Because Pixie Hollow is outdoors it closes earlier. It's also on the route between Plaza Inn and Toontown. Royal Hall moves guests through a bit quicker, and the line tends to be shorter during shows. Most of the line area is covered and it's air conditioned inside, which you'll appreciate later in the day. If you want to see the gates open in Toontown, I'd try to be there around 9:40-9:45. A large crowd gathers and the characters come out a few minutes early (they won't do pictures or autographs in the crowd). Then they open the gates and the characters go to the houses. Minnie was holding hands with two kids and I saw Goofy hop up on the trolley and wave, but otherwise it's not really a formal thing. I have a feeling that people who were in the back of the back of the pack when the gates opened made it inside as the characters arrived at their houses.