I feel your pain. We don't check in until the 12th but the passholders site doesn't open up dates that early. I don't know where that 10/8 date is coming from....I know it is on Mousesavers as a possibiity but it's not on WDW passholder site. So we're in the same boat as you.
I also can't access the specials page from my computer although at least I can from my husband's.