People report leaving TSL at 8:45 to beat the rush to ToT and RnRC. But, for those that head to Star Tours after EMM, they generally stay at TSL until the rope drop crowd arrives at little after 8:45 (getting 1-2 more rides than the sunset blvd rope droppers) before heading to Star Tours.
For star tours, you don't need to beat the rope drop crowd. It'll be walk on for a little while.