How to upgrade resort if booked through a TA

[beckyboo1986]

Hi all

I'm booked to stay 12 nights at All Star Movies in August. I wondered if it's possible to upgrade last minute to a better resort. Would you do this direct with Disney, if so how?

I booked my package through Virgin Holidays.

Has anyone else been upgraded for free? I imagine highly unlikely but always nice to hear peoples stories.

Thanks.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You can search the boards for upgrade in the title and see the tales. But don’t. It’s just not reality for most everyone, the odds are minuscule so book the hotel you can afford and spend your time getting excited about that hotel.

If you later decide you want a different hotel you need to go through your TA. The TA technically owns your reservation so even if you call Disney to make a change they’ll tell you to call the TA.

 

[beckyboo1986]

Thank you, I appreciate the reply.

 

[leebee]

Yeah, your TA has to do the upgrade if they made the original reservation for you.
I've stayed on-site at Disney maybe 15 times and only once did I get a free "upgrade" from standard to preferred at ASMusic. Gotta say... it was nice not having to make that long hike back to Rock Inn when returning from a long day at the parks, but I don't think I'd actually pay for it, hahaha!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Your TA must make the changes.

 

[focusondisney]

Has anyone else been upgraded for free? I imagine highly unlikely but always nice to hear peoples stories.

Yes, this has happened in very few instances. In all cases, it’s because of WDW’s operational needs. Ex…construction at a resort runs into issues causing a shortage of rooms at that resort. So selected guests are offered a move to a different resort. The move may be for the same cost or a discounted rate, all determined by Disney resorts. I have never heard of a one calling & asking for a resort upgrade & just being given it for no additional cost.

If you call & ask, you will be quoted whatever rack or promotional price is available to anyone. You can do that yourself by calling or even looking at rates & promos online. I have upgraded resort reservations within a week of travel when an upgraded room became available with a discount. But this will not be a free upgrade.

 

[Miffy]

Yes, you have to contact your TA, as other posters have said.

Additionally, last-minute changes, even through your TA, are likely to be pricey. If you want to upgrade and your trip is more than a couple of weeks from now, talk to your TA and ask them to price out other options for you.

August is one of the least expensive times to stay at a WDW resort, so you'll have interesting options. For me, I would not want to spend 12 nights at one of the All Stars.

Have you considered splitting your stay between 2 resorts? Do the first 6 nights at the All Stars and the 2nd 6 nights at whatever upgraded resort you're considering. This would be far less expensive than switching to the upgraded resort for all 12 nights. Just do the "better" resort second. You don't want to downgrade in the midst of your trip.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If you book with a TA you must contact your TA to make any changes.

But Disney resorts are not like your average hotel.
Prices don't just drop last minute to grab an upgraded resort.

That said sometimes availability opens last minute.

For example say you wanted to stay at The Contemporary but currently all that was showing was Main Tower Theme Park View and that was too expensive for your budget... But then a week prior to your trip you see there's availability in a Garden Wing room which is within your budget then you could "upgrade" in that way.
But don't count on the price of the Main Tower Theme Park View room suddenly dropping to be within your budget.
Hope that makes sense.

 

[ChipTheRescueRanger]

Virgin are realy not very flexible when trying to change they tend to want to cancel and treat it as a new booking.