Tell us your upgrade story from regular room to suite!

[chasgoose]

did they know it was his birthday and first trip?? I'm just wondering how they pick and chose to upgrade. I always wonder as I go on the endless conversations with the reservation people on the phone are they noting my reservation??? uggghhh .. I need some pixie dust this trip !!!

Yeah upgrades typically only happen because the resort is overbooked/rooms are taken out of inventory. They upgrade you because they don't have a room in the category you booked available when you check in and it's easier to put you in a better room category than move things around. Occasionally for really special occasions they might upgrade, but even then there's probably an inventory issue behind it. Birthdays and first trips aren't special enough (even together) to get you an upgrade out of the blue.

 

[White Rose]

Yeah upgrades typically only happen because the resort is overbooked/rooms are taken out of inventory. They upgrade you because they don't have a room in the category you booked available when you check in and it's easier to put you in a better room category than move things around. Occasionally for really special occasions they might upgrade, but even then there's probably an inventory issue behind it. Birthdays and first trips aren't special enough (even together) to get you an upgrade out of the blue.

We never got a suite upgrade but our last trip was for our 5th anniversary and we were platinum and got upgraded to CL. it was early oct, very slow at the poly. it was 2008.

 

[chasgoose]

We never got a suite upgrade but our last trip was for our 5th anniversary and we were platinum and got upgraded to CL. it was early oct, very slow at the poly. it was 2008.

People staying on the platinum plan may be the one exception to my rule. CM's do have the power to upgrade occasionally at their discretion, and given that people on the Platinum Plan are paying a lot more money than people on RO/normal packages, I could see them upgrading someone if the resort wasn't very booked, especially if there was also a special occasion attached. My point above was mainly that birthdays/1st visits aren't rare enough for a CM to typically use a discretionary upgrade. Platinum plan combined with low occupancy may push you over the edge. Also, there is a much bigger difference in cost from an LM room to a suite at AoA than there is from a regular room at the Poly to a CL room.

To the poster I responded to first, I will say that the fact that the AoA LM rooms are almost always completely booked will work in your favor. You may get lucky and they might need to upgrade you. But if you are really worried about needing the extra space and you can afford a room at a moderate, I would switch to guarantee that you have it.

 

[lov2b@disney]

We got upgraded from a GF sugarloaf CL room to a 2 bedroom suite in RPC.. We were in shock it was awesome!! No celebration... Just a great upgrade!

When we got married at disney... No room upgrade...

 

[amccu18007]

We were booked at the YC in a standard room. We go to check in and they took us to concierge level. We asked them what was going on since we only had reserved a standard room and they said we were upgrade. They upgraded us to the PRESIDENTIAL SUITE!!! We could not believe it! Our trip was short and we had no children so I think that this worked in our favor. We were also celebrating our anniversary (which is in December but we celebrate it in October since it is less busy..lol). Major pixie dust! We had a fabulous trip and even if we are never again upgraded, we will always be thankful! The CL crew was awesome too. They really go out of their way to make your trip wonderful.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

wow so i am going in august, LM at AOA 4 adults and one 2 year old. it is a surprise trip for my daughters graduation. since we went last year, funding for this year was tight, so were decided on AOA. my daughter is also handicap. I am so worried we may be squished up in a LM room, there is hope to get an upgrade if I ask and maybe because we are celebrating her graduation?? ugh,, it would be an absolute gift from heaven with pixie dust scatter all over it!!! what are my chances ??

Your chances of getting upgraded aren't great, but sometimes we need to make our own pixie dust. Realistically, if you really want the suites (or more space) you should just pay for the upgrade. I've read several stories of people with LM rooms wanting an upgrade (because of elderly guests, limited mobility issues, kids in strollers, handicapped family members, etc.) at check-in only to be disappointed. Plus, I think the front desk hears it several times a day, so they've heard it all by now. (No one can stop you from hoping, but try to be realistic so you're not disappointed.)

As for your concerns about space with your handicapped daughter, there are specific handicap accessible rooms available at AoA. One of those would prob better suit your needs over a regular room.

 

[D&R love Disney]

Over the years we've had a few nice upgrades. First was checking in at WL for a courtyard view and we were upgraded to concierge. That spoiled us and had us booking CL on other trips. Next was a water view at BC and ended up with a one bedroom suite. Last we booked WL and got asked at check in if we wanted to move to GF. We took it and had a lovely water view there.

 

[tlpbupu]

Some friends of mine had some pixie dust sprinkled on them one trip. They were booked at a value resort (POP I think?) and when they checked in were told that they were overbooked. They were given the choice of where to stay as long as their was a room available. They choose AKL. Not only did they get a deluxe resort but when they got to their room it was a savannah view!

 

[tuckerkeys]

We got 2 upgrades on my past trip May 2012!

1st was at AKL, standard view to savannah! This was excellent! Did not ask, the lady at check in said we'd be in for a surprise!

2nd was standard at dolphin to alcove room ( mini suite ) soooo nice to have all that extra room, plus mini bar & plenty of huge closet space! I am an spg member, and spg policy says that if there is room, an upgrade is almost always done for members - very nice!

