Room upgrade

[mls02]

We are staying at Art of Animation and am really hoping for a room upgrade to a Suite over the little Mermaid room. In hoping so should we do the online checkin or should I avoid this and check in when we get there. Thanks

 

[BigAlsGal]

Upgrades are rare. I wouldn't get my hopes up.

 

[spiceycat]

then upgrades don't happen at value resorts - if there is a problem with your room - then probably you would end up at Pop century or one of the all stars resorts. not in the suites (they are too expensive = plus it is hardier on housekeeping to clean than a room)

 

[POOHsie]

I wouldn't think it's possible to consider an upgrade like that. The suites are the equivalent of 2 single rooms put together -- so 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, plus a little kitchenette and dinette. And they're priced accordingly. You won't get that upgrade with pixie dust. If you want a suite, you should book a suite. If you can't afford one (our family could never afford one), think positively about the fact that you're at Disney and not staying off-site. That's an terrific upgrade in many people's eyes.

 

[Lynne M]

The odds of getting a complimentary upgrade to a suite are so slim that I wouldn't even let it affect my decision on how to check in.

If you read these boards, it's easy to get the impression that a lot of people are getting upgraded. That's not the case. People just talk about it a lot.

At any rate, the suites are very popular and there may not even be one available when you arrive. If you really, really want one, best to book it now.

 

[Dug720]

The odds of getting a complimentary upgrade to a suite are so slim that I wouldn't even let it affect my decision on how to check in.

If you read these boards, it's easy to get the impression that a lot of people are getting upgraded. That's not the case. People just talk about it a lot.

At any rate, the suites are very popular and there may not even be one available when you arrive. If you really, really want one, best to book it now.

This. Just like on a cruise ship, ALWAYS book the lowest level room you will be happy with. Because odds are a complimentary upgrade is NOT happening. You might be able to pay to upgrade, but I wouldn't even count on that.

 

[tobikaye]

We are staying at Art of Animation and am really hoping for a room upgrade to a Suite over the little Mermaid room. In hoping so should we do the online checkin or should I avoid this and check in when we get there. Thanks

Are you planning to pay for the upgrade? If so, your best bet would be to go ahead and call now to see if there are any suites available. You are not likely to get a discount at WDW by upgrading at check in unless there is a current discount available.

Most of the upgrades people seem to get at the resorts, tend to be view/club levels. At a value resort, someone that booked a standard room, may find they were upgraded to a pool or preferred room. At the deluxe resorts, someone may find their standard view room upgraded to a club level or theme park view.

I have not heard of someone being upgraded from a LM room to one of the suites at AoA. When a value resort might be overbooked or have a maintenance issue, then they may move or upgrade people, but usually not to a AoA suite. I know I was supposed to stay at Movies years ago, but due to a maintenance issue with a building, we were moved to Sports. We were only staying one night before moving to a hotel near Universal so it was not a big deal.

 

[spiceycat]

We are staying at Art of Animation and am really hoping for a room upgrade to a Suite over the little Mermaid room. In hoping so should we do the online checkin or should I avoid this and check in when we get there. Thanks

they use to only upgrade solo or couples - so got a couple of upgrades - but that was when still used WDW resorts = now try to stay only at DVC resort.

sounds like you have a party - so again - you probably won't be upgraded.

 

[pittsburghmom]

Yeah, I wouldn't count on it. However, on our last trip, we had a family suite booked at AS Music and my mom, aunt & sister had a "regular" room booked at Music as well. Upon check-in, we were all "upgraded" to 2 Cars family suites at AoA. My mom, sister & aunt were thrilled! The manager said they were moving 35 reservations to AoA that day...not sure what happened. Overbooked? Maintenance issue? Anyway, I'm sure there was a good reason beyond random pixie dust....but we weren't complaining LOL Enjoy your trip!

 

[GreatLakes]

I would really go into this knowing the odds of an upgrade to a suite from a standard room is almost assuredly not going to happen. Is it possible? Yes. Is it likely? No. The best way to get a family suite if you want one is to actually book it.

 

[floridagirl61]

Never say never but upgrades do happen. I agree it is rare and usually for a good reason like maintenance issues. We were upgraded in 2014 from a CL room to the presidential suite at the Beach Club. We were not a "couple" either, we were a group of 4 adults, 1 child, and 1 infant. We did not ask and were not expecting any upgrade but when I got the text that our room was ready with our room #, we happened to be in the CL lounge so I went out to the CM's desk and asked if this was the correct room #, and when I told him what the room # was, he made me show him the text and then he got really excited and told me to get my group together because they were escorting us to our room! Needless to say we got the shock of our lives when they opened the double doors to our suite, WOW that was some great pixie dust. I do agree that you should always book what you will be happy and be on the lookout for discounts!!!

 

[mls02]

I am happy with the little mermaid room, my daughter will love the theming very much! I just hoping not to walk 5 miles extra! lol I put in a request close to food and transportation so hopefully that will help. It is just 2 of us so we don't need all the extra room of a suite but I noticed on the TripAdvisor reviews quite a few got upgraded to suites there was all. I know if it doesn't happen it doesn't matter because we will have a great time.

 

[plutolovr]

It's not a 5 mile walk...LOL. It will take about 5 minutes.

 

[spiceycat]

you can generally get upgrades easier through using a travel agent than using Disney. Don't know why - just something else that has been noted.

 

[danceintherain]

From what I've seen, short stays are more likely to get upgrades, and usually upgrades are for maintenance issues or overbooking, not just at the whim of the room assigner. That's not to say they don't happen, but they're rare.
That didn't stop me from looking at the Junior Suite pictures at CSR. Just for fun. I doubt it will happen, but if it does I'll be completely thrilled.

 

[AngiTN]

No matter what your hopes are your doing online check in will have zero bearing on if you get one or not.

 

[GreatLakes]

I am happy with the little mermaid room, my daughter will love the theming very much! I just hoping not to walk 5 miles extra! lol I put in a request close to food and transportation so hopefully that will help. It is just 2 of us so we don't need all the extra room of a suite but I noticed on the TripAdvisor reviews quite a few got upgraded to suites there was all. I know if it doesn't happen it doesn't matter because we will have a great time.

I think you overestimated the size of the resort. From the southernmost tip of Animation Hall to northernmost wing of the Little Mermaid room buildings it is about .4 miles.

 

[snitchseeker]

they use to only upgrade solo or couples - so got a couple of upgrades - but that was when still used WDW resorts = now try to stay only at DVC resort.

sounds like you have a party - so again - you probably won't be upgraded.

Speaking of DVC resorts...

I booked the Poly Standard View DVC Studio for next month with my fiance only so 'couple' (on the ressie it has my birthday is that week and we are celebrating an anniversary) -- what is my chance of getting upgraded at check in for free or even a small fee more? Do I ask or do they suggest it?

p.s. not a DVC member - got it for the discounted rate.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've stayed in a LM room twice now. Is it a 'quick' walk to the main bld? No. But...it's only about a minute longer than the Lion King family suites! And some of the Cars suites are a fair distance as well.
I really wouldn't even give a thought to being upgraded to a family suite. Sure, there could be some huge issue, but it just doesn't happen very often.

 

[hoffman1]

We actually did get upgraded to a suite at Art of Animation once. It was a one night stay and they said they had overbooked. We were put in a Lion King suite.
It was a awesome bit of pixie dust but I would not expect it to happen again for us.