"10/23/2010 Seven Days of Magic Sailing to the Saints Looking for Serenity Now!"

[d'Isigny]

OK we have a question. The FE thing sounds fun but very expensive. If we've got over 200 DISers already checking in here in the thread, does that mean we'd have to have more than 200 gifts to pass out and place into FE's? This sounds pretty expensive.

Or are we assigned only a segment of the list?

Thanks

Big welcome to John...

Am sure...if 50, 100, 200 or more persons were participating...I'd be one that would raise my hand...requesting we have separate groups limiting the number of persons I would be responsible for. I am sure it would be responsible to reduce the expanse and time - making this still an incredible experience – not an overwhelming one. Am sure others can come up with great suggestions on this subject.

Flight Attendant - “Well…Mr Smith…how many bags are you checking”?
Me – TWO…one bag for our clothes…and the other containing ‘Fish Extender/Dis-Tag’ gifts.
Fight Attendant – “uhm…er…that steamer trunk contains…WHAT”?
Me – “yes…I know it’s oversized…and…overweight…but…here…take my credit card…and four drink coupons”!!

I must say…on our last two cruises…we participated in something very similar to FE – called ‘Dis-Tag’. This was soooooo much fun. We would get close to the room…and all of our girls would start running…cuz…they each wanted to be first to see what was left. I must admit…the creativity and warmth of Dis’er was/is fantastic. Items left…don’t need to be expansive…AND…we can all agree to keep a limit on the total or individual amount. For me, It’s wasn’t about the expanse of the gift…but the thought and care that went into it that just overwhelmed me. Some…purchased items in bulk (Oriental Trading is one mail order – there are many others), purchased trinkets from their home town or hand-made items. You can’t help…but smile…chuckle…laugh…when returning to your room to see these wonderful surprises.

Another option…as an addition or alternative to FE/’Dis-Tag’….was something I read from one of Erica’s (aka – zweihund) trip reports. [Please excuse the shameless plug…these trip reports are FANTASTIC….do yourself a favor – check em out…links are at the bottom of her siggie.] If my fuzzy memory is correct…for their last sailing…they chose a “secret Dis’er” – offering some extra special surprises…daily…leading up to something a little nicer toward the end of the cruise. Erica….can you share….pleeeeeeeeeeeeeze!

Hope all had a great weekend….me…I am soooo happy to see temperatures that are under one hundred degrees. Appears…for now…that summer is fading away…

K

 

[zweihund]

OK we have a question. The FE thing sounds fun but very expensive. If we've got over 200 DISers already checking in here in the thread, does that mean we'd have to have more than 200 gifts to pass out and place into FE's? This sounds pretty expensive.

Or are we assigned only a segment of the list?

Thanks

Another option…as an addition or alternative to FE/’Dis-Tag’….was something I read from one of Erica’s (aka – zweihund) trip reports. [Please excuse the shameless plug…these trip reports are FANTASTIC….do yourself a favor – check em out…links are at the bottom of her siggie.] If my fuzzy memory is correct…for their last sailing…they chose a “secret Dis’er” – offering some extra special surprises…daily…leading up to something a little nicer toward the end of the cruise. Erica….can you share….pleeeeeeeeeeeeeze!

Hope all had a great weekend….me…I am soooo happy to see temperatures that are under one hundred degrees. Appears…for now…that summer is fading away…

K

I can indeed!

We actually did both on my last cruise. I can't remember how many DISers participated, but I am sure it was in the hundreds. The fish extenders were optional to anyone who wanted to do them. Some people just gave gifts to the kids, some people (including us) did one gift per cabin, some people went all out and handmade items for everyone. Believe me, it's all just for fun and no one is going to be offended because you didn't put anything in the fish extender.

We got all kinds of stuff - candy, little pirate trinkets, pens with the cruise slogan, notepads, pirate ducks.....ok, that was OUR gift to pass out, but I admit I kept a few. I think Lionel and I spent about $30 and we had plenty left over. Oriental Traders is your friend! Some people made magnets, and I think we also got a pirate bag - to carry all the booty home!

For the secret Mickey exchange, everyone (who wanted to participate) was randomly assigned another cabin. We would leave little anonymous presents throughout the cruise. Again, you don't have to spend much. I made the main gift for my secret Mickeys (and they loved it), and bought a few small things to go with it. We received some fun drink glasses and party beads (my reputation proceeds me), some cool T-shirts and car antennae toppers. I think we set a soft limit of $25.

Anyhow, it's all about fun. I didn't care what was in my fish extender, it was just so fun to find the little prizes here and there that it didn't matter what the prize was!

As far as luggage room, we managed to fit all of our secret Mickey stuff and fish extender gifts into two shoebox-sized Rubbermaid containers. You just have to be a little creative is all. Have fun with it!

