Who is going the middle of October during FD black out dates ?

[sumertime]

Here's what is odd. The Swan/Dolphin both have booked solid dates during the week AFTER the blackout week. We are arriving the 18th, and I'm not too concerned about FD because we got an awesome deal on tickets through YES. But we're paying rack rate for POFQ. I was hoping that with FD opening up, there would start to be some availablity at S/D, but so far it's a no go.

 

[maryj11]

Here's what is odd. The Swan/Dolphin both have booked solid dates during the week AFTER the blackout week. We are arriving the 18th, and I'm not too concerned about FD because we got an awesome deal on tickets through YES. But we're paying rack rate for POFQ. I was hoping that with FD opening up, there would start to be some availablity at S/D, but so far it's a no go.

Why they would have FD when the Garnter Symposium will be there is odd and not our week

 

[maryj11]

Anyone else going during this time ?

 

[silver236]

Why they would have FD when the Garnter Symposium will be there is odd and not our week

We're going Oct 16-22. I was going to upgrade, but there are a TON of deluxe resorts that are completely sold out starting the night of the 21st. I don't get why they offered free dining for that week when everything is sold out, but not the week before when everything still has availability.

Oh well...guess I can hope for better luck next time but this time I'm paying rack rate.

 

[smitch425]

Why they would have FD when the Garnter Symposium will be there is odd and not our week

The people at the conference do not get FD. They get a room discount and ticket discounts. Despite the fact that there are many attendees, they do not fill as many rooms as you would think when considering the large amount of rooms available property wide. I think they also book many of their rooms at the Swan and Dolphin which are not even Disney hotels. The reason the middle two weeks are blacked out is because that is when most schools have their fall breaks. It has very little to do with when the Gartner Symposium takes place.

 

[Karlzmom]

We are going the 13th through the 27th. Ended up cobbling together a couple nights a Bonnet Creek, followed by 10 nights renting DVC points and finally a free night at the Swan using Starwood points before we fly. The killer for me this trip is the rental car. If I hadn't had frequent flyer points for the plane tickets... We've never gone in October before, but my goodness the prices are unreal! Every step, including the lack of room discounts is sky-high. I don't know that we would ever pick Oct again if its usually like this.

 

[maryj11]

The people at the conference do not get FD. They get a room discount and ticket discounts. Despite the fact that there are many attendees, they do not fill as many rooms as you would think when considering the large amount of rooms available property wide. I think they also book many of their rooms at the Swan and Dolphin which are not even Disney hotels. The reason the middle two weeks are blacked out is because that is when most schools have their fall breaks. It has very little to do with when the Gartner Symposium takes place.

Thanks for the information I still dont understand because this time of year is not a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Even summer months have more going to Disney than in October ? At least that is what I thought, maybe I'm wrong and it will be crowded

 

[smitch425]

Thanks for the information I still dont understand because this time of year is not a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. Even summer months have more going to Disney than in October ? At least that is what I thought, maybe I'm wrong and it will be crowded

The crowds will be moderate. The plus side for you is that those who were able to change their dates from your week to a week with FD will no longer be in front of you in lines. I was there during the blackout dates last year. At our school bus stop alone, 4 families were going to Disney for fall break. It is the perfect time for families to go, so many take advantage of that. This year our fall break was pushed back by two weeks, so lucked out. I already know of one family at the bus stop that is booked besides us, and I'm sure there will be more. Probably more than last year.

 

[Waltgirl]

We will be there from Oct 9-16th for a wedding, so the dates are firm. However we have not booked a hotel yet because I refuse to pay rack rate! I'm blacked out for free dining, there was no AP discount available on my night for MNSSHP, and I never, ever get a pin. If there is no AP discount coming soon for the resorts, we will stay offsite.

Waltgirl

 

[SamMac]

We are going the 6th thru the 11th and I have a reservation but have looked at the possibility of going off site unless an room discount comes out. I can't see paying rack rates either.

 

[silverwolfe2003]

We are going Oct 16th through Oct 23rd...We can't change our dates so no FD for us No discounts either...I wish we could get some sort of discount because it certainly would help!

 

[Singinglizzie]

We are going the 13th through the 27th. Ended up cobbling together a couple nights a Bonnet Creek, followed by 10 nights renting DVC points and finally a free night at the Swan using Starwood points before we fly. The killer for me this trip is the rental car. If I hadn't had frequent flyer points for the plane tickets... We've never gone in October before, but my goodness the prices are unreal! Every step, including the lack of room discounts is sky-high. I don't know that we would ever pick Oct again if its usually like this.

Keep checking back on the car. Rental rates won't drop until 30 days prior. I agree that rates are still up compared to prior years, but you should be able to get a car deal if you keep checking. The transportation board should have a thread for Oct. renters and they should be able to help you find a coupon or something. Best of luck.

 

[mymickeyfans]

We're also going during the October FD blackout, October 8-14th. We did get a 30% off code last spring which saved us about $600....I was hoping for FD, but I'm happy with the 30%. It will be our first family vacation to the World. The kids have no idea we're going...I can't wait

me
DH
DS(7.5 yrs)
DD(3 yrs)

 

[vinotinto]

We are going Oct 6th - 13th. Fortunately, I received a 30% off deluxe pin. Perfect. With 2 adults and 2 kids staying at BC, it's better than FD. Would not be going this year without a discount, especially since the new attractions in Fantasyland will not be open.

 

[VeeHam]

We're going the 7th-13th and haven't received anything. I sure do hope something comes out.