When to go Sept/Oct 2005?

[HenDuck]

Hi There.

I am trying to figure out when would be the right time to visit DL for my DS' 5th B-day (which will be 10/5/05).

I know Gay Day will be the first weekend in October.

I also know the following weekend is the Columbus holiday weekend.

I am trying to decide whether to get there the week before or after Gay Day weekend? Obviously, we plan to be there on the 5th for DS' actual birthday. But should we start or end our visit during that week?

I guess my question is, which weekend will be more crowded? We can always avoid the Disney parks on the weekends since we plan to hit San Diego too.

Also, which week would be more crowded - the week before or after "Gay Day" weekend or the week following Columbus Day?

Have I confused everyone now? I'm confused!

Thanks much for your help!

 

[Blackunicorn]

We usually travel to DL the last week of September, and it's not very crowded until Friday, which is the first Friday in October. That Friday is usually when they open Haunted Mansion Holiday, and from what I understand, Fridays are normally more crowded. Also, a lot of people start arriving that Friday for "Gay Day", which may make the park more crowded. The crowds still didn't seem humongous, but there was a definite difference. I know that the hotel was booked solid for "Gay Day" that weekend the last time we went there, but we left Friday night, so we didn't have to worry about it.