There isn't any Disney Magic in this process!!

[Hopefully]

Disney isn't forcing you to stay up to make your FastPass+ selections, you are choosing to do so.

I agree completely. It is a choice you make for your family vacation. You could choose to do it first thing in the morning.
I do agree, I think it would be "nicer" if the window opened at 6 AM, for example.

 

[quandrea]

No need to chastise the OP.

If they wanted A/E, 7DMT, parade or fireworks fastpasses, they were wise to be at the computer right when the window opened.

OP...... I hope you got everything you wanted.

So true. Last week I stayed up. Within two minutes of logging on all the Anna and Elsa fast passes were gone for the day I wanted them. Luckily I snagged one although at an inconvenient time. We have a short trip and I wasn't able to be flexible. It's my niece's only trip so I did choose to stay up. It's a big deal for her.

 

[flicx]

I agree! I was told it would open up at 12am eastern. Its 25 minutes in and mine won't allow me to schedule for 4/19 like my little card in the mail said!

This is very irresponsible on Disney's behalf. Telling a person the wrong time to reserve attractions. Just what I want after dropping thousands on a vacation! I can't believe they are still doing it.

 

[cakebaker]

I agree completely. It is a choice you make for your family vacation. You could choose to do it first thing in the morning.
I do agree, I think it would be "nicer" if the window opened at 6 AM, for example.

I agree, but I'm going to bet that a lot of people would be pretty unhappy to have to get up early and try and book before heading off to work. There is no opening time that wouldn't offend someone. But, knowing you can get in at midnight or 1 am is a piece of information not everyone has figured out. It's your choice whether or not to use the advantage you have. I don't quite understand getting a leg up on the crowd and complaining about it all at the same time.

Sometimes I'm up and can't sleep. If I am when our 60 day window opens, I'll book. If I'm not, we'll do it the next day. We booked for our last trip within less than 30 days and still got everything we wanted. Didn't need a&e, but even that popped up once or twice every once in a while. Just because I can book at midnight doesn't mean I have to or even need to. From what I'm reading, it seems to be getting easier and easier to find the fp+'s you need.

 

[BugsDaddy]

I guess I am still waiting for someone to explain why this an issue specific to Disney or FP+?

If there is a 100 of something and 10,000 people want it, you will not be one of the 100 without doing something extra to get it.

I would suggest you cannot find one time to open up FP+ selections that is going to be convenient for everyone or even the majority.

It may suck that anyone has to do something that is uncomfortable to get what they want but what is the better solution here?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Unless you feel you have to have A&e and do the mine train on your first day, get a good night's sleep and do it when you get around to it. Have fun.

When I signed in at midnight, A&E was not available at all - for our entire trip. 7DMT was gone for the entire trip 5 mins later. I understand others have had different experiences, but if either of those attractions is very important to someone, I don't blame them for signing in at midnight. There is too wide a range of experiences, IMO, to be confident saying one can sleep in and definitely, 100%, still be able to book those if one waits til morning.

 

[cakebaker]

When I signed in at midnight, A&E was not available at all - for our entire trip. 7DMT was gone for the entire trip 5 mins later. I understand others have had different experiences, but if either of those attractions is very important to someone, I don't blame them for signing in at midnight. There is too wide a range of experiences, IMO, to be confident saying one can sleep in and definitely, 100%, still be able to book those if one waits til morning.

Wasn't your last trip some months back? I think availability for sdmt has changed significantly lately. As of right now, I'm showing availability for it for at 30 days as well for dates that are even earlier. At 60 days, I can't imagine there'd be a problem getting it the next day. I don't think it's nearly as hard to get as it was just a few months ago.

A&E is crazy- it's popular. There's more demand than there is supply. Just like anything else, if you want something that there is less of than demand for it, you have to get it early. It's not Disney's fault that their product is wildly successful...well it is in they seem to know what the public wants, but even they admit it exceeded expectations. And I don't believe any system on earth can cure that.

 

[IrishNYC]

I didn't see the magic in waiting to get a FP+ at midnight either... until I watched my little sister cry meeting Queen Elsa

I promise you'll get magic for your hard work. You're wonderful for staying up until 1:00 to get those FP+. Have a great vacation

That's exactly the magic I see in it. I'll be staying up late, stalking ADRs, choosing FP+ based on making my 5 year old the happiest kid in the world.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No need to chastise the OP.

If they wanted A/E, 7DMT, parade or fireworks fastpasses the very first day they arrive only/exactly sixty days away, they were wise to be at the computer right when the window opened.

OP...... I hope you got everything you wanted.

Fixed it for you.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't ever stay up to make FPs. I do sort of understand that you probably need to do it if you want Anna and Elsa or if you have a really big group, but I can get whatever I want days and even weeks later. I just changed some for better times. I can't agree that it is a must do for 7DMT.

 

[kaytieeldr]

This is very irresponsible on Disney's behalf. Telling a person the wrong time to reserve attractions. Just what I want after dropping thousands on a vacation! I can't believe they are still doing it.

Where does Disney provide an exact time FP+ bookings can be made ? The date, absolutely - but no specific official minute, moment, or hour.

