What's the real deal with free upgrades?

[BellaBelle27]

I've been making trips to Disney for a very long time, but I'm not so naive to think that I'm the only one. I know there are lots of return visitors. So what's the real deal with stories about repeat visitors randomly getting free upgrades at their resorts (better rates, better rooms, rooms with views, etc.) when they check in?

Is it really just up to the person checking you in? And how do they decide? Do they look on their own for better offers if they like you or does their computer tell them to offer things to random guests?

Does it hurt/help to ask? I always feel funny asking someone for an upgrade. I'm sure they hear stories of people coming back all the time. We usually travel for an anniversary and a birthday, and we tell them ahead of time but that's never seemed to impress anyone.
We almost always travel during the mid summer or Easter time and stay at the Poly, so I always just figured at such a popular and crowded resort they simply have no upgrades at such busy times.

So, does anyone know the rhyme and reason for upgrades? Any stories of how you've received any?

 

[Master Yoda]

By policy upgrades are done only for operational needs of the resort or due to errors in booking (ie All Stars are overbooked due to a problem with a room so guest is upgraded to a moderate or better resort) Again by policy if you ask for an upgrade and it is available you will be charged for it. Bottom line is it is completely random and up to the discretion of the person checking you in.

 

[JPVonDrake]

By policy upgrades are done only for operational needs of the resort or due to errors in booking (ie All Stars are overbooked due to a problem with a room so guest is upgraded to a moderate or better resort) Again by policy if you ask for an upgrade and it is available you will be charged for it. Bottom line is it is completely random and up to the discretion of the person checking you in.

While Master Yoda is 100% correct, let me add that the Front Desk Cast Member is not the one who would determine a complimentary upgrade. This is done by the room assigners / managerment prior to your arrival. Past visits does not factor in as a first time visitor will have the same equal chance of an upgraded room. It is simply a randomly dertermined Disney Magical Moment!

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

A myth comparable with sightings of big foot and nessie

 

[devoy1701]

On my December 2007 trip I was upgraded from a Woods View room at the Wilderness Lodge to a Honeymoon Suite.

That was like a 4 catagory jump....the room I paid for was $225/night, the room I was given was a $450/night room. Completely with my Whirlpool Tub with Waterfall Faucet, a private Balcony, Free movie rental, and access to the Concierge Lounge (which was only 2 doors down from me).

I don't know why we got the upgrade, I just remember logging online to verify my reservation the week before my trip, but I wasn't able to view it, so I called the reservation line and they said that I had been upgraded and asked if I wanted to keep the upgrade or be put back in a Woods View room...naturally I kept the upgrade!!!

 

[k.hunter30]

On my December 2007 trip I was upgraded from a Woods View room at the Wilderness Lodge to a Honeymoon Suite.

That was like a 4 catagory jump....the room I paid for was $225/night, the room I was given was a $450/night room. Completely with my Whirlpool Tub with Waterfall Faucet, a private Balcony, Free movie rental, and access to the Concierge Lounge (which was only 2 doors down from me).

I don't know why we got the upgrade, I just remember logging online to verify my reservation the week before my trip, but I wasn't able to view it, so I called the reservation line and they said that I had been upgraded and asked if I wanted to keep the upgrade or be put back in a Woods View room...naturally I kept the upgrade!!!

Wow! Lucky you!

 

[disneydiva72]

Does it work for birthdays? My sons birthday is Christmas day (we are checking in on the 23rd, leaving the 27th) and I was hoping to get an upgrade....should i ask now before we leave? Or wait until I get there? :lol:

 

[dgtolbert222]

upgrade happened to us too, we went the second week of October last year and paid for a gardenm wing room at the Contemporary and when we checked in we had a tower room with a view of the MK. I think they do it because they know now since we stayed with the MK view I could never just go and have a room looking at a parking lot or water

 

[BellaBelle27]

On my December 2007 trip I was upgraded from a Woods View room at the Wilderness Lodge to a Honeymoon Suite.

That was like a 4 catagory jump....the room I paid for was $225/night, the room I was given was a $450/night room. Completely with my Whirlpool Tub with Waterfall Faucet, a private Balcony, Free movie rental, and access to the Concierge Lounge (which was only 2 doors down from me).

I don't know why we got the upgrade, I just remember logging online to verify my reservation the week before my trip, but I wasn't able to view it, so I called the reservation line and they said that I had been upgraded and asked if I wanted to keep the upgrade or be put back in a Woods View room...naturally I kept the upgrade!!!

Wow that is really really lucky! What a nice surprise.

 

[CheltonJ]

I also got upgraded when I went in Nov 2007.

We had booked a standard view room at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and when we checked in the front desk cast member said we had been upgraded to a pool view room to which I thought marvellous as I had heard that sometimes they upgrade you. After a few more minutes he then said he had made a mistake and we hadn't been upgraded to a pool view room and that we had actually been upgraded to a savannah view room which I have to say really shocked me but it was fantastic to wake up every morning and look out the window to see all the wild animals grazing just outside your window.

But I have to agree with a previous post that said that now youo've stayed in a room like that you're just gonna want to book a similar view each time you stay!