When can I realistically expect to create a character?

[AlienWacKo]

Is there any way that I can tell which are more populated than others? Like specific amounts?

The Cactuar server is the one I'm trying to get onto. I have RL friends there and a linkshell / guild already established for an online community that has existed prior to FFXIV's initial creation that I'm a member of.

I've personally seen cactuar open up many times late at night and early morning back when i was trying to create a character on gilgamesh which seemed permantely locked. The times i've seen Cactuer open up for short periods of time WHEN they are not on the locked server lists are around 11pm to 1pm EST time, and then again aroun 3am to 7am EST time. I've even created characters on there before just to delete them. I decided to roll on the fresh new server yesterday myself though, but i don't have any real life friends playing either