Still holding inventories?

[mouserrificmom]

Hello friends,

Are hotels still running at reduced capacity? We are flexible with dates and entering multiple options and it seems so SO many (on site) resorts are solidly booked, while I understand that with some of the most convenient options - it seems odd to me to have so few options. We are trying multiple variants of 5 night stays from October 12 - the 28th and coming up short. We have been able to book SOMETHING that we are OK with but it's neither our ideal dates or resort choice. We are trying to wrap around a weekend, to avoid taking too many days off from school so that may be part of the issue but it just surprises me that the choices are so few and far between.

 

[ktink]

We are going for a quick trip 10/14-10/18. My DD's fall break is during this time. I assumed the slim pickings were because of fall breaks & Halloween being a busier time. I'm curious to see what others say about the capacity levels for hotels right now though.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Hello friends,

Are hotels still running at reduced capacity? We are flexible with dates and entering multiple options and it seems so SO many (on site) resorts are solidly booked, while I understand that with some of the most convenient options - it seems odd to me to have so few options. We are trying multiple variants of 5 night stays from October 12 - the 28th and coming up short. We have been able to book SOMETHING that we are OK with but it's neither our ideal dates or resort choice. We are trying to wrap around a weekend, to avoid taking too many days off from school so that may be part of the issue but it just surprises me that the choices are so few and far between.

October is a super busy time, especially around Columbus Day Weekend so it's not surprising you couldn't find your exact pick. Nobody would really know if Disney resorts are holding any rooms back. I know resort staffing and all WDW wide staffing is still not back 100% but if I were you, I'd just keep checking. Also, if you don't mind switching resorts/splitting your stay, maybe look for 3 days at one resort and 2/3 days at another. It's not ideal but could be a better option.

 

[Atlantix2000]

Hello friends,

Are hotels still running at reduced capacity? We are flexible with dates and entering multiple options and it seems so SO many (on site) resorts are solidly booked, while I understand that with some of the most convenient options - it seems odd to me to have so few options. We are trying multiple variants of 5 night stays from October 12 - the 28th and coming up short. We have been able to book SOMETHING that we are OK with but it's neither our ideal dates or resort choice. We are trying to wrap around a weekend, to avoid taking too many days off from school so that may be part of the issue but it just surprises me that the choices are so few and far between.

A big part of the problem is you are trying to book only 4 months before your trip when many people have already booked many months earlier. For comparison, I booked my Sept 2022 trip in Nov 2021 (10 months ahead) and still had to adjust dates to get what I wanted. You probably don't think you are booking last minute, but in the current travel environment, I think that's what is happening.

 

[mouserrificmom]

A big part of the problem is you are trying to book only 4 months before your trip when many people have already booked many months earlier. For comparison, I booked my Sept 2022 trip in Nov 2021 (10 months ahead) and still had to adjust dates to get what I wanted. You probably don't think you are booking last minute, but in the current travel environment, I think that's what is happening.

That is a good point - we usually book much further out than we are doing for this trip.....daughter decided this is what she would like to do for her birthday so it is more spontaneous than is the norm for us, but it is sill a surprise for us to really only have 5-7 options out of the dozens we are used to when you factor room view and such in the equation. We have been travelling to Disney frequently over the past 16 years and have booked spontaneous trips in the past, and have never experienced this!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Many things going on at WDW in Oct. Columbus Day, Fall breaks, MNSSHP is back after 2 years, and it's F & W. Even before Covid Oct was super busy and there haven't been discounts for years during this month.

 

[focusondisney]

That is a good point - we usually book much further out than we are doing for this trip.....daughter decided this is what she would like to do for her birthday so it is more spontaneous than is the norm for us, but it is sill a surprise for us to really only have 5-7 options out of the dozens we are used to when you factor room view and such in the equation. We have been travelling to Disney frequently over the past 16 years and have booked spontaneous trips in the past, and have never experienced this!

There really has never been a time like this before. The resorts have been very fully booked all year. Many years ago, people booked a year out to get the resorts/ rooms they wanted. The last 20-30 years, it wasn’t as necessary to book that far out. But we’re back to demand exceeding supply. At least for now. The packages & on line booking for next year just got released earlier this month. So many people were waiting impatiently for that so they could book for next year.

Have you gone in October before? It has been really busy for probably the last 7-8 years. Disney limited discounts for October for years because resorts were fully booked without them. Good luck getting the room you want!

 

[mouserrificmom]

There really has never been a time like this before. The resorts have been very fully booked all year. Many years ago, people booked a year out to get the resorts/ rooms they wanted. The last 20-30 years, it wasn’t as necessary to book that far out. But we’re back to demand exceeding supply. At least for now. The packages & on line booking for next year just got released earlier this month. So many people were waiting impatiently for that so they could book for next year.

Have you gone in October before? It has been really busy for probably the last 7-8 years. Disney limited discounts for October for years because resorts were fully booked without them. Good luck getting the room you want!

Yep, we have been many many times in October and we have definitely noticed the crowds increasing over the years. When the kids were young we nearly always traveled in October as we found the low crowds and price structure the best of both worlds. As the kids grew into Middle and High School grades, we shifted to summer months to not miss school. Now the youngest is turning 18 this October, and wants to celebrate her birthday at Disney.......she will be a senior, this is why we are planning a short trip wrapped around a weekend so she is only missing 2 school days. As luck would have it, when I was explaining to husband the difficulty I had earlier today, we went on and suddenly s much more was available - and we managed to switch to both our ideal dates and preferred resort so we're really happy! Reporting back just in case anyone else looking at mid-October might want to hop on and check availability.

Now just waiting for them to bring back Annual passes....because I will also be down in December and again in August!!

 

[lockets]

Epcot turns 40 in October. Not that they are celebrating it that I’ve heard of but add that to the list above…

I’m always a late booker. Just keep trying daily! Stuff opens up all the time randomly.

 

[pltravers]

We are going the same time and have had a similar experience with poor availability. We picked those dates because DH has a conference then (10/17-23) and assumed Epcot resorts were booked or being held for conference attendees. I've seen more open up on the 23rd around Epcot area.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFan]

I've got a friend trying to book 2 nights 11/8-9 at any deluxe and nothing except AKL. They don't want to stay that far away from MK and EPCOT. Crazy days.

 

[DL1WDW2]

It’s crazy .Guess Disney won’t be offering discounts at this rate.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I've got a friend trying to book 2 nights 11/8-9 at any deluxe and nothing except AKL. They don't want to stay that far away from MK and EPCOT. Crazy days.

That’s not surprising. Jersey Week.

 

[hmansionlover]

Have you thought about talking to a TA. They may have some packages in their inventory. And don't forget AAA has a travel agent as well. We used them once very smooth