First week of October...why so difficult?

[Sbunit]

We are accustomed to going to Disney in early December as we enjoy the Christmas atmosphere there. Because of unexpected circumstances (we are expecting in the beginning of the year), We decided to head down the first week of October ( our first time going in October). I understand how Disney works and we book everything pertinent 6 months out, but because of the circumstances we booked 4 months out this time around.
I had a tremendously hard time finding both resort and dining reservations. Practically all deluxe standard rooms were sold out. I was not expecting that. Reservations I usually consider easy to snag like tusker house aren't available (for a party of 6). I'm of course praying for a miracle to get California Grill but that's a different story and I'm not holding my breath.
What gives, we thought we are going during a slow time of the year?

 

[Angel Ariel]

It is the beginning of the food and wine festival...aside from that, normally I would chalk it up to the Tower of Terror 10 Miler run, but that's not happening this year.

 

[Bete]

Not sure, but the Brits are known for invading Disney World in October.

 

[Skip3key]

We have been the first week of December in 2012, but the last 2 years we went in October: the 3rd week in 2013, the second week in 2014... and in 2013 it was moderately busy, but 2014 was a whole different animal... tons of people everywhere... significant ride waits, weather was so warm. We really had to do much planning to ensure we got to do all we wanted to... couldn't just change on the fly!

I remember December was great ... still had many people due to all the pee wee cheerleaders and their chaperones everywhere... but they didn't seem to want to go on rides so ride wait time was low. This year we are trying the second week in November and seeing how it is because we love food and wine so much.... just doesnt seem to be a low time of year anymore....

 

[LJSquishy]

How long ago did you try to book your room? If you just booked recently, that's probably why...We had our October room booked back in November right at the 11-month mark. October is a popular time to go now because of the near perfect weather, Food & Wine Festival, and I'm not sure about exact dates but Disney did offer free dining during October (no idea if it was offered during your dates or not) which made both rooms & dining reservations full. I booked our ADRs at 180 days and got just about everything we wanted, but I've been unsuccessful so far moving things around for different times or a change of plans. I'm sure things will open up over the next few months a little bit as people solidify their park touring plans. Keep checking for your desired restaurants! I did get a BOG dinner toward the end of our trip, but had no luck getting a BOG lunch (or dinner on our 2nd day which was my first choice). We'll probably be canceling most of our ADRs so we have more free time, but I'm holding onto them for another few weeks because my husband is being tested for Celiac disease via endoscopy biopsy after having a weak positive blood test...table service restaurants would be able to cater better to gluten-free needs so I don't want to release them yet!

 

[missnic]

Free dining ends 10/2 (for a few weeks), so I'd imagine that has a lot to do with it. Keep checking though. We're looking at 9/30-10/3, and I finally found a standard room with free dining at the Poly last week. Then I also managed a BoG lunch on our MNSSHP day, and an Ohana dinner. We're only 2, but still.. Persistence is usually rewarded.

 

[PlutosBone17]

We also just recently booked for 10/2-10/10.

We booked through a travel agent and got a resort that was "sold out" on the Disney website. They seem to get blocks of standard rooms. You just have to look for a "magical deal" and you might find something.

The dining reservations have been tough. I have multiple back up plans booked at the moment and I'm swapping them out or canceling as the plans come together.

 

[maryandtyson]

Free dining thru 10/2 is the problem with dining. Keep checking for cancellations.

 

[JennyDrake]

Beginning of food and wine and FALL BREAK for schools. It is a lovely time to go, but it is *not* a slow time......

 

[bbjunkie]

Firstly, after having a long chat with a CM while standing at the rope for rope drop at MK last week, she assured me that ever since the release of Frozen, there is no such thing as a time that isn't crowded. Frozen was a game-changer for Disney, and the parks are packed as a result. She was in a management-type position and had been working there for several years.

Secondly, I think people hoard dinner reservations. They book a bunch that they really have no intention of keeping, and it makes them unavailable to others. Keep trying, eventually people will let them go and they will become available!

 

[Sbunit]

Thanks for all the feedback. I kind of figured that people are just holding onto different dining reservation options until they solidify their plans. I understand and respect that although it complicates matters. But that's disney craziness for you. The hotel reservations totally caught me off guard. Are you guys suggesting I'd have a better chance of going through a travel agent to get a standard room in a deluxe resort than searching myself? If so I can always reach out to AAA I guess. Right now I'm in the Wilderness Lodge but would prefer a standard room in one of the Epcot resorts. Thoughts?

 

[hpfan100]

Lots of areas have fall breaks that occur right around that time. We've been in October and it is moderately busy.

 

[Sbunit]

Also in regards to dining strategy, can you guys provide me with your thoughts regarding this:

We are a party of 6 (4 adults and two high chairs). Because of the difficulty in getting reservations I reserved some as a party of 4 instead of 6 hoping that when we show up for our reservation they can just accommodate us with two high chairs. Is this a plausible idea or are they going to give me a hard time? More importantly is this an ethically acceptable strategy? I'd prefer not to do anything that is frowned upon or would upset others. I greatly appreciate all the feedback you've all shared with me thus far and especially all the words of encouragement!

