What's with all these upgrades?

[lisalonglash]

I don't even stop to think about who may have gotten upgraded. When we're lying by the pool I don't know whether you've paid full price, got the 4/3 deal or paid for a value and got upgraded to the deluxe.

I must be crazy but I like hearing the stories of someone who saved and saved just to be able to go to a value resort and then got hit by a ton of pixie dust and got upgraded to a deluxe. Maybe it really made their "once in a lifetime trip" that much more special.

You most certainly are NOT crazy - your attitude towards this is wonderful! I agree wholeheartedly with you and wonder why anyone would begrudge another family the opportunity to experience some real magic on their vacation?! Very very petty IMO As someone else in this thread said - "what comes around, goes around"

 

[Misti]

Yes that's the room we booked - what floor were you on? I keep hearing the 2nd and 4th floors have extra big balconies. We just LOVE our balconies! I was wondering if it would be a pain being on a different floor than the lounge, glad to hear it wasn't a problem.

Can't wait - 100 more days.

I'm so jealous, lucky you! We've stayed on the 2nd and 4th floor. My preference is the 4th floor. A little more private and you can see Illuminations through the trees. And yes, the balconies are HUGE. Honestly, the one scary thing about booking the room is that you have a 25% possibility of getting the third floor room, with NO balcony. I would be VERY disappointed with that room, personally. Here are some pix of the balcony:

As you can see from the picture above, the balcony is basically double-length. I'm a balcony-lover too so this sealed it for us. Very spacious.

Don't get me wrong, it's a TREK to the lounge but overall not a big deal to us because of how much we liked the room. Might be an issue for other people. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[islandchick779]

I also work for a large resort company and we regularly upgrade guests to fill our "nicer" properties for various reasons:

1) We are a vacation rental company and we prefer to reward our owners that take our advice and keep their properties updated by putting reservations in their homes or villas.

2)If we have a pricey villa or home available last minute, it's easier to upgrade someone in a cheaper property into that unit to give that owner some income, and a greater chance of re-booking that villa that's less expensive that we just moved the guest from.

3) Enticement! Of course, if we have someone who comes down every year and stays in a villa walking distance from the beach and they enjoy it, but then we show them what it's like to be oceanfront, they are more likely to talk themselves in to paying more to stay on the beach the next time they come!

So I think part of what Disney is doing is trying to shuffle people into the rooms that aren't booking to make some revenue for them, and in turn, they've now opened up their value resorts which lots of people seem to be booking, so they can now make money off of refilling those rooms.
Makes sense to me!

I know that Disney is having trouble with certain properties like SSR and BC and YC because those are the properties that they are still offering the Disney gift cards with when you book a package, even in summer. The occupancy is obviously down and they are trying everything they can to pull it up.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I'm so jealous, lucky you! We've stayed on the 2nd and 4th floor. My preference is the 4th floor. A little more private and you can see Illuminations through the trees. And yes, the balconies are HUGE. Honestly, the one scary thing about booking the room is that you have a 25% possibility of getting the third floor room, with NO balcony. I would be VERY disappointed with that room, personally. Here are some pix of the balcony:

As you can see from the picture above, the balcony is basically double-length. I'm a balcony-lover too so this sealed it for us. Very spacious.

Don't get me wrong, it's a TREK to the lounge but overall not a big deal to us because of how much we liked the room. Might be an issue for other people. Enjoy your trip!!

Thank you for the pictures - I will do some serious begging for the 4th floor!
DH really wanted the larger room since we'll be there for two weeks. I think we can handle the walk to the CL floor (LOL). If you have any other pictures please post them!

 

[that's nice]

I also work for a large resort company and we regularly upgrade guests to fill our "nicer" properties for various reasons:

1) We are a vacation rental company and we prefer to reward our owners that take our advice and keep their properties updated by putting reservations in their homes or villas.

2)If we have a pricey villa or home available last minute, it's easier to upgrade someone in a cheaper property into that unit to give that owner some income, and a greater chance of re-booking that villa that's less expensive that we just moved the guest from.

3) Enticement! Of course, if we have someone who comes down every year and stays in a villa walking distance from the beach and they enjoy it, but then we show them what it's like to be oceanfront, they are more likely to talk themselves in to paying more to stay on the beach the next time they come!

So I think part of what Disney is doing is trying to shuffle people into the rooms that aren't booking to make some revenue for them, and in turn, they've now opened up their value resorts which lots of people seem to be booking, so they can now make money off of refilling those rooms.
Makes sense to me!

I know that Disney is having trouble with certain properties like SSR and BC and YC because those are the properties that they are still offering the Disney gift cards with when you book a package, even in summer. The occupancy is obviously down and they are trying everything they can to pull it up.

