Amount Spent per cabin on FE gifts

[OrcaPorkka]

Hi there! I would love to know what is the rough amount spent on FE gifts. I am posting a poll and I think it can be answered anonymously.

This is our first Disney cruise and I just want to make sure I am doing right by all the fun people I am going to meet up with!

 

[Susiesark]

I try (usually not successful) to spend around $1 per person. It all adds up, especially when you're giving to 50-75 cabins, and most with a few kids.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Hi there! I would love to know what is the rough amount spent on FE gifts. I am posting a poll and I think it can be answered anonymously.

This is our first Disney cruise and I just want to make sure I am doing right by all the fun people I am going to meet up with!

I usually spend $5.00 to $7.00 per cabin. That's just me. I have gotten some homemade gifts that I know we're not expensive but were so special. It is a personal choice don't spend more than you can afford.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I try (usually not successful) to spend around $1 per person. It all adds up, especially when you're giving to 50-75 cabins, and most with a few kids.

That's a lot of cabins! Did everyone in your group do that many cabins, or did you join more than one group?

How long did it take to deliver your gifts?

 

[lbgraves]

We have cruised with over 100 staterooms so have kept the cost down. When we do those I purchase an item in bulk then personalize it for the cruise by hand -- so while the cost may not be much individualy there is a lot of time put into it painting, personalizing and finishing. I also shop year round for kid FE gifts scouting out clearance and using coupons/discounts as much as possible. One time I found Disney silly bands in the clearance aisle in Wal-Mart that rang up as .10 a bag!!!! Probably a pricing error, but I bought all they had.

Regarding the question about larger FE groups, the group was simply one and everyone exchanged with everyone else. I think there were 130 staterooms on the 2008 EBPC cruise. We had 15 days to deliver. I think it may have taken my DD and I 2 hours total to deliver to everyone. Last year on the MV there were 86 rooms and it took 1 1/2 hours, but we were also learning our way around the hallways on the new ship. It takes less time when you are delivering the same thing to everyone using a list and how many people are in each room, and if you have labled different gifts for each room/person. This year I am doing the same gift so it won't matter who gets which one and it won't take nearly as long. It's the smallest group we have participated in with just 37 families.

 

[RedxPanda]

I try to aim for no more than $10 for a family of 4, but I have only participated in relatively small FE groups.

 

[Blanche_Neige]

I say it varies with the total amount of participation in the FE.

 

[mickeyhereicome]

I really like this post idea. I have been wondering this for a while now. Will be checking often to see results. I was thinking $10 a cabin, our cruise has less than 15 cabins right now though. I dont think if there were 50 cabins I would spend $10.

 

[OrcaPorkka]

I really appreciate everyone's willingness to answer. I agree that it would definitely depend on how many cabins were participating.

 

[lbgraves]

Just adding that there have also been Secret Mickey exchanges on some of our cruises with the large FE groups. This was just one gift purchased for the person you were assigned by the coordinator. The average for that was around $10.

 

[OrcaPorkka]

That Secret Mickey idea sounds neat too! I don't think my FE group is doing anything like that...

 

[kalikat420]

Just adding that there have also been Secret Mickey exchanges on some of our cruises with the large FE groups. This was just one gift purchased for the person you were assigned by the coordinator. The average for that was around $10.

Love this idea! Will consider suggesting it to my FE group...once I finally pick a cruise!

 

[JackieO]

We were on a very tight budget but I wanted to participate. I think there were about 20 cabins in our group so $10 per cabin just wasn't something I could do. We worked together as a family to make gifts and I think we spend around $2.00/cabin.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

The original thought behind the FE was for fun. It has since turned into a major cost to so many people. I wish it would go back to simplicity. It saddens me to read some posts that say they can't afford to participate.

 

[bahacca]

Our group thus far is pretty small. If it were 50 cabins, I'd spend a LOT less per cabin. I am doing it for FUN with the full realization that some people may only be able to afford simple, "cheaper" gifts, but that doesn't mean the thought behind the gifts was any less. I'm 34 and still stand by "It's the thought that counts!" when it comes to gifts.

 

[Susiesark]

That's a lot of cabins! Did everyone in your group do that many cabins, or did you join more than one group?

How long did it take to deliver your gifts?

We ending up splitting it up into 2 groups, with the option to give to both groups. I had no idea how long it would take to deliver. I had to break it up into a couple of days. Not as bad on the older ships, but the Fantasy is huge - so much walking, and those sideways cabins is confusing.

 

[MikeAndNick]

We did the Fantasy last year and there were 2 FE groups; one of 65 cabins and one of 25 cabins. We did both groups and most of the things we got were under the $5 range.

 

[OrcaPorkka]

I definitely think it can be inexpensive and still fun! I love many of the "cheap" ideas, including candy and personalized magnets. I think it is nice that people feel they can spend whatever they feel is right for their family. I know I (and especially my kids!) will treasure whatever we receive!

Bumping this because, with over 1,000 views, it's obviously of interest to many folks.

 

[barbeaujo]

One of the many highlights of a Disney Cruise.

We spend from $5 to 10$ per stateroom. Always broken down groups that were more then 15 staterooms into different one to make it easier.

It takes a lot of luggage space usually. We have as much fun doing them prior to cruise then giving them upon cruising.

Hope this help !

 

[mtchurchmonica]

We ending up splitting it up into 2 groups, with the option to give to both groups. I had no idea how long it would take to deliver. I had to break it up into a couple of days. Not as bad on the older ships, but the Fantasy is huge - so much walking, and those sideways cabins is confusing.

Good to know. We've only been on the Magic and the Wonder. I better study the Fantasy floor plan ahead of time!