Concierge Upgrade

[DonaldDuckUSA]

I've heard a few stories about the deluxe resorts upgrading guests to the concierge floors upon checking in. Usually, it seems, its for special occasions like anniversaries. Loosely speaking, how often does this happen? I'm guessing it occurs more often in off season times when the rooms are not as full.

[Strmchsr]

Actually, just the opposite. It happens usually because they've overbooked or for a specific marketing reason. It doesn't happen that often, and it's usually not because you put a special event on your reservation. That very occasionally happens, but, again, it's for marketing reasons (i.e. they want you to enjoy concierge so much that you are willing to pay for it next time).

[MNNHFLTX]

I agree with Chris--it's more likely to happen when they're overbooked in the lower categories. A nice surprise, but probably doesn't happen as often as it seems here on the boards (I know it's never happened to me and I've stayed at deluxe resorts on birthdays, anniversaries, etc.)

[txdisneyfanatic]

It happened to us last June!!!! We arrived @ the Beach Club and were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived. They greeted us at the door by name (this may the norm when staying here, not sure?), but we were not only allowed to check-in early AM when we arrived, but we were escorted to a fabulous club level room when we had only paid for a standard (without a view) room. It was absolutely a magical beginning to our wonderful anniversary week! But, then again...would you expect anything less from Disney?!

[BrerGnat]

Every once in awhile, people get upgraded due to a special occasion. However, more likely, the resort needed to upgrade X number of guests, and some of them happened to also be celebrating something, so they made it seem like that was why they go the upgrade. I've celebrated lots of things at WDW, and have only been upgraded to Club Level (from a Standard room booking) one time, and it was a time when I was NOT celebrating anything. My sister and I were upgraded to Club Level at the Boardwalk Inn last May, and the CM explicitly told us that it was our lucky day, and that we were upgraded because a huge convention group had come in last minute and booked a block of standard rooms. When we entered the Club Level, the CM at the desk greeted us with "are you one of our lucky upgrades this week?"

So, it happens when DISNEY needs it to happen. Although, I do know that CMs are able to make "magic" happen for guests, and I believe they did for us when we took our first family trip right before DH left for a long deployment. We had booked Club Level, but only a standard room. When we arrived, we had a GLORIOUS Crescent Lake/Stormalong Bay view room that was definitely NOT a standard view. The CMs knew it was our kids first trip, and my husband would be deploying shortly thereafter. I think they sprinkled a bit of extra pixie dust for us.

Fun with math...

# of Room in Resort Total = Z

# of physical Concierge Rooms = X

# of physical Standard Rooms = Y

X + Y = Z (hotel capacity!)

So....

When they book N room nights...

N > Y

standard room bookings, they need to pull from concierge, lest they have to refund the entire room night to the guest and pay for the room accommodation at another resort per policy. Policy is also lateral move first, then upward move - never down.. never never down. Even if it means going off property.

So they do a fun equation..

N-Y = Q

2(Y-N) = R

R = People's reservations flagged to be offered upgrades at check-in. Remember that R is twice the number of rooms needed. They keep going until they meet the Q quota of rooms actually need.

They just offer it to people as they check in.. and actually, some people refuse. Now... if the number of guests checking in and refusing get to the point where the remaining guests would -have- to accept the upgrade... the remaining flagged check-ins are automatically upgraded. At that point Disney starts bending over backwards to meet demands, but it rarely gets to that point.

[CuteAsMinnie]

Mr. Encylopedia,

Does your Z include deluxe rooms and suites?

I can"t imagine anyone being upgraded to either of those rooms.

In theory, yes - minus the number of those that are booked in advance.

This comes from a friend who worked at Contemporary - runner to front desk to concierge.

And the families/reservations flagged have the meet the "need" requirements to a tee. Like if they only need 3 nights and you're staying for 2 or 5, no deal. They offer it to the folks who are checking in on your day and staying for 3 only.

Special requests like certain wings, views, etc.. can disqualifiers too - as sometimes concierge levels can be outside of a requested view. This is particularly problematic at Contemporary's Tower.

True story:

People get put in the Presidential Suites at random all the time.

[CuteAsMinnie]

Originally Posted by Epcyclopedia

True story:

People get put in the Presidential Suites at random all the time.

I don't believe you

But that would be very cool

I've been the lock-off of the prezzie suite at the Wilderness Lodge and talked the family who was bumped into it - it's true.

[CuteAsMinnie]

Okay, I will keep dreaming...

[Polynesian Dweller]

Originally Posted by CuteAsMinnie

Okay, I will keep dreaming...

Do keep dreaming but keep in mind that upgrades are given according to the business needs and rules of the hotel. One of the business rules/policies will not be about lising revenue.

Some reasons are overbooking a category, roons going off inventory for maintenance etc, housekeeping problems (in our hotel group we sometimes remove room blocks in low seasons), trying tp sell you on higher level rooms on your next visit, and sometimes good will. Regardless, they are not as frequent as boards like this make them appear. By the way, the best way to not get a free upgrade is to ask for one.

And in most cases, as is the case in our hotel group, the front desk must note the upgrade and the reason. Management does monitor the process to ensure the hotel's business needs are being met.

[kakn7294]

We're almost always celebrating something when we're there - birthday or anniversary - and it's NEVER happened to us.

[c&d]

Someone I work with was upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite in the Contemporary. She said they never wanted to leave the room. It happened when they checked in.

[BrerGnat]

I know someone who was upgraded to the Steeplechase Suite at the Boardwalk Inn.

It does happen, just not to me...yet.

[TheRustyScupper]

Originally Posted by Epcyclopedia

People get put in the Presidential Suites at random all the time.

1) True.
2) I have personally upgraded
. . . people to Club Floor
. . . people to Suites
3) Due to
. . . capacity restraints
. . . simply because we liked the guests

[gaffz70]

Originally Posted by TheRustyScupper

1) True.
2) I have personally upgraded
. . . people to Club Floor
. . . people to Suites
3) Due to
. . . capacity restraints
. . . simply because we liked the guests

Hmm..what made you like some guests more than others? Maybe I should get my kids to practice putting their "charm" on - lol

[DonaldDuckUSA]

Thanks for the all the help, guys! While I majored in US History, the math formula was easy enough to follow. Helpful.

I've only stayed in a deluxe resort once and we didn't get an upgrade, but I got free parking because I told the CM I was "SO EXCITED ABOUT THE MAGICAL DAY I'M ABOUT TO HAVE!!!!" I guess he appreciated the kid in me.

I also asked about his day. It was actually really sweet of him. Ever since DBF pulls up the passenger side of parking. It didn't give me a great view, but it was enough magic for me.

[MNNHFLTX]

Originally Posted by DonaldDuckUSA

I've only stayed in a deluxe resort once and we didn't get an upgrade, but I got free parking because I told the CM I was "SO EXCITED ABOUT THE MAGICAL DAY I'M ABOUT TO HAVE!!!!" I guess he appreciated the kid in me.

I've never had to pay for parking at any of the WDW resorts (including deluxe).