What's up with October?

[Missus Toad]

Sorry, I'm new here and on a posting jag. I'll try to consolidate questions from now on. Here's one more, though:

Why is it so tough to get ressies at anywhere other than OKW in October (not that I mind OKW at all)? I know, Food and Wine and Halloween, plus the OKW pool situation, but man, is it ever crazy! Maybe I don't have a good grasp of the rationale/policy, but what puzzles me is that it seems they've released a lot of home away from homes to CRO. I know it doesn't help to look at booking two months out, but is it typical for them to do this? Is there any chance of these rooms coming available on a points basis in the near future? How realistic is it to hope for a wait list to come through?

Thanks for your patience with the new gal!

 

[melk]

Hi!
I really can't give you any answers, but I can sympathize with you. A few weeks ago we tried to get VWL for Halloween weekend and the only place we could get was OKW. We're on the waitlist with no idea whether or not it will come through. If not, we are looking forward to trying OKW!

I'll be interested if anyone has any insight into this, if, as you say, they release a lot to CRO as home away from home resorts.

 

[PamOKW]

Once they are into the 60 day window, they make an educated guess on whether members will use the rooms or not and start releasing them to CRO. Also, some of the CRO rooms are there because DVC members have traded out the points for cruises, hotel stays, II exchanges, etc.

Wait list could very well come through. Lots of times people book because they "think" they might want to go WDW at that time. When the 30 day deadline approaches, they may decide to cancel. In general, the entire reservation system is always fluid with some folks having to cancel for one reason or another.

 

[Pa@okw95]

After this, I suggest you make your reservations 11 months out. There really is no point in being a member if you do not make them before the 7 month mark. October is a very busy month down there now, they have the golf tournament as well as those things mention above. The weather is great, most of the heat, rain and hurricanes have passed. It is a popular time of year, most DVC members are very savvy travelers, they don't believe in hurling themselves down there in the heat and rain and crowds of summer. October is a great time to go. Good luck!

 

[Missus Toad]

Yeah, normally we are big 11 month out planners, but I've recently learned that I'm going to have another baby in February and wanted to get one more trip in before the new kid arrives. Hence, the late planning.

Thanks all, for the info!

 

[melk]

Congratulations!! That's a great reason to plan an impromptu trip! In our case, we also like to book months in advance but Jetblue came out with some unreal ticket prices so we said Let's do it!!
Where are you waitlisted for?

 

[eporter66]

We have gone in October twice, and we thought that it was a good time to go. The parks did not seem overly crowded, even the F & W festival wasnt overbearing. We also went for the golf tournament.

Really have no answer to your question except that the F&W fest must be growing every year. They have expanded it, so that may be one reason

eric

 

[PamOKW]

The deeply discounted airline rates may also have contributed to increasing the October crowds.

 

[Missus Toad]

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and the good wishes! I guess there are many reasons for the crowds. Maybe they'll give some rooms back to DVC at some point..?

Melk - I'm waitlisted for WL (along with the rest of the world!).