Chance for an upgrade??

**Lindsey310** · 08-10-2012, 12:49 PM

We are leaving for Disney in 19 days!!! My husband and I are going with my in-laws and niece and staying at pop century. My inlaws and niece are all first timers. We are traveling 8/30-9/4. Has Anyone traveling these dates received an upgrade? I have heard of people checking into all star or pop and then being shipped to Art of animation!
In 09 we were booked at pop then I received an email saying we could upgrade to either Saratoga or old key west: what a treat!!!
I'm wondering if I should call and ask or if I should wait until we go in and ask for a possible upgrade?

**faline** · 08-10-2012, 12:54 PM

If you ask for an upgrade - particularly to a more expensive resort, expect to be asked to pay for it. Upgrades to another resort such as the one you described above typically are offered when Disney needs to limit the number of room available in a resort for some reason - such as starting refurbishment of a resort after the rooms are already booked.

Typically, if "magical" upgrades are offered, they are more likely to be in the same resort and to something like a better view.

**Gator** · 08-10-2012, 03:49 PM

The only upgrade I've ever received was to a preferred room at CBr. And that was because cheerleaders had taken over nearly all of the non-preferred rooms. It was a nice perk, but I'm far from ever expecting an upgrade to a better resort. Shoot, the free dining plan is the best perk I can think of, so I'm happy with just that.

**MargaretMessler** · 08-10-2012, 04:13 PM

More than once I have received an upgrade to a preferred room within the same resort, but I have never been moved to a better resort all together.

**Lindsey310** · 08-10-2012, 04:18 PM

Margaret: did you ask for a free upgrade or were they just offered to you? Thanks for your input

**dnickels** · 08-10-2012, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by Lindsey310

Margaret: did you ask for a free upgrade or were they just offered to you? Thanks for your input

If you ask for it, you need to be prepared to pay the cost difference between what you booked and what you want for an upgrade. In fact when CMs chime in on the issue they generally say the #1 way to not get a free upgrade is to ask for it. They give away free upgrades when they're overbooked or just as a little 'pixie dust' to random guests. I get the thought process that it doesn't hurt to ask, but trust me, don't ask for them to upgrade you for free, just be pleasantly surprised if you happen to get one.

**Jodi** · 08-10-2012, 06:51 PM

We stayed at Pop since it opened, always around that time of the year too. Not once were we ever offered an upgrade. Never asked either though. We now like staying at the Caribbean Beach Resort, perhaps I will throw that out there when we arrive 8/25!

**Crow** · 08-10-2012, 10:17 PM

i ws thinking of when i check into POP on the 20th to ask to b in the building across the lake

Id like to stay at AOA.
once i was upgraded at WL to pool view, didnt know it at the time though

**Polynesian Dweller** · 08-10-2012, 10:27 PM

Upgrades are a rarity. They are given for the business reasons of the hotel, and believe me as a hotelier, one of those reasons is not to lose revenue. A free upgrade is effectively losing revenue which is why they usually aren't given if requested.

Others have given some of the business reasons such as room/building maintenance, staffing issues, trying to get a guest to buy the higher category the next time, and even good will (pixie dust in Disney terms.

To give an idea of the rarity. If Disney gave upgrades on 2% its approximate 27000 guest rooms that would be 197,000 room nights per year. A large number which is why you hear about them on boards like these. But that means there are about 9,658,000 room nights not upgraded. The odds aren't great.

It is, however, always ok to ask for an upgrade if you are prepared to pay for it. So sure ask for one when you get there. Just don't ask for free and you might still get a free one. However, be prepared to be disappointed.

**jimsgal05** · 08-11-2012, 08:07 PM

:We are leaving for Disney in 19 days!!! My husband and I are going with my in-laws and niece and staying at pop century. My inlaws and niece are all first timers. We are traveling 8/30-9/4. Has Anyone traveling these dates received an upgrade? I have heard of people checking into all star or pop and then being shipped to Art of animation!
In 09 we were booked at pop then I received an email saying we could upgrade to either Saratoga or old key west: what a treat!!!
I'm wondering if I should call and ask or if I should wait until we go in and ask for a possible upgrade" OMG the same thing happened to us with POP back in 2009 to SS! and last yr from POP to Poly we were asked if we wanted an upgrade once we got to poly... we are going in 14 days..and have an autsic child I just hope the people next to us are not loud. we were just so lucky 2 times.. I hope at least once everyone gets a free up grade!!!

