I have info from around three years ago that says that if you have a multi-day pass to US/IOA as opposed to a single-day pass, you may enter the park one hour before official opening. Is that still true?
Remember when Universal Express meant that you have to start at 7 am to get ahead of the lines? I remember being done with the park at 9:30 am! I think it's better in its current form where everyone gets a chance to get a Universal Express ticket.