I think I speak for us all when I say--NO BURDEN!

Thank you for keeping us all informed & up to date!
Great pictures! We're booked for our first party & so excited! It will be a surprise for my dessert loving DD. Don't know who she gets her sweet tooth from...
I know the line starts forming early even though seats are assigned. Wishes is scheduled for 10:00 on our night so does that mean the party will open at 9:00 and guests will start lining up at 7:30-8:00? Is the benefit of getting there that early that you have time for more trips to the buffet? Would we be ok if we didn't get there until closer to 9:00? The reality is we probably won't make that many trips to fill our plates, but I don't want them to already be out of something if we don't get there so early.
I also have a question about going to the railing for the show...how early do people start grabbing a spot? Maybe that's more a reason to get there early? Eat quickly and get to the railing? I don't want to be "that mom" but, like everyone else, I want to make sure my DD can see (yes, I know it's fireworks in the sky, but you still want a good view.)
Thanks to Mark for all the info, and everyone else that provides feedback & opinions!