Why do hotels cost so much more in October?

[Disneyland1084]

Last August in 2023, my family and I stayed in a 2 bedroom suite at Desert Inn and Suites for around $270 a night. I typed in what the price would be for the same suite for a few days in October to get a ball park figure of what it would cost next Halloween if we do choose to attend Oogie Boogie Bash. It came to around $490 a night. Why such a massive hike in cost? I would think in the summer there would be a higher demand.

 

[tlovesdis]

October is actually busier than summer now a days due to the Halloween time. But that does seem like a huge jump. Maybe it's too far out and it's giving you the rack rate?

 

[Disneyland1084]

October is actually busier than summer now a days due to the Halloween time. But that does seem like a huge jump. Maybe it's too far out and it's giving you the rack rate?

I actually put in the price for next week. Very surprised rooms are still available.

 

[mom2rtk]

We are staying there the same days in early January and our standard room is "only" $20 a night higher than last year.

Are you sure it's the same kind of room you are pricing? Maybe you got some sort of deal last year?

 

[upritbass]

Three letters: OBB.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Are you sure it's the same kind of room you are pricing? Maybe you got some sort of deal last year?

Positive. We did get a military discount last time, but not very much.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Three letters: OBB.

Yep...THIS.

 

[brightlined]

DLR considers August to be dead season.

It's not "summer". It's after a lot of schools go back, and it's too early for people to care about Halloween (even if Disney is trying by starting it in August). That's why they moved D23 to August - they're trying to fill a dead period.

For example, Pixar Fest was the summer event - it ended on August 4th.

That's also why they did a lot of rehab in August - it's just not a busy month, by comparison. More locals are coming (ie, more MK holders). Even if the parks are busy, the hotels aren't as full.

So, broadly speaking, August is a cheaper month for hotel rates.

 

[mom2rtk]

Three letters: OBB.

Except OBB has been going on in October for some time. OP is wondering why the big jump from last year.

 

[serendipityaey]

Except OBB has been going on in October for some time. OP is wondering why the big jump from last year.

But they’re comparing a price they got last year in August to the price this October.

 

[mom2rtk]

But they’re comparing a price they got last year in August to the price this October.

Got it. Big difference for sure.

 

[joseph821]

DLR considers August to be dead season.

It's not "summer". It's after a lot of schools go back, and it's too early for people to care about Halloween (even if Disney is trying by starting it in August). That's why they moved D23 to August - they're trying to fill a dead period.

For example, Pixar Fest was the summer event - it ended on August 4th.

That's also why they did a lot of rehab in August - it's just not a busy month, by comparison. More locals are coming (ie, more MK holders). Even if the parks are busy, the hotels aren't as full.

So, broadly speaking, August is a cheaper month for hotel rates.

I agree with that. August 2004 had more refurbs than normal but I do not expect August 2025 to have as many since 2025 is the 70th. The Haunted Mansion will go down in August but Disneyland allocates its refurbs and money by the fiscal year I believe -- broken up into 4 quarters. The Monorail was down due to DD construction. Space Mountain needed major work done. The Railroad closed for track repair work and was down for nearly 3 months because the RR will not be going down for refurb in 2025. Attendance has been lighter in 2024 because of all the refurbs and HM and Tianas not open. I do not think 2025 will be anything like 2024 refurb wise. Disneyland took advantage of the time because HM and Tianas were down. I also expect Halloween Time to be possibily moved up a week earlier for more OBB nights.

 

[Bruno33]

OBB people book more hotels than regular park guests because even people who are mostly “local” will get a hotel so they can get ready and have somewhere close by to get to when the party is over.

 

[disneychrista]

Supply and demand. October is one of the busiest times of the year nowadays. I had to switch my December trip by a week because hotels were either booked or $$$$ because it was Candlelight Processional weekend.

 

[monkeypat83]

Another thing that could be a factor if you are only looking at one specific week/weekend in October is that there could be something big going on at the Convention Center which will also hike prices up. There are a few massive conference throughout the year really hike hotel prices but actually don't make the parks much busier.