2nd week of October: No availability?

[hmcfall711]

Help me understand what is going on? I have requested a reservation for October 13-16 for a quick weekend during F&W.

There apparently are NO studios anywhere on property available? This has never been a problem for us before for any weekend in October. So I went to the trusty touringplans.com and it shows attendance is low that weekend. What's the deal? Is there something going on other than F&W that I haven't heard about?

It looks like a lot of the dining reservations for big draws (ie. Le Cellier) are full too. I kind of expected that because of F&W, but even the Garden Grill was booked solid. All of it together just makes me think something else is going on.

Anyone have any info?

 

[wdwfan1]

I dont know, but it does seem surprising. We are going the following week and we are doing a split stay. When I tried to get all nights at OKW, it wasnt available for all days. That has never happened to me before at this time of year. Maybe something is going on. I will just have to suffer with WL and BWV!

By the way, we are in a 2BR.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Well, first of all....busy time for DVC. Secondly, you are asking for a studio. That is always difficult during busy times. The dining reservations will open up once you get closer. They don't allow the entire restaurant to book early like that.

 

[palhockeymomof2]

Yep oct is busy for dvc we book at 11 months each year......did you try the waitlist

 

[disneynutz]

As more people buy into the DVC, getting reservations will become more difficult. Wait until Hawaii is added to the mix with all of the new owners from Asia. I wonder when they typically go on vacation?

Bill

 

[kristenrice]

It's my birthday weekend!

First, I got a standard studio at Jambo for the 13th-15th.

Then, when I was able to get a STANDARD 1BR at BWV for the 15th-18th, I was able to change my standard studio at Jambo to a Savanna studio at Kidani....

...then, my waitlist for the 13th-15th came through for a LV studio at BLT. So, at the 7-month window, I had a few options available.

I would definitely waitlist one of the larger resorts. Something should come available for you.

 

[jamn]

We have been going in October for years - every year it gets harder and harder to get a reservation. It is very frustrating.

 

[crisi]

What are slow times for the parks are NOT slow times for DVC. Food and Wine tends to be a HUGE DVC draw and F&W weeks book up fairly quickly. October availability is pretty spotty already shortly after the seven month window opens up.

You are four months out. Le Cellier booked up two months ago.

 

[tjkraz]

There apparently are NO studios anywhere on property available? This has never been a problem for us before for any weekend in October.

Point reallocations probably bit you here. Two years ago when weekend cost 2.5x as much as weekdays, DVC resorts often did not reach 100% occupancy. Now that points are balanced out much better, weekends are filling up as expected.

As more people buy into the DVC, getting reservations will become more difficult. Wait until Hawaii is added to the mix with all of the new owners from Asia. I wonder when they typically go on vacation?

Doubt Hawaii will have much of a negative impact on the parks. Hawaii will be a big enough draw among non-owners to keep things in balance.

When fully open, Aulani will represent only about 10% of all DVC accommodations. A certain percentage of owners will routinely use their points at Aulani. All it takes is non-owners averaging one stay at Aulani every 15-20 years to keep the resort full. Some will never go...others will visit much more frequently than that.

When Disney announces construction of 500 units in Branson, then we can talk about the negative impact on theme park resorts.

 

[SEC71]

In Kentucky, that is Fall Break week and a lot if people head to WDW.

 

[Shelley E]

Waitlist if you can, I always book 11 months out so I have my room but I also will cancel if my plans change. You are also looking at the Columbus Day holiday week. Good luck!

 

[Tigger1]

We tried to get OKW in March but could not get a studio. Only choice at that time was Saratoga or partial stay at AKL. We took the partial stay at AKL and cash ressie for All star movies. Then in about a week l rechecked AKL and got our other 2 nights. First ressie we have ever made in Oct. Will make at 11 months next time.

 

[n2mm]

I agree, October is very hard to get a reservation. For me that 11 month window is required for my BWV standard studio. (Early December is another hard time). OP, did you ask which days were the trouble days? I always do that. The CM will break it down for you by telling you which are available certain nights, that way you could possibily book part and waitlist part. Good luck.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm surprised that you are surprised! I would wait list the 2 big resorts and also make a reservation through CRO. I hope you get something!

Bobbi

 

[SB in KY]

If it is any consolation I tried the same thing last year (studio for weekend in October during F&W, tried to make reservation about 3 or 4 months out) and was also suprised when nothing was available. Good news is the waitlist came through for us and we were able to get a studio at BW even (I had waitlisted for OKW and BW...OKW came through first and I asked to stay on the waitlist for BW and it came through just before the 31 day mark)!

I agree with previous posters that when they decreased the points for weekends a couple of years ago it changed weekend availablity a LOT....especially during event times (most noticeably F&W, MNSSHP and MVMCP weekends). The largest single group of DVC owners are still FL residents so I think they are utilizing those point depreciated weekends a lot (as would I if I lived there).

 

[loveswdw]

Just waitlisted on Thursday for a studio or a 1BR at VWL for Friday 10/21. We were just adding a day to a reservation. We are booked at BCV for 10/16-21. I dropped a 1BR for 10/15 (somebody should have been really happy). Knew there was no way I could get BCV on 10/21 and I was okay with that. But I asked for that first--BCV--no availability. BWV--no availability. VWL--no availability. AKV--no availability. OKW--no availability! Seriously? No studios or 1BR at OKW either??!! WOW.

So I took SSR...there were studios or 1BRs available. Wasn't a surprise there. We took the 1BR and waitlisted VWL. We are doing the 9:30 Hoop Dee Doo that evening and want to stay close to the Fort. I'm doubting the VWL will come through but thought I'd chance it. At least we are on property that night. I'm hoping that a few folks who are staying at VWL have waitlisted the Epcot resorts and their waitlists will come through making way for me.

I'll probably call back a few times and see if I can get anything other than SSR. Stayed there once for a week and while we are okay with staying there again 1 night, its not my first choice.

 

[beccasmom]

We wanted any week but the first week of October to celebrate a birthday that month, but we were unable to book the 2-bedroom we need. So we are going in mid-November instead, which ends up being preferable for us anyway. To be fair, we started the booking process rather late in the game, so we weren't especially surprised. November was terrific last year and we think we will have a great time again this year!

 

[TisBit]

We wanted any week but the first week of October to celebrate a birthday that month, but we were unable to book the 2-bedroom we need. So we are going in mid-November instead, which ends up being preferable for us anyway. To be fair, we started the booking process rather late in the game, so we weren't especially surprised. November was terrific last year and we think we will have a great time again this year!

Was that at any resort or specific resorts. I am surprised that there would be no 2 bedrooms at ANY property for a three week period.

We have a weekend trip planned Oct 6th through the 10th and was able to get SSR a couple of weeks ago. There are no other properties for that weekend available.

 

[Sammie]

Plus I think the gas prices and the economy has caused more Florida residents to take weekend trips nearby.

 

[sesame_123]

I also am very curious about the dining for this weekend. (we happen to be going the same time) I could not book garden grill for saturday night of our stay and I was trying 184 days out. So before the reservations system was open to all it was booked. I am thinking they are doing something for F&W that is messing with the dining in EPCOT.

Plus October might be hard because of the 40th anniversay??