gate times

I know that the CP website says that the gates open at 10 for the general public, but is that really the time, or do they open earlier?

Joe cool club and resort guest get in at 9:00 am.

And yes they do check if your a resort guest to get in the park at 9 am.

Sometimes. Depending on the gate.

^ Yeah cuz last year I didnt have Joe Cool and I still got in around 9 or 9:15.

On Memorial Day at the SC gate, I don't think I saw anyone getting checked for Joe Cool at the gate... it was a mob scene of people wanting free t-shirts and fleeces. They did check for Joe Cool to get the Fleece ticket though.

Quick question... You can park in the SC lot if you want to get in through that gate, right?

Yes.

Be warned that they do sometimes check at that gate though, for my birthday I tried to bring some non JC friends through that gate (since I witnessed them not checking on Maverick's opening day) and they didnt let them in.

My suggestion is to not even try it, in the end you will still have a realtivly short wait for Maverick at 10.

I highly suggest you do not try to cheat the system. The 2 or 3 times I used the resort gate in May they were checking for JCC/Resort credentials. Even if they aren't checking, it's still the principle of the thing. If you know you shouldn't be going in until 10, then don't go in until 10.