To answer the question about the international Gateway and the boardwalk Yacht Club Beach Club area, people who don't want to take the boat because they're afraid of the water have the option of walking. It's a very short walk to International Gateway and only about a 15-minute walk to Hollywood Studios, so a nice uncrowded option on a nice day.
As for rope drop, they let you in to the top of the bridge in the UK and hold you there. At Park opening you have to walk back through UK and Canada if future world is
your destination. It's a pretty decent walk if you're heading to Soarin or Frozen. France is only open as far as Les Halles for breakfast and there's a rope to stop you from going around WS that way.
Those tap points can get backed up first thing in the morning especially during food and wine because there are only 3 open and one is usually for annual passholders. Exit pushes everyone out through two lanes nearest the gift shop. The current layout could result in a major bottleneck at park close with the increase of bodies using that exit to get to the Skyliner.
I think that at some point they will definitely need to expand International Gateway to accommodate the increase of traffic.