I've seen many posts from people who have paid for a non-DVC room
and upon arrival asked if there were any free upgrades possible....and many
times there were.
But I wondered if this could also be applied to DVC rooms?
Has anyone booked a DVC room and upon arrival asked if there were
any free upgrades? Such as a Boardwalk View vs. a Standard View?
I've never heard of it happening. They don't really have a need to offer a free upgrade because they are assuming you already own points to stay deluxe and get the view of your choice.
I asked the person I rented points from and she said she has owned for almost 17 years and it's never happened to her. If you ask a CM at check-in, they will direct you to call the DVC reservation line and you must use points to upgrade. That's what the DVC owner told me.
Now...I am sure it has happened before to some people. I am just going with what I've been told and know. I did not even bother asking when we went last year because I figured I'd get a "no."
It never hurts to ask! All they can say is no! 
I've been a DVC owner since 1999 and I've never had an upgrade offer. 
Since 2008 and never had one. Heck this last trip was the first time we ever got an upgrade.
It's pretty understood that it doesn't happen with DVC, in fact it's so infrequent that when it does happen people post online about it. I've read of 2 upgrades since I started stalking the DVC boards about a year ago....
Our Very Merry 24 nighter Nov/Dec 15
Watson's go West May 15
The one with all the birthdays Oct 14 4 Big Birthdays and a Vow Renewal thrown in
The OMG trip June 14 30th Birthday present from the hubs
Girly trip March 14 A last min cheapy week
September 13 our first all DVC stay
TR May 2013 the last min bargain trip offsite
Oct 2012 TR with a cruise!big family trip featuring the beach club, AKL, the dream and a villa offsite
TR on a budget May - June 2011offsite condo
TR Sept - Oct 2010 big family trip in an offsite villa
We've never tried. Honestly, depending on what kind of room you're booking, it's hard to even get a non-Saratoga (or non-home resort) reservation lately. I actually like Saratoga, so I don't really mind. I just want to try ALL of the DVC resorts at some point
So the probability of upgrades is pretty low unless someone with a better room had to cancel their trip at the last minute.
Be good at something. It makes you valuable. Have something to bring to the table because that will make you more welcome. --Randy Pausch
Trip Reports:
December 2013: 10th Anniversary, 1st DVC Stay | April 2014: Birthday on the Boardwalk | May 2014: Star Wars Weekend, Navigating WDW with a wheelchair | August 2014: Villains Unleashed | September/October 2014: MNSSHP, F&W, Tower of Terror 10-miler | March/April 2015: Disneyland and California Coastal Cruise | November 2015: Wine & Dine Half, Food & Wine, 1st Disney Cruise | February 2016: Presidential Classic Gymnastics Meet | March 2016: "Work" Trip, Tours, F&G Festival | April 2016: Conference at Disneyland | Fall 2016: Festive Fall Fun | January 2017: Festival of the Arts | May 2017: AbD Backstage Magic | July 2017: AbD San Francisco | Sorry I had to give up doing trip reports. Too many time commitments right now.
I have, upon very rare occasion, heard of DVC guests booked into the "value" rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge being contacted for an upgrade a few months before their vacation in order to free up value rooms to be booked again. Every instance I've heard of this was during a super busy time of year and I think I've only heard of it being done twice since I've been a member (2008). I have never heard of it being done at check-in.
Thanks for your information everyone!
I figure that Disney doesn't have to lure us DVCers back - we're a captive audience! 
I figure that Disney doesn't have to lure us DVCers back - we're a captive audience!
You've sure got that right nhshorty 
nhshorty wrote:I figure that Disney doesn't have to lure us DVCers back - we're a captive audience!You've sure got that right nhshorty
Ditto that! Just turn on the lights and I'm coming back. 
