Upgrade question

[kelscross]

I see all of these posts about getting a complimentary upgrade at resorts. Are these just random lucky people? or do you ask for them? It has never crossed my mind to ask for anything but what I was booked for. We are going in September and from what I read that is a slower time to go so I figure maybe an upgrade would be possible if available.

So...what do you say to the CM when inquiring about an upgrade? I would be too embarrassed to ask if I didn't know what to say to them.

We won't be expecting anything for sure, just wondering.

 

[Scoootch]

In my personnal experiences, the few times we've been lucky enough to be upgraded, we did not ask for the upgrade. They offered. And it usually has been from things like standard view to water view or something similar - not from standard view to conceirge. With the exception of our honeymoon - we were upgraded to a suite at GF but we were only in that hotel for 2nights not a full week before switching to a moderate - but again, we didn't ask. They offered.

Your best bet is to book what you'll be happy with and if you luck out than Kuddos If you have your heart set on a particular view or room size or level such as concierge, you are better off booking it than to be dissappointed when you don't get upgraded.

 

[ADisneygirl]

When we were upgraded last summer at AKL from standard view to savannah view, it was just pure luck. Or should I say a little Disney magic?!

We did arrive early, (around 9:30am because we had just disembarked from our cruise and it only took about 35 minutes to get to WDW area) and we expected to simply check our bags and explore the resort. Imagine our surprise when the CM said not only was the room ready, but we had been upgraded! We did not ask for any upgrade. In fact, our only reservation request was N/S.

Good luck getting a little magic yourself.

 

[Deborah_Mary]

Our personal experience was amazing. We decided to take our then 3 1/2 year old dd to DW (her first time and ours as a family. DH & I went here for our Honeymoon in 1995), we were all excited beyond belief. We booked a standard room at the Cont. for 4 nights in July 2002. It was pricy, but worth it! So we flew down, stayed at a area hotel and then checked in early the next morning (well, about 9:30am). Our room was ready (yay!) and when the cm was showing us where our room was and how to get there on the little map dh & I were a bit confused, but just went with it. We ended up getting upgraded to the tower (9th floor) MK side!! It was purely Disney Magic, we didn't know anything about requesting anything or being upgraded. I jumped on the phone and called my parents, lol. We had a breathtaking view of the castle, space mountain, astro orbitor, Poly & GF. Amazing!! So then the next year (July 2003) we went to stay there for a week and in that time frame found this bb. We decided to fax a room request asking to be upgraded if the room was available at check in (we'd pay for it) but had no luck. We had booked a Garden Wing room that time and that's what we got. We are now seriously thinking about going in the next couple weeks and may stay at the Cont. again (trying to decide between Cont., Poly & WL) and I think we may book a tower room this time since we now have added to our family and will be bringing our 5 1/2 old dd and will be 6 month old dd too.

Hope this helps as this was just our experience.

Deb*

 

[Gabrielle]

I've never asked for an upgrade but have received one, twice.

The first time was at the Yacht Club when I asked, upon check-in, if I could have a room overlooking the gazebo (because I had read in the Unofficlal Guide that a few standard rooms had this view). We were upgraded to a 5th floor room that looked straight across to the Boardwalk. Wonderful view. Whole family that time; husband and 2 teenagers.

The second was when I traveled to the WL by myself this past May and asked if I could stay in the Main Building, looking down on the lobby. The CM who took my call (I usually get into a chatty phone call upon making reservations) said something like "you never know about upgrades" - and, then upon check-in, I was upgraded. I think the CM who took my call got a kick out of my saying I was running away from home.

So, I think it's the luck of the draw; the time of the year; and the CM you happen to get upon check-in. I've gotten some not-so-nice rooms on my trips to WDW so with the upgrades, I think everything evens out eventually.

 

[SnackyStacky]

For our honeymoon in September, I'm going to ask a little something like this:

"We're on our honeymoon, and want everything to be just perfect! We were wondering if it would be possible to upgrade to a water view, and if so, how much would that cost?"

It leaves the window open for a free upgrade. If it happens, WOO HOO! If it doesn't - c'mon! I'm at Disney World. On my honeymoon. With my then-brand-spankin'-new wife. I don't think I'm going to really care if I have a standard view.

 

[Bracho]

Before we purchased through DVC, we would visit WDW at least once a year and we enjoyed an upgrade several times. Not sure why and to be honest I only asked once how I got so lucky and I was told just because...

I know that one year when I was on the Grand Plan, I received an upgrade to the concierge floor because it was easier for the guy in charge of Grand Plan Services for the resort to provide us the extra services.. not sure what he was talking about but I didn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Now that we belong to DVC, our upgrade days are over.. I know I'll be missing an upgrade every now and then, it's a great surprise when you arrive and find out you have been upgraded...