Reason behind 7AM (ET) FP reservation?

[b52hbuff]

In some of the research I've done about our upcoming trip to WDW, it seems like FP reservation time switched from midnight to 7AM Eastern Time.

Does anyone know why they made the switch?

As someone currently living on Pacific Time, I don't appreciate having to wake up at 4AM to make FP reservations. I can also appreciate that having folks on Eastern Time stay up until midnight isn't optimal either.

Any idea why WDW doesn't pick a time that is more reasonable for people in multiple time zones?

I understand that the frontline CMs I deal with on the phone have no input and little control on this issue. Any idea the best way to provide constructive criticisms on this point?

Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

They did that so when people encountered problems when booking, customer service staff would be available to help.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

Not that a hour makes a difference wouldn't that be 8am est

 

[b52hbuff]

They did that so when people encountered problems when booking, customer service staff would be available to help.

Thanks!

They'd also be available at noon Eastern Time, which would be a more reasonable 9AM for those of us in Pacific Time.

...and we're assuming that tech/customer support is in Eastern Time Zone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/...oreign-replacements.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks!

They'd also be available at noon Eastern Time, which would be a more reasonable 9AM for those of us in Pacific Time.

...and we're assuming that tech/customer support is in Eastern Time Zone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/...oreign-replacements.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

I believe the customer service lines do open at 7 Eastern.

Bottom line is that someone isn't going to be happy with it whenever it is. I was not a fan of midnight. Having it in the middle of the work day is a problem for others.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

I believe the customer service lines do open at 7 Eastern.

Bottom line is that someone isn't going to be happy with it whenever it is. I was not a fan of midnight. Having it in the middle of the work day is a problem for others.

Especially if you don't have a desk job my phone is turned off in my purse and my attention is on the kids and I can't be the only diser that does not have a desk job luckily for me fp day is a sat

 

[CAS239]

Thanks!

They'd also be available at noon Eastern Time, which would be a more reasonable 9AM for those of us in Pacific Time.

...and we're assuming that tech/customer support is in Eastern Time Zone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/...oreign-replacements.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

Way more people benefit from it being 7am eastern vs noon eastern. That would cut a ton out from making FP's while they're at work. WdW being located where it is, they'll obviously lean toward what is most reasonable for them. Which around 7am would make sense

If you don't like getting up at 4am to make FP's, you don't have to. Get up at 6 or 7am. Aside from FoP, all other FP's will still be just as easy to get

 

[Amelia :)]

It's a world wide holiday destination, there could never be a time that suits everybody in every time zone. Mine will fall at 12pm. So I'll be making FP reservations in the bathroom at work. I envy your peaceful 4am.

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

It's a world wide holiday destination, there could never be a time that suits everybody in every time zone. Mine will fall at 12pm. So I'll be making FP reservations in the bathroom at work. I envy your peaceful 4am.

Wow shows how much research I have done on time zones I thought est was the latest

 

[Delirium]

Thanks!

They'd also be available at noon Eastern Time, which would be a more reasonable 9AM for those of us in Pacific Time.

...and we're assuming that tech/customer support is in Eastern Time Zone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/...oreign-replacements.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

Yes. But, people in the Eastern Time Zone would be at work at noon and may not be able to set aside time to make reservations. While I agree that midnight Eastern was probably better than 7 A.M., any time that puts it into the middle of a standard U.S. work day would be unfair.

 

[karly05]

Agreed, putting it during normal North American workday hours would be awful. I would guess the vast majority of us with jobs (of all kinds) would find it difficult or impossible to be online at the right time.

As others have said, no time is going to be ideal for everyone. Let me tell you, I would much rather set the alarm and be up and at 'em at 4 am than try to stay up till midnight or even 11 pm.

 

[FigmentFinder]

It's to condition you for rope drop.


7 am is a usual time for customer service to open in places with staggered shifts. I think it's great to have time before work to make FP+.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Oh goodness lets not get into this again.
It's so that people can call if there is an issue.
No time is perfect for everyone.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

It's because WDW is located in EST and 7:00 am is when ALL phone lines open there - dining, reservations, IT. They moved it, as others have said, so that if people have issues they can get more immediate help. Sounds like a good plan to me! We just went on a trip to a location 6 hours behind us and I had to just get used to calling in mid-afternoon to solidify reservations, make requests, etc. And when we go to Disneyland, I encounter the same time-zone differences when calling out there. It is what it is and it's pretty normal for businesses to operate during their own time-zone business hours.

 

[Delirium]

Oh goodness lets not get into this again.
It's so that people can call if there is an issue.
No time is perfect for everyone.

