Upgrades - how???

[jenjersnap]

Thanks for your thoughtful response, Lark. You hit the nail on the head with everything. Unfortunately for me, I am well and truly screwed. Who would have thought I could get so upset over something so silly as a few animals? It's the fact that I have let down my DS when I should have had my facts straight that hurts so much. My DS has had a very hard year and I wanted him to have some magic, but no one wants to hear my sob story I'm sure.

Anyway, Travelocity = no help (not that I expected them to be). Called Disney and got a CM who seemed on the surface so sympathetic "Don't worry we'll get this taken care of. We have availability ... " Then informed me that the rate was $309/night. My family cannot afford that. No way. (We're spending $4000 at WDW already - a lot of money for us) When I said that we couldn't afford $309/night, she just shut down - that's the best she could do, yadda yadda. Oh, and my son can see animals in the lobby or hallway or wherever. She said she couldn't even put a note on our reservation because they have a different system for travel agents and they (Disney) will not touch those reservations. Call Travelocity, oh tried that? Too bad. So she said, as you did, I should ask when we arrived. I asked what the chances were of an upgrade - willing to pay something for it, of course! - checking in at 1:30 in the morning. She said "Very slim"

Great, my money is no good unless I am willing to pay 2-1/2 times the cost of my original ressie. I am honestly thinking of canceling a stay at AKL. We can stay off-site, save our pennies and see AKL as *visitors* so my DS doesn't feel left out. We start a WDW package after this stay at FW cabins so we weren't planning on visiting the parks those two days anyway.


Thanks so much for your help.

 

[rcraw45425]

I hate travelocity! I booked a north georgia condo through them on the morning we were to leave. Everything was set from their side so I called the place directly to get better directions. They laughed at me, said that they were overbooked and that we in fact had no reservation! Luckily we found this out before we left home and I was able to call Travelocity and get the financial part cancelled through them. They guy said that things like that sometimes happen, too bad. I'm like, what if we had arrived and HAD NO ROOM? Uh, gee, I don't know.

 

[airforcewife]

Just wondering if I have a prayer of a free upgrade just before christmas at the Contemportary? Just from a wing to a tower room. Also how do you ask for such a thing without sounding like you want a hand out?

And what is this faxing I read about? What are you faxing?

Robyn

 

[MyGoofy26]

Just a thought, but when you check in you could always go ahead and ask if there are upgrades available (explain how you misunderstood your view) and if there are great. But if there aren't, just go to the room you're in and first thing in the AM call down to the front desk, or better yet go in person so that you can talk to someone face to face and hopefully get them to empathize, and see if there is any way you could switch rooms and upgrade at any point during that day for the remainder of your trip.

Couldn't hurt, could it?

Carrie

 

[iluvepcot]

Jenjersnap: I know how upset you must feel, but try not to let it dampen your disney spirit. We stayed at AKL last Dec, Sav view and saw very few animals from our room. The balcony is small and the kids made me nervous when we did see animals as they were wanting to stand on the chairs. (which I did not allow). The CM is right, the animals are viewable all over the hotel. My DS 4 used his map given to him by the front desk. He made a game of hunting the animals and crossing them off his list once he found them. He enjoyed this much better then sitting in the room waiting for the animals to come.

Still, I hope you do get an upgrade!

 

[lmk]

Iluvepcot - just curious where your room was located so I can try to avoid that area

 

[Kallison]

I've heard that cute kids and/or a push-up bra may get you an upgrade!

 

[music777.com]

Kallison,

You started the push-up bra rumor

JJ

 

[lmk]

Yikes, the pushup bra and cute kids crowd have made it over to my thread

 

[DebbieB]

I think the chances of getting an upgrade are overstated. In about 20 Disney trips, I have never got one (but I haven't come out and asked for one either). I think alot depends on how full the hotel is. If it's close to 100%, then very few could possibly get an upgrade, most of the rooms are already reserved. I think your chances are better on a short stay because on a long stay the upgraded room would have to be available for many nights. You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you go in expecting to get an upgrade.

