So how do you go about asking for an upgrade??

[BABYJOSIE98]

I just booked a great rate with a pin codes for AKL standard view of $124 per night. This is a last minute mini vacation for May 24th (3 nights). I was so excited cause I have always wanted to stay at AKL.

I have read many posts on people getting upgraded to Savanah view. What do I do??? Just ask them politely if they have any Savanah view rooms available when we check in???

She did offer me $160 for a Savanah view room,but just thought I would take the Standard and hope for an upgrade. If not we won't care cause we are just happy to be there.

Thanks for any tips...

Michelle

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Sometimes complimentary upgrades are given, but that depends on availability and the CM who is checking you in. I've just asked at check-in -- after I've handed over my credit card -- if there are upgraded rooms available. I usually indicate that I am willing to pay for the upgrade. Sometimes I've paid; sometimes it's been free.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

So should I just leave my ressie the way it is and then when I get there offer to pay to upgrade and see what happens??


It would be $108 more to upgrade to Savanah view right now??? hmmm Just don't know??? The thing is we won't even get there the first night till 6:00pm and then we are spending one day at SeaWorld and then we would have almost 2 days to enjoy the resort..No Disney parks this time??? Maybe I will just leave it and take my chances.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

That's tough to answer. The Savannah views are wonderful and the days are getting longer. On the other hand, I've heard of people getting complimentary upgrades at AKL.

The problem is there are reports that lots more people are heading to Disney, so availability of a complimentary upgrade may be limited. Normally, what I do is reserve and pay for the view I really want. Then if I can upgrade when I arrive to something better, that's just icing on the cake. Otherwise, I have a room reserved that I will still enjoy.

 

[golfgal]

I would say going at a busier time might play in your favor since there aren't that many standard view rooms at AKL. Your upgrade might be to a pool view vs savannah, but still better then the parking lot. I am hoping, although I know the chance is about zero, for an upgrade, too, but the only upgrades availiable to us are consierge or to a suite (there are 5 of us and we have a Deluxe Savannah View booked with bunk beds and a day bed).

 

[cottontail]

Hi: I think for the $36.00 more a night I would have jumped at the savannah view room.

For us it was like getting back to the show out on the savannah every time we entered our room, we were drawn back to the balcony. The mornings around 7 are great as that is when the keepers arrive putting the different types of food out. Many times we saw the keepers petting and hugging the giraffes as they came over to the pick up trucks and tried to steal their food.
We did our own breakfast (muffins,) and coffee (you get a coffee maker) on our balcony.

OUr first night I woke up around 12.30 and saw what I thought was lightning and thought geez I hope it is not going to get stormy for the next morning. But when I got up and put on my glasses and looked out on the savannah I actually was taken by surprise because two giraffes just outside my balcony eating from the tree out front, with three zebras which were prancing all around them in circles, it was amazing. The lightning turned out to be all the people out on their balconys taking photos, lol

It was a magical moment.

Just loved having the savannah view, and that price is really a great price.

Deb.

 

[bizeemom4]

We are also booked at AKL Standard Room. It looks like you arrive the day after we leave. I am so hoping for an upgrade but if not, I'll be sad but ok.

We are also going to Sea World! We are doing 2 days at Sea World then doing one day at MGM for the Star Wars festivities. We'll spend our last day hanging out at the hotel and enjoying the pool.

 

[LisaS]

For an extra $36 a night I would book Savannah view. You're so lucky to have gotten a pin code! You may never have another opportunity to book a Savannah view room for that price. You're only staying 3 nights so the total cost of $108 (pre tax) is more than worth it in my opinion, especially since you say you intend to spend a lot of time at AKL this trip. It's your first visit to AKL so why not take advantage of spending it in a Savannah view room at such a good price?