 

[grimley1968]

Being up at midnight or 1 AM in early August to figure out where we'll be and at what times we'll go to certain attractions in early October seems ridiculous to me, but it is Disney's system now, so I guess I'll have to do it (though my eyelids are pretty heavy by 11 PM). I sympathize with OP.

 

[MrInfinity]

I don't see any MAGIC in being up at 12:16 on a work night waiting for the magical hour of 1 am to arrive so that I can make FP selections. JUST SAYIN!! BTW this isn't my first Disney Rodeo I have been there over 20 times since 1983. This is my first time since 2012 with all the changes. April can't come fast enough.

If you don't like it... and don't want to be doing it... Then why are you doing it? Presumably it's because you want to secure an A&E Fastpass or something... is that not rewarding -- to know that you will avoid waiting in a 5 hour line because you stayed up one night?

You're putting in extra effort... and you're getting the reward for having done so.

Being up at midnight or 1 AM in early August to figure out where we'll be and at what times we'll go to certain attractions in early October seems ridiculous to me, but it is Disney's system now, so I guess I'll have to do it (though my eyelids are pretty heavy by 11 PM). I sympathize with OP.

It may be Disney's system, but it's your vacation. If there is something you WANT to stay up for, stay up, and secure it. If there isn't anything in particular, and you're just figuring out where you'll be and at what times you'll want to go to certain attractions then there is no point to doing this in the middle of the night, and I would do it during the day.

 

[wisblue]

I guess I am still waiting for someone to explain why this an issue specific to Disney or FP+?

If there is a 100 of something and 10,000 people want it, you will not be one of the 100 without doing something extra to get it.

I would suggest you cannot find one time to open up FP+ selections that is going to be convenient for everyone or even the majority.

It may suck that anyone has to do something that is uncomfortable to get what they want but what is the better solution here?

This is the key point. Using Anna and Elsa as the example, it is just a matter of when you are going to be uncomfortable or have to do something special. If there were paper FPs, or no FPs at all, you would have to be at the park at opening and rush to the attraction with hundreds of other people hoping to get a FP or to be able to go standby with a short wait.

Personally, I would rather have the discomfort (which I don't really consider uncomfortable) take the form of sitting at home and then knowing in advance whether I was going to be able to experience the attraction with a FP or not. If I don't get a FP, then I know I will have to resort to Plan B (rope drop or late in the day) or Plan C (suck it up and wait in a long standby line) if the attraction is that important to me or a family member.

 

[Laketravis]

Look on the bright side- The later the opening, the fewer people willing to stay up that late- so less competition!

Interesting suggestion. I guess I never thought of a vacation as being a competition.

It may suck that anyone has to do something that is uncomfortable to get what they want....

Personally, I would rather have the discomfort (which I don't really consider uncomfortable) take the form of sitting at home and then knowing in advance whether I was going to be able to experience the attraction with a FP or not. If I don't get a FP, then I know I will have to resort to Plan B (rope drop or late in the day) or Plan C (suck it up and wait in a long standby line) if the attraction is that important to me or a family member.

For me the whole point of planning an expensive vacation is to avoid any part of it "sucking", including the planning process itself - which is typically expected to be fun and something to look forward to.



.

 

[prudence64]

No perfect time to open it. I personally prefer staying. Up to midnight over getting up at 6:00. Likely, I'll just go on my lunch break to book them. Nothing on my to do list I'd change my sleep patterns for, luckily.

 

[JanaDee]

Interesting suggestion. I guess I never thought of a vacation as being a competition.





For me the whole point of planning an expensive vacation is to avoid any part of it "sucking", including the planning process itself - which is typically expected to be fun and something to look forward to.



.

Planning a vacation to Mexico is much easier. Just sayin'.

 

[mom2rtk]

Interesting suggestion. I guess I never thought of a vacation as being a competition.
For me the whole point of planning an expensive vacation is to avoid any part of it "sucking", including the planning process itself.

Fixed it for you.

So it only matters precisely 60 days out? Only on the very first day of a trip? What about the second day? Maybe the 3rd? What about on peak days?

The truth is that magic bands do not come with a crystal ball. I stand by my original statement. If my best friend was going to Disney and asking for advice on how to get these particular FPs, I would tell them to be on the computer at the time their window first opens. Period.

 

[BugsDaddy]

Interesting suggestion. I guess I never thought of a vacation as being a competition.





For me the whole point of planning an expensive vacation is to avoid any part of it "sucking", including the planning process itself.



.

My point being that special actions that need to be taken in situations of where there is an overabundance of demand is not exclusive to Disney as a vacation destination. For a really popular cruise, exotic resort destination, etc. where very specific and popular accommodations are desired, you have to be one of the first in line to get it. It's just the way it is anywhere for anything like that.

 

[auntiemare]

Disney isn't forcing you to stay up to make your FastPass+ selections, you are choosing to do so.

I understand that, but when it opened, Anna and Elsa were already booked. There were NO advance FP times at all. It was completely booked. I didn't even have a chance this time around but would have had no chances at all if I did not get on and try as soon as it opened up. Also, I spoke with Disney 3 hours prior and I was told I could start making my selections at 12am eastern. I understand the whole closing of the Disney, but it would have been nice if the cast member had let me know when I had spoken with them earlier. Just saying.