Hi Hilari! Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question! October is one of my favorite times of the year to visit the Walt Disney World Resort. Between the
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival,
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party, and the fun fall decor, not to mention the beautiful weather, October is a magical time to visit!
While some weeks in October can offer lower than normal crowd levels, the dates you are looking at have a couple of events impacting hotel availability. The first is that many students across the country have fall break in mid-October. Families often book their vacations to take advantage of all the benefits of a fall visit, so crowds can really increase during that period. The other event that may be impacting your dates is the
2026 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend, which is October 22-25. This should have a slightly lower impact than the fall break crowd, but it will still affect availability.
Since you are having trouble finding the availability you need at the Deluxe Resorts, I just did a quick search and found that there are currently rooms available at
Moderate Resorts. I have had great experiences at these resorts, so be sure to check them out. My favorite is
Disney’s Port Orleans - Riverside, which has a serene setting that feels like you’re visiting the Louisiana bayou, complete with Southern hospitality! If tropical is more your vibe,
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort feels like an island vacation right in the heart of Walt Disney World.
Bonus: It’s on the
Disney Skyliner, which is not only fun to ride but also a convenient way to get to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT!
Hilari, I hope this helps shed a little light on why you’re running into this challenge. Don’t fret though, there are still plenty of comfy rooms available across the Walt Disney World Resort. Be sure to come back to see us at planDisney if you have any other questions. My friends and I are here to help you plan a magical visit that is “practically perfect in every way!”
Casey