A different view on those magical upgrades...

[Jen C.]

My family of 5, makes annual visits to WDW. We typically travel in the early fall, and have been fortunate enought to take advantage of free dining promos in the past, or discounted room rates, etc.

We have only ever stayed on deluxe properties. We typically book a room, club level. Very often, such as at BC, we book deluxe room, club level. It is of course, more expensive, yet to us worth it. We may make sacrifices elsewhere to save the money to travel to WDW this way, but we do it. It is our choice. PLEASE don't get me wrong. I am truly happy when my fellow disney fanatics score great upgrades, but with my most recent ressie, I have found myself a little um...

I do not believe in asking for upgrades. To each their own of course. I believe in reserving and paying for the room you want. We do this. I can't help though, but have my feathers ruffled "a little" when I hear of someone paying significantly less money than I, and staying in the same~or better accomodations. I liken it to how one would feel if they just purchased and paid for a new car, and as they started it up, saw someone else leave the lot with the same thing for a LOT less money just "because".

Anyone share my feelings?

[Jen C.]

I should elaborate a little further and share that of course, like most Americans, the economy has caused us to not be doing as well this year financially, as we were last year. We can still afford to travel, pay cash, and have our emergency fund safe and sound. But if I am choosing to spend our hard earned money this way, I am feeling a little more possesive of the "you get what you pay for" . You know?

I know why WDW does it. That's not what bothers me. I realize it is to get more people to spend their money next timeon those types of accomodations. But at what point will people start to say, "I'm not going to pay for this this time, because I have a decent chance of getting it for free?"

[DVC2004]

Prior to joining DVC, we always stayed at Deluxe and never asked for or received an upgrade. As DVC members staying on our points, we certainly have never received an upgrade. I didn't even think Disney gave upgrades unless some mistake or overbooking was made.

I guess if someone wants to ask there's nothing stopping them really. Are upgrades something that Disney does?

[gerald72]

So someone shouldn't feed the homeless, because you had to pay for your full stomach?

[Jen C.]

So someone shouldn't feed the homeless, because you had to pay for your full stomach?

ABSOLUTELY not nearly the same thing. If you knew me even a little, you'd realize how far off base this is.

[jonahbear2006]

ABSOLUTELY not nearly the same thing. If you knew me even a little, you'd realize how far off base this is.

This is not that far off base. Yes, its not essential to life but to those who don't have the ability to experience something, it is a very similar concept. I was upgraded to concierge and was sooo thankful because not only will we never be able to afford to do that BUT we may never stay Disney does this to make dreams come true; some people cant afford to see how the well to do live. AND about the credit thing. Credit is usually earned but isn't always in your hands whether fate leads you to money or not. We, have had nothing but bad luck with finances. We do have excellent credit but I have seen some people lose their jobs, stumble and ruin their credit when it was not necessarily just a bad choice, rather bad luck. We work hard all year long just to afford to go, so if Disney throws something our way, it brings me to tears....Now, we DO show up in our Sunday best, we have excellent manners, and consider ourselves elitests when it comes to our attitudes and disposition so I can imagine that if someone were in a deluxe that I had paid for and were given an upgrade and yet, aren't going to dress deluxe and act deluxe, now THAT is when I would be upset. Cause at THAT point I would be like, ok, if you are going to act like you paid $50 a night for a room then go stay at a $50 hotel. Do the best with what you are given, I say, it's ok. Don't go expecting the best and not willing to give 100%

[faline]

Occasionally, Disney has upgraded folks. On our first trip to Disneyland, we were upgraded to concierge level (of course we were only staying one night in that hotel). We've never received a major upgrade at Disney World. However, we did stay club level last year and spoke with other folks who had been very unhappy with their original room assignment (I forget what their issues were) and had been upgraded to Club Level.

Yes, people randomly get upgraded. For the mot part, though, I think most people end up with wht they paid for.

[I LoveJack]

I don't really suppose it is any worse than finding something you really wanted and finally saved up for and bought just went on sale at a different store. It's just the luck of the draw, fate, whate ever you want to call it. Most people who ask do not recieve free upgrades. And if you are lucky enough to get something for free, please thank the person who is giving it to you. Make their day just like they made yours.

[MonoMan]

It is my hope that those who have received "free" upgrades and perks have played it forward in some manner and brightened someone else's day too.

[Cinderelley]

Life is like that. Someone may pay thousands less for their car because they have better negotiating skills or better credit. Some people get more pay because they were better communicators during their interview. Personally, I think it's great to sprinkle some magic into people's lives. Although we can afford deluxes, I prefer Pop Century over all the other resorts we've tried. I'm not sure an upgrade would be such a great thing for me.

[Jen C.]