Why so angry because someone asked a question?

The OP only has 5 posts, so it's likely she did not see any prior discussion on the topic. Not directed specifically at you, but I get tired of posters that seem to take offense that duplicate or similar questions are asked every so often. The fact of the matter is that most people don't have a schedule that allows them to spend hours upon hours on this board. Nor, do they have time to find the answer they seek on page 231 of a 600 page thread.

Lighten up people. Let posters ask the questions they need to get the answers they seek, and move on. If the topic is no longer of interest to you personally, don't read and respond.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Why so angry because someone asked a question?

The OP only has 5 posts, so it's likely she did not see any prior discussion on the topic. Not directed specifically at you, but I get tired of posters that seem to take offense that duplicate or similar questions are asked every so often. The fact of the matter is that most people don't have a schedule that allows them to spend hours upon hours on this board. Nor, do they have time to find the answer they seek on page 231 of a 600 page thread.

Lighten up people. Let posters ask the questions they need to get the answers they seek, and move on. If the topic is no longer of interest to you personally, don't read and respond.

I actually don't mind when people ask the same question over and over again but its more the subject matter.
This topic has been beaten to death with huge debate and arguments in the past and its never just about why this time but more why not a time that is convenient for ME.
Just didn't want to start that all up again.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I actually don't mind when people ask the same question over and over again but its more the subject matter.
This topic has been beaten to death with huge debate and arguments in the past and its never just about why this time but more why not a time that is convenient for ME.
Just didn't want to start that all up again.

Yeah, I have to agree with you. The OP mentioned they did research on this subject and wasn't coming here to ask a question (like, when do FP+ reservations open), but to gripe about the fact that 7:00 am EST isn't convenient for them. (Direct quotes - "As someone currently living on Pacific Time, I don't appreciate having to wake up at 4AM to make FP reservations." "Any idea why WDW doesn't pick a time that is more reasonable for people in multiple time zones?" "Does anyone know why they made the switch?" " Any idea the best way to provide constructive criticisms on this point?") So, literally, the question is, I'm inconvenienced, who can I call to complain about this.

Why so angry because someone asked a question?

The OP only has 5 posts, so it's likely she did not see any prior discussion on the topic. Not directed specifically at you, but I get tired of posters that seem to take offense that duplicate or similar questions are asked every so often. The fact of the matter is that most people don't have a schedule that allows them to spend hours upon hours on this board. Nor, do they have time to find the answer they seek on page 231 of a 600 page thread.

Lighten up people. Let posters ask the questions they need to get the answers they seek, and move on. If the topic is no longer of interest to you personally, don't read and respond.

So, here are some answers: WDW picked a time conducive to their business operations which happen to be based in Orlando, FL (EST standard time). They made the switch so IT would be open when FP+ reservations open and people can get help in a more timely fashion. Call or e-mail WDW to complain all you want. As I mentioned in my first post, this is a challenge you will face when planning ANY vacation outside of the time zone you live in. Trust me, waking up at 6 am to make ADR's 180 days out isn't convenient for me at all, but it's only one day that I have to do that. I really don't see what the big deal is.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not that a hour makes a difference wouldn't that be 8am est

If it's 7 eastern it's 6 central, 5 mountain, and 4 pacific. Then there's Hawaii. Just talking the USA here.

Thanks!

They'd also be available at noon Eastern Time, which would be a more reasonable 9AM for those of us in Pacific Time.

...and we're assuming that tech/customer support is in Eastern Time Zone.

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/04/...oreign-replacements.html?smid=tw-nytimes&_r=0

9 am plenty of people are just starting work in the west. That's hardly convenient.

Wow shows how much research I have done on time zones I thought est was the latest

In the US sure. But there's the whole world. The person doing FP+ at noon when it's 7am eastern would be in western Europe.

The whole world goes to wdw.

 

[b52hbuff]

If you don't like getting up at 4am to make FP's, you don't have to. Get up at 6 or 7am. Aside from FoP, all other FP's will still be just as easy to get

Ha!

I guess you could say that about any time picked. If any time is inconvenient, just wait until the next 23 hours and pick a more convenient time.

Anyway, looks like folks on Kenny the Pirate (a great resource I found from this board) show that there seems to be less consensus as to the optimal FP+ window opening.

http://www.kennythepirate.com/2016/...fastpass-booking-system-at-walt-disney-world/

Anyway, it is what it is and we'll work around it.

 

[epcotty]

I totally thought you meant one of your FP times was at midnight and now it's at 7am, which makes no sense. Funny