Ugh...It was great while it lasted

[BigAlsGal]

I was hoping to book one last trip before our annual passes expired. Our financial circumstances have changed slightly and I've enjoyed probably 20+Disney trips over the last 5 years. I started frequenting Disney 5 years ago when bounceback offers flowed like water, room rates were super low, and there were actually some slow park days. It really was awesome. It looks like those days are long gone....

I can't find any rooms in October or November. The only rooms available are well over $400 a night. I've never spent over $280 a night and I've stayed at places like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. (Well except a splurge at BC for a couple nights). I just can't fathom spending $3500 for a week in a hotel. I'm so sad. I mean congrats to Disney. Glad business is booming. I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe I'll get lucky and an AP discount will come out soon. I'll keep looking. Maybe I'll hit the lottery...

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[ols386]

So sorry. I hope something comes up for you. What about the possibility of renting DVC points?

 

[mousehockey37]

Why do threads keep coming up about October/November?

I understand the vent though. It's a gripe a lot of people have. That said, thank social media!!!!

Everyone's learned that the fall is THE time to go now.... So as is the case, if you want to go at a slower time of year, you just might have to get out the sunblock, short shorts and tank tops because that's when lower crowds may be around... in the summer.

Sure, there may be a day or 2 here or there that isn't as full as others in the fall, but Disney has just put too much out there for the fall that's got the rooms booked solid... both through Disney AND on the DVC side.

I'll add a vent here that maybe it's about time to have a "Frustrated with the fall" thread and everyone can gripe about the lack of availability and such there....

 

[mousehockey37]

So sorry. I hope something comes up for you. What about the possibility of renting DVC points?

Forget it. Everything is inside of 7 months now for October/November and it's booked solid with not much available.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Forget it. Everything is inside of 7 months now for October/November and it's booked solid with not much available.

Yeah. I was gonna say the same thing.

 

[Shanti]

I was hoping to book one last trip before our annual passes expired. Our financial circumstances have changed slightly and I've enjoyed probably 20+Disney trips over the last 5 years. I started frequenting Disney 5 years ago when bounceback offers flowed like water, room rates were super low, and there were actually some slow park days. It really was awesome. It looks like those days are long gone....

I can't find any rooms in October or November. The only rooms available are well over $400 a night. I've never spent over $280 a night and I've stayed at places like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. (Well except a splurge at BC for a couple nights). I just can't fathom spending $3500 for a week in a hotel. I'm so sad. I mean congrats to Disney. Glad business is booming. I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe I'll get lucky and an AP discount will come out soon. I'll keep looking. Maybe I'll hit the lottery...

Thanks for letting me vent.

Can't you go this summer instead? Resort rates are a lot cheaper in summer than in October or November. The parks will likely be less crowded, too.

 

[adisneyaunt]

I've been checking rates myself to price shop a bit for an early fall rate I snagged on a bounceback...
Wow, the rates are High!

Keep checking OP, things just may change..??

 

[Shanti]

Everyone's learned that the fall is THE time to go now.... So as is the case, if you want to go at a slower time of year, you just might have to get out the sunblock, short shorts and tank tops because that's when lower crowds may be around... in the summer.

That's no joke- it's the truth. We went in late July last year, and crowds were low. Not at the lower end of high, but low. The lowest we'd seen since January 2009. The only crowds we saw were at the water parks. We're hoping the trend continues as we return during the first week of August this summer. I'll gladly cope with heat & throw in some pool & water park time to my vacation in exchange for much lower resort prices and less crowds.

 

[mousehockey37]

Can't you go this summer instead? Resort rates are a lot cheaper in summer than in October or November. The parks will likely be less crowded, too.

I don't think that's a fair question. If you travel to Disney for the ambiance of fall/winter why would you even entertain the idea of a July trip?

That said, people are slowly learning and falling into Disney's plans for booking earlier and earlier now for next year or even further out.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Can't you go this summer instead? Resort rates are a lot cheaper in summer than in October or November. The parks will likely be less crowded, too.

We technically could but we just got back in May. I wanted to space it out better. I really enjoy my area during the summer. I like camping and enjoying all the summer festivities. When the weather gets gloomy a break to Disney was always wonderful. I know I sound like a big baby but I'm going through some life changes and Disney might be out of my reach for awhile. I'm super happy with the direction things are going except this. I love Disney so much.