Doesn't the cruise lines do the same thing????? They over book all the 'cheap rooms' ie: lower on the ship... inside cabins. Then they just bump some people to a higher category on the ship. They would rather have all their rooms full even at a discount, than have all the lower category rooms full, turn people away because they are all booked, and have empty rooms on the ship.

With Disney they might want to even out some resorts. Instead of having every room booked at the All-Stars, move some people around. This way mousekeeping, staff, CM's have a more even work load across all of Disney's properties. Where say at BC people are standing around all day with nothing to do.

I don't know....... i don't work there.. but its a thought.

Tim

 

[Misti]

Thank you for the pictures - I will do some serious begging for the 4th floor!
DH really wanted the larger room since we'll be there for two weeks. I think we can handle the walk to the CL floor (LOL). If you have any other pictures please post them!

Here you go! Sorry the quality is so bad.. they were taken with my phone. They are about 2 yrs old so I'm guessing there is a nicer TV, etc now.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And, as far as I'm aware, all of the upgrades from Pop to a Deluxe that I've read about here, have been unsolicited.

Just reemphasizing this VERY appropriate observation! !

I'm surprised that Disney will upgrade people from a Value to a Deluxe. I would have expected them to upgrade people from a Value to a Moderate and other people from a Moderate to a Deluxe - that way they get twice as many happy customers.

That would more sense. They'd be giving each group a taste of what it's like to move one step up. Value people might book a mod next time, mod people might book a deluxe - double impact!

Not all that surprising, really. Fewer people involved, less time spent trying contact, and convince, one party to upgrade from a Value to a Deluxe than to contact and convince that person to upgrade to a Moderate AND a Moderate Guest to upgrade to a Deluxe.

Plus, then you get the Guests who feel the need to negotiote: "Yacht Club? No, never. Now, I'll be happy to take a Magic Kingdom-view room at the Contemporary...".

Just speaking for myself, while I haven't stayed at nearly every resort, I've stayed at every level. An upgrade isn't going to affect my decision for my next trip (okay, fine - my brother saying "Don't spend money on a room; use my DVC points" will affect any such decision )

Was there rehab going on over at POFQ? Perhaps. But, there was absolutely no activity over there for a very long time

Well, in fairness... the right lane of The Bridge has been closed "for work" since last April. Until Monday, I had not seen ANY work being done on it since, well, ever, after they put up the Jersey barriers and brought in equipment. Neither had any of my coworkers who use the same route. Come to think of it, even after all this time I can't tell that ANY work has been done...

 

[Tara922c]

I may be wrong, but I think upgrades from values to deluxe isn't Disney doing something "magical", it is them keeping resort rooms full, and making a profit. My friend works for Disney reservations, and she told me that their numbers are way down. Look at the 4/3 deal, first you had to book by December, then it was Jan, and now it is March (I think). Disney is hurting too right now. My friend told me that they are even on a hiring freeze. Less people are taking vacations, and many of the people who are taking vacations, are limiting the amount of money they are going to spend. There are more people who can't afford to take any type of Disney vacation, than there are people who can afford it. There are more people who can afford Value resorts than people who can afford Deluxe. Disney, like any business, wants to make the highest profit that they can. Disney rather a 400 dollar a night room be filled by someone who only paid 100, than for it to sit empty. That also opens up more rooms at the value resorts, meaning more people will take the oppourtunity to go to Disney, spend money in the parks, buy souviners, and eat at Disney restuarants. Upgrading is the easiest way for Disney to accomplish that. Not too many people would be upset if they booked at Pop, but were told they get to stay at Poly. Can you imagine if you paid hundreds of dollars for the Poly, and then were told you were being downgraded, with a refund of course, to the Pop upon arrival? You would, as would almost every guest, be highly pissed. Disney wants people to have positive experiences, go home, and tell friends about their wonderful experience. I guess I can see where if you paid 400 a night to stay at the POLY you would be upset that someone only had to pay 100. They way I look at it is, I am going to Disney World because I love the place. I don't think too many people, walk up to random people in the resort to let them know they received an upgrade. I paid for where we want to stay, and I know that is were we are going to be when we get there. If we got an upgrade, I would be estatic, if we didn't I would be okay. I am going to Disney to have a wonderful time with my family, not to worry about what everyone paid for their room.

 

[jparc]

Doesn't the cruise lines do the same thing????? They over book all the 'cheap rooms' ie: lower on the ship... inside cabins. Then they just bump some people to a higher category on the ship. They would rather have all their rooms full even at a discount, than have all the lower category rooms full, turn people away because they are all booked, and have empty rooms on the ship.

