At rope drop they are now holding guests back in the park before getting to the Lands Pavilion. I was in Epcot the past 2 weeks and they are opening the front gate at approx 8:40 am and then holding the 2 streams (1 for Soarin' and 1 for Test Track) inside Future World with ropes before they get to the attractions. If turning R for Soarin', you will be held at the Innoventions West breezeway (before the dedicated Character Spot). At exactly 9am, they drop the interior ropes and it is a quick walk through the breezeway and into the Lands Pavilion. Beware the running of the bulls driving down the stairs to Soarin'. I try to get myself to the side of the staircase so I can hold on the railing in case of a domino fall from behind. Not trying to exaggerate here, as some mornings were better than others, but it is a bottleneck at the top of the stairs. The CMs are long gone by this point and they get out of the path of the crowd by the time the wave hits the front doors of the Pavilion.
The PPs' above advice is still very sound. If you get in line at the front gate no later than 8:15 you will then be in good position for the further rope hold and then on to Soarin' in the first wave.