December 5, 2016 Disney Dream Cruise

[MJMelvin]

Hi,
Hope I'm doing this right! We are booked for the Dec. 5 Disney Dream 4-night Bahamian Cruise! We're traveling with my parents, who are using this to celebrate their 40th anniversary next year, and my sister and her family. When we asked my parents how they wanted to celebrate their anniversary, they said a Disney Cruise with our children and grandchildren - we didn't complain!!

We are all VERY interested in participating in FE - but as this is our first Disney Cruise (well, since it was the Big Red Boat that is), we probably wouldn't be the best at organizing. I'm fairly OCD/Type A so I could probably handle the arrangements if need be, but if someone with experience wants to take the lead, I will not fight you for it!

Here's our details:
Room 6170 - Mom, dad, 8 year old boy and 5 year old girl
Room 6174 - Mom, dad, 8 year old girl, 5 year old boy and 3 year old girl
Room 6176 - the anniversary couple - mom & dad

Looking forward to meeting everyone and impatiently counting down the days until we set sail.

-MJMelvin

 

[Christi12]

Disney Cruise Countdown: 423 days to go!!!

 

[MJMelvin]

So excited!!!!!!! Looking forward to connecting with everyone on this board before the boat leaves the dock!

 

[klug_bug2010]

We just booked our first cruise for 4 of our 5 family members. My husband, myself, and our 2 daughters, who will be 9 & 5 at the date of sailing, will be on board. (We are leaving our 18 month old son at home with grandpa and grandma.) I look forward to getting to know everyone else!

 

[MJMelvin]

YEA!! I just noticed they finally got our cruise link added to the meet up thread. This is going to be fun - our family is so excited about the trip.

 

[Renea Havard]

Hi everyone! We are so excited for our cruise. We are celebrating my baby girl's 18th birthday. (which is actually in April but I will explain that) We are on cruise #6 (7 if we go with my parents in September) Have been on all but the Wonder. Dream is my favorite for cast members and of course everything else (just wish it was a 7 day like the Fantasy)
I will be traveling with my husband Neal, My princess Haylee and her Service Dog Chloe. Haylee is severely disabled and can not walk or talk. She is more like a 2-3 year old. For that reason we have changed her normal birthday cruise to this one. She loves lights and we have never been to Disney during the Christmas season. We think she will love it.

We would love to participate in an FE group.

Excited to get to know everyone.

Renea

August 2015 – Disney Fantasy/ Shades of Green
February 2015 - Saratoga Springs Resort/Beach Club Resort/ Disney Magic ~
September 2014 – Disney Fantasy / Wilderness Lodge Resort / Bay Lake Tower Resort / Animal Kingdom Resort ~
April 2014 – Disney Dream / Art of Animation Resort / Caribbean Beach Resort
September 2013 – Disney Dream / Shades of Green Resort / Art of Animation Resort
September 2012- Shades of Green Resort
May 2012 – Disney Dream
September 2011- Shades of Green Resort
September 2010 – Give Kids The World / ***Make A Wish Trip***

 

[Amie Barry]

Just booked today. This will be our first Disney Cruise. We are so excited! I have been reading up on decorating our door and about Fish Extenders. We would like to participate!

 

[etrainee27]

Just booked... Our 3rd Disney Cruise..

Stateroom 7594 Mary Jo, Tony and Alexandria (age 9)

fish extenders... Let's go!!

 

[LeeanneMurdock]

Hi! My husband and I got married December 5th this year (dec 5th is also Walt Disneys birthday FYI) He surprised me with this cruise as a wedding present/1 year anniversary gift. The morning of my wedding I was given a big box full of clues (pirate sword, sunscreen, markers, magnets and a toy for the fish extender group) lastly I opened our itinerary. I'm very lucky to have married such a great guy and I can't wait to go on the Disney Dream! It will be the first cruise for us both!

~Leeanne

 

[NovMommy2007]

Hi! My husband and I got married December 5th this year (dec 5th is also Walt Disneys birthday FYI) He surprised me with this cruise as a wedding present/1 year anniversary gift. The morning of my wedding I was given a big box full of clues (pirate sword, sunscreen, markers, magnets and a toy for the fish extender group) lastly I opened our itinerary. I'm very lucky to have married such a great guy and I can't wait to go on the Disney Dream! It will be the first cruise for us both!

~Leeanne

We got married on 12/5/2015 as well and we actually took this same cruise for our honeymoon and he surprised me on Christmas and booked this cruise for our 1 year anniversary! We are taking the kids this time and can't wait to go back!

 

[ILoveMyKellen]

Hi everyone!

Booked our first cruise ever and I am super excited. It will be me, my hubby, and our son who will be 5 by then.

 

[MJMelvin]

I'm so excited right now - this is going to be so much fun.

So- regarding Fish Extenders - I have read up on this a ton, but haven't participated since this is our first "new" Disney Cruise. I know there is sometimes a cut-off point for number of participants - any suggestions on what that number should be right now? Also - anyone on here able to set up everything for us?? I'm fairly Type A and OCD (I live on itineraries and organizing spreadsheets) so I'm happy to give it a whirl if no one else wants to, but if there is someone familiar with how to run one a FE and you want to jump in and take over - feel free!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm so excited right now - this is going to be so much fun.