With Disney they might want to even out some resorts. Instead of having every room booked at the All-Stars, move some people around. This way mousekeeping, staff, CM's have a more even work load across all of Disney's properties. Where say at BC people are standing around all day with nothing to do.

I don't know....... i don't work there.. but its a thought.

Tim

I was thinking the same thing. Or when the cruise lines offer deep discounts on the last remainig cabins while other passengers pay full price.
Some money is better than empty rooms after all.
And at disney, maybe they are moving people to resorts that already have enough staff already in place to accomidate these guest instead of having to add staff to another resort. It might be more cost effective for them in the end.

 

[praline3001]

I may be wrong, but I think upgrades from values to deluxe isn't Disney doing something "magical", it is them keeping resort rooms full, and making a profit. My friend works for Disney reservations, and she told me that their numbers are way down. Look at the 4/3 deal, first you had to book by December, then it was Jan, and now it is March (I think). Disney is hurting too right now. My friend told me that they are even on a hiring freeze. Less people are taking vacations, and many of the people who are taking vacations, are limiting the amount of money they are going to spend. There are more people who can't afford to take any type of Disney vacation, than there are people who can afford it. There are more people who can afford Value resorts than people who can afford Deluxe. Disney, like any business, wants to make the highest profit that they can. Disney rather a 400 dollar a night room be filled by someone who only paid 100, than for it to sit empty. That also opens up more rooms at the value resorts, meaning more people will take the oppourtunity to go to Disney, spend money in the parks, buy souviners, and eat at Disney restuarants. Upgrading is the easiest way for Disney to accomplish that. Not too many people would be upset if they booked at Pop, but were told they get to stay at Poly. Can you imagine if you paid hundreds of dollars for the Poly, and then were told you were being downgraded, with a refund of course, to the Pop upon arrival? You would, as would almost every guest, be highly pissed. Disney wants people to have positive experiences, go home, and tell friends about their wonderful experience. I guess I can see where if you paid 400 a night to stay at the POLY you would be upset that someone only had to pay 100. They way I look at it is, I am going to Disney World because I love the place. I don't think too many people, walk up to random people in the resort to let them know they received an upgrade. I paid for where we want to stay, and I know that is were we are going to be when we get there. If we got an upgrade, I would be estatic, if we didn't I would be okay. I am going to Disney to have a wonderful time with my family, not to worry about what everyone paid for their room.

I agree with you Tara! Granted I am staying RPC at the GF this trip with a pretty pricey room... when I said I didnt want to HEAR what others spent~~~ I meant it as it would only depress me Ha-Ha
Seriously who wouldn't shake their head and feel bad that they paid 700 a night for a room and the sweetest family in the world just told you they got the same room for a 100 a night I would never be upset with the lucky family... thats not me~~~ I however would be kicking myself for not booking pop and then getting that kind of upgrade

If this does happen more and more~ and I am surrounded by upgraded folks and I am the only one in the building who was not upgraded and paid full price (just using this as an example... not saying its gonna happen...) I would seriously have to figure out what we were doing wrong
It would encourage me to book a lesser room next trip~ knowing that they are upgrading people anyway

 

[lisalonglash]

Airlines do the same thing. You book your trip two months ahead and pay $400 per seat. The family in the row behind you happened to look for flights on the day/hour the airline happened to offer a great seat sale and they paid $100 per seat. Good for them IMO Nothing to begrudge - you're both on the plane going on your vacation, it's all good kwim?

Besides, who really discusses how much they paid for their room with complete strangers? I know we certainly would never do that - that's just tacky IMO

It's OK to just be happy for someone else who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Lady luck will visit us all at some point, in some way, but karma can be a "you know what" LOL

 

[praline3001]

I hope I did not come off as snobby or mean with that last post! If I did I am really sorry~ I just re read it and realized I might have sounded nasty about the upgraded folks~~ this is NOT THE CASE AT ALL. I am thrilled for them! Hell with all the upgrades I am hoping to get upgraded to the Walt suite

Its more of a matter of a grumble and a moan for how much we ended up paying

This does remind me of a story I heard a while back. One of the ladies I have met on here DID get upgraded from GV GF to RPC. She was THRILLED and posted about it on the DIS. The next day she was sitting in the RPC lobby and a lady walked up to her and started YELLING AT HER and that she had no business being in RPC and that HER family paid way more than this ladies family and really laid into this poor woman!!! UNREAL!

