10/15/2011 - Taking the West by Magic!

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

It's great that you have kept the surprise from them I would wait until you are on your way to the port and they have there first glimps of the ship. I won't forget the first time that we seen the wonder our girls were amazed but we had to tell them before hand that they were going on the cruise as my middle dd had a fear of boats but luckily she left her fear in the wonder and she is so looking forward to this trip.
Same here dh has been busy Working all summer and on top of everything we are moving house in two weeks so it's been a little crazy can't wait until the 30th September and we will be on vacation for 3 weeks

Wow! Moving and then going on vacation a week later, you guys are going to have a busy month! Then again, it's busy in a good way!

 

[ivet]

I've heard of folks doing a treasure hunt, giving a special present (early birthday maybe at a family dinner/party?), but the cutest thing I ever saw, was when I was at the airport going out of town. I had parked, and across the way there was a family with 2 small kids getting out of their car. The kids kept talking to dad asking where they were going, dad kept saying he wasn't going to tell them until he got the bags out of the car. He got the bags out, looked at the kids and asked if they REALLY wanted to know where they were going, of course they're shouting like crazy YES!!! So he paused (for effect, I was totally captivated) and then announced that they were going to Disneyworld!!!!! Kids screamed and jumped up and down, I got teary (I was on my way too, but Scott and the kids were already down there so I was flying by myself) because it was such an awesome family moment. That was my favorite.

AWW How SWEET is that!!!!! My eyes were welling up reading this JUST PRICELESS and Lasting memories

 

[ivet]

My friend's kids, like yours, had been begging for a year after one of the older daughter's friends got to go on one. It was kind of like one of the disney commercial moments. She said that they were not going to tell the kids (at the time 7 and 2). Literally, they woke the kids up early to head to the airport, had the entire family's luggage packed, etc and told them they were going on a trip but waited til they got to the ship's port to tell them. She said it was a classic kodak/kleenex moment.

We told our son (5yrs) and it's been kind of good leverage to keep him being good. We told him Mickey doesn't let naughty boys on his boat HAHA! Our friend's daughter (7yrs) was suspicious of all the secret talk every time her mom and I were together. So, my friends had to break down and tell her kids they were going with us. She said they were SO excited, too.

so what are you going to do after the cruise I bet he is a good kid anyway!!

 

[The Browns]

After? Well, he's always a work in progress HAHA!!!!!! At least he's starting kindergarten in a few weeks so he'll finaly have a better outlet than me.

 

[MouseMadness]

OK, back on FE talk for a second. Did we decide if we were going to split up days for the FE? I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I would rather just deliver on one day then having multiple drop off days...is that OK?

Now back to your regular cruise talk in progress!

Thanks

 

[Becker5]

Was just looking at the ages and names of all the kids for the FE exchange and got a giggle at how many of the girls have names that start with A's. Out of 6 girls who are 6 and older.. 5 have names that begin with A.

 

[ivet]

OK, back on FE talk for a second. Did we decide if we were going to split up days for the FE? I don't mean to be a party pooper, but I would rather just deliver on one day then having multiple drop off days...is that OK?

Now back to your regular cruise talk in progress!

Thanks

There are no poopers at our party I think we would all agree that we have an easy and rule free FE, if you would like to delivery on just one day - then by all means go for it! No stressing in that if I have a palo dinner or have made plans for an excursion that I have to work the FE's in on my particular day. Trust me with 14 cabins this is one of the smallest FE groups I have been on and once we get the cabins and map them for you, you will get them done in less than 30mins

I have seen one of the alaska fe groups with more than 100cabins

oh wait sorry there was one rule - HAVE FUN!!!!

 

[ivet]

Rules - hmmmm I think we should probably set a deadline like a month or 2weeks before the cruise (this way we have everything set for the FE as far as how many adults and children we have) We'll also know how many staterooms we have and may have to separate into two groups if there are to many staterooms. (We can all decide what is too many)

Once a cruise, given day, gifts for everyone or for the whole family - I am going to be very vague - (I know what you’re saying - how does this help me )

This depends on you, depends on your financial situation etc...Some people will do 3times during the cruise (first night or day, pirate day and beach day)
some will do once during the cruise, some will get just for the children in the stateroom, some will get for each person in the stateroom. Some make gifts like magnets for the doors or necklaces etc. - there is a thread that you can look at, I think its called Homemade FE gifts.

But the most important thing to remember is this is supposed to be FUN, exciting and new - come on board we're expecting you .... oh off topic sorry No SEROUSLY just have fun
you are just trying to spread a little pixie dust

I'll try and remember all the different things we received.

I agree, when we did the FE exchange on our last cruise, we kept it really casual, if you wanted to give 3 days or just 1, totally up to you, if you wanted to give 1 cabin gift, or something for each person, again, totally up to you.

