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:

 

[DisneyWood]

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

We have stayed at the All Stars several times. It seemed that it gradually got a little worse each time we stayed there. I know that a lot of people on this board love the All Stars, I just haven't been able to share the enthusiam. :shrug:

Like I said earlier, it really doesn't matter where you stay IN WDW, as long as you are IN WDW. Am I right?:sohappy:

 

[Kriszee1]

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:

:ROFLOL: Try living in NJ and being a school secretary! Talk about school districts scraping the bottom of the barrel to pay us! Hmmmm. maybe they would take pity on me? Doubt it....Christmas time??? Hell would have to freeze over first!:fork:

 

[slappy magoo]

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.

Just for the record, I don't think it's tacky to ask for an upgrade. I think it's tacky to ask for a free upgrade. If you're willing to pay for it, go for it.

 

[Master Yoda]

Since no one has mentioned it I will throw this out for the OP.

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.

 

[mousefan1972]

Wow, after reading Master Yoda's post I'm even more grateful for the free upgrade we got at WL last September (booked standard view, got courtyard). We didn't ask for one (we were happy enough just being there!) and the CM checking us in casusally said "you got one of the best rooms in the resort". She never actually said we received an upgrade. Both DH and I thought it was strange that a standard view room was one of the best in the resort. When we got to the room, went out to the balcony and saw a straight on view of Bay Lake, we realized we were upgraded. I went back down to the front desk and thanked the CM profusely. It was a great surprise, but it was definitely not expected. Also we were there duing a slower time (right after Labor Day). I would agree with those who said the best way to assure getting the view you want is to pay for that category. That way you're not disappointed! I'm trying to convince DH that we should get a MK view at the Poly for our next trip... but it's not working. So we'll book garden view, and be happy with it! :animwink:

 

[dvalentine]

Thanks for the input. Really, I am not taking anything personally. I appreciate the feedback and respect everyone's opinion. A tremendous amount of savings and working multiple jobs was involved so we can go this year. Also, I am from NJ originally, about forty miles from NYC, so I know what it is to live there. Currently I live on the North Shore in Massachusetts, Peabody to be exact. I believe a report came out last year that it is the most expensive place to live in the U.S. due to salaries vs. cost of living. At any rate, I was only inquiring because I never stayed in WDW resort and several people told me to ask about both paid and free upgrades. I also heard to be very nice to the staff and they sometimes will do that as one writer pointed out. Not that I wouldn't be pleasant and friendly towards any staff regardless of the situation, who wants to listen to a rude guest? Trust me coming from Cape Cod (the other part of my life) and dealing with rude/obtuse tourists on a daily basis is excruciating. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those involved in tourism. I didn't intend the aforementioned comments to be sound petty or deserving of an upgrade. I was just looking for any useful info. Thanks again. This board has be really helpful in planning my families trip. DV

 

[Lindsy1052]

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:

Nemo's answer to you was right on target. "Slim to None". Be happy you have a room. Upgrades are usually offered if there is a problem with the resort you are staying at, i.e., construction, over-booked (which with Disney's Revenue Control system is highly unlikely), but you just don't get upgrades. You will also not see any discounts or specials during Christmas..they have no need to offer anything at that time.

 

[Lindsy1052]

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

You keep referring to you meager salary. You knew this going in, so why choose that profession. All the years for a degree???? If you wanted more money, a few more hears you could have been a doctor.

You choose your career, full well knowing how underpaid teachers are, and I do agree for what they do they are underpaid, but don't complain now.

 

[Laura]

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

There's a LOT of people out there who work their tails off in much more labor intensive jobs (sweating and bleeding their way to a paycheck) and make next to nothing salary-wise. These kind of people would probably kill for the chance to afford a trip to Disney World let alone stay in a deluxe resort.

I guess you can count me in the group who thinks trying to get an upgrade without paying for it is kinda...well...cheap/tacky/etc. :shrug: Christmas week - it would take a real miracle! :lol:

 

[Eyorefan]

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.

We must have had really good Karma when we went in May. We had saved up some extra money so when we were checking into the Ploy we asked for an upgrade, totally intending to pay the difference. We got our room, castle view when we asked for an upgrade to lagoon, and they didn't even charge us. When we were leaving, we found the guy who had checked us in and told him thank you, that he had made our dream come true!

 

[Lindsy1052]

We must have had really good Karma when we went in May. We had saved up some extra money so when we were checking into the Ploy we asked for an upgrade, totally intending to pay the difference. We got our room, castle view when we asked for an upgrade to lagoon, and they didn't even charge us. When we were leaving, we found the guy who had checked us in and told him thank you, that he had made our dream come true!

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.

 

[DisneyWood]

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.

That is what I call bursting someone's bubble unintentionally.

 

[CleveRocks]

You keep referring to you meager salary. You knew this going in, so why choose that profession. All the years for a degree???? If you wanted more money, a few more hears you could have been a doctor.

Ugh ... where should I start?

People do best when they have a passion for their work. Passion for one's work breeds excellence at work. Someone who has a passion for teaching will make a great teacher.

Becoming a physician involves more than simply the number of years in school and training. It involves a certain knowledge base and a certain skill set. It's much more and much different than simply going to school a few more years.

