Disney Wonder January 13 2017 - 7 night Bahamas from Galveston

[bcwife76]

Welcome aboard @BrunoDisneyTeam

 

[bcwife76]

With all this talk of the new itineraries, it's easy for the current ones to get 'lost' in the mix! We did book an Alaskan cruise for August 2017 this morning but that is 475 days away.....

And only 274 days until THIS fabulous cruise!!!!

Have been looking at excursions, see some I like for Key West but I have to be honest I'm not thrilled with Nassau and we may end up staying on the ship. The Atlantis excursions seem quite pricey (yes I know we don't have to book through Disney). Has anyone got any thoughts on which excursions they are hoping to do? Is anyone doing the 5K race on Castaway Cay?

 

[cupcakecate]

I'm so excited to find this group! This will be me and my boyfriend's first cruise! We are from Nebraska but we now live in San Antonio now so I'm excited to be four short hours away from a little bit of Disney! My boyfriend is nervous since it's a "Disney" cruise and we are both in our twenties and have no kids, but I've assured him that there is a lot to do! (And have been trying to get him to become a pin trader in the next nine months... )

 

[cupcakecate]

Yay, welcome aboard! We're flying in from Vancouver BC! Will be our first time in Texas, looking forward to spending a day or two on either end of the cruise in Galveston and area.

If it's your first time in Texas, make sure to stop at a Whataburger! Which will be easy because they're everywhere down here!

 

[caspers5]

I'm so excited to find this group! This will be me and my boyfriend's first cruise! We are from Nebraska but we now live in San Antonio now so I'm excited to be four short hours away from a little bit of Disney! My boyfriend is nervous since it's a "Disney" cruise and we are both in our twenties and have no kids, but I've assured him that there is a lot to do! (And have been trying to get him to become a pin trader in the next nine months... )

 

[caspers5]

I'm so excited to find this group! This will be me and my boyfriend's first cruise! We are from Nebraska but we now live in San Antonio now so I'm excited to be four short hours away from a little bit of Disney! My boyfriend is nervous since it's a "Disney" cruise and we are both in our twenties and have no kids, but I've assured him that there is a lot to do! (And have been trying to get him to become a pin trader in the next nine months... )

Welcome, We're originally from Nebraska too.

 

[bcwife76]

If it's your first time in Texas, make sure to stop at a Whataburger! Which will be easy because they're everywhere down here!

Thanks for the tip, always looking for a good burger joint And welcome aboard @cupcakecate ! Cruising with DCL can become addictive lol This is going to be our second cruise and we already have a 3rd one booked for later in 2017!

 

[bcwife76]

Oh my god these flight prices are killing my budget!!!

Right now it's nearly $2500(CDN) for us to fly direct from Vancouver to Houston round trip.
From Seattle WA I can get it down to about $1600 (CDN) round trip,but it's not direct.

Ugh.....crossing my fingers for a seat sale!!!

 

[cyclenut]

Airline pricing is very strange. You have to look very carefully and at lots of options. Prices to major hubs are much less expensive but as you point out, you have to change planes. That can be a real hassle. Flying out of Seattle will almost always save you a bundle. Same is true if you fly into or out of DFW, but that is too far from Houston and you'd have to change planes again. Each connection is a risk of delays. I wish I could be of more help but the only thing I can suggest is to keep looking and try different airlines.

One trick I have found is to use a site called SkyScanner. They are able to show more airline options on one screen and I have sometimes found better pricing using them.

 

[cyclenut]

I want to warn you about Whataburger. Many people really love them but I just can't figure out why Texans love them so much. I found them to be pretty bad. I much prefer Mooya, 5 Guys, In-n-Out ... Well ... Almost anyone ... Over Whataburger. But ... I know many people really love them so give them a try and judge for yourself.

 

[bcwife76]

I'll check out skyscanner for sure, thanks! Part of the problem is that I'm probably looking too far out as well. 8+ months is a bit too early to expect any deals lol

 

[beth_ladean]

New to the Disboards and not very tech savy, so if I'm doing this wrong, I apologize!

But anyway, we are sailing out on the Wonder, too, and we're so very excited! So far it's me and my husband plus our toddler - all first time Disney cruisers. In a second cabin will be my grandfather (92 years old!) and down the hall, my husband's parents. I'm a Disney fanatic - everyone else that's coming not so much (they're lame, lol!) Our group is a little unique in the fact that we have booked some "hypothetical children" spots. We're in the process of becoming foster parents and we hope that by January we'll have some foster children joining us to sail.

I saw someone else mention the fish extender stuff, and that's why I came over here. I think that is such a fun idea and we definitely want to participate! My son will probably be too young still to really get the concept, but I'm sure he'll enjoy little surprises at our door, and we might have some older kiddos joining us who would enjoy it more. I can't wait to decorate our door and go to the pirate party and be on that ship!!! January is too far away!

So I'm a bit clueless at this point about the fish extender stuff. Do we just post our cabin number here and look for others who have done the same? Anyone with knowledge about that, or about sailing with foster kids, I'd love your expertise!

Thanks, Bethany

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So I'm a bit clueless at this point about the fish extender stuff. Do we just post our cabin number here and look for others who have done the same? Anyone with knowledge about that, or about sailing with foster kids, I'd love your expertise!

At this point, there's no Fish Extender group set up for this cruise. If someone wants to step up and say "I'll maintain the list", then there will be a group. Otherwise - not.

There may be FE groups on other sites, but they are not DISboards connected, and links or search directions to them are not allowed here.

