October booked, Is this surprising???

[MarkyMouse]

My DW tried to book for five nights in October and they said all DVC's were booked solid. I was surprised by this given the relatively low crowds at this time of the year. Does this surprise anyone else. For the record, we have been members since 94 but have never tried to go at this time.

 

[JimC]

Here is my guess. There is the golf classic, food and wine festival and Halloween all during that month. Its great weather and low crowds and reasonable points. Those combine for busy DVC.

 

[DebbieB]

Which dates in October were you trying for? I would be more surprised if the dates were are at the beginning of the month since the F & W Festival does not start until Oct 18.

 

[MarkyMouse]

We were going the 12th-17th.

 

[Richyams]

This is not surprising at all. We have known for a long time that DVC busy periods are mostly opposite of park peak times. The first two weeks of December are among the lightest park days of the year, yet they are the hardest too book DVC. The second hardest time is late October till the week before Thanksgiving.

The weather, the crowds, Food n Wine, low points, all add up to busy time for DVC.

 

[BigTigger]

Your experience is spot on. We went in October the last three years and were never able to swap from OKW to BWV or VWL at the seven month window. We had no problem switching an August ressie at the seven month window for this year's trip.

October starts busy with Columbus day weekend, stays busy for the golf tourney and the start of Food & Wine festival, and finishes busy with Halloween. Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party is always close to or a sell-out in the slow October timeframe. We used to always think we got a lot of extras in October/November to make up for the seasonal ride closures.

 

[LoveMyDVC]

Not surprised. We were able to get a week at BWV at the end of October, but we booked 2 months ago. BCV was sold out and all that was left was a preferred view.

 

[kathleena]

I just waited seven weeks for one night in a 1br for Oct 26th at BCV to complete my 6 night ressie. They had plenty of 1brs at BWV at the time I booked the other nights.

Just two weeks ago, I decided to get two more nights, and I waitlisted for one night in a studio at OKW. It came in in two days.

I would suggest a day by day listing. Columbus weekend is very busy.

 

[PamOKW]

It's not too surprising that you weren't able to book easily. But, I think the suggestion to wait list day-by-day may produce results for you in a short time period. The 5 days you want aren't available as of this minute. Maybe 4 of them are. Maybe 2 of them are. If you give the wait list some time to work you may get what you want. You could also increase your odds by giving several choices of resort and/or room size. Once something starts to become available you could narrow your choice. Good luck and I hope it works out.

 

[klcason]

I am just curious what days you were trying to book for? We are waiting for a resale to go through and were hopeful we would get a 1 br in OKW for the 11-17 of Oct. I posted on the Rent/Trade board to see if anyone could check for me but no responses yet. I am going to be crushed if our resale goes through and we can't go. That would be a major let down

Oh well.....maybe it will all be ok. If we could just get some info on the STUPID ROFR.

Good luck finding something!!

Kayla

 

[Pa@okw95]

You are 3 months out! I believe renting opens up to the public at 5 months out. The golf tournament may be the reason with a lot of contestants bring their family for this tourney. Like so many others have said, October is a busy time of year for DVC members, we sig when others are zagging. Also there is some pent up vacations being made since the 9/11 situation seems to be behind us.

 

[Regina]

For the record, early October is fine. I just booked two nights at VWL for 10/2 to 10/4.

 

[JonHM]

We had relatives cancel on us for a May trip, so about six weeks ago I called up about going October 12-17 instead. There was no availability at BCV, VWL or BWV. We waitlisted at all 3, for only the entire trip, and within about 3 weeks, we had ressies at VWL. I wouldn't do the day by day thing because you really don't want to move resort to resort unless you have to.

 

[Dancind]

Wow. I called yesterday and got a 2 BR at OKW for Oct. 18-22. I must have been really lucky! I thought 2 BR's sold out before the studios and 1 BR's? Diana

 

[littlestar]

I called yesterday and got real lucky. We switched from a VWL studio to Boardwalk standard view 1 bedroom (I know, I couldn't believe I got it either) for September 28 through October 4th. But, that's early October so maybe that's why. I was getting ready to wait list one of the days and it came in right before they were going to put me on the waitlist. Monday must be really busy because the inventory changed in minutes.

Our kids were coming in for a few days, thus we wanted more room (studio is fine when it's just me and the hubby). We were going for Boardwalk standard view one bedroom or Old Key West one bedroom - I was totally shocked I got Boardwalk standard view this late.

 

[lrodk]

This is the reason why we book, to the day, 11 months out at our home resort. DVC is very busy during this time and I just hate to leave it to chance.

 

[mickeyc]

Last year we tried to book in October and has difficulty. According to MS Disney has the Food and Wine Festival, Golf Classic, and many conventions during this time. Disney will offer discount to corporation during this time period in order to increase buisness. However, I did not try to book until August.


The end result is we ended up at Port Orleans Riverside. Try the wait list something may come up. Good luck!!

 

[klcason]

Well seeing as we are not members YET!! I finally tracked down the member services phone number and they would have been happy to give me some info on availability but the system was down. Just my luck I get the number on the very day there is a problem.

Well surely if we are not picky about where we stay we can get a room. I would even splurge for a 2 br if need be. I will call tomorrow and see what they say.

Thanks for all the input. Also any pixie dust y'all could send my way would be much appreciated. Still waiting on that ROFR.

Kayla