 

[georgina]

Thanks for all the feedback. I kind of figured that people are just holding onto different dining reservation options until they solidify their plans. I understand and respect that although it complicates matters. But that's disney craziness for you. The hotel reservations totally caught me off guard. Are you guys suggesting I'd have a better chance of going through a travel agent to get a standard room in a deluxe resort than searching myself? If so I can always reach out to AAA I guess. Right now I'm in the Wilderness Lodge but would prefer a standard room in one of the Epcot resorts. Thoughts?

I believe what PlutosBone is referring to is a specific agency that has these 'magical deals' (must google it) that many people here seem to have used successfully. I have never used them myself.

 

[bbjunkie]

Thanks for all the feedback. I kind of figured that people are just holding onto different dining reservation options until they solidify their plans. I understand and respect that although it complicates matters. But that's disney craziness for you. The hotel reservations totally caught me off guard. Are you guys suggesting I'd have a better chance of going through a travel agent to get a standard room in a deluxe resort than searching myself? If so I can always reach out to AAA I guess. Right now I'm in the Wilderness Lodge but would prefer a standard room in one of the Epcot resorts. Thoughts?

No, don't go through AAA. Find a Disney-certified travel agent. They are paid by Disney, so there will be no fee to you.

 

[supersnoop]

Also in regards to dining strategy, can you guys provide me with your thoughts regarding this:

We are a party of 6 (4 adults and two high chairs). Because of the difficulty in getting reservations I reserved some as a party of 4 instead of 6 hoping that when we show up for our reservation they can just accommodate us with two high chairs. Is this a plausible idea or are they going to give me a hard time? More importantly is this an ethically acceptable strategy? I'd prefer not to do anything that is frowned upon or would upset others. I greatly appreciate all the feedback you've all shared with me thus far and especially all the words of encouragement!

That's a terrible strategy, and you're likely to be told that they cannot accommodate two of you. Will you all walk away (and be charged the no-show fee), or will two of you go off to do something else while four of you eat?

The ADR's are limited by fire code and capacity. Tables are closely spaced, so they can't just add some high chairs to the corners of a four-top. You'll need a table for six. Some restaurants will be able to accommodate you, and some will make you wait longer for the larger table. But some will have to turn you away.

This is also a "trick" that's documented on some other websites as a way to work the system. Disney is wise to the trick, and I expect they're becoming more and more strict.

 

[siskaren]

Right now I'm in the Wilderness Lodge but would prefer a standard room in one of the Epcot resorts. Thoughts?

I think you're going to have a hard time getting an Epcot resort during F&W.

 

[loves to dive]

Check Trivago, they check Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia, all of which seem to have openings when Disney isn't showing any.

 

[PlutosBone17]

I believe what PlutosBone is referring to is a specific agency that has these 'magical deals' (must google it) that many people here seem to have used successfully. I have never used them myself.

Yes, specific agency. I just used them for the first time but it seemed like most of the availability was limited to standard view rooms. We ended up getting POFQ standard view. Could have took that room and paid for a meal plan and it still would have been cheaper than going through Disney directly and getting the free meal plan. Don't know how they do it but I'm not going to complain!

 

[purple figment]

Right now I'm in the Wilderness Lodge but would prefer a standard room in one of the Epcot resorts. Thoughts?

The Gartner IT symposium is held at multiple locations in the Epcot resorts and it is Oct 4-8 this year. It is a huge conference that books a lot of rooms at the Epcot resorts which might be why you are having trouble finding a room there. While you'll see conference attendees at the Epcot resorts it doesn't have a big impact on the parks.

Also in regards to dining strategy, can you guys provide me with your thoughts regarding this:

We are a party of 6 (4 adults and two high chairs). Because of the difficulty in getting reservations I reserved some as a party of 4 instead of 6 hoping that when we show up for our reservation they can just accommodate us with two high chairs. Is this a plausible idea or are they going to give me a hard time? More importantly is this an ethically acceptable strategy? I'd prefer not to do anything that is frowned upon or would upset others. I greatly appreciate all the feedback you've all shared with me thus far and especially all the words of encouragement!

This is NOT a good idea at all. As supersnoop said, restaurants have to abide by the fire and safety codes so while the castmembers at the podium will do their best to seat everyone, there's no guarantee that you'll all be seated. You need a table for 6. Disney will not seat 6 or add 2 high chairs to a 4 top. There's not a lot of room between tables in many restaurants so it can create a safety hazard. If all 6 of you cannot be seated you will have to decide which 2 in your party will go elsewhere to eat or if you decide to walk away you may be charged the $10 per person penalty.

It's still a while until October so keep checking online for a reservation for 6 or another reservation for 2 at the same time as your current res. If you get a res for 2, you can ask to be seated together or near each other, but again, there is no guarantee that you will be accommodated. You can also subscribe to the October cancellation thread, but be sure to read the rules in the first post:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/new-guidelines-october-cancelled-adr-thread-read-1st-post.3402011/