Christmas/Holiday 2011 on the Wonder: 8 night Mexican Riviera 12/18/2011

[Dchachos]

Thanks for the great ebay link for the Christmas trees.

One thing to be VERY careful about. One year they CONFISCATED a tree from my neighbor because it had lights on it. I would get the ones that are without lights because I believe they are not allowed on the ship due to possible fire hazzard.

I am going to order the unlit 24" I think and then get some plastic ornaments to take along.

Katherine

Thank you I ordered an unlit one also and the lights are battery operated. I will ask if I may use them. I also ordered a package of mini ornaments.

Today I was in Michael's crafts and they had a ton of $1 things, I picked out a bunch for stocking stuffers things like Slinkys, marbles, puzzles, and little do dads that way if they get lost no biggie.

I have never spent as much time preparing for a trip as I have for this one. I must say the planning and the DISboard bring an added pleasure to the cruise experience. I went on a 4 day Carnival cruise about 10 years ago and we didn't do anything like this at all.

I finished my fe if I can figure out how I will post a picture.

Have a great night everyone

 

[Dchachos]

You may want to look into a taxi from LGB. As of last year, they had a flat rate of around $45 to the port (not from the port back to LGB), and it's much more convenient than a shuttle - you don't have to wait for it to fill up, don't have to worry about additional stops, etc. You can call a Long Beach taxi company to check prices.

Regarding your flight back, you shouldn't have any problem. The Long Beach airport is only about 20 minutes from the port. If you are at all worried, you can ask to disembark on the early side. Confirm with the shuttle company that you won't have to wait a long time for your shuttle. You may also want to consider a taxi back to the airport - probably a little more expensive, and you might have to tip a porter to get you a cab. Is peace of mind at the end of your trip worth an extra $20 or so? Depends on the person.

Thank you for the tip. I will check into that because not waiting is worth it.

 

[designertravels]

Probably 18" - 24" - I wish I could bring one to everyone...it could never happen!

This summer they did a mojito tasting, it was sooo good! Sign up early if you see this one.

Welcome to our group!

Our girls will have a blast, mine actually turn 9 next month.

I am flying in to Long Beach and using Super Shuttle to get to our hotel. They charge $15 per person and it is a shared van with up to 9 people. If you can get a limo for around $100.00 I believe.


Thank you for the info. We are flying out of LGB even earlier. We are always off by 8:00 am. Skip the breakfast. It sounds like a cab is the way to go in this case. (?)

Jill

 

[Dchachos]

Okay I think I figured it out. This should be a picture of the fish extender I made.

[/IMG]

 

[hitormiss]

Following some earlier posts, I asked about our specific itinerary and did get confirmation that Pirate Night is indeed on Night 6 (December 23). I seriously considered buying the full Captain Hook costume at the Disney Store, but resisted (for now).

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

Does anyone have any feedback on the Cabo Canopy Adventure vs. the one in Puerto Vallarta? Most of the reviews I see are for the one in PV, but we would like to do the one in Cabo if it's comparable (all I've heard is that the PV one is more "green"). It's the first zipline for all of us!

Our friends who traveled with us on the March Wonder cruise did the Cabo Canopy excursion and they LOVED it. It is all desert though- very different climate than a jungle zipline. I think their pictures were very reasonably priced as well if I remember correctly. They did get some amazing pictures! They have them framed in their house. Their DS was 10. I can ask them any questions you might have- they are not on the DIS.

 

[betsy918]

Hi All..FE question. I know we distribute only one time, but is it one gift to each cabin participating, or one gift to each person in the cabin? Am I right to assume that the total cost spent on each cabin participating is between 5-10 dollars (either on 1 gift or a few smaller gifts?) Oh! and it would be helpful to know if any cabins don't celebrate Christmas, as I was considering Christmas ornaments (if I can figure out how to transport without them breaking) but don't want to do this if it is not something people would enjoy. I saw some cute ones on the disney website.
Thanks!

 

[CountryCharmer]

Is there a list that we can join in on for this cruise? My kids and I just found out about the "fish extenders" and the fun people have and wanted to see if we could participate on our 12/18 cruise.

Thanks for all help anyone can give!

 

[CountryCharmer]

My family is booked for this cruise also and would love to be able to be a part of this!

