October advice?

[Raya]

We're devout Disney fans, but when we went to Universal this February we were really struck by how clean everything was and how incredibly immersive the experience was. So we're thinking of switching our annual October Disney trip to a Universal trip with one night at Disney, and maybe a day at Disney Springs. What advice would you give about October?

We aren't interested in Halloween Horror Nights, but would want to do the Behind the Screams tour. Do those sell out quickly?

How hard is transport from a US hotel to Disney/Disney Springs? (We won't use Uber, ever.)

Do the US hotels ever offer a discount?

 

[Kivara]

I've never done October or HHN before (but a lot here have), so they will have to give you that info.

Yes, you can get discounts on the hotels...but HHN is a big event, so there might not be as many deals as in a lower populated time. I would book a room now, to be sure to get one, and keep checking on deals. If you book a room seperate (not a package) you can change your reservation if a better price comes along.

How long are you planning to stay? If you stay enough nights in a row, the SMSM (Stay More, Save More) is usually the best discount. Although, there is also an APH (Annual Pass Holder) discount that is usually available. (If that's the best deal, you CAN book the APH rate now, and get your pass later...as long as you show your pass some time during your stay to keep the discounted price.)

 

[Sugart]

Just keep in mind that Studios closes at 6pm during HHN, IOA stays open til 7pm i believe

 

[schumigirl]

Just keep in mind that Studios closes at 6pm during HHN, IOA stays open til 7pm i believe

Studios closes at 5 only the nights HHN is on........it's not on every night.

IOA stays open till 7/8pm on those nights.

 

[schumigirl]

We're devout Disney fans, but when we went to Universal this February we were really struck by how clean everything was and how incredibly immersive the experience was. So we're thinking of switching our annual October Disney trip to a Universal trip with one night at Disney, and maybe a day at Disney Springs. What advice would you give about October?

We aren't interested in Halloween Horror Nights, but would want to do the Behind the Screams tour. Do those sell out quickly?

How hard is transport from a US hotel to Disney/Disney Springs? (We won't use Uber, ever.)

Do the US hotels ever offer a discount?

Stay more save more is a good option for longer stays. Doubt there will be any decent discounts during HHN, as hotels can sell out then. No need to offer discounts.

Cabs are an option.

 

[Metro West]

Stay more save more is a good option for longer stays. Doubt there will be any decent discounts during HHN, as hotels can sell out then. No need to offer discounts.

Right...most cases hotels have a minimum night stay during HHN but offer packages to take advantage of. Discounts? Doubtful.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

Stay more save more is a good option for longer stays. Doubt there will be any decent discounts during HHN, as hotels can sell out then. No need to offer discounts.

Cabs are an option.

Yup. Stay More Save More is a good option, but I'm pretty sure that discount is blacked out for October. The Splash, Stay and Play discount is $75 off in October, but you have to go with single park per day tickets in that package. October resort room pricing tends to be a bit higher per night compared to Sept and Nov simply because of HHN demand.

 

[pcstang]

Yup. Stay More Save More is a good option, but I'm pretty sure that discount is blacked out for October. The Splash, Stay and Play discount is $75 off in October, but you have to go with single park per day tickets in that package. October resort room pricing tends to be a bit higher per night compared to Sept and Nov simply because of HHN demand.

Hence the reason to book early. I booked last October for this coming October. Once the rooms start filling up the minimum stay thing kicks in and the discount rates go away.

 

[gotomu212]

Although I'd agree that discounts in Oct are more limited with HHN, the last 2 years we were able to get APH rates at Portofino in Oct that were great! I was surprised but it's worth continuing to check. I loved Oct because it wasn't an oven but still warm for pools/water rides. Crowds were smaller and even though the parks close earlier we were able to do so much that we really didn't feel slighted.

