I've written about this before, but the situation has changed a bit with EE and such in the last few months. My friends and I make it a game to be the absolute first people through the turnstiles and onto Rise of the Resistance even beating the early entry guests. I've been first at the turnstile and rope for the last like 9 trips I've taken, and it brings me way more joy than it should to charge through the turnstile 10 seconds before everyone else.
Here's an overly detailed guide because I'm a nerd and enjoy this stuff.
There are 4 ways into the Esplanade:
1. From the Toy Story Parking Lot
2. From the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure
3. From Harbor Blvd (Off-site Hotels)
4. Through Downtown Disney (On-site Hotels)
My favorite way is coming in from Harbor - it's consistently the fastest way, in my experience, second only to coming out of the GCH hotel early. That's the method I'll outline in the most detail since it sounds like what you'll be doing.
There are 4 "layers" of opening in the morning.
1: The gates to the property (6-6:15 AM)
2: Bag Check (7-7:15 AM)
3: Turnstiles (Just before 7:30)
4: Rope Drop (8:00)
The gates to the property usually open around 6-6:15. I've only been there that early once or twice, so I am not certain on that opening time. There are rarely more than 10-20 people there that early, unless it's a holiday week season or something crazy. They will let you walk from those gates up to near bag check, and hold you there in 4 lines of people.
Somewhere between 7 and 7:15, they will open bag check - it varies by day. The 4 lines of people walk through the K-9 tent and then mass chaos breaks out as they split into like 15 bag check lines. Right about this time, the first Bus of guests from the Toy Story parking lot will be pulling in as well (and they'll have already done bag check before getting on the Bus). We always send 1-2 people right through bag check with no bags while the rest of us take care of all the bags - that way they grab the first spot in line at a turnstile.
After Bag Check, you're in the Esplanade proper. Line up at a turnstile, and wait there. Ideally, line up at a turnstile either on the far left or far right - you'll be closer to the tunnel into the park that way. Each "Gate" at the park entrance has 2 turnstiles behind it - sometimes the CMs want you to line up in 1 line for both turnstiles, other times they want you to form 2 lines, one for each turnstile. I always go for that second method (line up for an empty turnstile) - the worst that happens is you merge into line with everyone else and end up 3-5 people behind the front.
At 7:15-7:20, they will open the gates in front of the turnstiles and scan tickets for the first 15-20 people in line, but not let anyone in yet.
Some time a little before 7:30, the CMs will lead a countdown, then everyone can stampede into the park. Early entry guests will stay to the right on Main Street and head into Fantasyland/Tomorrowland. Everyone else lines up at a rope inside the Hub. The ropes are removed and you start your day usually 1-2 minutes before 8 AM.
So,
when do you actually need to show up? To be THE FRONT of
everyone, 6:20 AM. To be at the front of the line for the turnstiles,
no later than 6:45 AM. To be almost the front at the Turnstiles (like 1-2 people deep at the rope drop) no later than 6:50 AM. If you're fine being near-ish to the Rope, a bit after 7 works well too.
Very few people come before 6:45. From 6:45-6:55, a
ton of hotel guests show up. 6:45 is the sweet spot for being near the front of the line, but not waking up at 5 AM and questioning your life choices.
Is this overkill? Absolutely. Is it fun? Heck yeah, it is! I love the atmosphere early in the morning, and I also like the calm of just knowing "I'm at the front of the line. There is
nothing to be stressed about."
TL;DR: To be almost at the front of Rope Drop:
Step 1: Line up outside Harbor Blvd bag checks before 6:45 AM. Most early risers show up between 6:45 and 7 AM.
Step 2: Send one bagless person through bag check to save a spot at a turnstile on the far left or right of the esplanade.
Step 3: Wait until entry/rope drop.
Step 4: Head for a big ride (Indiana Jones or Rise are my favorites) first - you'll be almost the first one there! Once you're done with that, the park will be nice and quiet for the next 90 minutes or so - just ride stuff and don't worry too much about "having a plan" - it's not nearly as cutthroat as WDW in the morning
PS - If you're driving in for a trip, park at a hotel on Harbor Blvd, not in official Disney parking! I like the Anaheim Hotel. It's a few $ cheaper, way faster, and way less stressful. And opens earlier which helps with an aggressive rope drop.