So- regarding Fish Extenders - I have read up on this a ton, but haven't participated since this is our first "new" Disney Cruise. I know there is sometimes a cut-off point for number of participants - any suggestions on what that number should be right now? Also - anyone on here able to set up everything for us?? I'm fairly Type A and OCD (I live on itineraries and organizing spreadsheets) so I'm happy to give it a whirl if no one else wants to, but if there is someone familiar with how to run one a FE and you want to jump in and take over - feel free!

Here's a little primer I set up:
Setting up FE group

There's really no "rules" as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone maintains the list of those who wish to participate. The group can decide on what information is necessary to produce FE gifts. A basic list may only have DISname/room number/number of people in the room. A more involved list could be first & last names/ages/room number/favorite character/favorite color/allergies/whatever is deemed necessary to know. Also a decision can be made as to size of FE. Some groups break out the list(s) at 10-15 rooms max, so that there are multiple lists (and some people will participate in more than one list). Other groups just make one big list (upwards of 20-30 rooms).

At some point the list will "close". Typically this happens 30-45 days out from the cruise, so that everyone participating has time to organize/prepare their gifts. Shortly before this time (about 2-3 weeks prior) the organizer will either post the list (usually via a conversation is best, as that's more private) to confirm everyone on it is still participating. And making a statement about "anyone not confirming by XX date will be dropped".

Once the list closes, the organizer will post the final list. Also, a decision must be made as to whether to allow late additions. Sometimes there is a "pixie dust" list. That is, basically, a latecomers list that gets posted about a week out from the cruise that others may or may not add to their "final" list. Be sure the "pixie dust" list participants realize they may or may not get gifts from others.

The other "biggie" is no other social media sites are allowed to be linked or search directions posted as to how find that other site here on DISboards.

 

[MJMelvin]

Here's a little primer I set up:
Setting up FE group

There's really no "rules" as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone maintains the list of those who wish to participate. The group can decide on what information is necessary to produce FE gifts. A basic list may only have DISname/room number/number of people in the room. A more involved list could be first & last names/ages/room number/favorite character/favorite color/allergies/whatever is deemed necessary to know. Also a decision can be made as to size of FE. Some groups break out the list(s) at 10-15 rooms max, so that there are multiple lists (and some people will participate in more than one list). Other groups just make one big list (upwards of 20-30 rooms).

At some point the list will "close". Typically this happens 30-45 days out from the cruise, so that everyone participating has time to organize/prepare their gifts. Shortly before this time (about 2-3 weeks prior) the organizer will either post the list (usually via a conversation is best, as that's more private) to confirm everyone on it is still participating. And making a statement about "anyone not confirming by XX date will be dropped".

Once the list closes, the organizer will post the final list. Also, a decision must be made as to whether to allow late additions. Sometimes there is a "pixie dust" list. That is, basically, a latecomers list that gets posted about a week out from the cruise that others may or may not add to their "final" list. Be sure the "pixie dust" list participants realize they may or may not get gifts from others.

The other "biggie" is no other social media sites are allowed to be linked or search directions posted as to how find that other site here on DISboards.

Thank you PrincessShmoo!!!!! This is super helpful. Luckily, we have PLENTY of time to worry about FE for this cruise!!

 

[Cathie111]

Hi! We've booked our first Disney Cruise for December 5th 2016 and can't wait! My husband and I are traveling with our 3 girls (at the time 6, 12, and almost 14), and my mom. We'll be staying in rooms 12016 and 12018. My youngest has sensory processing disorder, so we decided going to Disney World would be a bit too much for her to handle just yet. She gets overwhelmed by noises, crowds, etc after a while...with a ship we can "escape" to our room. This is our second cruise (first was without kids). Our first was Royal Caribbean on the Oasis of the Seas for a 10 day trip, celebrating our 15 year anniversary, back in 2014. I think 7 would've been better, but it has been by far my favorite vacation. I'm a photographer, so I'll very likely be walking around with a camera practically strapped to my face. I'd love to participate in the FE.

 

[Renea Havard]

I just must say I LOVE FEs!!!! We always have a great time. And I guess I better get started because we just booked with my parents for September!!! YEEAAAAAA

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[my4girls10]

Booking this week! This is our first Disney cruise and also the first cruise for our girls! I'm on the fence about the FE...but am excited to get to know you before we set sail!

 

[nightbane0912]

Hi Everyone! My husband and I just booked our 1st cruise. We're traveling with our 10 year old daughter. We've never been on a cruise before but we are looking forward to everything.

 

[MJMelvin]

Hi everyone!! So happy to meet you all and looking forward to connecting more and more as the cruise gets closer. I don't know about all of you, but we're so excited about the trip that we can hardly stand it anymore. Our youngest keeps asking if we are leaving tomorrow. It's going to be such a great time.

 

[Renea Havard]

Hi everyone!! So happy to meet you all and looking forward to connecting more and more as the cruise gets closer. I don't know about all of you, but we're so excited about the trip that we can hardly stand it anymore. Our youngest keeps asking if we are leaving tomorrow. It's going to be such a great time.

I keep asking the same thing!!!