Top opening on a demaree?

[Etton]

Is the top opening arrangement only preferred when wanting a vertical split with a new Q (so she can get mated) or is it useful anyway as a top opening allowing drones out and quicker bee access to the top supers?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Only needed if you are going for a two queen system where the new queen needs to get out to mate - I have actually run some hives with two mated queens but without the top entrance.
Useful though not essential to allow drones to escape
As for an upper entrance to allow quicker access to the top supers - I found the bees tended to still go for the lower one

 

[Erichalfbee]

I roll my Demarees and Yes. There is an entrance at the top to let the drones out

 

[user 819]

As mentioned only needed if planning on raising a new queen or one also moves DB up as well.