Hope that helps.

It's October! Just over a year until the cruise.....may it pass swiftly!

 

[sunshine1259]

Hi,
Just wanted to introduce ourselves..there is me Christine, husband Mike and son Bryce age 8 but will be 9 at time of cruise. This will be our 7th Disney cruise we just got off yesterday from Magic same 7 day. It is our favorite. I can't wait to get to know all of the cruisers. We did our first FE this cruise and it was so much fun.

Hi, Christine, Welcome aboard. I have been MIA from this page in a few days, so please forgive my delay in welcoming you all. I look forward to meeting and chatting with you.

We just got back from our WDW and Disney Wonder Cruise on 10/1/09!! It was a second cruise and was 4 nights from 9/27/09 to 10/1/09. OUr first was a 3 night in 2008 which was waaaay too short! DW and I loved the day at sea on our recent cruise, something we lacked on the first. We decided that an Eastern Caribbean cruise whihc has three days at sea would be perfect for us! So We booked this cruise while onboard the Wonder. We'll be joining you all and we can't wait!!! It'll be me (John), DW (Cheryl) and DD 12yoa.

Hi, Welcome aboard. Glad to have you and your crew join us. As I mentioned above I have been MIA from this page, so please forgive me for not welcoming you aboard sooner.

I have been catching up a bit and I noticed that you are wondering about the FE gift exchange. As Kevin, Lois and Erica have explained, this is a blast and but it doesn't have to break your wallet. Early next year, we can decide how we want to do the exchange. Remember, though, not everyone chooses to participate. So, even thought we have over 200 folks signed up for this cruise, not all will participate in the FE.

But in the end, all who do participate will give from the heart. You will have a great time as will your DW and DD.



I will go ahead and add everyone to the cruise list so that we don't miss anyone.

Again, WELCOME ABOARD TO ALL OF THE NEWCOMERS!!!

 

[traveljen1027]

Just wanted to check in and say hi to all the new additions - I'm getting really excited! Can't wait to hit the 1 year mark...

Did anyone catch "America's Funniest Home Videos" this week? It is our DD Lily's favorite show - she's five. Anyway, they were giving away a Disney cruise as a grand prize, so there was lots of footage of Tom Bergeron on Castaway Cay and around the ship - it was fun to watch because we kept seeing places we had been, and of course it was fun to talk about how we'll be there again practically this time next year...

I've never done a FE, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun, especially as it gives us one more thing to do to pass the time until the big sail - woo hoo!!

 

[sunshine1259]

Just wanted to check in and say hi to all the new additions - I'm getting really excited! Can't wait to hit the 1 year mark...

Did anyone catch "America's Funniest Home Videos" this week? It is our DD Lily's favorite show - she's five. Anyway, they were giving away a Disney cruise as a grand prize, so there was lots of footage of Tom Bergeron on Castaway Cay and around the ship - it was fun to watch because we kept seeing places we had been, and of course it was fun to talk about how we'll be there again practically this time next year...

I've never done a FE, but I think it sounds like a lot of fun, especially as it gives us one more thing to do to pass the time until the big sail - woo hoo!!

Hi, Jen. You checked in just in time for me to hijack your countdown ticker.

I wish I had seen that AFHV. Love watching anything thing about DCL. You will have a blast with the FE, especially the planning and gathering of gifts to give out. We will talk more about it come the start of the year.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Just got our confirmation from Cruise Planners which includes our ressies at Counrty Inn and Suites for 10/21 and 10/22/2010. This is begining to feel very real. Getting close to the 1 year mark!!!!

 

[leelip1982]

Just got our confirmation from Cruise Planners which includes our ressies at Counrty Inn and Suites for 10/21 and 10/22/2010. This is begining to feel very real. Getting close to the 1 year mark!!!!

just got back from a 7 day western and stayed at country inn and suites. as we get closer to our cruise date check cis website for lower rates. when i made the reservations for this past cruise it was 144 for the park and cruise and two days before i found it at 124 and they lowered the rate for us.

 

[Grandma4ever]

just got back from a 7 day western and stayed at country inn and suites. as we get closer to our cruise date check cis website for lower rates. when i made the reservations for this past cruise it was 144 for the park and cruise and two days before i found it at 124 and they lowered the rate for us.

Thanks for that info. I will request that our TA look into that as we get closer. I will check also and alert her if I see it so she can request a change.

 

[d'Isigny]

Hi, Jen. You checked in just in time for me to hijack your countdown ticker.

great new coutdown timer --- wonderful photo...l love the mickey/minnie - bride/groom ears..K

 

[JohnO]

Hey everyone, I did a little research on some hotels in the area. I know we're planning on driving down the day before embarkation. Here's some info on some area hotels i got from expedia....


