Questions about early am ressies at Epcot and the Gateway entrance

[samefay]

Our first morning will be spent at Epcot. My first question is, can I activate my tickets at Downtown Disney the night prior? We will be using the military promotion and they have to be activated first. Our reservations are in Norway at 8:10 AM - Can we use the international gateway entrance if they are activated? Will that side of the park be open to visitors by that time? If necessary can I activate them on that side? Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Disneymama1]

A couple years ago, my daughter and I had an early reservation for one of the Sweet Sundays at Epcot before park opening. We were staying at Boardwalk and walked through the international gateway. There was a CM near England, I think. He asked what were attending and had our name on a list. So we went right through the international gateway with no problem. Our tickets were already activated, so no problem there either.