"... at the end of August, er, September, as is expected" (?)
On August 28, was asking a few random CMs near the Epcot International Gateway about whether any of the Skyliner lines were running (did not say/utter/mention "a day early" even though opening was scheduled for "tomorrow.") Most were unsure but one said opening was end of September. "Wha....?" I thought to me-self.
Back at the resort, took out laptop went on line and checked various sources RE Skyliner including via Google. Found just one mentioning end of September, then stopped browsing and realized that I was not going to get a preview ride on the Skyliner, the sad departure on Magical Epxress being in the next morning darkness.
This trip featured no rope drops and no morning extra magic hours. Previous trip back in 2010 (offsite, no EMH) had some long waits outside the park gates or just inside the park for rope drop almost nullifying the advantage of being there then.
I could see an advantage of opening the SKyliner to guests for the first time at a not too busy hour. This could be either in the form of a previous day preview or mid day on the published opening day. THis way an unexpected problem related to ordinary guests as opposed to cast members as guinea pigs would not result in mass chaos.