What do you think about the upgrades to SSR/OKW?

[lisaanddenny]

some people have illnesses and diseases, it is fair that you don't get those too? Be happy you have a job and you are healthy enough to enjoy Disney and quit your complaining everyone!

 

[NC State]

I got the email at 2:00 pm and called at 2:05 and they said all the rooms were all booked....

I didn't get one but I was hopeing that they may try again tomorrow...I guess now they will not. I'm just happy about going and getting "free dining".

 

[avahoneybee]

Interesting thread. People get upgraded all the time, it's no different than any other hotel.

As far as the DVC goes, I think when Disney first started selling the club there were a lot more benefits. Now, not so much, but Disney doesn't guarantee owners preferential treatment. No timeshare that I'm aware of does that.

 

[beachgrl001]

Im one of the ones who got the upgrade. After the crappy year I had I almost ended up cancelling the whole trip, so I was beyond grateful to get the upgrade, my mom was so happy she was at work crying. I still cant believe it. I remember last year when they did it, I thought it was great for the ppl that got it.

 

[ILoveJack]

Actually I think that this might be a smart move on Disney's part for a change. We almost always stay at Pop's. We stayed off property a couple of times, tried Pop's and was hooked. Now if you gave me a free upgrade for a week, and I know how much I spend each year on vacations$$$$$, you might just push me off that fence and have a new member. I know that there are other people out there like myself that with the right nudge wouldn't neccessarily say no to a time share. That is what they are after. Give a little away to make more in the long run. It's good business sense that at least a couple of these people will sign up before they leave.

 

[xanphylus]

Its great for those who got the upgrade! I am happy for them- just wish I had called in time to get it myself! I got the pin code, but didn't check my e-mail in time. Go figure- the one day I don't check my e-mail in the morning, I get a once in a lifetime chance at a kickin free upgrade to deluxe when all we can afford is value and my butt misses it! I hope those who got lucky have a great time! I know there are more people out there like myself who will never otherwise get to stay in the deluxe suites and I think what Disney did is awesome! They made a lot of peoples day! Good for them!

 

[rt2dz]

I get why people are a little ticked off at it. Especially, when it isn’t one or two families, but (from the sounds of all the different things I’m reading all over the internet) a HUGE amount of people. But it is what it is. With that big of an amount, I’m thinking it is more than a bit of over-booking, but that something else is going on. Maybe some rooms need some major work? Perhaps an A/C system is starting to go out? Or some big time plumbing issues? IDK.

All in all, good for those lucky souls; I wish I had been that lucky. But, alas, we are not going for free dining (as it costs more than a good room only discount for our family) and we aren’t staying in a value—although not paying the costs of a DVC 1 bedroom villa. Fort Wilderness Cabins for us again!

 

[marcielm]

Because I'm on the outside looking in... I neither got the great upgrade code, nor am I even booked for this fall... I have a few opinions on why Disney did this.

First, I believe that Disney likes to just spread a little pixie dust every now and then. That's what makes WDW so magical. And besides, who doesn't love a little lagniappe every now and then?

Second, I think Disney is making a very smart business deal here. Let's take a look at this for a minute. The values always fill up quickly when it's free dining. With only a few days left to book FD, Disney says "let's offer upgrades to X% of the clients at the values". Now, we have Y number of rooms open at the value resorts. Disney won't have any trouble booking these rooms at rack rate for the season that was 'free dining'. People were all ready paying rack rate, and getting the free dining. Now mind you some of these rooms will get rebooked in the next few days, but many people will miss the free dining offer, and still end up paying rack rate for August & September. Plus, they are going to be adding the dining package at full price, if they choose to take that option.

Disney has now pushed some of their crowds over to the deluxe resorts... giving these guests a taste of something that's much nicer than what they are use to finding at the values. I've heard many a repeat customer say that once you have the good stuff, it's hard to go back to the cheap stuff.

Now, after taking all of this into consideration, you can see that Disney realizes that the villas probably weren't going to be booked up as quickly as the values in the next few months. It's a better 'money choice' for Disney to have more values available to their clientele considering the current economy. When a person calls & can really only afford the values (like myself) they are not going to even think about taking the offer of a more expensive moderate or deluxe level resort. If the value isn't available, then no WDW trip for me, and no additional money for Disney.

Congrats to all that got the code, and scored the upgrade. Nice marketing ploy, Dinsey.

 

[Mommytobree]

Because I'm on the outside looking in... I neither got the great upgrade code, nor am I even booked for this fall... I have a few opinions on why Disney did this.