Can we please join and have someone be kind enough to explain how it works, etc.

Thanks!

 

[SanDeeKath]

I vote for 1 gift per child if possible instead of 1 gift per family, only because my children don't like to share (and they are 5 years apart so it's hard for them to agree on what they are going to share with eachother).

As for the adults, I don't mind not getting anything. Or maybe 1 gift total for all the adults in the cabin (instead of 1 per adult).

What do you all think? I have not done FEs before either so I don't know what works best.

Katherine

 

[Dchachos]

My family is booked for this cruise also and would love to be able to be a part of this!

Can we please join and have someone be kind enough to explain how it works, etc.

Thanks!

Welcome Country Charmer! Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise before?

I also new to this and new to cruising so a I will do my best to explain it:
There are fish shaped clips outside each cabin door. People who are participating in the fish extender exchange hang an extender from their fish. There is a pocket for each person in your extender. Each day of the cruise those who signed up will get a gift a trinket in their pocket. We have agreed that we will only give one day of the cruise. On some cruises they leave something everyday. Last time I looked we had about 55 people signed up.

If you look back on this thread you can see how to sign up.

I hope this helps

 

[Dchachos]

I vote for 1 gift per child if possible instead of 1 gift per family, only because my children don't like to share (and they are 5 years apart so it's hard for them to agree on what they are going to share with eachother).

As for the adults, I don't mind not getting anything. Or maybe 1 gift total for all the adults in the cabin (instead of 1 per adult).

What do you all think? I have not done FEs before either so I don't know what works best.

Katherine

Ditto for me with my kids I am in the same boat.

 

[mdlove2cruise]

I agree with one each for the kids and one total for any adults in the cabin.

 

[Brooklyn]

Hi All..FE question. I know we distribute only one time, but is it one gift to each cabin participating, or one gift to each person in the cabin? Am I right to assume that the total cost spent on each cabin participating is between 5-10 dollars (either on 1 gift or a few smaller gifts?) Oh! and it would be helpful to know if any cabins don't celebrate Christmas, as I was considering Christmas ornaments (if I can figure out how to transport without them breaking) but don't want to do this if it is not something people would enjoy. I saw some cute ones on the disney website.
Thanks!

IMHO, I think you should do whatever you want. I don't think there should be guidelines. When someone is giving a gift it is based on what they want to give. I will not be doing one gift per child. A three year old girl would not want the same thing as say a 15 yo boy. This will be my 11th FE exchange and one thing I have learned is delivering them is a logistical problem when needing to deliver certain ones to certain rooms. I have been a part of groups with 100+ staterooms....it took hours just to get them delivered. If each one has to go to a certain room it takes a lot more time than just having a bag full of gifts, a list of staterooms and just dropping a gift(s) at each stateroom as you walk by. If each one is set to a specific room it takes more time. You have to dig through the bag to find that specific room. You could separate by floors ahead of time but based on size/weight of gifts you may be spending a lot of time heading back to your cabin back and forth before it all done. Disney Cruises are PACKED from morning to night. We are NEVER EVER bored when on board. I personally do not want to spend a could hours delivering items. Again this is my opinion, some people may love walking back and forth, digging through to find the right one, etc. I have done it before and I will tell you I will not do it again.

We have gotten Christmas ornaments many times and this is our first "Christmas" cruise. Our family has always loved them. We have appreciated anything we have gotten. I have 2 daughters 4 years apart. They actually share the same birthday so I know how tough it can be asking them to share. They have to work it out though. I know they don't always like it but it is life.

 

[chernabogfamily]

We do the same as Brooklyn for the FE's, 1 gift per cabin (same gift for all cabins). As Brooklyn said, there is always something fun and exciting to do on board.

 

[SanDeeKath]

How many families are participating in the FEs on this cruise so far? Is it 12 cabins? I just counted on the spreadsheet -- 13 cabins and 28 children so far.

But it's fine if you want to do 1 gift pr cabin, I guess. In that case, DH suggested that I pick up some small extra gifts for my children and keep a stash under the bed. I will probably just count the number of gifts in the FE hanger each day and if it is off or if I feel like it's not balanced, I can always "supplement" without them knowing. I am not usually so into the fairness thing but it's Christmas week and that's a special time for them.

