Upgrade at Saratoga?

[canadiandisneynut]

Hi! We are visiting Saratoga again in a 1 bedroom through an RCI exchange.
We are considering purchasing DVC but with enough points for a 2 bedroom.
We often stay in a 1 bed that is intended to also be a 2 bed lock off. If the studio next door was not occupied, is it possible that Disney may allow us to use the space for a fee? Has anybody had experience with unit upgrade at this resort?
Thanks all!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is unlikely. DVC rarely do unit upgrades, and certainly not free upgrades.

 

[BillPA]

It's a LOCK-OFF so both sides can be rented. I don't see why you would expect to get the second unit free.

 

[CarolMN]

It's a LOCK-OFF so both sides can be rented. I don't see why you would expect to get the second unit free.

Op just asked if they would be allowed to use it if it were not occupied - no harm there.

Canadiandisneynut - chances are as close to zero as one can get. DVC only only upgrades points reservations if a unit isn't available to meet the booking requirements. That's only very rarely the case. That said, since you are coming in as an exchange, and they sometimes upgrade for the public cash reservations, they may choose to upgrade you. But again, I would be very surprised if it happened. Enjoy the stay.

 

[chalee94]

Hotels are different than timeshares.

Hotels might upgrade you as a guest for a number of reasons.

With timeshares like DVC, you are one of thousands of owners and an upgrade would raise the question of why one owner should be given unique treatment... So upgrades virtually always come back to situations where maintenance issues require them.

 

[Brian Noble]

Hi! We are visiting Saratoga again in a 1 bedroom through an RCI exchange.
We are considering purchasing DVC but with enough points for a 2 bedroom.
We often stay in a 1 bed that is intended to also be a 2 bed lock off. If the studio next door was not occupied, is it possible that Disney may allow us to use the space? Has anybody had experience with unit upgrade at this resort?
Thanks all!

You could try booking a studio (in the same section as the exchanged 1BR) on cash, and then have them marked as "traveling together." That *might* get you both sides of the same lockoff, or it might not. But, you won't get it "for free" nor can you "upgrade" the exchange to a 2BR, even for cash---RCI exchanges are very strict, you get what was deposited, no changes.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

It's a LOCK-OFF so both sides can be rented. I don't see why you would expect to get the second unit free.

We never expected to get anything free. I wondered if Saratoga had a dollar amount associated with upgrading a room or unit

 

[canadiandisneynut]

Im going to look into the studio with exchange or cash and see if we can request the lock off rooms. 2 bedrooms are never available with RCI but we have been wanting to try one. We may just have to book cash next time to experience the two bed.
Have also changed my original post to ask about fee as it seems everyone on here thinks I am a free loader

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There is no way to upgrade for cash on a points reservation or RCI trade. There just isn't a way to handle it.

 

[canadiandisneynut]

I suppose it all depends on the situation at the time. We traded into Bay Lake for a studio and were upgraded to a 1 bedroom for a fee. Perhaps they just needed the studio

 

[Deb & Bill]

I suppose it all depends on the situation at the time. We traded into Bay Lake for a studio and were upgraded to a 1 bedroom for a fee. Perhaps they just needed the studio

How did you ever get a studio at BLT in an RCI trade? I don't remember them ever having a BLT studio as a trade.

 

[Dean]

How did you ever get a studio at BLT in an RCI trade? I don't remember them ever having a BLT studio as a trade.

BLT has come up in the past for studios and 1 BR.

 

[disneynutz]

I wouldn't count on it, plan for the worse and hope for the best. The room availability has to be just right and you need a knowledgeable CM who is willing to work with you.

 

[Dean]

I wouldn't count on it, plan for the worse and hope for the best. The room availability has to be just right and you need a knowledgeable CM who is willing to work with you.

getting a studio and combining with a 1 BR isn't that difficult. There is some risk but it's minimal and can be reduced dramatically with the right approach and planning. But it will cost full price.

 

[Jennasis]

The OP said "FOR A FEE" not "For FREE". Just clarifying.

Oh, and no....or at least extremely, highly unlikely.

 

[Dean]

The OP said "FOR A FEE" not "For FREE". Just clarifying.

Oh, and no....or at least extremely, highly unlikely.

Correct. However, as posted and given that this is not that uncommon for timeshares in general, I doubt they were expecting to pay the full price for the studio portion. Nothing wrong with that, just different than some timeshares. Relatively few will allow you to pay for an upgrade but some will and I know a few that do this for revenue by giving exchangers the worst choices and offering to upgrade them for a fee. Of course if they could get a studio exchange also, it's possible to match them up.

 

[Brian Noble]

...but studios are quite rare in RCI.

 

[ktate82]

Im going to look into the studio with exchange or cash and see if we can request the lock off rooms. 2 bedrooms are never available with RCI but we have been wanting to try one. We may just have to book cash next time to experience the two bed.
Have also changed my original post to ask about fee as it seems everyone on here thinks I am a free loader

Instead of booking a two bedroom on cash, you might look into renting the points for it. It would be cheaper than paying cash through Disney.