So what are the chances for a complimentary upgrade during Christmas week?

[dvalentine]

So has anyone ever had success in upgrading their rooms during XMAS week? We are staying at AKL and hoping, although a fleeting hope, that we could upgrade to a Savannah Room. Also do they ever reduce the price of concierge services when you arrive, hah, I doubt it, but why not dream. If anyone can elude to any secrets I would be most appreciative. I am hoping they take pity on a high school teacher. DV

:xmas:

 

[Nemo14]

I'd say you have 2 chances - slim and none. That's one of the busiest weeks there!

 

[tooltime]

i've been told if it is your first visit to WDW your chances are better. not sure about the Christmas season though.

 

[tigsmom]

Forget about complimentary upgrades, they rarely happen anymore. During the holidays your chance would be even slimmer. You've booked a great resort so why not relax and enjoy the vacation you have. Sorry.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Um, why would they take pitty on a high school teacher over anyone else?

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Um, why would they take pitty on a high school teacher over anyone else?

They have as much chance as anyone

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Two Hopes but one of thems Bob.

 

[disneydudette]

Our first (and only lol) Christmas at Disney was in 2001, nearly 3 months after the 9/11 attacks. There had been rumors of POR (our resort) shutting down due to low occupency, and sure enough, 2 weeks before our departure... we got a call from Disney. The end result though? A beautiful room at the Polynesian overlooking the quiet pool.

My situation is extremely rare, but as you can see, it's happening at the AKL due to their construction. I would never expect to see it happen again unless there are extreme circumstances.

Upgrades are nice, but never expect them. When we stayed at AKL we were upgraded from a standard to pool view, but we were only staying there one night, and had we wanted a certain view room, we would have booked it.

You are always more then welcome to inquire about upgrades... but if you are interested in a specific room type, book it, no questions asked. Christmas is an extremely popular time of year and very little, if any, rooms will be left unoccupied.

 

[tigsmom]

Our first (and only lol) Christmas at Disney was in 2001, nearly 3 months after the 9/11 attacks. There had been rumors of POR (our resort) shutting down due to low occupency, and sure enough, 2 weeks before our departure... we got a call from Disney. The end result though? A beautiful room at the Polynesian overlooking the quiet pool.

My situation is extremely rare, but as you can see, it's happening at the AKL due to their construction. I would never expect to see it happen again unless there are extreme circumstances.

Upgrades are nice, but never expect them. When we stayed at AKL we were upgraded from a standard to pool view, but we were only staying there one night, and had we wanted a certain view room, we would have booked it.

You are always more then welcome to inquire about upgrades... but if you are interested in a specific room type, book it, no questions asked. Christmas is an extremely popular time of year and very little, if any, rooms will be left unoccupied.

To that I would add, but know that you will almost surely have to pay for it.

As you said, your case was rare. After 9/11 travel had just about stopped and they were doing just about anything to get people to come back. We had left WDW only two weeks before that and the place was packed!

 

[slappy magoo]

I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone ASK for a free upgrade. Flame me all you want, but to me that's the height of tackiness, unless you're a child. If I worked at a hotel and someone came up and asked for a free upgrade, just because (not because of anything that had gone wrong that may have inconvenienced the guest), it'd be all I could do not to laugh in their face.

I'd normally suggest (and even this is kinda sleazy to some people) casually mentioning that it's a special occasion, a birthday, an anniversary, a honeymoon, etc. But during the holidays, forget it. It's a special occasion for pretty much anyone going to WDW for the holidays, and your story or circumstance would have to be Make-A-Wish-Foundation-esque to rise above anyone else's.

Your best bet to get something for nothing? Seriously? Book your first couple of nights in a savannah room, then switch to a standard. It might be less of a hassle for the CMs to let you stay in one room for the duration of your stay. Worst case scenario, you paid a little more, but got the view you wanted for at least a few nights.

 

[CleveRocks]

So has anyone ever had success in upgrading their rooms during XMAS week? We are staying at AKL and hoping, although a fleeting hope, that we could upgrade to a Savannah Room. Also do they ever reduce the price of concierge services when you arrive, hah, I doubt it, but why not dream. If anyone can elude to any secrets I would be most appreciative. I am hoping they take pity on a high school teacher. DV

:xmas:

Yeh, Christmas week at WDW resorts is sort of like World Series time at a hosting ballpark. Imagine walking up to the gate with 2 tickets for the farthest out nosebleed section they have and asking if they have any better seats available ... Christmas at WDW is something kinda like that. Sory for the bad news. You can always ask, but I agree that asking for a free upgrade is would be quite tacky.

