I agree - book home, then see if you can switch, we were able to book a one bedroom eleven months out for October this year, but called right at eleven months - by the time I made the phone call they had very low availability at VWL.
You want a MK resort for Halloween night when MNSSHP sells out - that might be a tough night (or maybe not).
You're going to have lots of competiton for that time - it's "Jersey Week". Many NJ members take their children out of school (they're usually off the Thursday & Friday of that first week in November) and go to WDW. IIRC, there are more DVC members from NJ than any other state.
Be sure to call as soon as your window opens for the best chance of switching.
It's definitely a busy time for DVC with Jersey Week and the last week of Food and Wine. At the others have said, book at 11 months and then call right away at 7 to switch. BWV and BCV are the hot tickets for that week because of the close proximity to EPCOT. However, the waitlists have always worked for us.
Get on the list early and hopefully you will have success!