Entrance questions/opening day plan strategy

On opening day, I plan on arrive at the park at around 8 am. Never having driven that early, it brings up a few questions:
1) Can I park in the Soak City lot that early?
2) If not, what time does the lot open?
3) When does the main parking lot open?
4) If I were to park in the main lot, is there a way to get to the Beach entrance?

Thank you. :-D *** Edited 4/17/2005 2:29:43 AM UTC by Top Thrill Dragster***

What on earth are you doing getting there at 6 AM?

D'oh! I meant. 8 am. I'll edit that.

8am? Isn't that alittle early, if gates for Joe Cool/Hotel guests don't open till 9am? I've been to my share of opening days at the Magnum Gate, and if you get there by 8:45 you should have no problem being able to get to your favorite ride first(espically if you have a season pass, as the ticket line is usually longer). Save yourself some sleep, and arrive later.

Considering the Breakers is open, and employees arrive at work and such, the Soak City lot is never "closed" (though don't park over night or do stupid stuff in there).

The main parking lot will probably open earlier than normal on 'Opening Day' for season passes, and no you can't get to the beach gate from the main lot. *** Edited 4/17/2005 4:23:30 AM UTC by CP 1984***

CP 1984, you say the main lot opens earlier for "season passes"?

It says that the pass center is open during park operating hours, do you know what time they start processing passes? What time should I get there to not get caught up in a huge line for pass processing? I hope they process earlier than JCC entrance so I can actually USE it.

Thanks!

Starting May 7th the Season Pass Center will be open during normal park hours.

They will not begin processing early enough for you to take advantage of JCC entrance. In fact, opening day, the line for pass processing is generally pretty long.

I never said they process passes early... I'm just guessing since alot of people will be arriving early for the special opening events(if they have any this year), and the Red Cross event and alot of people will be arriving for season pass processing, my GUESS is that the main lot will 'open' a few minutes earlier than normal.

Geewhzz, like OldCPer said pretty much unless you are first in line, there is no way you'll get to use JCC, in fact usually the line is an hour+. I say get there at 8 if you want any chance of getting in for Joe Cool.

Are the crowds for opening day usually large?

Another question:
The SC lot never "closes" you say, but I will still be able to access it that early in the morning, right? I do remember having to stop and talk to traffic directors about getting back there. Are they out there that early or do I just head on back?

Well how do you think hotel guests get there in the middle of the night? I'm pretty sure there is always someone at the big tollbooth for hotel guests and such, but if you arrive sometime near opening you won't have ny problems... trust me, no need to show up super early unless for geting in line for season pass processing.

I believe there is always a guy in the security booth right before you enter the SC parking lot.

On opening day, I plan on arrive at the park at around 8 am. Never having driven that early, it brings up a few questions:
1) Can I park in the Soak City lot that early?
2) If not, what time does the lot open?
3) When does the main parking lot open?
4) If I were to park in the main lot, is there a way to get to the Beach entrance?

Thank you. :-D *** Edited 4/17/2005 2:29:43 AM UTC by Top Thrill Dragster***

So... Did we get these questions answered? I would like the answers to them also, but I couldn't find them! Thanks!

1) Yes
2) Not applicable
3) Early enough
4) No