Ash_02,
I went there too on 9/12.
I think the early bird is $5 before 8:30AM.
I didn't mean to disagree with u but just my experience .............
I was there at 7.10AM. Though there were approx. 100 people ahead of me, once the gate opened, everyone was in in 10 minutes. I think, it may not be needed to be there before 6.45 or 7AM.
Rest is upto the guy.