[kphil89]

If I arrive at TTC at 8 and the park opens at 9 will the boat and monrail be operating that early? I've read that guest are allowed main street before the park officially opens but how early?

[SusanC]

We were at the MK in May 30 minutes before opening time and we could not get to main street. The ropes were not dropped to get past the train station until the opening ceramony was complete.

[Cavey]

Arrive at parking lot at 8a.m. and head for the TTC. You'll have a short wait before they open the gates to the monorail, but it's worth it because...

When the gates open, everyone will be rushing to the monorail. Resist the urge to join the herd and look off towards the boat launch. There is often a group of characters standing there being ignored.

Last December my 2yo DS & 1yo DD had Pluto, Chip & Dale all to themselves for several minutes. This was their first encounter with the characters and the looks on their faces were priceless. We snapped a bunch of pictures, and then casually boarded the monorail (We would have taken the boat, but my DS loves the Monorail.). At the MK gate everyone who rushed ahead of us were held for the opening ceremony (around 8:30, I believe), and so we lost no time by taking the time to interact with the characters, and we were still at the front of the "rope drop" to Fantasyland.

It is definately worth arriving at the Disney Parks early. It is much less crowded, and the lines are so short you can often ride the same rides multiple times without even getting off.

[SDuncan]

I was there in January and Main Street was closed until after the ceremony. After the ceremony, we were allowed onto main street. We made it through the castle and then met another rope and had to wait about 5 minutes.