 

[Lynne M]

This does remind me of a story I heard a while back. One of the ladies I have met on here DID get upgraded from GV GF to RPC. She was THRILLED and posted about it on the DIS. The next day she was sitting in the RPC lobby and a lady walked up to her and started YELLING AT HER and that she had no business being in RPC and that HER family paid way more than this ladies family and really laid into this poor woman!!! UNREAL!

OK, right then I would have been calling for security. After I told her that it was even worse than she thought....she paid too much for her room AND now all the people in the RPC lobby thought she was a greedy witch.

For pete's sake, how do people live with all that greed and resentment and jealousy?

 

[DreamnDisney]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a upgrade from POP this june!!!

 

[leighe]

Airlines do the same thing. You book your trip two months ahead and pay $400 per seat. The family in the row behind you happened to look for flights on the day/hour the airline happened to offer a great seat sale and they paid $100 per seat. Good for them IMO Nothing to begrudge - you're both on the plane going on your vacation, it's all good kwim?

Besides, who really discusses how much they paid for their room with complete strangers? I know we certainly would never do that - that's just tacky IMO

It's OK to just be happy for someone else who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Lady luck will visit us all at some point, in some way, but karma can be a "you know what" LOL

I agree. I also think there is a little underlying snobbiness around here - like, ewww - those "value" people got moved to "our" resort.

We were checking into AKL once and this man was throwing a fit about the fact that they had paid "top dollar" (he kept using, no, yelling, that phrase over and over) for concierge and "this yaho" had gotten some kind of discount. (He was literally pointing at a family getting their luggage settled with bell services.) They had to get managers out to the lobby and everything. He just came across like a huge jerk.

We usually stay at deluxe resorts and could care less what anybody pays anywhere. We pay what we are comfortable with for where we want to stay and that's the end of it. It's all paid for before we leave anyway so I honestly don't spend a lot of time thinking about money on our trips. It's vacation, after all!!

 

[peyjax]

I hope I did not come off as snobby or mean with that last post! If I did I am really sorry~ I just re read it and realized I might have sounded nasty about the upgraded folks~~ this is NOT THE CASE AT ALL. I am thrilled for them! Hell with all the upgrades I am hoping to get upgraded to the Walt suite

Its more of a matter of a grumble and a moan for how much we ended up paying

UNREAL![/QUOTE

]

No you did not come off as a snob. In fact what you said makes sense.

I am curious how come disney does not portion out the upgrades more evenly? How thrilled would you be if you booked a value and got a mod. A person getting a mod or lower category deluxe to a higher one just seems to be more logical.

Don't get me wrong I think upgrades are great but take the DCL for an example. From my understanding they will only upgrade you 3 categories. No more. So if you book a catg. 12 you can only go to a 9. If you book a 9 then you could get anything to a catg. 6- which is a very nice room with a private balcony. Now the person who paid for the 12 to get the private balcony just does not seem right IMHO> That is why DCL caps the upgrade. Just makes sense.

 

[Crisgw]

We've never been upgraded but we've only stayed at Deluxe resorts and now with DVC, I know we won't be upgraded! But, that said, I think it's awesome when people get some pixie dust! It's just reinforcement to me that Disney IS the happiest place on earth!!!

 

[devinfl]

oh man I would LOVE an upgrade but wouldnt be disappointed if I didnt get one. I cant believe some people would get upset about another family getting upgraded. Its just like the dreams promotion last year, yes I was a bit jealous of the people who won thing ex the castle stay but mostly I was happy for them and hopefull I could win

 

[luvillians]

This upcoming trip will be our 7th time going to Disney, most of those stays were at Deluxe resorts. We do realize the convenience of staying at a Deluxe and chose to pay a higher price to guarantee that convenience.
If I found out that the person staying in the next room paid value prices and was upgraded to deluxe.........ROCK ON!!! I LOVE hearing about magical things like that at Disney (even if the Disney execs are doing it for the almighty dollar). It's still something neat and wonderful that has happened to a family that was unexpected. I think that is what makes Disney so special. My family (and there are three groups of us that go) have never been recipients of dream passes, upgrades or any of the "magical" extras. We don't expect them but love hearing about it when someone gets them. Like I said, it's what makes Disney magical and special.
About the people on club level that paid "top dollar" that are throwing fits......how do they know who paid that top dollar and who got the complimentary upgrade? Are the upgraders wearing tshirts that say "I got upgraded and you didn't!!!!" Those that are so tacky as to throw fits sound like they are the ones that don't belong at club level disturbing my good time!

 

[mcompton]

Okay, I know, I know . . . upgrades are extremely rare. However, if we were going to get an upgrade from ASMu in June, when do you think they contact people for this? Do they call or email?