Free Upgrade??????

[andmomlau]

I keep seeing people talking about free upgrades that they have received. In all of our trips, we have never been offered a free upgrade....how do you get lucky enough to get this? We are going to POR in a few weeks. Have to say, I'm a little nervous. We were there a few years ago and it wasn't quite as nice as it was when we stayed there as Dixie landings....I'm sure it was just "bad luck," but a free upgrade would sure make up for it!!!!

[Dsnygirl]

We've only had it happen once out of our trips (well, actually, we were offered a second time, but turned it down... ) and I'm actually not quite sure what set it in motion.

Both times we were at AKL, and both times it was an offer to move from a pool view room to a Savannah view... the first time, we took it, as we'd never stayed there before, and our girls were with us... and it was WONDERFUL. The second time, it was just my DH and I, and we actually wanted a pool view, so we turned down the offer.

I'm guessing the first offer was because my girls were with me at check-in, they were just SO excited to just be there... I think the CM was being very kind and "rewarded" their enthusiasm. It was also our anniversary, and that may have played into it...

The second time, we were also there on our anniversary, so maybe that was it the second time around, as well... but I also wonder if maybe AKL has Savannah view rooms routinely open for some reason, and they are allowed to offer them at their discretion??

We've also stayed at CBR and two value resorts, and never were offered an upgrade to "preferred status rooms"... but then, at CBR, we had specific "island" requests, so maybe just getting our preference was our upgrade...

All I know, is it defintely seems to be random... good luck to you, I hope you get a fun offer for one!!

[Polynesian Dweller]

Upgrades are given for the business purposes of the hotel and the front desk must follow the hotel's policies. Its things like maintenance, staffing issues and even good will, but its not random. The best way not to get a free one is to ask for it. But you can ask do an upgrade but be prepared to pay for it.

[gaffz70]

We were upgraded once. I believe it was partly b/c the bldg I requested was probably filled and not as many people were willing to pay for concierge. We were upgraded to the Hawaii concierge bldg at the poly. I also swear that it helped that my ds was celebrating his birthday that week! Either way, it was awesome and I thanked them endlessly!!!

[BrerGnat]

I was upgraded to Club Level at the Boardwalk Inn in May. It was 100% due to overbooking the standard room category, and a last minute convention booking. The front desk CM told me. I had booked a Standard Room at a steep discount, so this was a really great upgrade! Totally random, though.

[Ian]

I've been to WDW over 50 times and only once have I ever been upgraded ... and of course it was for a one night stay!

But it was nice ... we got bumped up from an annex room to Club Level at the Contemporary.

In fairness, though, we've been DVC members for the last five years almost, so upgrades aren't quite as common with DVC.

[c&d]

We were upgraded twice at AKL. We were there in early December in the early 2000's. At that time it was definitely not crowded. We were upgraded from standard views, once to a pool view and the other time a savannah view.

[SBETigg]

There's nothing you can really do to get one. It's usually due to booking issues and what works out for the convenience of the hotel. Sometimes, there's a little extra magic involved, like when we went for my 17th anniversary to the Grand Floridian, where we honeymooned, they gave us a view upgrade from garden view to MK view. It's more common to get that kind of upgrade in a deluxe, I think, but still rare.

We asked for an upgrade on arrival of one our trip to the Polynesian, that we intended and stated we would pay for. What we wanted wasn't available when we booked and we were hopeful. But no, even though we were ready to pay for it, there was no availability in club level that time. If they overbook one resort, they might ask if you would mind an upgrade to another, say you're booked for POR and they ask you to go to Beach Club. That happens very rarely and it's all just depending on the booking needs of the resort.

[brownie]

I've been to WDW over 50 times and only once have I ever been upgraded ... and of course it was for a one night stay!

Wouldn't your castle stay count, too?

[MOJoe]

We were upgraded from a woods view to a courtyard view at the WL this past May. Timing was the main issue. I drove straight through the night and arrived at WDW before 8 a.m. I was unsure i would be able to get a room that early, but was surprised with an upgrade.

The next day i asked the front desk if this was a coincedence. The reply was as such. "If you arrive that early in the morning, we are going to do everything we can to get you into a room as soon as possible." So the fact that the woods view category was still occupied, the higher category was not fully booked, and my early arrival all worked together for my benefit. But, i can see how during a more crowded season i could have been left to enjoy the lobby until a room opened up that afternoon.

[MNNHFLTX]

I've also stayed at WDW resorts (value, moderate and deluxe) numerous times and never received a complimentary upgrade. We tend to book preferred or better view rooms, though, so that's probably why. I guess there's always the possibility of getting upgraded to concierge, but I'm not holding my breath.

[andmomlau]

Thanks everyone!!! I doubt we will be upgraded, but I thought I'd ask! Like I said, we have stayed at POR several times, but the last time, we were very disappointed in the room, the service....

We're staying there this time because we booked last minute and that was what was available with the winter discounted rates...hope we enjoy it as much as we did the first several times we stayed there!!!

[Jeri Lynn]

We've been upgraded from a standard room at the Beach Club to a waterview. Have never been lucky enough to be upgraded to concierge!

[Disney4us2]

Last December we were staying at CBR. I had booked a standard room. On check in we were upgraded to a perferred room near the OPR. Nice garden view as well. This was the only time I have been upgraded.

[Chic-a-pin]

We were upgraded from a standard studio to 1 bedroom savannah on our first and only time at AKL staying on DVC points. Too bad we only stayed one night! When I asked the gal checking us in, she just replied "Disney Magic at work!"

[Bethanymouse]

We have been upgraded before- Once on our honeymoon at the Poly and another at the WL to a great room! I think it is just luck of the draw!

[floridamom]

We have been fortunate to receive many upgrades over the years- probably on more than half of our visits. But I think it's because most of our stays are only 2 or 3 nights, when chances are slim that the upgraded room they give us will be booked at a higher rate at the very last minute. I imagine that it's less likely that Disney would "give away" a higher priced room for a stay of a week or more.

[Cinderelley]

Wouldn't your castle stay count, too?

I thought that too.

[KODABEAR]

We've been upgraded a few times at AKL, Beach Club,CRB, and last Dec at BW. NO reason for any of them. Like others say it's just timing. We are a senior couple so no kids. We just enjoy WDW

[spoiledraf]

We've had a few upgrades. Twice to a pool view at the Beach Club and once the ultimate! We had a club level at the Boardwald and got upgraded to the "Steeplechase Suite", the presidential suite. It's the biggest room in the Boardwalk! Incredible room and view. It was bigger than my house! Taalk about luxury. Fresh flowers in the bathroom???? Who knnew!