How early for opening?

[Kate Alan]

Because I am a planner in the worst possible way, but also because I want to spare the family from waking up before the sun every morning if possible - in late December, how early would you arrive prior to rope-drop in order to be towards the front of the initial crush of people entering the park? I'm no stranger to crowds (many a summer spent at WDW), but have never done the Christmas season and I know that our week is the worst to go crowds-wise. Our itinerary is:

Saturday Dec. 27th - Animal Kingdom (spending the first couple hours there to hit the safari, Everest, Dinosaur, and Tough to be a Bug, then hopping to EPCOT)
Sunday, Dec. 28th - DHS
Monday, Dec. 29th - Magic Kingdom

I was figuring getting there an hour prior to the EMH opening for Magic Kingdom, with possibly a 30/45 minutes for Animal Kingdom and DHS. We have morning fastpasses for DHS so I'm far less concerned about that day. Should I allow more time? Less? I was completely zen about this until I realized I have roughly two weeks before our family is there!

 

[Kate Alan]

AK: EMH is at 7am, so figured be there 6:30ish.
DHS: park opens at 8am, we have a FP for Aerosmith at 9am. We'll either head right for that/ToT or head to the back of the park for TSMM or Star Tours - the family is still debating that one.
MK: EMH is 7am.

 

[Kate Alan]

AK: Yep, 6:30 should work.
DHS: If doing TSMM - be there by 7:15. If Star Tours - 7:30. TOT 7:30 should work as well.
MK: Good lord that's early. Welcome show will be at 6:45/6:50. I'd be there by 6:15.

AK: Excellent.
DHS: Thanks for that!
MK: Tell me about it - I warned my brother how early he'd have to get up that morning and he wailed "That's like going to work!"...if only my 6am daily commute led me to be able go on rides at WDW all day, lol.

 

[LAKid53]

I would never be able to get my daughter up that early to be at rope drop. "But Mom, we're on vacation!" Even though I'm usually awake by 6:30 during our visits.