Disney Dreaming on 3/27/14

[junebugTN]

As I'm preparing my FE gifts I'm just checking to see if everyone or anyone is planning to do adult gifts? I've seen some groups do and some don't. Just curious. Thanks.

I think the main thing to remember about the FEs is you can't go wrong with whatever you decide to do.

We're most likely going to do the same thing we did last year - individual gifts for the kids and a cabin gift for the adults. Our FE group last year had a couple adult-only cabins, and I wouldn't have wanted to exclude them. And besides, we're all kids at heart when it comes to Disney....haaaaa!

June

 

[Ckountanis]

Hi there. I'm ck and will be sailing with my hubs and two kids..... son (11) and daughter (9). We are from Eustis, a small town in central florida. This will be our spring break getaway, and second disney cruise for our family. Our town is very close to Leesburg, another town I saw mentioned. Small world!!!!
We are super excited about participating in the FE. I'd never heard of such until researching for this cruise. My daughter and I are thrilled to get crafty! I also love the idea of kind of getting to know other families before boarding, and having little surprises to look forward to. However, could someone please explain to me exactly how it works? Do we bring small trinkets for every day on board or only one? How do we know where to find the other participants? Do we post our cabin numbers online?
I'm off to Hobby Lobby for inspiration!!

Kind Regards everyone!

ckountanis

 

[junebugTN]

Hi ckountanis! I'm the fellow traveller with family in Leesburg....it is a small world!

I've only done one other FE, but I'd be glad to offer my experience with the one that we participated in.

I posted my 2 favorite links below to give an overview of fish extenders, and here are my 2 best tips that we learned from our experience:

1. Although you can do multiple days of small gifts, I recommend just doing just one gift delivery day per cabin. Athough it's fun to explore new parts of the ship, I think it would eat up too much of your vacation if you had to hit every cabin on the FE list more than once. Of course that might just be me....I'm not great with directions and may have gotten lost a time or two on the ship...

2. I would also suggest waiting until closer to the cruise date before making your gifts, especially if you have personalized ones. Our last FE group grew a LOT as the trip got closer, plus some people dropped out when their cruise dates changed. Since I'm an over-planner, I'd made a bunch of my FE gifts in advance and then had to toss several that had kid's names and favorite characters on them. This time I'm gonna wait til the last minute -- if I can stand it!

A Nice One-post Explanation: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32651483&postcount=378

Best Fish Extender Ideas: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2919223

Hope that helps!
June

 

[junebugTN]

We are super excited about participating in the FE. I'd never heard of such until researching for this cruise. My daughter and I are thrilled to get crafty! I also love the idea of kind of getting to know other families before boarding, and having little surprises to look forward to. However, could someone please explain to me exactly how it works? Do we bring small trinkets for every day on board or only one? How do we know where to find the other participants? Do we post our cabin numbers online?

Sorry Ckountanis, I realized I missed one of your questions. You can post your Disboard name and cabin numbers on the FE list that's linked in post #1, but don't put your full name since it's a public file. Then, someone (usually the person who sets up the list) will also volunteer to have a dry erase board posted at their cabin. That way if anyone in the group winds up with last minute upgrades or room changes, they can put a note on the board to let other FE members know their new cabin number. HTH!
June

 

[LinzTwinz]

Hey, welcome to the new families that have joined in the past couple of days! And Ckountanis, we're from Clermont, not far from Eustis at all. So excited brainstorming for FE gifts!

 

[junebugTN]

Hey, welcome to the new families that have joined in the past couple of days! And Ckountanis, we're from Clermont, not far from Eustis at all. So excited brainstorming for FE gifts!

Have you seen this FB page? I love seeing all the creative fish extender and gift ideas! https://www.facebook.com/groups/167311023398247/
June

 

[Froshe85]

Hi, I'm Sandra- this will be our 5th disney cruise, second on the dream but first time with kids. We are bringing our three foster kids ages 2,4 and 5. It is also a big party that includes my family and my best friends family.
I am excited to participate in the fish extenders as we have never done so and it wasn't until our last cruise that I knew what they were
We are from Tampa

 

[Ckountanis]

Thank you so much junebugtn for all of the helpful tips and info! I can't wait to check out the links. And hi there linztwinz! We are both in lake county. Very cool. I was born and raised here. My family owns a local restaurant. I wonder if any of you have ever eaten at our place? Anyone heard of Stavros?
Sandra, sounds like you will be bringing the party...how fun to cruise with friends and family. I'm trying to talk a few friends into joining our family too.

Everyone have a good night and thanks again for the advice on FE

Kind regards

 

[Bamaqtpy]

To all the new ones. Don't forget to add your family to the FE list so we can start on all the gifts. Looking so forward to getting somewhere tropic it's snowing here in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The link to the FE list is on the first page.

 

[junebugTN]

Oh my gosh, Ckountanis...Stavros has great pizza!!!! Bring a slice for my fish extender please...haha! And hello and welcome, Sandra! I think we're going to have a great group for our trip.

Since a few folks have mentioned starting on their gifts, I figured I should ask...does anyone have a preference for the cut-off date for the FE signup sheet? It looks like FE groups usually set the cut-off anywhere from 4-8 weeks before the sail date. What sounds good for our group?

