Here are explicit instructions (wait, I meant "specific", not "explicit"...I think) on how to see A&E at rope drop with no wait.
Be on the first MK bus from your resort, this will get you to the MK about 40 minutes before opening. Go to a Mickey Reader with the shortest line. For some reason people tend to go to Mickey readers with long lines but all Mickey Readers will be operational so just go to the one with the short (or no) line. Once you're scanned in go to one of the tunnels. Be as close to the front of the tunnel as possible. When the welcome show is over and they let you in get to the front of the crowd next to the rope. Once you get to the end of Main Street the Cast Members will announce one rope going to A&E and the other rope going to 7DMT. Follow the A&E rope being as close to the front as possible. Be on the left side of the rope. Once you walk through the castle you will walk left around the carousel and the stroller parking, so those on the right side of the crowd will have to merge left, that's why you want to be left. A cast member will walk right into the A&E line, so follow that CM. Using this strategy you will be in the first few groups to see A&E. The key is to be as close to the rope as possible when you get to the end of Main Street.