if you want to use early entry on aug 8th, check into the hotel at 6:45 - 7:00am
don't know if this is your first time staying onsite or if you're a regular there.
i'm guessing you are not new at this as you mentioned you get a text when your room is ready.
it can take a newbie about 15 minutes to check in as the TM will go thru hotel policies and check in with you.
all in your group will receive the hotel key.
from there, go to the hotel kiosk to have express passes made.
front desk will give you a brochure that explains this.
and, they usually will tell you about where you go to create the express pass.
do have your luggage held at valet as your room probably won't be ready.
if you check in at 7:00, it will probably be about 7:25 at this point.
walk to the park or take the water taxi.
if there are a lot of peeps waiting for the water taxi, it would/could be quicker for you to walk to the park.
early august still has crowds so get in line and wait until it opens.
many times they will start letting the onsite guests in 15 minutes early..
the earliest i have checked in was after 6:00 am.
yea, i'm nuts.
you will start to see lines at the check in around 8:30.
usually you will see about 2 working the front desk at that time period.
more TM's will be working later when more guests are arriving to check in.