Any other advice eludes me. Any chance you're an English teacher???

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

So has anyone ever had success in upgrading their rooms during XMAS week? We are staying at AKL and hoping, although a fleeting hope, that we could upgrade to a Savannah Room. Also do they ever reduce the price of concierge services when you arrive, hah, I doubt it, but why not dream. If anyone can elude to any secrets I would be most appreciative. I am hoping they take pity on a high school teacher. DV

:xmas:

Better chance seeing Steamboat Willy at a Meet & Greet!!!

 

[dvalentine]

Yikes! I wasn’t expecting some of those responses, some comments a bit abrasive. I was only inquiring since I have yet to stay in Disney resort. Teachers don’t make a whole heck of a lot for what they do and the cost of degrees required to be a teacher. I just wanted to see if I could make my daughter’s first experience more enjoyable. I just couldn’t afford that much more to stay in a savannah room. People forget we are bound to school vacations, the worst time to travel, and people forget that it takes a good ten years to increase our meager salaries. I have three degrees and it took almost ten years to make a respectable salary. I take the job seriously, for without teachers, well, there aren’t doctors, policemen, firemen, and future leaders. I am sure there are plenty of teachers on this board and I love my job. But I work straight through vacations and summers supplementing my income with other jobs. Two kids are not cheap as we know and living in/around Boston isn’t either. At any rate, take no offense, for I just felt I needed to clear the air. I am one that is far from being tawdry. Heck, my students learn the first week of school how to be a tactful individual. Have a good night all. Thanks for the comments. DV

 

[tigsmom]

Yikes! I wasn’t expecting some of those responses, some comments a bit abrasive. I was only inquiring since I have yet to stay in Disney resort. Teachers don’t make a whole heck of a lot for what they do and the cost of degrees required to be a teacher. I just wanted to see if I could make my daughter’s first experience more enjoyable. I just couldn’t afford that much more to stay in a savannah room. People forget we are bound to school vacations, the worst time to travel, and people forget that it takes a good ten years to increase our meager salaries. I have three degrees and it took almost ten years to make a respectable salary. I take the job seriously, for without teachers, well, there aren’t doctors, policemen, firemen, and future leaders. I am sure there are plenty of teachers on this board and I love my job. But I work straight through vacations and summers supplementing my income with other jobs. Two kids are not cheap as we know and living in/around Boston isn’t either. At any rate, take no offense, for I just felt I needed to clear the air. I am one that is far from being tawdry. Heck, my students learn the first week of school how to be a tactful individual. Have a good night all. Thanks for the comments. DV

Well the plain truth is its just not going to happen unless you have a fairy godmother. Sorry.

The Swan/Dolphin have teacher discounts, but I'd rather stay at a standard room in the AKL, but that is my choice (we qualify for the fireman/nurse discounts there).

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

Yikes! I wasn’t expecting some of those responses, some comments a bit abrasive. I was only inquiring since I have yet to stay in Disney resort. Teachers don’t make a whole heck of a lot for what they do and the cost of degrees required to be a teacher. I just wanted to see if I could make my daughter’s first experience more enjoyable. I just couldn’t afford that much more to stay in a savannah room. People forget we are bound to school vacations, the worst time to travel, and people forget that it takes a good ten years to increase our meager salaries. I have three degrees and it took almost ten years to make a respectable salary. I take the job seriously, for without teachers, well, there aren’t doctors, policemen, firemen, and future leaders. I am sure there are plenty of teachers on this board and I love my job. But I work straight through vacations and summers supplementing my income with other jobs. Two kids are not cheap as we know and living in/around Boston isn’t either. At any rate, take no offense, for I just felt I needed to clear the air. I am one that is far from being tawdry. Heck, my students learn the first week of school how to be a tactful individual. Have a good night all. Thanks for the comments. DV

Hmm... I hears gentle violins playing in the backround.
And lifes just an easy ride for everyone else, right????? Come live in New Jersey and then you can complain about cost of living, traffic and just about anything else!!!! :lol:

 

[slappy magoo]

Look, my wife is a teacher - and in New Jersey, so apparently we get screwed coming and going! - so we're well familiar with the low pay and lack of respect teachers often get firsthand. Yet, even before we got together, she was never the kind of person to ask for something for nothing. Not for herself, not for anyone she loves.

I also have 2 sibs who are also teachers, one of them for violent special-needs kids. They don't ask for bupkiss.

