Keep in mind that with the triple water screens, all the seats in the theater are good seats. Only exceptions tend to be the close up front half dozen rows or so. With breezy or windy conditions, and wind blowing toward the seating area, you will get somewhere between wet and soaked. Might be nice on a hot summer night, but definitely not in the cooler months. Something to consider.
As for timing, I do not think we have ever been there more than 30 minutes prior, never difficult finding good seats (as they are all good), and never a tie-in meal.