That way we don't have people who aren't planning on doing that much stressing about it, and folks who want to do a ton can go to town!

We did a 30 day cutoff last time, that worked well too, just to give folks enough time to get everything finished, since we're going to be toodling around Orlando for the week before the cruise, if we only did 2 weeks out, that would only give me 1 week if we had someone sign up at the last minute ! Now of course, we were also total softies and did some stuff for kiddos who asked at the last minute last time, but it's a good goal! Remember, they aren't rules, more like guidelines!

this should help a bit...found it on page 3

 

[ivet]

Was just looking at the ages and names of all the kids for the FE exchange and got a giggle at how many of the girls have names that start with A's. Out of 6 girls who are 6 and older.. 5 have names that begin with A.

that was the year of A's...who remembers the year of B's (hey keep it clean) I was talking of Britney's and Belle's

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

that was the year of A's...who remembers the year of B's (hey keep it clean) I was talking of Britney's and Belle's

I went with a "J", funny, I'm Jennifer, brothers John and Jeremy and daughter Jillian, sometimes it takes awhile for my mom to find the right name!

And I agree with Sonia, keep it simple, if you want to give on 1 day, go for it, I don't think we need to assign days, it's just as fun!

 

[The Browns]

This is our first Disney cruise so of course our first FE. I kinda like the ease of rules. We're still in the planning stages for our gifts, but I'm thinking of doing some gifts one day and some another. just the keep the fun rolling!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

This is our first Disney cruise so of course our first FE. I kinda like the ease of rules. We're still in the planning stages for our gifts, but I'm thinking of doing some gifts one day and some another. just the keep the fun rolling!

Fun rolling is a good thing! I know there's going to be 1 thing that I'll probably give the very first night/day, but may spread out some other stuff during the week...

 

[MouseMadness]

I am good to go with the "no rules" FE...that makes it easier and less stressful (like you said, not to have to deliver on certain days, etc.).

Also, for those who have done the FE, do you usually put your name on it or just leave it anonymous?

TIA!

 

[MouseMadness]

We are flying in a few days early to attend the MNSSHP on Thursday night before the cruise...anyone else going to the party?? This will be our third one, they are so much fun!!!!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I am good to go with the "no rules" FE...that makes it easier and less stressful (like you said, not to have to deliver on certain days, etc.).

Also, for those who have done the FE, do you usually put your name on it or just leave it anonymous?

TIA!

Absolutely put your name on your gifts! That way the folks who are getting them can know who their from. I've heard of folks that include a contact card, with an e-mail for their gifts, a pretty good idea (totally not required, just thought it was a neat idea).

We are flying in a few days early to attend the MNSSHP on Thursday night before the cruise...anyone else going to the party?? This will be our third one, they are so much fun!!!!

We're going to be in Orlando the week prior, but aren't going to hit the MNSSHP. We did the MVMCP last year, and I've heard that the Halloween party is even better, but this trip we're going to do what we've classified as "everything else". We're doing a manatee snorkel, going to Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Sea World, Harry Potter, even Typhoon Lagoon because when we go in December it's always closed for cleaning and renovation so haven't been.

I think we're staying at the Beach Club for a couple of those days, may even go to one day at Epcot which is our favorite park (mmmm, Baclava...).

 

[The Browns]

WHat's a MNSSHP? i wish we could've stayed and done the Harry Potter thing at Universal. Maybe some other time.

 

[Onkel Hans]

Mickey's Not-so-Scary Halloween Party is held throughout October and a little bit of September and November. We have gone twice and it is a great time. There were limited crowds, the Halloween theme was masterfully done with one of my favorite parades and special fireworks.

 

[The Browns]

AH! We have that at Disneyland! It's fun!

 

[MouseMadness]

AH! We have that at Disneyland! It's fun!

That's good to know...we are moving from Alabama to Utah in 2 weeks and will be visiting Disneyland instead of Disneyworld for the next few years. The kids love the MNSSHP so I am glad to hear they are there as well!

We actually lived in California (northern) years ago and frequented Disneyland...but I know it has grown so much since then. I am looking forward to California Adventure...when we went last it was really still fairly new and they didn't have alot going on there yet. I also love the fact that Downtown Disney is walking distance right outside the parks!

 

[LySand]

We are flying in a few days early to attend the MNSSHP on Thursday night before the cruise...anyone else going to the party?? This will be our third one, they are so much fun!!!!

I am flying in early too. We went to MNSSHP last year and loved it! It's just me this year so I am not sure if I can go with a clear concience without my family. Oh who am I kidding? I will probably go

I suppose I could wear the pirate gear I am bringing for the cruise! I'm one of those crazy people who loves a theme but especially getting dressed up for Halloween!