Upgrades at check in

[Malcon10t]

Maybe I should have been more clear. I sandwich it between and I ask them when I give them my ID and credit card. I ask if they can look for any upgrades. If they say they cannot or there aren't any, I let them keep it... in fact I insist even if they try to give it back. I think of it as a tip for going above the basic by taking a look for me. If that's a bribe in your book, then so be it.

If you did that when you got pulled over for a ticket, would it be a tip or a bribe? The answer is the same for both.

It is fine for areas it works. Heck, I've done it for shows in Vegas many times. Yes, I bribed the maitre d for a better seat. No, it wasn't a tip.

And I didn't view any of the comments as snarky. We've just tried to make sure the OP realizes this can actually work against her at Disneyland.

 

[Tanner208]

Hello,

I had some questions about upgrades at the DLH as it will be my 1st time staying there. We will be staying at the DLH from Sept. 9-13 with 6 people (2 adults and 4 children). I understand the national fire code only allows 5 people per room but the 6th person is our daughter who is only 13months. Unfortunately, we can't afford a suite so I did the best i could and ordered a premium view (upper level) room at the DLH through Expedia. I recently found out after the fact, that the size of the rooms can vary despite what "view" you reserve. correct? After booking the reservation through Expedia, I called their hotel dept. to add a comment on the reservation that we would request a room in the adventure tower, with 2 queens and a daybed, with a park view. I then called the DLH directly to verify they received the reservation from Expedia and also mentioned the requests to be noted.

I just want to make sure I'm doing everything the right way to ensure I find a room that will fit all of us (comfortably). Is there any additional advice or tips that can give us a better chance of getting a sizable room? My son will be turning 4 years old a week prior to our check-in (so its like a birthday present) for him. I would hate to arrive to the hotel only to be given a small room even though it provides the "premium view". Would I be better off Looking for a different hotel?

I appreciate your time and feedback in advance.

 

[Sherry E]

Hello,

I had some questions about upgrades at the DLH as it will be my 1st time staying there. We will be staying at the DLH from Sept. 9-13 with 6 people (2 adults and 4 children). I understand the national fire code only allows 5 people per room but the 6th person is our daughter who is only 13months. Unfortunately, we can't afford a suite so I did the best i could and ordered a premium view (upper level) room at the DLH through Expedia. I recently found out after the fact, that the size of the rooms can vary despite what "view" you reserve. correct? After booking the reservation through Expedia, I called their hotel dept. to add a comment on the reservation that we would request a room in the adventure tower, with 2 queens and a daybed, with a park view. I then called the DLH directly to verify they received the reservation from Expedia and also mentioned the requests to be noted.

I just want to make sure I'm doing everything the right way to ensure I find a room that will fit all of us (comfortably). Is there any additional advice or tips that can give us a better chance of getting a sizable room? My son will be turning 4 years old a week prior to our check-in (so its like a birthday present) for him. I would hate to arrive to the hotel only to be given a small room even though it provides the "premium view". Would I be better off Looking for a different hotel?

I appreciate your time and feedback in advance.

Is Disney aware that you booked a room for 5 people but will actually have 6 people in the room (even if one of them is an infant)? I would make sure that they know exactly how many people will be in the room first, before worrying about anything else.

 

[Malcon10t]

The room has a limit of 5. You are putting 6 in, which is a violation of the fire code. I would suggest calling Disneyland Hotel and ask them if the policy exempts children under 2. (It used to, but I think the fire marshal made them change that.) The issue really is, if you arrive with 6, or housekeeping notifies them of 6, you can be charged for an additional room, since they can be fined for the violation.

As for the room size, you will get a room with 2 queens and a day bed. (It is a couch that makes into a twin or a fold out chair that makes into a bed. You will also need space for the crib. The large rooms are slightly smaller than a standard hotel rooms.) The small rooms are too small spacewise for us, when we are only traveling with 3 people. Yes, the premium floor rooms in the Adventure Tower can be smaller than other rooms. (Been there, done that, got moved.) I would contact the hotel.

 

[disneychrista]

I just want to make sure I'm doing everything the right way to ensure I find a room that will fit all of us (comfortably).

Are all six people listed on the reservation?

Personally I would book a suite at Desert Inn that would give you more room and cost you the same, then to risk being over crowded at the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[Tanner208]

Is Disney aware that you booked a room for 5 people but will actually have 6 people in the room (even if one of them is an infant)? I would make sure that they know exactly how many people will be in the room first, before worrying about anything else.

Yes, I spoke to a CM and they are aware of it. They were extremely polite and respectful about it as well. I also just found out that if you book with 5 people, you are guaranteed a daybed.

 

[disneychrista]

if you book with 5 people, you are guaranteed a daybed.

I have read posts on this board that state the opposite. That there is guarantee of a getting the day bed.

 

[Malcon10t]

I have read posts on this board that state the opposite. That there is guarantee of a getting the day bed.

At the PPH and the DLH, if you have 5, you are ALMOST guaranteed a day bed (couch or chair.) At the GCH, you are not.

 

[disneychrista]

At the PPH and the DLH, if you have 5, you are ALMOST guaranteed a day bed (couch or chair.) At the GCH, you are not.

That must be what I have read about then.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I must be in the minority here. We are staying at the DLH as a surprise for my DD. I am just thankful that we are going and that I was able to swing the DLH. I have no expectations other than a clean, well maintained room. I booked a standard room and I really don't care which tower or what my view is.

 

[Sherry E]

I must be in the minority here. We are staying at the DLH as a surprise for my DD. I am just thankful that we are going and that I was able to swing the DLH. I have no expectations other than a clean, well maintained room. I booked a standard room and I really don't care which tower or what my view is.

