What is up on Oct 16?

[Babsy]

Trying to get a resort for the 16th of October, but there is very little available. Does anyone know: is something special happening that day?

very curious..

Thanks!

 

[KittieKat]

We are going the 17th and I know there was a deal going around for then. Could have something to do with it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Gartner Symposium is that week, although I will tell you the DVC 7-month window was also a bloodbath for that period.

 

[Polydweller]

Gartner symposium would be the main reason. It's huge, really huge, and fills up rooms across the property. Regular guests take up many of the other rooms six months out meaning very limited to no availability at all Disney resorts. Two and a half months out there may be virtually none.

 

[AshleeH]

October is the new summer. It is a busy time of year. It used to be a great time to go, but with so many secrets on social media, that secret is officially out. We booked our October trip as soon as our reservation opened up and the CM said even at that time, it was "Shaping up to be a very busy month."

 

[Serenebean]

We are looking to go Oct 2017...what is this Gartner Symposium...is it always in October? I wanted to wait to make a reservation until the discounts come out in April, but now I'm not so sure...

Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

We are looking to go Oct 2017...what is this Gartner Symposium...is it always in October? I wanted to wait to make a reservation until the discounts come out in April, but now I'm not so sure...

Thanks!

IT convention. It is every October, dates vary.
http://www.gartner.com/events/na/orlando-symposium

 

[Deb & Bill]

Plus they set up communications trailers and other trailers in the parking lots at YC/BC and BWI/BWV that take up lots of parking spaces. Parking is really at a premium at the BW during that convention.

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

October is the new summer. It is a busy time of year. It used to be a great time to go, but with so many secrets on social media, that secret is officially out. We booked our October trip as soon as our reservation opened up and the CM said even at that time, it was "Shaping up to be a very busy month."

ITA. We used to always go in mid-October but went in mid-August last year because DD was starting college. We thought the parks would be more crowded since we were going in the summer. Nope. We found that October was much busier than August. The parks - especially Epcot (because no F&WF) - were less crowded and we had an easy time getting ADRs and FP+. And we booked the trip only 3 months in advance. Airfare was also much cheaper.

 

[AshleeH]

ITA. We used to always go in mid-October but went in mid-August last year because DD was starting college. We thought the parks would be more crowded since we were going in the summer. Nope. We found that October was much busier than August. The parks - especially Epcot (because no F&WF) - were less crowded and we had an easy time getting ADRs and FP+. And we booked the trip only 3 months in advance. Airfare was also much cheaper.

That doesn't surprise me - people never want to believe me when I tell them how crowded October is. "But everyone says it's a great time of year to go!" Well, so is Christmas for many people, but Disney couldn't pay me to go that week. We enjoy October, but it's in spite of the crowds, not because it's not crowded. If I could stand the heat and we had August free, I would love to go then because I've heard it is relatively low crowds. Our schools start back this week, so that will never be in the cards for us. September would be my preference - get a little bit of Food and Wine and no school breaks. Win/win .

 

[lilkimmyk]

OP, we are arriving that same week, mid-week. Getting a reservation to use my PIN was a nightmare, but it did eventually work out. We actually have a reservation for our first night at rack rate, then was able to get the rest of our stay using the discount so we actually have to checkout after one night then check right back in. We really wanted POR preferred but that was never available. If it wasn't for someone on these boards who just happened to look for me after I was venting I wouldn't have found it. Keep checking. Maybe just book a room you wouldn't mind for now and closer to the 45 day cancellation window you might find something.

 

[fitzperry]

In addition to Gartner, with so many schools switching to "balanced calendars," lots of kids have 1-2 week fall breaks in October, so more people are choosing those dates for their Disney vacations.