WL - increasing your chances of an upgrade

[Jackie H.]

Let me start by saying, we've never gotten a complimentary upgrade and it won't affect the happiness of my vacation one way or the other but....

It seems like the WL staff do more upgrades than other resorts and it would be great if we got one!

So how do you increase your chances of getting one?

Does the time of day you check in affect it any? Early morning, late afternoon? Time of year? Anything at all?

As I said above, I don't need the "if you want a better room pay for it" speech. If I could do that, I would. And I won't be unhappy if they put me in the standard room I am paying for (I don't even understand the logic of that position). I'm happy with what I am getting, but if there are stategies to get something better, I just want to know what they are.

 

[disneyobessed]

Let me start by saying, we've never gotten a complimentary upgrade and it won't affect the happiness of my vacation one way or the other but....

It seems like the WL staff do more upgrades than other resorts and it would be great if we got one!

So how do you increase your chances of getting one?

Does the time of day you check in affect it any? Early morning, late afternoon? Time of year? Anything at all?

As I said above, I don't need the "if you want a better room pay for it" speech. If I could do that, I would. And I won't be unhappy if they put me in the standard room I am paying for (I don't even understand the logic of that position). I'm happy with what I am getting, but if there are stategies to get something better, I just want to know what they are.

i felt the same way you did. we were at the WL the 12-17th and had a standard ressie and were upgraded to a courtyard view once we check in at 11am. we didnt even ask. i did request bunkbeds though and when i checked in i asked right away,"did we get bunkbeds" and she said yes so i made a comment that i heard the standard rooms didnt have them anymore and she said"we upgraded you to courtyard so you could have the bunkbeds" that is my story. im sure there are plenty more!!!

 

[Kae]

We got upgraded in june from woods to Courtyard-one of the rooms was pool view of DVC pool. We got 2 bunk bedrooms. Which we had asked for at time of ressie. I checked befor the rest of the party we had 3 rooms. One needed to Smoking. When I got there shae said we had connecting rooms & asked the non-bunkbed room was smoking she said no. But she could do that but we would not be by each other, will when traveling with family that might not be too bad So she said great I will give you courtyard views.

So I do not know if us not needing connecting helped or not.

It was my first upgrade.

Kae

 

[dznyntnh]

I think just booking standard increases your odds of getting upgraded.

They will always book standards (even if they overbook) while courtyard or woods views will be limited in number, most people are going to go standard to save money, therefore some of those people are going to get upgraded.

Just ask nicely when you check in. Ask about a particular view or being close to the pool. I asked for a King Room, not really caring about the view and got upgraded to a very nice courtyard room.

 

[Lewisc]

And I won't be unhappy if they put me in the standard room I am paying for (I don't even understand the logic of that position). I'm happy with what I am getting, but if there are stategies to get something better, I just want to know what they are.

The best strategy is to go during the slow season. It's a lot easier to get a free upgrade if the resort is half empty than if the resort is almost completely booked.

But a good room in the standard category is better than a bad room in the next category. Decide first what's important to you. Bunk beds? Close to the lobby? King Bed? Those factors may be more important than the view.

It sounds like the bunk beds are gone from the standard category. Asking for bunk beds is a way to ask for a free upgrade without sounding greedy.

 

[Troy08]

We checked in around 12:30(lunch time) with a woods view. We had requested bunks, didn't get them, so that is why I guess we were upgraded to courtyard view. I said "thank you very much" they gave us a great fifth floor room that we all loved.

Basically, I don;t think there are any secret strategies to getting an upgrade. My own opinion, it's a simple luck of the draw.

 

[henrylovespooh]

We booked our trip to WL though Dreams Unlimited. When I made my reservation, I told our agent that because our kids were only 2 and 10 months we wouldn't be able to stay out for the fireworks, so I asked about the Woods View rooms I had read about on the boards. She said they cost more, so she would book a standard room and put a note on our reservation that we would like a Woods View Room for fireworks view if possible.

At check in, I had forgotten to ask about it, and when we got to our room, I have to admit I thought it was a standard room. We looked at trees and some water.

That night when we returned from the parks and put the kids to bed, we heard loud pops and opened our drapes to see the Castle lit up and the fireworks going off. It was amazing. Apparently, we did get upgraded to the Woods View after all.

I've read about others on the DIS who fax requests to their hotel a few days before they arrive, but I don't know if that is still acceptable or even works. I'm like you, I don't think I could ask myself when I checked in. Too chicken.

 

[HClayton]

Is it worth faxing the resort before arrival and if so how far in advance?

We would like bunks for our children but know we won't arrive until at least 6pm because of our flight.

Thanks
Helen

 

[safetymom]

Most resorts and that includes WL are ignoring the faxes. Just make sure your requests are noted in your reservation and then relax. When you get to WL ask again if your requests haven't been granted.

 

[jerry]

The best way to increase your chances of a room upgrade is to ask about the posibilities for one when you check in and be polite and understanding. Our family did a 7 night stay in June at the Contemporary. We had a package that included a standard wing room. When we arrived to check in I asked about a possible room upgrade. The lady checking us in gave us an upgrade to a better view and location, though still in the wing. We got our passes and a phone number and were told to call back around 1:00 and see if the room was ready. I called at 1:00 and the room was not ready. I called at 3:00 and the room was not ready. I was very understanding but I did mention that we were tired and looking forward to getting into the room. The lady on the phone then told me to hold on for a minute. A minute later a gentleman answered the phone and appologized for the delays. He said that our room was ready and we needed to come by the desk to get new cards. When we returned to the hotel desk we were given new cards to a tower room in the center of the hotel, two floors above the monorail station with a balcony that overlooked the Magic Kingdom. Needless to say this was a dream come true.

 

[Disneyworldreaming]

I have gotten 2 upgrades on my last trip a couple months ago. they told me that they were pre-assingned before I even got there. and that the "room assigner" does this before even getting there. so it sounds like it is pre-planned to me.

 

[Jackie H.]

Thank you all for your advice and experiences!

Like I said, we would be happy either way...but it sure would be special to geat a free upgrade. Something special always seems to happen when we are at Disney, so if it doesn't happen I am sure something else will!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

The best way to increase your chances of a room upgrade is to ask about the posibilities for one when you check in and be polite and understanding. Our family did a 7 night stay in June at the Contemporary. We had a package that included a standard wing room. When we arrived to check in I asked about a possible room upgrade. The lady checking us in gave us an upgrade to a better view and location, though still in the wing. We got our passes and a phone number and were told to call back around 1:00 and see if the room was ready. I called at 1:00 and the room was not ready. I called at 3:00 and the room was not ready. I was very understanding but I did mention that we were tired and looking forward to getting into the room. The lady on the phone then told me to hold on for a minute. A minute later a gentleman answered the phone and appologized for the delays. He said that our room was ready and we needed to come by the desk to get new cards. When we returned to the hotel desk we were given new cards to a tower room in the center of the hotel, two floors above the monorail station with a balcony that overlooked the Magic Kingdom. Needless to say this was a dream come true.

That happened to my family. I took my 2 older kids to Disney last November. My wife stayed home with infant son. We were booked in a wing room. My younger daughter has Asperger's and some sensory issues. When I checked in. I only asked to be put in a wing room closest to the main building. She checked, then walked in back and then came out and put us in the tower facing the MK! We were staying from Wed to Monday. At first they said we could only stay until Sat morning than have to move. I was like fine, you are doing me the big favor. Sat morning comes. I go back to the desk..she checks with the manager and comes back and tells me just to stay in the room. Being in the main building made it so much easier on my daughter and me.