Do I think teachers deserve more than they usually get? My opinion is biased, but absolutely. Do I think it's tacky for a teacher or anyone else to use their low-paying profession or physical situation or loved one as a blunt instrument to gt more than what they paid for (come on, I'm a teacher/ fire fighter/ vet / wheelchair- bound/ mom!)? My opinion may be biased, but absolutely.

 

[Nemo14]

Look, my wife is a teacher - and in New Jersey, so apparently we get screwed coming and going! - so we're well familiar with the low pay and lack of respect teachers often get firsthand. Yet, even before we got together, she was never the kind of person to ask for something for nothing. Not for herself, not for anyone she loves.

I also have 2 sibs who are also teachers, one of them for violent special-needs kids. They don't ask for bupkiss.

Do I think teachers deserve more than they usually get? My opinion is biased, but absolutely. Do I think it's tacky for a teacher or anyone else to use their low-paying profession or physical situation or loved one as a blunt instrument to gt more than what they paid for (come on, I'm a teacher/ fire fighter/ vet / wheelchair- bound/ mom!)? My opinion may be biased, but absolutely.

Well-said Slappy. I'm a former teacher married to a teacher, mother of a teacher, and sister/sister-in-law to many teachers, and we all do what we do because that's where our talents lie. Now I wouldn't turn down an offer for special treatment (remember the year that teachers got into Epcot for free?), but I would never stoop to begging for special treatment.



That being said, anyone want to pay for DS' college education? :lookaroun


:ROFLOL:

 

[DABIGCHEEZ]

Yikes! I wasn’t expecting some of those responses, some comments a bit abrasive. I was only inquiring since I have yet to stay in Disney resort. Teachers don’t make a whole heck of a lot for what they do and the cost of degrees required to be a teacher. I just wanted to see if I could make my daughter’s first experience more enjoyable. I just couldn’t afford that much more to stay in a savannah room. People forget we are bound to school vacations, the worst time to travel, and people forget that it takes a good ten years to increase our meager salaries. I have three degrees and it took almost ten years to make a respectable salary. I take the job seriously, for without teachers, well, there aren’t doctors, policemen, firemen, and future leaders. I am sure there are plenty of teachers on this board and I love my job. But I work straight through vacations and summers supplementing my income with other jobs. Two kids are not cheap as we know and living in/around Boston isn’t either. At any rate, take no offense, for I just felt I needed to clear the air. I am one that is far from being tawdry. Heck, my students learn the first week of school how to be a tactful individual. Have a good night all. Thanks for the comments. DV

Hmm... meager salaries???

I gotta tell the boss I want a meager salary so I can afford the Animal Kingdom Lodge too? :veryconfu Just made me chuckle when I reread it.

 

[DisneyWood]

Yikes! I wasn’t expecting some of those responses, some comments a bit abrasive. I was only inquiring since I have yet to stay in Disney resort. Teachers don’t make a whole heck of a lot for what they do and the cost of degrees required to be a teacher. I just wanted to see if I could make my daughter’s first experience more enjoyable. I just couldn’t afford that much more to stay in a savannah room. People forget we are bound to school vacations, the worst time to travel, and people forget that it takes a good ten years to increase our meager salaries. I have three degrees and it took almost ten years to make a respectable salary. I take the job seriously, for without teachers, well, there aren’t doctors, policemen, firemen, and future leaders. I am sure there are plenty of teachers on this board and I love my job. But I work straight through vacations and summers supplementing my income with other jobs. Two kids are not cheap as we know and living in/around Boston isn’t either. At any rate, take no offense, for I just felt I needed to clear the air. I am one that is far from being tawdry. Heck, my students learn the first week of school how to be a tactful individual. Have a good night all. Thanks for the comments. DV

It appears that you may have taken some of the posts rather personal. They were only giving their opinions to the questions asked. I don't think anyone here doubts that you work extremely hard at your career as well as being a mother of 2 and take both jobs serious. I think everyone on this board would like to receive free upgrades and have the ultimate WDW vacation. (I know that I would). Don't we are try to figure out ways to get back to WDW?:lol:

Anyways, we went to WDW this past December, and it was completely packed. I don't think it would hurt to ask for an upgrade, and I don't think it is tacky in my opinion. The chances are slim that you will get an upgrade, but you won't know until you try. (maybe you will get lucky & they will upgrade you to the Cinderella Castle). If you can't get a savannah room, then request a room right across from a miranda, where you can go early in the morning to watch the animals.

You need to do what you can to make the trip more enjoyable for your family, regardless of what anyone says on this board. I know that I would. As long as you are in WDW, it really won't matter where you stay. Have a great trip.:xmas:

 

[Hakunamatata]

To be honest, some of my more memorable trips have been while staying at the All Stars.