That is a low time for DVC and my bet is that because of all of the September storms last year, a lot of people are hesitating in making reservations for September 2005.
Yes the Food and wine festival starts October 1 and ran to November 14, in 2004.
We have been there several times in late Sept. and it has been great. Can still be hot and humid at times, so be prepared for thunderstorms and such. HBC is right about last year's storms possibly having an impact this year on visitors.
That is the ONLY time of year that we'll go. The weather has always been great (with exception of the one day Jeanne was there). We were there this past year, 9/22 - 9/29. Hurricane Jeanne arrived the night before our Chef Mickey's b'fast. We missed out on that obviously. But that was it! The rest of the days were gorgeous!!! There are NO crowds, it's awesome!! You can just walk in anywhere and get a table to eat. Can't wait to go again next Sept!