Katherine

 

[Brooklyn]

I can see how the FE lines may be blurred bc it is "Christmas" cruise. I think the Secret Mickey is a great way for individual special gifts. The FE for me has always been something fun to add to an already amazing cruise. I am blown away with how creative people and I love to see what people come up with. Christmas for me is about giving and not the receiving. My children along with my family will be happy with whatever comes. I promise that it always works out in the end.

I feel you are saying that 13 cabins is not that much to figure out. I know that number will grow. It always does closer to the cruise. There is no way it will stay at that number. I know at least 2 more families that plan on participating but have not signed up yet. Those are just people I know locally who are booked on the cruise. I already know what we are giving. It takes a lot of time of preparing it and there will be something for everyone. For me it is not the point of the number of rooms but the fact that we have chosen what we are going to give and that is what we are going to give. I hope that you find it "fair" to your kids and if not then I am sorry.

 

[Dchachos]

IMHO, I think you should do whatever you want. I don't think there should be guidelines. When someone is giving a gift it is based on what they want to give. I will not be doing one gift per child. A three year old girl would not want the same thing as say a 15 yo boy. This will be my 11th FE exchange and one thing I have learned is delivering them is a logistical problem when needing to deliver certain ones to certain rooms. I have been a part of groups with 100+ staterooms....it took hours just to get them delivered. If each one has to go to a certain room it takes a lot more time than just having a bag full of gifts, a list of staterooms and just dropping a gift(s) at each stateroom as you walk by. If each one is set to a specific room it takes more time. You have to dig through the bag to find that specific room. You could separate by floors ahead of time but based on size/weight of gifts you may be spending a lot of time heading back to your cabin back and forth before it all done. Disney Cruises are PACKED from morning to night. We are NEVER EVER bored when on board. I personally do not want to spend a could hours delivering items. Again this is my opinion, some people may love walking back and forth, digging through to find the right one, etc. I have done it before and I will tell you I will not do it again.

We have gotten Christmas ornaments many times and this is our first "Christmas" cruise. Our family has always loved them. We have appreciated anything we have gotten. I have 2 daughters 4 years apart. They actually share the same birthday so I know how tough it can be asking them to share. They have to work it out though. I know they don't always like it but it is life.

You have a very valid point. I had considered personalizing the gifts I was making but then thought about just what you said, having to deliver them would be time consuming and a pain in the bootie. I also think that people should do what they feel comfortable with. This should be a fun addition to the cruise not an extra chore or a stressful situation.

 

[betsy918]

So glad to have the input of people who have done this before!! I hadn't even thought about the logistics of passing them out if I was to try to sort by cabin for boy/girl etc. I'll probably put together something fun that will work for everyone.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

So glad to have the input of people who have done this before!! I hadn't even thought about the logistics of passing them out if I was to try to sort by cabin for boy/girl etc. I'll probably put together something fun that will work for everyone.

So glad to have the input of people who have done this before!! I hadn't even thought about the logistics of passing them out if I was to try to sort by cabin for boy/girl etc. I'll probably put together something fun that will work for everyone.

Oh, I have a map by deck of all the participating rooms that I will send to every family doing the FE before we leave. That makes it much easier, if the cabin # and location is highlighted on each deck! The cruises I had where there were 30 cabins, that took awhile to deliver. Usually my kids will help me at least with a couple decks, and that makes delivering go sooo much faster! I organize my FE gifts in plastic grocery bags, by deck, in a box or a bag that I carry onboard just for the FEs. I have the map for that deck in the plastic bag also. Then I can just put it in the trash when I am done. Believe me my carry on tote bag that holds the FEs when I board will be equally as full when I leave!

I generally do something personalized for each family and child. I enjoy making things and I don't think our group will be an unreasonable size. I put name tags on each bag, for adults just the cabin # but if it's a bag for the kids then I have the cabin # and their name also. Or sometimes the personalized item is not in a bag. If everyone's names are on the FE itself it's easy to sort. But I also agree with Brooklyn, as long as everyone participates (and doesn't just put some glow sticks and candy in a baggie ) there really is a LOT of stuff! Trust me!! Almost always there is "something" in the FE when you come back to your room. It's so exciting! Honestly, you won't need to supplement at all for sure. I will say, don't forget the adults- I know my DH and I look forward to the goodies just as much as the kids. It's like Christmas morning every day!