as 4 of us getting showered in the mornings can be a little

 

[oceanscape]

Disney offer complimentary room upgrades to spread some pixie dust. To make guest's stays extra special. To offer an unexpected surprise.

Frankly, I think emailing and ASKING for a FREE upgrade is just rude. I seriously doubt they would honour your request.

Book the room category you want and then any upgrade will be added pixie dust.

Just my 0.02.

 

[london75]

Our attitude to upgrades has always been for me (the husband) to ask my DW to stand back then go to the desk and conspiratorially ask the person behind the desk how much an upgrade would cost as I'd like to surprise my wife with a nice room.

Only once have they charged something stupid which I chose not to pay (love ya DW) many other times I've had a better room or free dinner. I should say it's always been either a birthday or anniversary, I don't take the pee although I suppose there is no way they'd know as it's not like they ask for proof of an anniversary. On other occasions we've been offered something at a good price and taken it. If you are prepared to pay a little extra and they see that, ironically I think you're more likely to get it free.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Have you made Disney aware of your birthdays and anniversary so it's noted on your reservation? Sometimes this is all that is needed for an upgrade. If not, a polite enquiry at check in may get the upgrade. If you don't ask you don't get. But you might get a polite no in return.

Yes both events are noted on our reservation as the VH rep asked if we were celebrating anything when I booked the holiday. TBH a friendly "NO" wouldn't bother me as I know we're still going to have a fantastic holiday

Disney offer complimentary room upgrades to spread some pixie dust. To make guest's stays extra special. To offer an unexpected surprise.

Frankly, I think emailing and ASKING for a FREE upgrade is just rude. I seriously doubt they would honour your request.

Book the room category you want and then any upgrade will be added pixie dust.

Just my 0.02.

I'm sorry you think it rude of me to ask. We've stayed at WDW many times and we've never asked for anything like this before. I have actually booked a room that we will be happy with it's just I thought it would be nice if we could improve it to two rooms as it's quite possibly the last family holiday we have to WDW as DS 16 will probably be doing his own thing from next year onwards and it's my birthday and wedding anniversary.

 

[chmurf]

Asking is the best way to not get it.

CMs get free upgrade requests from a large amount of guests. They can't please them all, so often they do not upgrade those who ask, and sprinkle some pixie dust on guests who are friendly and nice.

This is the same rule as for any other upgrade (planes, hotels, and everything upgradable) don't ask if you want to have a chance getting upgraded

PP's move is smart. Inquire about how much an upgrade is. Let the CM know what you're celebrating and how much you'd have loved to get that special room but you don't think you can afford. Don't make it too obvious like your acting. And there is a small chance the CM will offer it for free, but don't set your hopes up too high. Upgrades are rare.

 

[catherine]

Like PPs have said if you have it noted on your reservation then that is probably the best chance you have of getting an upgrade. Having said that we've been for numerous birthdays etc. but we've never had an upgrade, but then again I've never asked! From reading other posts on various DIS forums it's clear that people who ask usually don't get. I think that there's a perfectly good chance that you may get an upgrade, but I highly doubt that the upgrade will be an extra room!

 

[disney_princess_85]

If you've got your heart set on an additional room then I think you should just pay for it, to avoid disappointment. I've never heard of anyone getting an extra room for free. Upgrades are usually limited to getting a better view, or getting bumped up to CL. We were lucky enough to receive an upgrade to a villa from a studio at SSR last year. We didn't ask for it, it was pure pixie dust courtesy of the very nice man who checked us in.

 

[wayneg]

We have been upgraded to Savannah view at AKL and a verandah cabin on DCL, upgraded cars many times and upgraded flights but asked for nothing, not something I would do. I put myself in their shoes, if someone asked I would refuse, if I saw a family checking in I felt would appreciate an upgrade or a regular customer I would give them it.
Even if you did get an upgrade I can't imagine they would upgrade to 2 rooms when you only paid for 1.

I believe all our upgrades came from being AP holders, Dollar Express members, Having 1/4 Million airmiles etc. I think most companies have reasons for upgrading not just because they are asked for it.

I wouldn't say I think its rude to ask I just think you might jeopardise any chance you have by asking.

 

[flortlebap]

An extra room wouldn't be an upgrade. It would be an extra room, and I'd say there's a snowballs chance in hell of that happening. Upgrades are to preferred rooms, or water view rooms, for example.

It may be worth asking how much it would cost to upgrade, then say you can't afford it. It could happen that way, you never know.

 

[chmurf]

I believe all our upgrades came from being AP holders, Dollar Express members, Having 1/4 Million airmiles etc. I think most companies have reasons for upgrading not just because they are asked for it.

right, this helps.
but let's remind everyone that "pulling ranks" rarely gets you anywhere.
A guest checking in and going along the lines of "I'm an AP holder, shareholder, I'm a regular, therefore I MUST get an upgrade" will basically end up with a "no, can't do" and a large smile on the CM face.
I mention this because we had this very same discussion 2 days ago on a french forum, and the op over there was strongly suggesting that he would try to play it smart with the CM at DLRP, as he was AP holder and stuff, he thought that would get him better chances. It doesn't (in fact you just pull a red card out on yourself)

 

[Lisa x]

Agree with the PPs that an extra room is not an upgrade at all, it's an extra room, I don't know anywhere that would just give a room away! Maybe a better view room or something like that or a bigger room maybe but not an extra room!

I hope they spread some pixie dust for you though for your celebrations!

 

[Planogirl]

You're wanting an extra room for free? That's not going to happen but you might luck out on a better room. I see nothing wrong with waiting to see if they offer and then asking nicely if they don't.

 

[YankeePrincess]

Why would Disney give you a free room when they can have someone in the room paying? Good luck trying to get another room for free but I don't see that happening.

 

[Elise79]

They may upgrade to a better view as that costs them nothing if the room is going to be empty however an extra room is unlikely as it is increases there costs as they now have an extra room to service.

Good luck

 

[WSussex]

hi

I bet you wish you hadnt asked now!! Lots of negative feedback - its a personal thing I guess and depends what you have witnessed/experienced other travellers doing - I dont beleive there is any harm in asking as long as you are smiley and polite and remain happy with whatever the answer is!

Sx

 

[2Tiggies]

Wow, you guys are harsh!

I read the initial and second post by the OP as one of those inspired by a Sunday afternoon of thinking and dreaming about an upcoming trip and the question popped to mind. Nothing wrong with hoping and asking. I never got the impression that anything was expected and read it simply as an "Is this possible/acceptable?" question, followed by "While we are dreaming, it would be nice ...."

Minus the flaming, there is some good advice on here already so I am not going to add anything.

I think chmurf and London75 summed it up really nicely in terms of a good approach.

I hope you get some pixie dust sprinkled on you, Disneynut.

 

[disney_princess_85]

Wow, you guys are harsh!

I don't think anyone has been particularly harsh, just realistic. In my response I said that if the OP has her heart set on having two rooms then she should pay for it, to avoid disappointment.

HELLO Lee, by the way- haven't bumped into you on here for a while. Hope your planning is going well.