Hi Elizabeth,
October will be here before you know it and planning a trip can be so exciting! I haven't seen any official word as to when the dates for this year's MNSSHP will be announced. I hope to see the dates in the next few weeks. Keep an eye for the dates on the special events section of the WDW website - click
here. Also keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog website. If you are on twitter, be sure to follow one of the official Disney accounts like WaltDisneyWorld or DisneyParks.
The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is being held this year from October 1st - November 14th, 2010 which usually draws large crowds. It sounds like you may be traveling during that time. If you want to make any Advanced Dining Reservations, make sure you start trying as soon as your 180 window opens up.
I have visited a lot during peak seasons and have found that if we try to eat lunch as soon as quick service locations begin serving (around 11 a.m.), we're able to get in and out just before the large crowds come in. We also target eating dinner around 5 p.m. If you want to make ADRs for any meals, I'd do the same thing. The character dining locations are usually crowded no matter what time you eat because they are super popular with the kids. However, I've always found them to be comfortable because the number of people dining at any given time is limited.
Feel free to check back with us. We are all anxiously awaiting the news. Wishing you many magical memories!