 

[karenklo]

We got upgraded at the Poly. We had CL garden view, but when checked in and got to the room I realized it was on the wrong side of the building. I was practically jumping up and down as we went thru the door! WE got a great theme park view. The castle was looked straight across from us! My husband thought I was nuts until he came out on the balcony and saw our view!! It was nice because our boys were little and we could watch fireworks from the balcony in our PJs!! No celebration either-just luck!

 

[White Rose]

We got upgraded at the Poly. We had CL garden view, but when checked in and got to the room I realized it was on the wrong side of the building. I was practically jumping up and down as we went thru the door! WE got a great theme park view. The castle was looked straight across from us! My husband thought I was nuts until he came out on the balcony and saw our view!! It was nice because our boys were little and we could watch fireworks from the balcony in our PJs!! No celebration either-just luck!

We had mkv too!! We booked non CL mkv at poly this time and I hope we get a balcony like last time!

 

[ToyStory3]

We went to the BCR in September of 2011. We were staying club level and it was our first on-site stay as a family. We were celebrating an anniversary and my son's 4th birthday. We were upgraded to a deluxe room overlooking the quiet pool. The room was fantastic. They didn't tell us they were upgrading us. I just knew when we went in that it wasn't a standard room and it was confirmed, after we came back, on the Dis. We had a great time and loved the room.

 

[mskermit]

Your chances of getting upgraded aren't great, but sometimes we need to make our own pixie dust. Realistically, if you really want the suites (or more space) you should just pay for the upgrade. I've read several stories of people with LM rooms wanting an upgrade (because of elderly guests, limited mobility issues, kids in strollers, handicapped family members, etc.) at check-in only to be disappointed. Plus, I think the front desk hears it several times a day, so they've heard it all by now. (No one can stop you from hoping, but try to be realistic so you're not disappointed.)

As for your concerns about space with your handicapped daughter, there are specific handicap accessible rooms available at AoA. One of those would prob better suit your needs over a regular room.

I


If this were our "regular" Disney vacation I would have just booked a bigger room. we were just there last august and this trip was a surprise for my daughters graduation so vacation funds were a little tight She graduated yesterday so she now knows about her trip, she was so excited she cried!! I explained to my 2 daughters , 21 & 17, we are gonna be a little cramped. if they don't want to be cramped then they can each pitch in 400.00 bucks to uncramp us!! lol they are fine with being cramped and mom paying for it all!! its all good,,, WE'RE GOING TO DISNEY!!!!

 

[soccer mom]

During the "Year of a Million Dreams" campaign on our first trip without kids, we had a standard view room booked at BWI and ended up in a waterview CL room.......I thought the CM that checked us in was smiling awfully big!!! We went down later and thanked her for the wonderful upgrade.

 

[squee!! disney!!]

my niece and i booked a pool view club level room at the Wilderness Lodge in 2007. when we were shown to our room, she went straight for a door on the left which would be woods view. the last time we had gone, we had woods view and had an awful view. we figured a nice view of the pool or courtyard would be nice. as she was opening the door she said "i know you wanted pool view but this room is MUCH better." and she showed us the perfect view of cinderella castle. we got to see the castle all lit up as we were going to bed. it was worth seeing the smokehouse in the parking lot below.

 

[jorose01]

We have been upgraded twice. Once (Jan 2010) we booked a bunk bed room at WL for my DS 5th birthday and were upgraded to a CL level with a RARE view of the MK fireworks! It was great timing - we checked in late and were in our room in time to watch the highest fireworks over the tree tops!

The second time (Jan 2013) we were awarded the Safari Family of the day at the AKL! We had our picture taken and the kids were given safari hats and certificates! We finally got those bunk beds plus a Savannah View!! It was quite a surprise and I too thought there was a mistake on our reservation!! It was the first time using a travel agent and I was worried she had made a mistake!!! Nope just Arusha upgraded view for us!! It was amazing and the kids LOVED watching the animals in the morning in their PJs!!!

 

[Practically.Perfect]

I once upgraded a guest from a standard room at AS sports to a 2 bedroom villa at SSR and they almost didn't take it because they though there was going to be a catch.

 

[Haley]

We've gotten upgraded 1 time - from standard view to savannah view at AKL.

I think it's pretty common at AKL since like 80% of the rooms are savannah view. Ours was at the far end of the savannah and we could see the zookeepers and little warthogs going in for the night- it was interesting.

 

[allboyhouse]

I once upgraded a guest from a standard room at AS sports to a 2 bedroom villa at SSR and they almost didn't take it because they though there was going to be a catch.

Wow!! My husband and I are taking our first ever trip without kids for our 20th wedding anniversary the week before Christmas. I would LOVE an upgrade like that to Wilderness Lodge! We returned from a 7 day trip with the kids and received a free dining pin so funds weren't there for WL so we booked POR, which we love, but some pixie dust like that would be great!

 

[tiki23]

Upgraded to a Cars suite at AoA!

DH and I were originally in a Little Mermaid room. He had twisted his knee getting off the plane and we were in the very, very back of the LM section. The next morning I asked if we could be moved to the front of the section, just to save on a little walking for him. I had also considered moving to Pop if we could get a closer room.

I think though because we were on our Milestones trip - birthdays and anniversary - the CM worked a little magic and transferred us to a Cars Suite. Ya for pixie dust!