In case someone thinks they may be interested in starting the FE group here, I've put together a suggested procedure:
SETTING UP A FE GROUP
There really are no “rules” as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone will step up and say “I’ll maintain the list”. This means they maintain 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 in order to create the gifts. Also a decision can be made as to size of FE group. 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).

The easiest, most private way to handle the information necessary to prepare the list (many people prefer not to put sensitive information on a public forum), is to use the “Conversation” feature here. There needs to be at least two people to start a conversation. Only the starter of the conversation (usually the organizer) can add additional people into the conversation (as long as they do NOT select “Allow anyone in the conversation to invite others” at the bottom of the reply window). Then when new people express a desire to join, usually by just saying “we want to join the FE”, the organizer can add them by clicking on the “Invite more” button in the “Conversation Participants” window (lower right of conversation page). Only those people participating in the conversation can see what’s posted there, and respond there. I will also note, to participate in conversations, everyone needs to have at least 10 posts. For those who wish to use this option for private conversations that don’t have 10 posts yet, head over to the Test Board to post and up your post count. http://www.disboards.com/forums/test-board.88/

Up to 20 people can participate in any given conversation.

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 post the list, either directly on the Cruise Meet thread, OR via private conversation, or, possibly, via e-mails. This is to confirm everyone on the list is still participating. It’s important to make a statement about “anyone not confirming by XX date will be dropped” at this time. A little harsh, yes, but often there are people who will post on the cruise meet thread as soon as they reserve the cruise and say “I want to participate”, and are never heard from again.

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, but are expected to provide gifts for the other FE participants anyway.

The other “biggie” is no other social media sites are allowed to be linked or search directions posted as to how to find that other site here on DISboards. Please read this: http://www.disboards.com/threads/im...uise-meet-and-fish-extender-programs.3353477/

 

[bcwife76]

I'm not sure if we are doing an FE here ....we have already started lists in our other group.....on the website that we are not allowed to link to on here....

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm not sure if we are doing an FE here ....we have already started lists in our other group.....on the website that we are not allowed to link to on here....

Only if someone here (on DISboards) sets up a group will there be a DISboards specific FE group. DISboards administrators prefer DISboards cruise meet threads, as well as Fish Extender groups, be handled on DISboards, not other sites.

That's one reason they don't allow links or search directions to those other sites.

 

[beth_ladean]

At this point, there's no Fish Extender group set up for this cruise. If someone wants to step up and say "I'll maintain the list", then there will be a group. Otherwise - not.

There may be FE groups on other sites, but they are not DISboards connected, and links or search directions to them are not allowed here.

In case someone thinks they may be interested in starting the FE group here, I've put together a suggested procedure:
SETTING UP A FE GROUP
There really are no “rules” as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone will step up and say “I’ll maintain the list”. This means they maintain 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 in order to create the gifts. Also a decision can be made as to size of FE group. 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).

The easiest, most private way to handle the information necessary to prepare the list (many people prefer not to put sensitive information on a public forum), is to use the “Conversation” feature here. There needs to be at least two people to start a conversation. Only the starter of the conversation (usually the organizer) can add additional people into the conversation (as long as they do NOT select “Allow anyone in the conversation to invite others” at the bottom of the reply window). Then when new people express a desire to join, usually by just saying “we want to join the FE”, the organizer can add them by clicking on the “Invite more” button in the “Conversation Participants” window (lower right of conversation page). Only those people participating in the conversation can see what’s posted there, and respond there. I will also note, to participate in conversations, everyone needs to have at least 10 posts. For those who wish to use this option for private conversations that don’t have 10 posts yet, head over to the Test Board to post and up your post count. http://www.disboards.com/forums/test-board.88/

Up to 20 people can participate in any given conversation.

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 post the list, either directly on the Cruise Meet thread, OR via private conversation, or, possibly, via e-mails. This is to confirm everyone on the list is still participating. It’s important to make a statement about “anyone not confirming by XX date will be dropped” at this time. A little harsh, yes, but often there are people who will post on the cruise meet thread as soon as they reserve the cruise and say “I want to participate”, and are never heard from again.

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, but are expected to provide gifts for the other FE participants anyway.

The other “biggie” is no other social media sites are allowed to be linked or search directions posted as to how to find that other site here on DISboards. Please read this: http://www.disboards.com/threads/im...uise-meet-and-fish-extender-programs.3353477/

Sorry for the slow reply, but thank you for the information! I don't think I'm organized enough to maintain the list, but if someone else gets the ball rolling, we'd love to join.

 

[jseeberger]

I am so excited! My husband, 3 kids (12, 9, 8), MIL, and I will be there! I just found out about FE tonight and think it sounds like so much fun! We did a 3 day cruise about 4 years ago on the Dream and didn't know about this. We would love to participate! If someone starts a group, please add us. Since we've never done one, I don't think it would be good for me to organize it.

 

[Momma Lou]

Hi y'all ..I'll be cruising with my son, daughter-in-love, and 3 grandkids...dh decided it was too pricey for him with ports we've been too several times...his loss! We've all been on one Disney cruise before - a 3 night out of Port Canaveral on the Dream 4 years ago. We're from central Kentucky and love cruising, just usually on different lines.

 

[Momma Lou]

We want to be part of the FE fun!

 

[Birdie23]

We are so excited to be cruising again!!! It will be my DH and I and we're surprising our two children DD(will turn 16 on the 16th on the ship!!) and our DS(14). This will be the kids' 4th time to cruise and our 6th! We LOVE disney cruises and can't wait to do a 7 night. (The others have all been 4 nights.)