 

[leanne11]

i have heard that they might not want faxing anymore but you can always say it when you check in- "that a balcony view of the animals would be great." I think your chances are good because the ratio of Sav. view to other views are great at this hotel..i think the poolview is nice too you can see animals from there too.
my only recommendation is not to take the parking lot by the busses. we saw them from the sidewalk and that is a bad view, lots of people walking in front of your room all hours of the night.

 

[luvdzny]

At one time there were signs at AKL, I can't remember the exact wording but it basically said not to ask about free upgrades. I guess so many people were booking standard view rooms, and hoping for savannah view rooms that it was getting to be a pain for the CM's. I always book savannah view at AKL (unless we are staying concierge) because that is the view we want. If you really want savannah view I think you should book it or offer to pay for it at check in.

 

[Suzanne74]

I guess you can always ask politely and chance it but I too would have probably taken it for only $100+more. I think that is totally worth it. Just think - if you hope for the upgrade and don't get it, will you be kicking yourself that you just didn't ask for to begin with? If so, take it now. If you would be happy no matter what sat where you are then hope for the best

 

[TammiMcMan]

I have read many posts on people getting upgraded to Savanah view. What do I do??? Just ask them politely if they have any Savanah view rooms available when we check in???

She did offer me $160 for a Savanah view room,but just thought I would take the Standard and hope for an upgrade. If not we won't care cause we are just happy to be there.

It might seem like there are alot of people getting free upgrades, but I bet if we polled everyone on the DIS, a vast majority would not have received an upgrade. It's exciting when you do and people like to post about it. Keep a close eye on the threads and you'll see just as many that were disappointed because they were celebrating a special occasion and didn't have anything done for them. It all depends on the time of year you're travelling, resort capacity, possibly resort maintenance issues, basically, it's luck.

So should I just leave my ressie the way it is and then when I get there offer to pay to upgrade and see what happens??

I guess I'm a little confused. If you're willing to pay for it at check-in, why take the chance that A. a savannah view may not even be available, or B. the PIN rate will no longer be available and the upcharge will be much more than $108 ?

I'm a firm believer in booking what you're going to be happy with. I'd have to say that for $36 more per night, I would have scooped up the savannah view. As you said though, if you're happy with standard, that's great because chances are, that's the room you will end up with.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

It is true that there are very few standard view rooms, so your chances of an upgrade are very good. We had a pool view booked for last November, and were given a complimentary upgrade to Savannah view at check in without me asking. To tell you the truth, I kind of wish I would have kept the pool view. I, personally, was not thrilled with the savannah view, and at night it is just dark. I bet the pool view is so pretty at night. After seeing a few animals, I was bored. I love animals, but I have never been a "zoo" person. I am still glad I got it, so now I know for future stays. I know I am in the minority with this opinion, so take it with a grain of salt.

I "think" they like to upgrade "one level." Like, if you have a standard view, they will most likely bump you up to pool view, and to savannah only if they are very empty.

I have never seen those signs that you shouldn't ask for an upgrade, but maybe they are a recent addition.

I always get upgraded at WL. When I check in, I am just BEAMING and so excited (it is not an act, actually...I really am in heaven while there!) I am sweet as pie to the CM. As they are checking me in, I say..."now, I know you have me booked with a woods view, but if you have any complimentary upgrades to courtyard I would be THRILLED!"

But I go with the knowledge that I very well may end up in a woods view, and that is fine with me.

Good luck...if having savannah view is that important, the price you have is great so you should just go for it. Have fun,. the AKL is incredible, and the restaurants and pool are divine!

 

[Tiggers&Springs]

It is true that there are very few standard view rooms, so your chances of an upgrade are very good. We had a pool view booked for last November, and were given a complimentary upgrade to Savannah view at check in without me asking.

I believe I saw a stat somewhere that 90% of AKL rooms are savannah or pool. If a lot of people book standard view rooms, more than the number of standard rooms available, it stands to reason they will upgrade people on a first come, first served basis.

So, my strategy is to get there as early as possible. Heck, may not work but I won't be wasting a day in the airport, and will have a blast regardless!