no, you can go those first 2 dates and get checked out but you can show up anytime and still run. it just makes it faster to go before they start. the plan is to get people singed up as soon as they can, with all the paper work and all that good stuff. i think they give you a card so when you come to the gate they scan it and you go on your way. thats what i heard anyways. but like i said above you can come any time and still run.