**Crow** · 08-12-2012, 02:21 PM

wow you have been lucky.
I would love to b upgraded from POP to AOA when i get there on t 20th

**buzznwoodysmom** · 08-12-2012, 03:59 PM

Perhaps I'm in the minority here, but I would feel very uncomfortable asking for any kind of FREE upgrade, especially to a higher level resort.

If I would ever get up enough nerve to ask for any kind of upgrade, I would be asking if I could pay to be upgraded. Otherwise I book what I want and only expect that that's what I am going to get.

**Jen C.** · 08-12-2012, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

Perhaps I'm in the minority here, but I would feel very uncomfortable asking for any kind of FREE upgrade, especially to a higher level resort.

If I would ever get up enough nerve to ask for any kind of upgrade, I would be asking if I could pay to be upgraded. Otherwise I book what I want and only expect that that's what I am going to get.

I am right there with you!!!

**mom2morgan** · 08-12-2012, 06:49 PM

OMG from POP to Poly??? I think you won the lottery on that one. Seriously, Poly is my dream resort, but I'm afraid that's where it's staying!

**jimsgal05** · 08-13-2012, 08:24 AM

I would never ask, I recieved and email asking me if you would want one!! both times..plus the 1st time at POP we had the free dinning which was counter service..ya that was up graded too when they gave us SS resort for free...Ya I fell out of my shoes..and asked for many times because we were in disbeleif!!! I found out why they over book the POP in Sept 09' for the month of Aug durring free dinning... poly pure dumb luck BUT I wish it on everyone!!!

we leave in les than 2 weeks and my husband siad " so this time we really are staying at the POP", "yes we are "I said!!! he said Finally with a funny smile

**TheVBs** · 08-13-2012, 09:05 AM

Always love hearing about the upgrade stories!

What a magical moment. We've never been upgraded in WDW. But once, we received an incredible rate offer on a studio at Disney's Hilton Head Island resort. When we got there they'd upgraded us to a 2 bedroom villa! I've never felt so spoiled.

**Mickey'sIrishPAl** · 08-13-2012, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

Perhaps I'm in the minority here, but I would feel very uncomfortable asking for any kind of FREE upgrade, especially to a higher level resort.

If I would ever get up enough nerve to ask for any kind of upgrade, I would be asking if I could pay to be upgraded. Otherwise I book what I want and only expect that that's what I am going to get.

Exactly. I think that getting a FREE upgrade is great for those who receive it and I am happy that it has happened for so many on Intercot. But to ask Disney for an upgrade when you have mad eyour reservation does not seem right to me. To me (and I do not want anyone to take this the wrong way because I am not pointing fingers at anyone...just a general opinion)the idea of asking for an upgrade is a bit over the line. When I say this it means, you have already booked your vacation, paid for it, maybe already received a discount of some sort (ie. free dining) and now are maybe hoping for some other perk. I guess my thinking is that if I want to stay at the Poly or any other deluxe, then I should pay to stay there. If I want a room by the pool then i should pay extra for that section. I think it would be great for anyone to get these free perks and I am happy to hear these great stories but my point is...if I'm paying extra to stay where I want then why should someone else get to stay where I want and pay less or get it for free?

**Lindsey310** · 08-13-2012, 12:48 PM

We always get upgraded when we go to the the Caribbean. Asking is not a crime, and you never know what the answer may be! In a place that makes billions each year, they should not take offense to that!

16 days and counting!!!!!!!

**mom2morgan** · 08-14-2012, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by Lindsey310

We always get upgraded when we go to the the Caribbean. Asking is not a crime, and you never know what the answer may be! In a place that makes billions each year, they should not take offense to that!

16 days and counting!!!!!!!

Just wondering - what kind of upgrades did you get at Carribean? And did you ASK for them, or were they surprises? I've always been in the "never ask for an upgrade" camp since I thought they like to do that to suprise poeple and it always seemed a little...greedy. But maybe I'm too timid and I'm missing out?