 

[macraven]

I booked last year and already booked this year for UO rpr

Both with smsm code

14 nights stay I booked
I always tell others that October is the month with the deepest discounts of 35% discount for when you book 7 night or more stay

The UO site lists the months and discount amounts for the seasonal smsm bookings

Some time periods requires a 3 night booking while other time periods require a 4 night stay

The 7 night bookings have the highest discounts

 

[schumigirl]

Yup. Stay More Save More is a good option, but I'm pretty sure that discount is blacked out for October. The Splash, Stay and Play discount is $75 off in October, but you have to go with single park per day tickets in that package. October resort room pricing tends to be a bit higher per night compared to Sept and Nov simply because of HHN demand.

I've definitely had the smsm rate in October.

 

[keishashadow]

We're devout Disney fans, but when we went to Universal this February we were really struck by how clean everything was and how incredibly immersive the experience was. So we're thinking of switching our annual October Disney trip to a Universal trip with one night at Disney, and maybe a day at Disney Springs. What advice would you give about October?

We aren't interested in Halloween Horror Nights, but would want to do the Behind the Screams tour. Do those sell out quickly?

How hard is transport from a US hotel to Disney/Disney Springs? (We won't use Uber, ever.)

Do the US hotels ever offer a discount?

When you say a night @ Disney, does that mean staying onsite or in that area? If so, easier to do your DS thing then & transport up to U for remainder of your visit. DS is an after thought for us, something nice to do to kill a few hours if eating in the area. Would never find enough to do to occupy a whole day. Others seem to love it.

We rent a car but still use uber or internal bus @ WDW when alcohol is involved. Taxis are plentiful in MCO. If they are an issue for you too, then you'd probably want to rent a car.

Curious 'why' you'd want to do the tour & not HHN as most look at it as an enhancement to the event. I don't do it as i fear it would take the 'magic' out of ala the backstage tours @ MK.

Look at the dates for HHN & realize US will close early those days. Not sure if the park times are out yet.

There is a hotel date & rate thread for both 2016 & 2017 here. Take a look at the dates you are interested in to get an idea of what to expect.

Have fun planning the perfect trip for you.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

I've definitely had the smsm rate in October.

Of course, but you likely booked it before June. At some point they shut it down for October. I was getting that discount for October bookings a few weeks ago.

 

[damo]

Yup. Stay More Save More is a good option, but I'm pretty sure that discount is blacked out for October. The Splash, Stay and Play discount is $75 off in October, but you have to go with single park per day tickets in that package. October resort room pricing tends to be a bit higher per night compared to Sept and Nov simply because of HHN demand.

https://uo.loewshotels.com/en/booki...=10/13/2017&rooms=1&sr=&code=&iata=&na=1&nk=0

It isn't blocked out.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

https://uo.loewshotels.com/en/booking/uo?hotel=UEPBH,UEHRH,UERPR,UESFR,UECBB&checkin=10/09/2017&checkout=10/13/2017&rooms=1&sr=&code=&iata=&na=1&nk=0

It isn't blocked out.

Cool ... it was blocked out on VAX yesterday. Sometimes things like that come and go as bookings come and go as bookings get added and cancelled. And sometimes VAX can be a little buggy.

Thanks for that reply though. I just made a change to a client's booking and saved her some cash.

 

[schumigirl]

Of course, but you likely booked it before June. At some point they shut it down for October. I was getting that discount for October bookings a few weeks ago.

Nope.

 

[pcstang]

Nope.

And it's still showing up but availability is dwindling. Aventura is showing up all though it won't be open. Universal and WDW must have the same IT people.

 

[damo]

Cool ... it was blocked out on VAX yesterday. Sometimes things like that come and go as bookings come and go as bookings get added and cancelled. And sometimes VAX can be a little buggy.

Thanks for that reply though. I just made a change to a client's booking and saved her some cash.

I've been keeping an eye out for AP rates for certain dates and keep seeing the SMSM, so I knew they were there. Still hoping for AP rates.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

Nope.

Cool ... I'll chalk it up to VAX being weird again. Like I said, I was able to get that discount again today ... stuff happens.

 

[jeffbeardreams]

And it's still showing up but availability is dwindling. Aventura is showing up all though it won't be open. Universal and WDW must have the same IT people.

You means like Disney's sales site going down for a one day update ... that has now gone well into day two?

Yeah.