First, I believe that Disney likes to just spread a little pixie dust every now and then. That's what makes WDW so magical. And besides, who doesn't love a little lagniappe every now and then?

Second, I think Disney is making a very smart business deal here. Let's take a look at this for a minute. The values always fill up quickly when it's free dining. With only a few days left to book FD, Disney says "let's offer upgrades to X% of the clients at the values". Now, we have Y number of rooms open at the value resorts. Disney won't have any trouble booking these rooms at rack rate for the season that was 'free dining'. People were all ready paying rack rate, and getting the free dining. Now mind you some of these rooms will get rebooked in the next few days, but many people will miss the free dining offer, and still end up paying rack rate for August & September. Plus, they are going to be adding the dining package at full price, if they choose to take that option.

Disney has now pushed some of their crowds over to the deluxe resorts... giving these guests a taste of something that's much nicer than what they are use to finding at the values. I've heard many a repeat customer say that once you have the good stuff, it's hard to go back to the cheap stuff.

Now, after taking all of this into consideration, you can see that Disney realizes that the villas probably weren't going to be booked up as quickly as the values in the next few months. It's a better 'money choice' for Disney to have more values available to their clientele considering the current economy. When a person calls & can really only afford the values (like myself) they are not going to even think about taking the offer of a more expensive moderate or deluxe level resort. If the value isn't available, then no WDW trip for me, and no additional money for Disney.

Congrats to all that got the code, and scored the upgrade. Nice marketing ploy, Dinsey.

Very well said

 

[bytheblood]

Disney is no different than any business, cars, hotels, airlines. No one pays the same.

You just have to accept it and move on and enjoy your trip or don't read the threads about it, if it truly upsets you.

I agree.


I am paying full price for Wilderness Lodge, but have read where others are getting it for half the rate I am paying. Some people pay less than I do and get a concierge upgrade for free. I do not get upset about it. I say good on them. I like to hear about other people receiving blessings.

Disney is no longer the place where magic happens, but the place where people expect magic to be given to them.

 

[bytheblood]

I agree that Disney does this as a smart marketing decision.

1 - Give people a little taste of DVC, maybe they will join = More $$$ for Disney
2 - Put them in a deluxe and maybe they will book deluxe from now on = More $$$ for Disney
3 - When people call in for the free upgrade and there is no availability for their dates, Disney has the oppotunity to offer them different dates and possibly fill rooms = More $$$ for Disney.

 

[jmkford4]

We are very lucky to have gotten the upgrade. We also, as a pp said, almost canceled our trip. I am grateful that I have a chance to take my kids to Disney for the first time, knowing that there are many families that cannot afford it. We have had to save our pennies to do so too. We never could have afforded a Deluxe this year.

Maybe those who are upset should think about all those families who today feel like the lottery. My mom, who is coming with us said, "This is the best thing that has happened to us all year." We are *so* grateful, no matter what Disney's intentions are.

 

[ZeroToHero]

I too, was able to get this upgrade. When I saw it, I literally danced around the house for 10 minutes straight, and I was shaking. This trip means so much to me, because Disney let me down in a big way earlier this year (College Program), and this was my consolation.

I had to scrimp and save to go on this trip, and when I was offered this, it felt like Disney was trying to make it up to me in a way. Now, I know that they didn't do it on purpose, but it really is amazing.

I think we should be glad for what other people get - I know if I didn't get this I would be disappointed, but I'd be happy for everyone else who did get it. In the end, we're all going to the Happiest Place on Earth - people are just going to sleep in different-sized rooms.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

We are also "those people" and took the upgrade. I almost didn't, because I love the "over-the-top" Disney feel at the values. Looking at pictures I only saw 1 lonely character - Donald- and he was at the kiddie fountains. But I figured, hey, it's free and we will have a lot more space. We can always go "visit" the all stars for pictures, right?! And I will enjoy walking over to DTD. And who knows...Disney's marketing ploy might just make a loyal DVC member out of us?!

 

[aubriee]

I think it's MAGICAL! Just wish I had been smart enough to book at a value with free dining and then get a fabulous upgrade rather than sitting here keeping my fingers crossed for a Disney Visa discount to come out tomorrow so I can book a mod for November.

Congrats to all of the recipients of pixie dust from Disney!

But I do understand why DVC members would be a bit upset by this.

Same here. I originally had AS Sports with free dining booked for the last week of Sept, but then switched to CSR because I wanted a nicer resort. When the AP discount came out, I switched to that and paid for my dining. I wish now I'd stayed at AS Sports and took a chance that I could have got free dining and a DVC resort.

I'm happy for the people who did get it though, even if I can see why others might be upset.