 

[Shanti]

I don't think that's a fair question. If you travel to Disney for the ambiance of fall/winter why would you even entertain the idea of a July trip?.

Um, hello. I don't think it has anything to do with being "unfair". I think it's sharing information and advice. I was trying to help the OP, who might not have been aware that summer has lower prices & crowds. The original post said nothing about why (or even if) the OP preferred fall. I was just putting more options out there to help.

 

[mousehockey37]

Um, I don't think it's "unfair". I was trying to help the OP, who might not have been aware that summer has lower prices & crowds. The original post said nothing about why (or even if) the OP preferred fall. I was just putting more options out there to help.

Judging by their 20+ trips over the last 5 years.... That kinda puts them there at many different points throughout the year... I'd think they're aware of this.

 

[Shanti]

Judging by her 20+ trips over the last 5 years.... That kinda puts her there at many different points throughout the year... I'd think they're aware of this.

The trend toward summer being less crowded is a new one, and again, there was no indication that the OP had been there in summer before or was aware of the changing crowd patterns. I'm sorry you aren't happy about the information I have to share, but you shouldn't blame the messenger. Let's keep the OP the focus of this thread, and not argue.

 

[mousehockey37]

The new trend toward summer being less crowded is a new one, and again, there was no indication that the OP had been there in summer before or was aware of the changing crowd patterns. I'm sorry you aren't happy about the information I have to share, but you shouldn't blame the messenger. Let's keep the OP the focus of this thread, and not argue.

Then don't try to point them to a season they don't want to travel in

 

[Shanti]

Then don't try to point them to a season they don't want to travel in

There was nothing in the OPs original post that I responded to that indicated the OP didn't want to travel in summer. Signing off.

 

[BigAlsGal]

Anyone know when they would put fall AP discounts out? I'm thinking it's around August.

Probably be pretty scarce.

I love when the AP discounts are on $1200 a night rooms.

 

[mousehockey37]

Anyone know when they would put fall AP discounts out? I'm thinking it's around August.

Probably be pretty scarce.

I love when the AP discounts are on $1200 a night rooms.

Judging by other threads where AP discounts came out, it was minimal as far as savings. You'd have to search around some as I don't remember the threads.

 

[Shanti]

Anyone know when they would put fall AP discounts out? I'm thinking it's around August.

Probably be pretty scarce.

I love when the AP discounts are on $1200 a night rooms.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/ap-rates-for-9-1-10-31-are-out.3611323/

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I'd rather pluck my eyeballs out with a spoon than deal with summer heat. I'm pure misery when I'm hot. Isn't July/August when the obnoxious tour groups are prominent? Maybe social media getting the word out that they're present during that time is chasing people away.

 

[Rory_Chapman]

I was hoping to book one last trip before our annual passes expired. Our financial circumstances have changed slightly and I've enjoyed probably 20+Disney trips over the last 5 years. I started frequenting Disney 5 years ago when bounceback offers flowed like water, room rates were super low, and there were actually some slow park days. It really was awesome. It looks like those days are long gone....

I can't find any rooms in October or November. The only rooms available are well over $400 a night. I've never spent over $280 a night and I've stayed at places like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs. (Well except a splurge at BC for a couple nights). I just can't fathom spending $3500 for a week in a hotel. I'm so sad. I mean congrats to Disney. Glad business is booming. I just can't bring myself to do it. Maybe I'll get lucky and an AP discount will come out soon. I'll keep looking. Maybe I'll hit the lottery...

Thanks for letting me vent.

Hey OP. I'm in the same boat as you, and most other people in this thread have commented on a thread I started earlier this evening on availability in Sept/Oct. I think the consensus is pretty clear and I think it's right. The Fall just isn't what it used to be. That being said, I'm still holding out hope since no RO discounts have been released past 10/7. And with FD really affecting the month of September more than any other month, maybe we'll get lucky and see some rooms open up for October. Fingers crossed for you and I both!

I will say this, though. It's so odd to hear how people are getting priced out of making trips, how Disney World has fallen below 70% market share for the first time, and still the rooms are this booked. It truly seems like Fall has become it's own beast to navigate.