Under normal conditions and typically, England opens at 9AM, Scotland at 9:30AM, Ireland, France, New France, and Italy at 10AM, with Germany opening at 10:30AM.
With these staggered openings guest would usually wait at each block at the beginning of each hamlet. However, on the 8th, instead of waiting at each block Pass Holders just flash their pass and let the Team Member at the block know your going to the Verbolten ERT and they will allow you to pass through the blocks to Verbolten. So while regular guests are waiting at each block, you are riding Verbolten, and by the time they get to Verbolten the ERT will be over to allow all guests to ride.
However, I would use the ERT to your advantage to become one of the first pass holders into the Festhaus. While most are riding Verbolten, I suggest waiting to get into the Festhaus.
REMEMBER! Pass Holder Appreciation Weekend is two days of special discounts for pass holders along with a special announcement about upcoming information and prizes. Pass Holder Preview Day is a day before the park is open that pass holders can preview the park before it opens! Two completely different events!