What are my chances of being upgraded?

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Even though this is for POP I once read a review for All-Star Movies and the mom was furious that she didn't get close to the front of the resort close to the bus stop and food court but had requested the Toy Story area via the online check in..the catch is she didn't pay for the preferred room and they were unable to give her the "upgrade" she wanted and she said she wouldn't have paid for the upcharge anyways.

Now it could possibly have been her demeanor that impacted their ability to "upgrade" but regardless I would book the tier of room that you really want..as for location if you didn't get what you wanted I would certaintly say you could ask front desk if they had a room where you wanted within the same tier that you paid for. If they had the availability they may upgrade to a preferred room or they may just put you in a building more suited to your initial request. Either way I wouldn't go in with the mentality of getting the free upgrade.

 

[Disneylover99]

If I were you, I would downgrade to a standard room. There are plenty of standard rooms that are more desirable than standard pool.

 

[hawaiilife]

It isn't tacky to ask for an upgrade. You don't have to word drop "free" in there, but if you politely say something like "what are the chances of getting upgraded today?" or "is there any pixie dust in store for us in the form or a preferred room, by chance". That isn't tacky - in fact, it often works. If Disney found it tacky I don't think they would do it

That said, again, they may not so be prepared for that as well. It all depends on what is available, your demeanor, and your CMs mood.

 

[Aurora0427]

Book the category you are willing to be in.

Don't ask for a free upgrade....however, I don't think there is anything wrong with asking if a closer room is available (if you are unhappy about where you are assigned). Just know it may not be granted.

Why do you say "don't ask for a free upgrade?" While I agree the OP should book the minimum room category in which they'll be happy, there's nothing offensive or wrong about asking about an upgrade at check in. Just don't expect to get it.

 

[Nancyg56]

When I was researching for our first trip back since my own children were your I read about the wonderful upgrades folks kept getting. Oh I really was hoping I would have the family gifted with that coveted upgrade to CL at the AKL!!! And then I started reading the reality posts. You know the ones......Book the level you want. The upgrades are few and far between. No one posts about the free pixie dust they did not get at check in! LOL!

So that's what we do....book the level we want and will be happy with. That year we booked CL for our rooms and we were happy with the expense. We have different booked levels of stay for years, but we always consider what we are going to be happy with.

Adn you have to accept that if you wait til check in, even if you are prepared to pay extra, you may not get that upgrade. When I booked the last trip we stayed at CSR, and I wanted to keep the cost down. Business Class was available when I booked but I was too cheap. So then we decided it would be worth the cost, but no go. I ride all the way til we left and still not available. So I asked at checkin....and made it abundantly clear I was not looking for a free upgrade. You cannot buy what is not available. That level was not there. Period.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have heard, from many front desk CMs, that when they are asked if there are any free upgrades available, they almost always say sorry, no, not today. Sometimes if someone asks if there is an upgrade available, what would the cost be, then it might happen. But CMs, generally speaking, like to dispense 'pixiedust'...and it's not pixiedust if you ask for it.
I have heard of many people complaining because they booked one level of room and were angry that they weren't upgraded upon arrival..after asking for it at checkin. It really is best to book the level room you want to begin with. If you book a lesser room level, due to finances, and you do get upgraded? Terrific. But don't base your thinking on what you see posted here. It's a very small segment of WDW guests!!

 

[Nancyg56]

I have heard, from many front desk CMs, that when they are asked if there are any free upgrades available, they almost always say sorry, no, not today. Sometimes if someone asks if there is an upgrade available, what would the cost be, then it might happen. But CMs, generally speaking, like to dispense 'pixiedust'...and it's not pixiedust if you ask for it.
I have heard of many people complaining because they booked one level of room and were angry that they weren't upgraded upon arrival..after asking for it at checkin. It really is best to book the level room you want to begin with. If you book a lesser room level, due to finances, and you do get upgraded? Terrific. But don't base your thinking on what you see posted here. It's a very small segment of WDW guests!!

True! And waiting until you check in can be a disappointment if the upgrade you are will to pay for is not available. I was sorry that I had second guessed myself last trip, because I could not make the change afterwards. With the exception of that last minute extra trip in December (which was why I was trying to kee to the cost as low as possible in regards to resort rooms) we always discuss what we expect from our resort stay. Most people look at the room as a place to sell and shower, but you still need to get to it and back, If that is promising to be a concern, it is best to recognize that upfront and pay the extra in order to avoid frustration.