2tinkerbell --

I don't think you're in the minority at all -- but I will say that if you ever happen to get upgraded to a room with a great view and can see that view in person, you might understand why people really, really, really want those rooms. Having a more spacious room and/or a room with a fantastic view seems to enhance the whole experience in a way that is hard to describe.

That said, I have had the standard rooms with no interesting view at all, and I was still happy to be in a Disneyland Resort hotel because it just completes the whole experience for me.

Those of us here who are big onsite fans (meaning we prefer staying onsite -- at any of the 3 DLR hotels -- over staying offsite, and over going home at the end of the night) are probably happy to be onsite at our hotel of choice to begin with, and if we are paying for a standard room with no view, then that is what we expect to get. If someone is paying for a park view room or DTD view room, then that is what they expect to get (though I don't think it is ever 100% guaranteed).

However, when and if we are fortunate to get upgraded from what we asked/paid for, it is a blessing and it is probably not because we expected or requested an upgrade. The CMs use their judgment and discretion (as well as look at which rooms are available in the system), and if they feel that someone is really angling for a better room or making up some wild story about what is being celebrated, the CMs will probably ignore it and give the guest the exact room they paid for -- which will still be great!

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

As everyone has said, don't attempt to slip them a $20. I've been upgraded without asking and that seems to be the best way to handle it. If there's a room you MUST have, book it. If it's more of a "nice to have" then you can take a shot at some pixie dust.

As to those getting all judgy about the idea of slipping a $20 and using the "bribe" word, I think that's just ridiculous. It's the way of the world in a number of places (not just Vegas) and can easily be thought of as an advance tip for extraordinary service. If I go to a valet, I tip the guy pretty well when he takes my car to try to avoid dents and dings. Tipping a bellhop generously for future service has been the norm for 100 years. These types of gratuities are often accepted and the employees in question are allowed to accept them. It's not acceptable at Disneyland but that doesn't make the OP's question silly or inappropriate.

 

[Sherry E]

As everyone has said, don't attempt to slip them a $20. I've been upgraded without asking and that seems to be the best way to handle it. If there's a room you MUST have, book it. If it's more of a "nice to have" then you can take a shot at some pixie dust.

As to those getting all judgy about the idea of slipping a $20 and using the "bribe" word, I think that's just ridiculous. It's the way of the world in a number of places (not just Vegas) and can easily be thought of as an advance tip for extraordinary service. If I go to a valet, I tip the guy pretty well when he takes my car to try to avoid dents and dings. Tipping a bellhop generously for future service has been the norm for 100 years. These types of gratuities are often accepted and the employees in question are allowed to accept them. It's not acceptable at Disneyland but that doesn't make the OP's question silly or inappropriate.

The issue of the $20 being slipped has already been solved and addressed repeatedly. Now we are just beating a dead horse. There is no need to refer to anyone as "judgy" and "ridiculous."

Let's move on.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

As everyone has said, don't attempt to slip them a $20. I've been upgraded without asking and that seems to be the best way to handle it. If there's a room you MUST have, book it. If it's more of a "nice to have" then you can take a shot at some pixie dust.

As to those getting all judgy about the idea of slipping a $20 and using the "bribe" word, I think that's just ridiculous. It's the way of the world in a number of places (not just Vegas) and can easily be thought of as an advance tip for extraordinary service. If I go to a valet, I tip the guy pretty well when he takes my car to try to avoid dents and dings. Tipping a bellhop generously for future service has been the norm for 100 years. These types of gratuities are often accepted and the employees in question are allowed to accept them. It's not acceptable at Disneyland but that doesn't make the OP's question silly or inappropriate.

A bribe is a bribe is a bribe. It may be normal or expected in Vegas or other places, but no matter how common it is elsewhere, that doesn't make it not a bribe. Wherever it's done, it's a bribe. The definition of what it is doesn't change just because your front-desk clerk thinks it's ok, or because "everyone else does it." That's not me being "judgy". It just is what it is.

 

[ClosetDisneyJunkie]

will move on, per the Mod's request. I'm a mod on another board and I respect that role. Agree to disagree.

 

[pennyring]

I'm not sure what you mean by not having "any rooms left," but upgrades are only given day of check-in on a space available basis, so it's not like you'd be blocking anyone else from reserving those upgraded rooms. The only thing telling the front desk about a special occasion is to let them know in advance you'd like an upgrade if one is available. There's really no need to lie because anyone can come up with some type of occasion they might be celebrating.

This is technically incorrect. The Hotel Room Assigner assigns rooms to guests 24 - 72 hours before arrival. We have had requested room upgrades assigned to us in advance and they are already in the computer when we check in. I never ask the clerk. It's always pre-arranged and ready to go.

 

[JKalai]

This is technically incorrect. The Hotel Room Assigner assigns rooms to guests 24 - 72 hours before arrival. We have had requested room upgrades assigned to us in advance and they are already in the computer when we check in. I never ask the clerk. It's always pre-arranged and ready to go.

Depends on the resort and how you book your reservation. If you have a handicap request, or if you are with a group, your room will most likely be pre-blocked in advance. Rooms on nights that are sold out will most likely be pre-blocked as well. Guests that book without a group, or through a wholesaler, and a lot of other cases will most likely not be pre-blocked into a room.

Usually they do not pre-block rooms to try to meet lots of guests requests for early check in. They cannot foresee of when guests are going to be checking out of their rooms. Then they need to turn the room over (clean it), and that will open up an available room number for you to get into ASAP.

Although this procedure may be different at Disney than the resort I work for, it is a standard for rooms controllers and front desk agents in the hotel industry. If they pre-blocked everybody into a room, it would be very hard for them to meet guests requests that aren't noted on the reservation.