Wow! Six weeks. I'd love that. My sister and I had a funny experience with actor portraying Thomas Jefferson when we were there in May. Because of weather, we didn't get to see him until our second to last day when we did a Walk With A Nation Builder. We'd done it with him twice before and have chatted with him both in character and out. This last time, after he finished his introductory to walk, he looked at my sister and I and said something to the effect of "I didn't know you ladies were about town," and asked when we arrived and when we were leaving. We joked afterwards that we should check in with him in the future. *LOL*
This is going to be our second attempt at Grand Illumination. Our first attempt was in 2002. We used to drive down then (from the Boston area). Unfortunately, the day we were supposed to leave, there was a major snowstorm in the Boston area. it delayed our departure by a day, so we ended up missing Grand Illumination. We're flying this time (and hope for no snow) and since they're doing it three weekends and we'll be there for two of them, we definitely shouldn't miss it this time.
If it helps, I think you really should start planning a trip soon.