10/19/2013 An Eastern Fantasy

[koquinn]

What kind of pets do you have?

We have a retired racing greyhound. His name is Max. He's been part of some of our past trip reports.

We have a beagle named Copper, named after The Fox & The Hound.

 

[meplus3]

We have a yellow lab named Hunter and a tiny beige tabby cat named Sparkle.

 

[JKMJ441724]

We have a shih tzu. Her name is Bella the Wonderdog!

Yes, the exclamation point is part of her name. Kinda like the artist formally known as Prince.

 

[ppartekim]

You're right, tone is awfully hard to come across when one is not a professional writer.

It is never to early to start discussing the "List".

I do not want to be a dictator, but I also do not want this to fail in committee. While I volunteered to do an FE list (which now entails a lot more than that). The list is still mainly an FE list one that encompasses and enormous about of people and opinions. While the list looks simple, maintaining it over the course of more than a year is not. To give a hint, I tried to reformat the FE list for the Fantasy MV as an example. The original list that was created as an excel (workbook) that was spread over four spreadsheets (each one several pages) and emailed to over 70 email addresses (meaning everyone had several versions spread over that year). I tried to reformat that into a simple one page html file (on my website so everyone could see the same version) which was still 79 cabins, 3 different groups and 2 sub-groups adding 5 colors and took 16 hours to do just that reformat (and that was what after all the work the original person did collecting that info over the last year). After posting the exact same info that was in the spreadsheet, I was taken to the shed for displaying personal information that the original caretaker had agreed to only one way (but did not tell anyone else until I had the list reformatted, published and taken to the shed for). I fixed the spreadsheet to handle the issues and things are starting to smooth out there but it is still a good amount of work to correct more errors and changes to try and keep group/subgroups and numbers straight.

I have tried to take a simplistic approach to this List. One list of everyone who wants to exchange and a Official tally taken about six weeks before the cruise and anyone added after that warned that they may not get gifts unless people have extra. That's it. Give if you want to whomever you want or not. This is meant to be fun, nothing else. I know I personally had one person on a previous cruise want to back out as he/she could not give to any after losing his/her job. Convinced him/her to stay on the list and for that cruse let us give to him/her and share next time.

That alone will probably mean at least an hour a day over the course of the year to keep the list maintained until the cruise starts. Plus and more time chatting online and arranging any other meet/greets etc. Not trying to complain but unfortunately, I do also work 40-60 hours a week so time is not on my side but Disney fun is always worth it.

I do not want to debate how the list will be split as there are too many ways and someone is not going to be happy. I am not stopping anyone from creating their own FE groups. On several cruises there must have had several different ones based on the number FEs we saw on doors that were not listed on our List.

Based on our last last few cruises; Here ares some requests I have seen for FE lists:

• Remove DISname from the list as some folks do not want that info on non-DIS sites (this one I may implement -if people agree- due to facebook and google+ pages being added and no nicknames are used).
• Remove names form FEs since DIS only uses avators/nicknames.
• No Kid names or ages and DIS threads or non-Facebook (closed group pages) for privacy information.
• DIS request to please post kids name and kid ages, so that kids will be able to meet each other and age-related gifts.
• Facebook request to not post any of the FE personal info on DIS for privacy.
• Request for First names and Last initial for personal FE gifts.
• Request for Last name and First initial for the same reason.
• Request to only allow one gift per cabin.
• Request that the FE should only be for Kids.
• Request that the list should be one per deck so no one had to walk beyond one deck.
• Request the FE should only contain under X amount and should then be closed or another one started.
• Request only handmade gifts be given.
• Request that everyone label their gifts so that people know if that got skipped by tracking who gave what to who
• Request that the list should be closed x months before the cruise and no one allow to be added so as not the throw off the numbers and force people to give more than they wanted to.

 

[mydisneyboys]

Welcome to all the newbies!!!! This is going to be a great trip and a great group and seems to be heavy in the 5-12 boy category - our group has three that fits in that group too!!!!

 

[koquinn]

You're right, tone is awfully hard to come across when one is not a professional writer.

It is never to early to start discussing the "List".

I do not want to be a dictator, but I also do not want this to fail in committee. While I volunteered to do an FE list (which now entails a lot more than that). The list is still mainly an FE list one that encompasses and enormous about of people and opinions. While the list looks simple, maintaining it over the course of more than a year is not. To give a hint, I tried to reformat the FE list for the Fantasy MV as an example. The original list that was created as an excel (workbook) that was spread over four spreadsheets (each one several pages) and emailed to over 70 email addresses (meaning everyone had several versions spread over that year). I tried to reformat that into a simple one page html file (on my website so everyone could see the same version) which was still 79 cabins, 3 different groups and 2 sub-groups adding 5 colors and took 16 hours to do just that reformat (and that was what after all the work the original person did collecting that info over the last year). After posting the exact same info that was in the spreadsheet, I was taken to the shed for displaying personal information that the original caretaker had agreed to only one way (but did not tell anyone else until I had the list reformatted, published and taken to the shed for). I fixed the spreadsheet to handle the issues and things are starting to smooth out there but it is still a good amount of work to correct more errors and changes to try and keep group/subgroups and numbers straight.

I have tried to take a simplistic approach to this List. One list of everyone who wants to exchange and a Official tally taken about six weeks before the cruise and anyone added after that warned that they may not get gifts unless people have extra. That's it. Give if you want to whomever you want or not. This is meant to be fun, nothing else. I know I personally had one person on a previous cruise want to back out as he/she could not give to any after losing his/her job. Convinced him/her to stay on the list and for that cruse let us give to him/her and share next time.

That alone will probably mean at least an hour a day over the course of the year to keep the list maintained until the cruise starts. Plus and more time chatting online and arranging any other meet/greets etc. Not trying to complain but unfortunately, I do also work 40-60 hours a week so time is not on my side but Disney fun is always worth it.