4 weeks: 2/27/2013
6 weeks: 2/13/2013
8 weeks: 1/30/2013

It just started snowing here in TN also, Bamaqtypy. We just have to keep reminding ourselves that 83 days from today, we'll have our toes in the sand at Castaway Cay!

June

 

[Bamaqtpy]

I would hate to have someone miss out that may find out about FE at the last minute but however most people order or make things for the gifts. I do embroidery and also use my Silhouette Cameo. Trying to decide exactly what to do. I'm going to make a few extra just in case though so whatever date everyone else decides on is good with me.

 

[Ckountanis]

Hello everyone. I think 6 weeks prior is a happy medium for fe cutoff. I'm making mine, but not personalizing them, so for me it doesn't really matter. I am super excited about our group though!
June.... I would love to bring you some pizza and maybe Greek salad too! Lol
It's 28 degrees outside here in central Florida, so I can imagine you guys are freezing up there. Stay safe and warm

Kind regards
CK

 

[rjgray6504]

Hi all! This will be our first time on the Dream!!! We are so excited to sail DCL! My DH, DD (7), and DS (turns 4 on 3/26), will be in one cabin, and my in-laws will be in another. I'd heard a little bit about the FE groups, and I think my kids would love it!!! We are in the midst of a blizzard in central Illinois right now, so I'm just dreaming of our trip to Disney, and cruise, over Spring Break. Looking forward to learning more, and chatting with you all!

 

[junebugTN]

Hi rjgray6504, it's very nice to have you join our group! The link for the signup sheet is in the first post. I think I almost have my gifts figured out, although I keep coming up with more ideas I want to try!

I agree 6 weeks will be a happy medium for the cut-off. 8 weeks seemed like it would be here too quick. But then again, the actual cruise date seems like it's never gonna get here....waaaaah!

Bamaqtpy, do you like your Silhouette Cameo? I keep trying to come up with an excuse to upgrade to one. I'm really tempted to get one now and blame it on the cruise...

June

 

[Bamaqtpy]

I haven't had my Silhouette long but so far I love it. I've debated about upgrading my embroidery machine or purchasing the Cameo and I'm very happy with my choice. There's so much I can do with it. I recommend going through Amazon to buy because they have several different packages to choose from.

 

[Momto500]

Hello all!!! We have been saving and planning... tonight we just finalized and paid for our Cruise!! So, we will be joining you! Although we have been on two other Disney cruises, this will be our first as a family of four, post-divorce. We have been through 3 tough years and have been eagerly awaiting a refreshing vacation and the opportunity to make new memories! So I (Heidi) as a newly Single Mom will be travelling with my three sons- Alex (19, college freshman), Zack (15, high school sophomore), and Quinn (11, middle school).

We can't wait to plan our FEs!!!

 

[junebugTN]

I haven't had my Silhouette long but so far I love it. I've debated about upgrading my embroidery machine or purchasing the Cameo and I'm very happy with my choice. There's so much I can do with it. I recommend going through Amazon to buy because they have several different packages to choose from.

Thanks for the reply, Bamaqtpy. Tonight, I've been watching Cricut vs. Silhouette videos on YouTube and getting loads of FE gift ideas. I'm gonna need bigger luggage....

PS: 77 days til we cruise!!!!

 

[junebugTN]

Hello all!!! We have been saving and planning... tonight we just finalized and paid for our Cruise!! So, we will be joining you! Although we have been on two other Disney cruises, this will be our first as a family of four, post-divorce. We have been through 3 tough years and have been eagerly awaiting a refreshing vacation and the opportunity to make new memories! So I (Heidi) as a newly Single Mom will be travelling with my three sons- Alex (19, college freshman), Zack (15, high school sophomore), and Quinn (11, middle school).

Hi Heidi! It sounds like your cruise will be well-earned. I like the idea of taking the family on a cruise to get away from the stress you've been through. I hope you all make lots of happy memories for this trip.

Which ships did you sail on for your past cruises? Do you have a favorite? My one and only other cruise was also on the Dream, so I'm curious about the other DCL ships!

June

 

[Momto500]

I would hate to have someone miss out that may find out about FE at the last minute but however most people order or make things for the gifts. I do embroidery and also use my Silhouette Cameo. Trying to decide exactly what to do. I'm going to make a few extra just in case though so whatever date everyone else decides on is good with me.

I agree... I will be personalizing gifts but I will also bring non-personalized extras in case people join later. By the way.... a HUGE thank you to JuneBugTN for starting the FE list and organizing!!!

 

[Momto500]

We went in 2003 (when oldest were 4 and 8- now 15 and 19) as well as in 2007. We had AMAZING times and phenomenal memories. I think we were on the Magic, both times I believe. When they were younger, my kids LOVED the Oceaneers club. In fact, the first year, I was all psyched to spend time with them (after a busy year opening a brand new school), and was bummed that they wanted to spend their time in their clubs. LOL! The second trip, the youngest was 4 (others were 9 and 13) and they each STILL enjoyed their clubs. They are eagerly anticipating creating new memories on this cruise- especially the Detective Agency and Castaway Cay (of course). With the older kids, we actually prefer the later dinner seating because the earlier seemed to cut the day off too early. On our last cruise, we went with the 2nd and were able to take our time outside/ excursion/ show and still get ready for dinner without rushing. (But of course, they stay up later...