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:

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I think everyone missed the point here. What stirred the pot was someone complaining about their meager pay and yet staying at a deluxe resort. Question should have been left at, "how do you go about getting an upgrade" and not going into detail about how much you are paid as a teacher. Person brought this up themselves, had they not no one would have said a thing.

It's no ones business what type of work a person does and they should not be put down for it. I deal with people who are budgeting constantly and NEVER have I ever said anything derogatory to them about it. It is just rude to do so.

No one missed the point. He asked a question about getting an upgrade and mentioned his line of work plain and simple. And now you are going to complain about how he worded it???? Come on. Just because they mention what their profession is and that they do not make a lot of money does no give anyone the right to make derogatory comments about it.

These forums are to HELP people not put them down. I take great pride in what I do and in trying to help others.

Pam

 

[JPVonDrake]

To answer the OP's original questions...

Master Yoda is 100% correct.

By policy Disney now only gives free upgrades for operational reasons. If you ask for an upgrade and it is available by policy you will be charged for it. Here is an example of an operational reason for an upgrade. If a guest were booked in a standard view room at AKL but the resort is only partially full and the only standard view room left is in an unoccupied section. Putting a guest in that room could necessitate putting on extra cleaning staff, but there is an available Savannah view room that would not require putting on extra staff. The CM could potential put that guest in that upgraded room to make things easier for the cleaning staff. If a free upgrade is available it is up to the discretion of the CM as to who gets it.

In the past, especially after 9/11 when the resorts were only at 60% +/- capacity, Disney use to give out free upgrades all the time. But like with most good things it got abused and Disney shut the faucet off. From my understanding AKL was the most abused resort. It became almost common practice to book a standard room and ask for a free upgrade to a Savannah room simply because 90% of the time you would get it.

From my own personal experience the surest way NOT to get a free upgrade is to ask for it. The best way to get slid into that better room is to simply be nice to the CM checking you in. Engage in casual conversation, ask them how there day is going, if you are celebrating something like a birthday, anniversary, etc ask them for a recommendation for a restaurant to celebrate. Pretty much follow the "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar" philosophy. However for the dates that you are traveling the resorts will be at or near 100% occupancy so the need to move guests around at the resort more than likely not exist. Still be nice and see what good karma will get you.

Also to clearify...

Most requests are for the MK view not the Lagoon, that is why you made out okay. They didn't charge you because unless they changed things from when I left there in April a year ago, both Lagoon and MK view were the same price.

2007 Disney's Polynesian Resort Room Rates

Lagoon View Room - $425 to $625 per night depending on season.
Magic Kingdom View Room - $455 - $670 per night depending on season.

2006 Disney's Polynesian Resort Room Rates

Lagoon View Room - $410 to $600 per night depending on season.
Magic Kingdom View Room - $440 - $645 per night depending on season.

I would like to request a moderator close this thread as the original post has been answered.

 

[CleveRocks]

For the record Eric, my son is a doctor so I am well aware of the cost of the education and the years of training they go through. I was only saying that it is your choice what you want to do with your life. Being a teacher is a very admirable profession and had it not been for good teachers my son today would not be a doctor. But don't choose your profession and the moan and groan about the pay, when you are indeed staying at a deluxe resort which most people cannot afford to do. That was my argument.

I hear you. Thanks for clarifying. :wave:

 

[ssidiouss@mac.c]

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).

Does the Swan/Dolphin have discount for mailmen? We are government employees.

 

[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

Kingdom Konsultant.... Most of us just thought it to be a contradiction to mention one's meager salaries while staying at AKL. OP didn't need to go into the speil, I mean complaint, about their personal finanaces, how much they owe in loans, how much they love their job w/meager wages and how things were so tough...... BUT I'm staying at the AKL. :veryconfu

Just made me laugh and say HMM....

 

[cymbaldiva]

Hasn't the original question been asked and answered?

I'm fairly sure it has - why does anyone feel the need to pass judgement on the OP for asking?

 

[tigsmom]

Does the Swan/Dolphin have discount for mailmen? We are government employees.

Sorry I missed this earlier...

from allearsnet under the discounts listed -

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Government -- Eligible employees are U.S. Federal and State employees,
National Government employees, active military personnel, Amtrak employees,
and Canadian Provincial employees. The guest will be required to provide
government or military identification supporting this at check-in.
Room may be booked for Business or Pleasure

Give them a call and see what it is.
[/FONT]

 

[tigsmom]

Kingdom Konsultant.... Most of us just thought it to be a contradiction to mention one's meager salaries while staying at AKL. OP didn't need to go into the speil, I mean complaint, about their personal finanaces, how much they owe in loans, how much they love their job w/meager wages and how things were so tough...... BUT I'm staying at the AKL. :veryconfu

Just made me laugh and say HMM....

While this is correct, some of the responses given were a bit harsh. No matter what anyone makes, wouldn't we all like a complimentary upgrade? :lol:
In all ours years going to WDW we have received one, once (after 9/11 and before the upswing in attendance). We considered it just an extra bit of Magic and have never expected (nor received) it again. :shrug:

 

[dvalentine]

All I wanted was a few questions answered. I heard this board was very helpful for first time families going to Disney. I was not expecting to get chastised for my original comments nor criticized for spelling errors. After other comments came to pass, I felt the need to defend myself. I was only looking for some harmless information. I was not looking to be rebuked by some fellow board members. I thought this was a family board, so I guess it makes me go hmm! For those who provided me with concrete and honest answers thank you very much. Yes I am staying at AKL and I suspect like many of you I have worked and saved a great deal to go there. In the end I was only looking for objective information not subjective. Forgive my teacher joke. DV :lookaroun

 

[WDW FAN 4 LIFE]

I would say you're chances are 0.00% of a free upgrade. If you want something better then change you're reservation and $ to upgrade you're room.