1. probably the bus (5 minutes ride) then the moving walkways at CW then the walk to the gate
2. don't know how early, but be advised that you no longer are allowed to cross the road between CBBR and SF. You need to take the garden walk. (Entrance at the end of the Courtyard parking lot)
that walk alone between CBBR to the SF boat dock will be longer than the walk from the CW bus stop to the parks gates. And then you'd need to wait for a water taxi, and take the 10 minutes boat ride.
Long story short, using the CBBR shuttle, you'll walk less, and be there in half the time required when transferring to SF
3. If you intend on making the best of your EE, then you should aim at clearing the security BEFORE 6:30am
if you only get there between 6:30 and 7:00am for a 7am EE, then expect long waits.
I would guess that the CW (parking lot) checkpoint should be less crowded, as only CBBR guests will use it. There won't be many offsite guests there at 6:30am.
but the most important thing to factor in, is that you want to clear security before your fellow hotel guests get to it.
4. You get there on your own. But Team Members will be there to direct you to the right path, and prevent you from entering zones that are not open yet.
At IoA you'll be taking the path through Seuss Landing, onto Lost Continent, and into Hogsmeade.
At the Studios, take advantage of passing by Minion Mayhem to ride it first thing.
also remember that deluxe hotel guests now get Express Passes for the Harry Potter rides.