I do not want to debate how the list will be split as there are too many ways and someone is not going to be happy. I am not stopping anyone from creating their own FE groups. On several cruises there must have had several different ones based on the number FEs we saw on doors that were not listed on our List.

Based on our last last few cruises; Here ares some requests I have seen for FE lists:

• Remove DISname from the list as some folks do not want that info on non-DIS sites (this one I may implement -if people agree- due to facebook and google+ pages being added and no nicknames are used).
• Remove names form FEs since DIS only uses avators/nicknames.
• No Kid names or ages and DIS threads or non-Facebook (closed group pages) for privacy information.
• DIS request to please post kids name and kid ages, so that kids will be able to meet each other and age-related gifts.
• Facebook request to not post any of the FE personal info on DIS for privacy.
• Request for First names and Last initial for personal FE gifts.
• Request for Last name and First initial for the same reason.
• Request to only allow one gift per cabin.
• Request that the FE should only be for Kids.
• Request that the list should be one per deck so no one had to walk beyond one deck.
• Request the FE should only contain under X amount and should then be closed or another one started.
• Request only handmade gifts be given.
• Request that everyone label their gifts so that people know if that got skipped by tracking who gave what to who
• Request that the list should be closed x months before the cruise and no one allow to be added so as not the throw off the numbers and force people to give more than they wanted to.

With all due respect, I find it impossible to believe that maintaining a spreadsheet for this takes an hour a day for a year... I feel like you're stressing out unduly over this. It's supposed to be fun. If you feel like it's that much work, perhaps turning it over to someone else might be a good idea.

I think it's too early to get into an argument over something so silly. But I will say this - I'm very much interested in a discussion about how many people are in a given group when it gets closer to the actual cruise date. If it's much over 30, and The Keeper of the List refuses to allow it to be broken down, then I will be skipping out this go-around.

 

[Fastpaks]

... If it's much over 30,...

On my last 7 night cruise, about a year and 1/2 during Oct, we had over 400 people on the boat from theDis. I think the end total of families was just shy of 90. We ended up with 3 groups from several "deadlines" The lady that was in charge or one we volunteered.. LOL.. probably put about an hour towards the end on daily basis. There are definitely some folks that put in that time.

.... I would do WDW before the cruise - my husband says WDW is too much like work with all the walking around. That way you can have time to relax afterwards on the cruise...

We'll have two beach trips to PCB, FL between now and then, but it just doesn't compare!

No they don't compare. I agree with your husband. When we did our 2 week trip a couple years back, I'm SO thankful we did DCL 2nd. We did try coming back to the park after the trip and when it comes to pure relaxation, nothing beats doing what you want, when you want, at your time.

All that said, I'm working on trying to convince another Disser about a "project" with cruising and an ipod. But the "idea" is in its infancy stages. Hopefully though, it comes to fruition and I can get my "cruise fix" all the time!

~Jonathan

 

[kellyb2000]

Welcome to all the newbies!!!! This is going to be a great trip and a great group and seems to be heavy in the 5-12 boy category - our group has three that fits in that group too!!!!

mine will be 10!

All that said, I'm working on trying to convince another Disser about a "project" with cruising and an ipod. But the "idea" is in its infancy stages. Hopefully though, it comes to fruition and I can get my "cruise fix" all the time!

~Jonathan

a way to get your cruise fix any time??? sounds fabulous!

 

[ratt1345]

Can't wait to try Remy. Does anyone know the menu? Haven't seen one yet? If there is a menu listed, I must have missed it!

Charlie

 

[ratt1345]

19 months and 1 day!!!!! Can you tell that I am excited? I need to keep this up for that long. Can I do it?!?!?!? Oooooohhhhh yeaaaaaaahhhh!!!

Charlie

 

[ratt1345]

Just checking back to see if everyone is awake!!!!!

Charlie

 

[kellyb2000]

Yep - but just barely!!! 569 days!

 

[BLeeS]

Opps, sorry for the double posting. I'm fairly new at this. I ws looking for my post and couldn't find it so I posted again!

Welcome! Look forward to meeting you!

 

[JKMJ441724]

My daughter and I play a little game.

Doesn't matter what you are talking about, we somehow make the conversation come back to our cruise (either this one coming up or ones we've taken in the past).

IE:

HER: It's too hot to practice soccer.
ME: Know what makes you cool? Aquaduck.

or

ME: I'm starving but I'm too tired to make supper.
HER: Isn't it great to have someone cook the dinner and bring it to you like they do at Enchanted Garden?

or sometimes we just say something out of the blue -

Pizza Planet! or Turkey Leg!

OK, those last two are for the parks, but you get my drift.

 

[ratt1345]

Usually for me that sort of thing happens after the cruise. I am usually saying something like this: "What!?!?!? I have to pay for my meal?" Reality has to hit me in the face!!! Of course, I am constantly check this place for my DCL fix!!!

Charlie

 

[ssatterly]

Happy Easter!!!!!

We are so ready to try DCL!!!!!!
We are on the FE list as well and have already bought a few items...LOL

 

[ratt1345]

You are better than us. We won't get stuff for the FE until next July!!! Can we at least have the next year go by quickly!!!!?????

 

[meplus3]

Still here too! lol I think I have read every PTR/TR on here trying to get a cruise fix We're almost down to a year and a half!!

 

[disneydreamin247]

Just booked the other night. My travel agency is having a convention and decided to do it on a Disney cruise! We are in cabins 6174 and 6176.

 

[kellyb2000]

We're almost down to a year and a half!!

Just booked the other night. My travel agency is having a convention and decided to do it on a Disney cruise!

Wow - tough job!!