We're planning a quickie trip 10/3-10/5. We'll be at my in laws for a few days prior and will be meeting up with friends for the 3rd-5th. We'll be doing MNSSHP on 10/3 (we also did it last year and had a blast), as well as attending the Food & Wine Festival for the first time. I don't have the room booked yet, but am hoping to book WL since we haven't tried this one yet. The last 2 visits have been to POR but last year the room needed upgrading badly. We went over Columbus Day weekend last year, and the actual Columbus Day holiday (Monday) it was very crowded at AK. By Tuesday the crowds had died down substantially. It was pretty hot as well. We wore shorts to MNSSHP with no problems.