Country Inn & Suites, Cape Canaveral, $129 per night, Free shuttle & Parking for cruise. graded 4.4 out of 5 by travelers

Radisson at the Port, Cape Canaveral, $116 per night, Free Shuttle & parking for the cruise. Graded 4.4 out of 5 by travelers

La Quinta Inn, Cocoa Beach, $94 per night, Free shuttle & parking for the cruise. Graded 4 out of 5 by travelers.

 

[shortbusmom]

I haven't been on a while busy getting ready for this year cruise we leave on Thursday, can't wait -- then I can start planning for next year. Hope to have some great pictures to share with everyone.

 

[coastiewifern]

Last time we stayed at the Radisson at the port. Although the rooms were just standard our kids really enjoyed the pool area. Also there was a live band Friday night on the pool deck that got us in the mood for the Carribean.

 

[Orlanr]

13 days till we leave for the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival.

 

[Grandma4ever]

We have just short of 60 days before we return to WDW (1st time at Christmas) I can't wait!!!!

 

[JohnO]

We were able to attend F &W Festival again this year. It was awesome!

 

[lewiskids004]

Hi, Walt and Di. Sorry that we will not be sailing with you. Congrats on your new cruise and hope that you have a wonderful time.

Hey Brenda- lets get together in a couple of weeks, mabey we can hash out some of these details everyones discussing. Can't wait to meet you, and talk about our trip into paradise!!!!

 

[Paul2003]

Hello,

My name is Paul and I live in Chardon, Ohio. Chardon is the snow capital of Ohio.
This will be my 7th cruise. My 1st cruise was in 2003 on the Wonder (that's what Paul2003 means) the rest were on the Magic.

When I did my first cruise in 2003 it was a Land/Sea trip with my sister. I was so impressed with the ship & the service I told my parents. My mother is in a wheelchair.
There 1st cruise was in 2005, it should have been in 2004 but she had a stroke right at Port Canaveral before we sailed. The care and help we got from DCL was unbelivable. It would take a page + to explain. I will say that their actions is most likely why my mother made a full recovery.

As of right now all four of us are going in Oct. but my mother has a muscle disease and very hard for her to get around. So only time will tell. Since her is in a wheelchair she does't get out much. Hopefully she will be Ok. This is the best kind of vacation for her & DCL treats her like gold or a Disney Princess.

 

[Paul2003]

Just got our confirmation from Cruise Planners which includes our ressies at Counrty Inn and Suites for 10/21 and 10/22/2010. This is begining to feel very real. Getting close to the 1 year mark!!!!

Hey,

How's it going. We cruised with you Sept. 27th 07, Double-Dip Delight.

We just finished another cruise Sept. 26th -Oct. 3rd.

 

[d'Isigny]

Hello,

My name is Paul and I live in Chardon, Ohio. Chardon is the snow capital of Ohio.
This will be my 7th cruise. My 1st cruise was in 2003 on the Wonder (that's what Paul2003 means) the rest were on the Magic.

When I did my first cruise in 2003 it was a Land/Sea trip with my sister. I was so impressed with the ship & the service I told my parents. My mother is in a wheelchair.
There 1st cruise was in 2005, it should have been in 2004 but she had a stroke right at Port Canaveral before we sailed. The care and help we got from DCL was unbelivable. It would take a page + to explain. I will say that their actions is most likely why my mother made a full recovery.

As of right now all four of us are going in Oct. but my mother has a muscle disease and very hard for her to get around. So only time will tell. Since her is in a wheelchair she does't get out much. Hopefully she will be Ok. This is the best kind of vacation for her & DCL treats her like gold or a Disney Princess.

Hey Paul...WELCOME!!!
I'd gladly trade some heat for a little more cool - this has been a difficult summer. Hope the winter brings us some of your snow...we will glady take it.

WOW!!! Am glad to hear your Mother has made a full recovery - glad to hear that DCL acted well to assist in that.

We've went on DCL in 2005 with my In-Laws. DMiL required a scooter and WDW/DCL was fantastic with her...and those traveling with her. I have to offer them KUDO's for the very special extra touches for those that have 'health and ability challenges'. Wishing that health continues positively allowing her to enjoy this vacation.

Again...welcome. Kevin

 

[sunshine1259]

Hi, Everyone. Just dropping in real quick. I am in South Dakota right now. I am here with my DH. We are out in the Midwest attending his brother's funeral. This will be the third state that I have stayed in in the past 4 days, Minnesota, North Dakota and now South Dakota. We will be back in Minnesota tomorrow and then we fly home Friday.

I want say a quick "Welcome Aboard" to Paul. I look forward to everyone getting acquainted.

Sherri, I will get back with you when I get back to California.

Talk to you all real soon.