Have you gotten an upgrade? About This Page:

[LizCatMom]

Reading someone else's post about getting an upgrade made me wonder...

In your experience as a DVC member, have you ever gotten an upgrade? If so, what was the upgrade and where were you? And, were there any special circumstance around why you might have gotten the upgrade other than just Disney magic? Such as, was it your anniversary? They were booked up in your category and had to move you to another room?...that sort of thing?

I'm just curious as to how frequently it happens.

Looking forward to hearing everyone's responses!

[nurse_mom]

At a DVC resort, no. Using points on a DCL. Yes, we went from cat 11 to cat 9. Connecting rooms, it was very nice.

[rella]

not really an upgrade..but.....we were at BWVs during Hurricane Charlie staying in a studio. On Saturday morning (day after hurricane) I called the airport and was told that it was open. We checked out and we out to see the damages. We were on a friendship boat crossing over to Y & B when I got a called from the airport informing me that they were closed...no flights at all. I was given a number to call. We went back to BWVs. The airport wasn't opening up again until Monday and we got a flight out then...as I was on the phone with the airport my DD was in line to see if we could get a room for the night....I let her know we needed 2 nights. We were given a 1 bedroom. I don't know if it was because she was crying so much (18 year old drama queen) or it was just what they quickly found. There were crowds in the lobby and those that were DVC members were given rooms first....

[lauriep]

Nope. Never got an upgrade. I think it's because I'm usually traveling solo and they probably wouldn't "waste" a larger unit on just one person. It's ok! If I really wanted an upgrade (like a better view) I'd probably have given in and just booked it. I do love reading about people getting upgrades, though.

[HiddenMickey]

I heard about two couples getting upgraded to a 3-bedroom Grand villa at BWV for one night before. I believe the report I read said they'd used their points for a 2-bedroom for that one night. One couple left the next day and the owners stayed in the 1 bedroom they'd reserved after that for the rest of their trip.

[poohbr2015]

When we stayed at Bay Lake Dec 2011, we had 1 night booked in a 1 bedroom lake view since the rest of our party would be arriving the next day and 7 nights booked in a 2 bedroom mk view. Not long before the trip I went on our reservations and found that they had put us in the 2 bedroom mk view for the entire 8 nights without using any additional points. So that to me was an upgrade. I don't think dvc upgrades happen often. It may be when you have maybe 1 night booked in a room that they know someone else is after to complete their stay, so they switch you around.

[DVC_Don]

Never have I gotten a DVC upgrade, and I've been staying at DVC since early 2001 three or four times a year.

[DVC393]

Never. We have been a members since 1993 and we go at the very least once year, but usually make it 2-3 times. A DVC upgrade is extremely rare. If there is an upgrade it's usually because of some type of maintenance issue, and your room category is not available, not pixie dust.

[chezp]

Never in all the times we've used points. As I understand it, upgrades for stays on points are exceptionally rare.

[tjkraz]

Timeshares are designed to be at full occupancy pretty much year-round. That's a big part of the reason that upgrades do not happen.

Disney's cash resorts average 80-85% occupancy, which means even lower rates during slow periods. That leaves dozens of vacant rooms at each resort on any given day which could potentially be used for upgrades. Additionally, it's a common practice on cruise ships and hotels to overbook cheaper categories and give free upgrades.

Where DVC is concerned, it's not just an availability issue but also a philosophical one. Every guest who spends 15 points for one Studio night should get a Studio.

Exceptions typically occur only when maintenance issues arise. A small number of rooms are held back for maintenance purposes. But those rooms do not normally encompass all villa sizes and views. If a resort has 100 guests booked into a One Bedroom villa and only 99 are suitable for occupancy, someone will probably be upgraded to an available Two or Three Bedroom villa.

Normally those with the shortest trips receive the upgrades. If a One Bedroom villa is pulled out of service to clean the carpet, there's no reason to upgrade a guest who is about to begin a week-long stay. They are only short a room for one night. The timing of guest arrivals can play a role in decisions but most upgrades are given to those with just one or two night stays.

There is no "pixie dust" involved. Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries are not more likely to get an upgrade. Upgrades are given ONLY when absolutely necessary.

[Luv2golf]

We rec'd an upgrade one time at WLV. We had been booked in a studio and ended up with a accesible room. Not a big deal except our kids were small and we needed a bathtub - and there was only a shower. Also, my son was too short so he had to stand on something to reach the potty - not fun for a long stay. We had to check out of one room, store our things with bell services and wait for a room to be ready at 3-4pm. Not the best situation, but doable. When we got back from the park to check into our new studio we were given a 1 bedroom. I suspect it was because they didn't have any more studios. But, whatever there reason, we were .