 

[sharonk]

We stayed at the GF for 5 nights in early June and were given an upgrade without asking.

We had booked two standard view rooms and I had faxed the room assigner before our arrival requesting the our rooms be connecting and, if possible, close to the monorail and pool.

When we arrived and checked in to our rooms, we realized we had been given every thing we requested, PLUS we had been given Lagoon View rooms. It was a very nice surprise!

Now, our rooms did NOT face the Magic Kingdom...they faced the opposite way, across the water toward the Poly. My DH guessed that these were probably the very last Lagoon View rooms that were given out to people who actually PAID for Lagoon View. (Most people paying for Lagoon View are going to want to face the Magic Kingdom and be very dissappointed if they do not.)
Still, it was a very nice view, especially when you consider that we did not pay extra for it.

Sharon

 

[jenjersnap]

Hi, just wanted to thank everyone for the terrific advice. After a transitory emotional glitch, I have definitely re-captured my Disney excitement. Planning this thing has been an overwhelming and educational experience, for sure.

I have no expectation of an upgrade at AKL. We'll make do, whatever happens. But, oh, if my adorable and, in the older one's case, chatty kids are feeling happy when we arrive - doubtful since we are arriving after 1 am - I will make sure they are visible in a totally non-exploitative way (of course). Unfortunately, no part of my body will be perky, whatever the time of day or night so that is not an option.

A special thank you, Iluvepcot, for the wonderful idea of making a game of finding the animals. That is EXACTLY up my 4-year-old's alley and will be the perfect activity.

 

[lmk]

Could someone please tell me who exactly you send a fax to to request special rooms and where the fax number can be found.

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by jenjersnap
Called Disney and got a CM who seemed on the surface so sympathetic "Don't worry we'll get this taken care of. We have availability ... " Then informed me that the rate was $309/night.

WDW can't touch your reservation if it was made with a 3rd party. Since all of the discount codes have expired, there is not much the people at WDW can do for you. If a discounted room doesn't show up on their computer, they can't book it for you.

FYI, we were upgraded once at AKL to a pool view...can't see animals. We also got the standard room that we paid for on 2 occasions.

 

[princess pooh]

Originally posted by lmk
Could someone please tell me who exactly you send a fax to to request special rooms and where the fax number can be found.

Hey

I did faxed a request last year to AKL. The fax number is (407) 838-4799. I listed my room requests in order of importance and I got most of them.

 

[jenjersnap]

Originally posted by Bojangles
WDW can't touch your reservation if it was made with a 3rd party. Since all of the discount codes have expired, there is not much the people at WDW can do for you. If a discounted room doesn't show up on their computer, they can't book it for you.

FYI, we were upgraded once at AKL to a pool view...can't see animals. We also got the standard room that we paid for on 2 occasions.

Yes, I do know all of this as I went on discuss in my posts. All I really wanted - bottom line - was for an informational note to be put into my ressie stating that I was willing to pay for an upgrade on arrival. Can't happen as I am all too aware now, que sera sera. As far as her stating that we could get it taken care of, she had already said that I could just cancel the Travelocity ressie and get a new direct WDW ressie. But we just aren't willing to pay $309/night. Thanks for the response. We are anticipating standard room and expect nothing more.

 

[lmk]

Thanks Princess Pooh! Great pics by the way Will email you once things get settled around here -my brother arrives Friday.

 

[jbhess]

Does anyone know the fax number for the room assigner at the Contemporary? TIA

 

[BambiTamby]

all these years and trips and we finally got an upgrade....to the Presidential Suite at the CR!

We were originally booked for two concierge rooms, so this was totally unexpected...a very pleasant suprise!

Note...no push-up bras or children were in our party!

Just Disney Pixie Dust!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by BambiTamby
all these years and trips and we finally got an upgrade....to the Presidential Suite at the CR!

We were originally booked for two concierge rooms, so this was totally unexpected...a very pleasant suprise!

Note...no push-up bras or children were in our party!

Just Disney Pixie Dust!

Absolutely the best kind to recieve, the Magical ones.