We've been Oct. 03 and Oct. 04. Both year's we were in early. in 2003 we had a priority seating in MK so we got in around 4:30 with wristband so we did not have to leave when they "closed" i did not notice any move to the front that year.
IN 2004 we were already in the park so around the time they were to "close" we went into the ladies room to get into costume. We came out (toon town) and they said to head to the front, we got as far as the Indy cars in tomorrow land and the rides picked up again. we went straight to space mountain and got right on. I don't think they "closed" for more than 15 minutes.
Worked well either way.