Please, don't get me started on doctor's salaries. My wife is a doctor. I met her when she was 16, and it's all she ever wanted to be. It's her true passion. Her passion also led her to pediatrics, which also happens to be, statistically, the lowest-paying medical specialty. We borrowed money to get her through school, not as an "investment" we hoped to earn money on, but as the only way to help her reach her dream.

She earns a very nice salary as an employee. Unfortunately, we also pay $2,400 per month to repay her student loans. 12 years down, only 13 years to go of those monthly payments. It turns a very nice salary into a very ordinary, nothing special salary. Her choice, no regrets. We're both happy that she loves her job and that she excels at it.

But we can't afford Animal Kingdom Lodge ....

So on a couple of levels, please be careful throwing around the "doctor" stuff.

 

[Lindsy1052]

Ugh ... where should I start?

People do best when they have a passion for their work. Passion for one's work breeds excellence at work. Someone who has a passion for teaching will make a great teacher.

Becoming a physician involves more than simply the number of years in school and training. It involves a certain knowledge base and a certain skill set. It's much more and much different than simply going to school a few more years.

Please, don't get me started on doctor's salaries. My wife is a doctor. I met her when she was 16, and it's all she ever wanted to be. It's her true passion. Her passion also led her to pediatrics, which also happens to be, statistically, the lowest-paying medical specialty. We borrowed money to get her through school, not as an "investment" we hoped to earn money on, but as the only way to help her reach her dream.

She earns a very nice salary as an employee. Unfortunately, we also pay $2,400 per month to repay her student loans. 12 years down, only 13 years to go of those monthly payments. It turns a very nice salary into a very ordinary, nothing special salary. Her choice, no regrets. We're both happy that she loves her job and that she excels at it.

But we can't afford Animal Kingdom Lodge ....

So on a couple of levels, please be careful throwing around the "doctor" stuff.

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.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

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:

While the resort will most likely be completely booked since it is Christmas week, I do suggest that you ask when you check in if there are any savannah or concierge rooms available and how much it would be to upgrade to one of them. It may be feasible. I have recieved upgrades throughout the years, but I must say that it was during a much slower time of year.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me and please mention this thread. Travel agents don't make a lot of money either so I understand completely. When I first started out money was EXTREMEMLY tight for a long time.

I love my job and I love helping others save money any way that I can when it comes to vacationing.

Pam

 

[dvalentine]

I feel the pain of student loans as well. It is brutal. I still owe well over 50,000. Pediatrics is a noble profession. That is what I would have done if I was a doctor. Just like doctors teachers are required to get a higher degree, a Master's degree is required in Massachusetts. That is what did me in. $25,000 in loans the first of a two year program. That is going to UMASS-Amherst as well. I didn't mean to stir the pot here, nor was I looking for a handout as some people have suggested in their posts. Nor am I out to attack anyone's profession. I may not sweat or shed blood, but who is to say a kid won't walk in one day and.....well I hate to think of anymore tragedies in education. I think trying to shape the future of American youth is reward enough. I choose this profession, not for the money, yes I would like to make more, because I love working with kids and very few people are going into education anymore. At least up here. We are desperate to find science and math teachers. Have a great weekend.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

I feel the pain of student loans as well. It is brutal. I still owe well over 50,000. Pediatrics is a noble profession. That is what I would have done if I was a doctor. Just like doctors teachers are required to get a higher degree, a Master's degree is required in Massachusetts. That is what did me in. $25,000 in loans the first of a two year program. That is going to UMASS-Amherst as well. I didn't mean to stir the pot here, nor was I looking for a handout as some people have suggested in their posts. Nor am I out to attack anyone's profession. I may not sweat or shed blood, but who is to say a kid won't walk in one day and.....well I hate to think of anymore tragedies in education. I think trying to shape the future of American youth is reward enough. I choose this profession, not for the money, yes I would like to make more, because I love working with kids and very few people are going into education anymore. At least up here. We are desperate to find science and math teachers. Have a great weekend.

I agree with you whole heartedly. You should not have to defend why you chose this profession, nor should you feel you are being attacked by ANYONE on these forums for asking a simple question. I do apologize for any of the negativity that has been shown on this thread. No one should be flamed for posting a simple question.

Pam

 

[-SIR-]

a good rule of thumb is NEVER go into a hotel expecting to get a complimentary upgrade... if it happens it would be great and make it special.. if you are expecting it you will probably not get it and therefore will be dissapointed. If you really want the savannah view try to splurge for it... if you will be miserable with the standard view and cant afford to splurge you might rethink your hotel choice... just a few cents from a hotel cast member. :animwink:

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

a good rule of thumb is NEVER go into a hotel expecting to get a complimentary upgrade... if it happens it would be great and make it special.. if you are expecting it you will probably not get it and therefore will be dissapointed. If you really want the savannah view try to splurge for it... if you will be miserable with the standard view and cant afford to splurge you might rethink your hotel choice... just a few cents from a hotel cast member. :animwink:

I agree. I have had numerous clients ask me about this and I tell them no,no, no do not ask for an upgrade. If you are willing to pay for it, that is one thing, but never ask for a complimentary one.

The one good thing with AKL even if you have the standard view room is that there are numerous viewing areas around the resort, so you won't be disappointed.

Pam

 

[Lindsy1052]

I agree with you whole heartedly. You should not have to defend why you chose this profession, nor should you feel you are being attacked by ANYONE on these forums for asking a simple question. I do apologize for any of the negativity that has been shown on this thread. No one should be flamed for posting a simple question.

Pam

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.