It is my hope that those who have received "free" upgrades and perks have played it forward in some manner and brightened someone else's day too.

Beautiful!

[PetefromRI]

I kind of believe that those who speak up in this world get more.I used to be the shy,quiet one who basically got nothing because I kept my mouth shut but over the years I've learned to speak up.Of course I don't believe in getting rude but I don't see anything wrong in asking for a possible upgrade.I think that it's good business to give your customers a bonus if a room is available,it may bring them back as a repeat customer.I know the feeling about buying a car only to have a neighbor get the same one for thousands less but that's life.I'd love to see Disney upgrade every thousandth customer at a value to a deluxe.Some people will never have the opportunity to stay at one because of financial reasons and I think that it would be cool to pass it on a little.Just my .

[Gregandmel]

The "feeding the homeless" quote was off-base and had nothing to do with what you are talking about and it took me by surprise to see that posted...that was somewhat rude in my opinion.

If you are paying premium price and the guy behind just "asks" politely and gets the same thing for wayyyy less $$, then yeah, it's going to bother me, too.. But honestly, there are upgrades out there but I think that by and large, people are getting what they pay for. Look at how many people are on these boards and only a relative few (in comparison) actually receive an upgrade of some sort. Paying the premium price guarantees that you are going to get exactly what you want to make your Disney trip what you want it to be. Those that pay far less and 'hope' to get an upgrade to something fantastic will be few and far between. Don't get me wrong though - I'd never turn down a great upgrade if it were offered, but I don't think I would ask.

Enjoy your trip!

[Mickey91]

The "feeding the homeless" quote was off-base and had nothing to do with what you are talking about and it took me by surprise to see that posted...that was somewhat rude in my opinion.

I agree. Very rude comment. We received a free upgrade to a tower room at CR last fall. I was so shocked I couldn't believe it! We were supposed to be in a garden wing and the guy circled a room on the 6th floor. It took me a minute to realize that the wings don't have a 6th floor! It totally made our vacation magical! But, I would never have asked for it.

[TammiMcMan]

I liken it to how one would feel if they just purchased and paid for a new car, and as they started it up, saw someone else leave the lot with the same thing for a LOT less money just "because".

This happens all the time though. I think I'm a very good negotiator and people have been shocked at what I've paid for a car, while they paid much more. And another example, I could pay $300 for a flight, because it's the time I want to fly, only to have it cancelled and be stuck on an earlier flight where people paid $99 instead. Or pay the $300 and have the person sitting next to me only paying $49 because the airline decided at that moment they needed to open up some bargain prices.

Bottom line, if I'm willing to pay the price for the view, the room, the resort, whatever, that's my choice. If someone gets it for less through a pin code, awesome upgrade or whatever, that's great for them. I guess it's good to know though, that if I'm behind you in line and they're passing out upgrades, that you would turn it down and maybe I would be the lucky recipient .

[fupresti]

I am perfectly fine with Disney upgrading, assuming it is their actions. Asking for an upgrade of any kind is tacky and would never do it. I book the room I am comfortable with and leave it at that.

[Ian]

I agree with you totally.

I've always been amazed at how many people on the boards post about asking for a free upgrade.

Maybe it's just me, but I find that tremendously tacky and I would never even consider it.

I'm with you ... pay for what you want and don't expect something for free.

[betteratmk]

I think upgrades are a wonderful part of Disney, it has never happened to us but when it's happened to others I think it's great. We can't afford to stay at the deluxe resorts but we have been very fortunate to be able to go every year for the past 9 years. Our youngest DS has benefited the most( he is the youngest of 7) we were both in Education and all 6 have been through private school, have their BA's and most have their Masters degree. 2 are talking about their Doctorate. We are truly blessed and still have 1 more to go!!Life can be irritating but you are blessed to be at Disney with them. Let the good times roll

[MarkC]

I can't remember ever asking for an upgrade but I certainly don't think it's tacky at all. Like a prior poster said-- people pay different prices for the same car or the same flight. If someone pays full price for a shirt, and someone else buys it for half price a week later, should the person who paid full price be mad at the person who paid half? I don't want to bring religion into this but there is a great parable in the Bible about the workers being paid for working in the vineyards, and all of them being paid the same regardless of the amount of work. There are a couple of morals to the story, but one of them is to not be envious of others just because you got what you deserved. Bottom line, I don't have a problem if someone is upgraded because I've been fortunate in my life and appreciate all those things instead of worrying about what someone else received that I didn't.

[iheartdisney]

I agree with you totally.

I've always been amazed at how many people on the boards post about asking for a free upgrade.

Maybe it's just me, but I find that tremendously tacky and I would never even consider it.

I'm with you ... pay for what you want and don't expect something for free.

What Ian said! Exactly!