Dream June 1, 2014

[nogs75]

Just booked this cruise yesterday...our first one ever and am so overwhelmed with the wealth of information, yet extremely excited. It will be Me (38) DFi (42) DD (13) DD (15) in the first cabin and the second cabin will be my mother (71) father (68) sister (52) nephew (28). We are DVC and will be staying at WDW for about 7 days after the cruise. Any suggestions as to where to stay before launch? at WDW or somewhere close to the port? We are flying in from Hawaii so we want to arrive a day or two before the cruise to get acclimated.

 

[lauraDar]

Got home about 11pm last night from a great week at WDW/Fort Wilderness!!! Wow, though, what an exhausting trip!!! I know I speak for my entire family when I say we much prefer the relaxation of a Cruise!! Less than 1 year away now!

 

[disneydreaming92701]

Just booked this cruise yesterday...our first one ever and am so overwhelmed with the wealth of information, yet extremely excited. It will be Me (38) DFi (42) DD (13) DD (15) in the first cabin and the second cabin will be my mother (71) father (68) sister (52) nephew (28). We are DVC and will be staying at WDW for about 7 days after the cruise. Any suggestions as to where to stay before launch? at WDW or somewhere close to the port? We are flying in from Hawaii so we want to arrive a day or two before the cruise to get acclimated.

We are Dvc also and stayed at okw before our last cruise.. our friends had Disney take them to the boat last time... welcome

 

[disneydreaming92701]

Got home about 11pm last night from a great week at WDW/Fort Wilderness!!! Wow, though, what an exhausting trip!!! I know I speak for my entire family when I say we much prefer the relaxation of a Cruise!! Less than 1 year away now!

We are a wdw right now. Okw and animal kingdom. Love it here but cruise more relaxing.

 

[Rizzo1]

You can't go wrong by staying at any of the WDW resorts. Each one has a different feel and atmosphere to it. However, they all make you feel 'at home'. You can always draw from a hat. We too, DH (50) DS (15) and I will be sailing next year...just a year minus a day away. Hope to meet you then!

As it gets closer, Disney will give you all the info needed, so no need to feel overwhelmed, just excited!

BTW, we will be in Hawaii this summer, just shy of a month. So nogs75, any ideas or suggestions you may have for us while we are visiting Hawaii would be appreciated!

 

[Rizzo1]

 

[Rizzo1]

Does anyone know what FISH EXTENDERS are and how they work???

 

[lauraDar]

They are bags/holders that you hang from the Fish clips outside your stateroom door. Those who participate distribute items such as small toys/candy/items representative of their part of the country. We participated in it on our Wonder cruise in 2010, we just bought a plain messenger type fabric bag from Hobby Lobby and decorated it, but some people really get creative making separate slots for each family member. Just search on here for "Fish Extenders" and you will be able to see pics!

 

[nogs75]

You can't go wrong by staying at any of the WDW resorts. Each one has a different feel and atmosphere to it. However, they all make you feel 'at home'. You can always draw from a hat. We too, DH (50) DS (15) and I will be sailing next year...just a year minus a day away. Hope to meet you then!

As it gets closer, Disney will give you all the info needed, so no need to feel overwhelmed, just excited!

BTW, we will be in Hawaii this summer, just shy of a month. So nogs75, any ideas or suggestions you may have for us while we are visiting Hawaii would be appreciated!

Thanks everyone. Slowly starting to figure everything out by reading through the boards. I'm just so excited and counting down already!

Rizzo, what island are you coming to and what does your family enjoy (outdoor activities)? Will you be staying at Aulani? Let me know and I can give you some pointers!

 

[disneydreaming92701]

We ordered our fish extender on eBay. It has the kids names and dh and my names. We did not participate on our last cruise but we use it to leave the kids small gifts each evening. They loved it.

 

[Rizzo1]

Nogs75, if you would like to PM me, that's great. However, I do think that a lot of us could benefit by receiving your info. Also, I realize that this should then be on another Forum/subject/thread.

Yes, we will be staying at Aulani... so excited!

I hope to hear from you, soon!

 

[Rizzo1]

Although this will be our 5th cruise, this is the first time joining any kind of thread about it. I have a few questions and I hope you oblige (since I am new at this). Do any of the members that have posted ever meet while on the ship? Also, what is the 'loop' when checking in online?

By the way, I am looking into fish extenders next.

Any and all answers are very welcomed!!

 

[Rizzo1]

Is anybody game for fish extenders? I would like to join in, if anyone has started to do this, please keep me in mind.
I do not know how to go about getting one started or putting one together, but I am willing to assist.

 

[lauraDar]

The "Loop" I was talking about was the Camping Loop at Fort Wilderness on our recent trip to WDW. I was mistaken thinking they had said they were also staying at the Fort, I had "talked" to several different people who were going to be at WDW at the same time that we were and got people mixed up!

We would like to participate in a Fish Extender and Meet on the ship! It is always nice to get presents!

We've only been on one cruise but will be glad to answer any questions we can!

 

[Rizzo1]

I have read many, many posts (this is very popular) on fish extenders. I also realize that our cruise is a bit over a year away, but from reading other posts, some of the more craftier cruisers make their gifts by hand and require the extra time. Anybody have anymore insight re the extenders?

 

[lauraDar]

We will set a deadline for joining in the Fish Extender exchange. Since I have posted on page 2, I will go ahead and edit that post and start a list of families on this thread with gender/age (for the children, at least ) so that gifts appropriate for that certain age/gender can be prepared. As people join in Fish Extender exchange I will make a note that they are participating (FE). Right before the cruise I will also compile Stateroom numbers by private message/email and private message or email the list out. Everyone also should indicate which day they would like to distribute their gifts so that everyone should receive something each day.

Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[disneydreaming92701]

We were on the fantasy last summer. It never felt overcrowded either and they were full then also.

Last June on the fantasy. It was full and did not feel crowded...

 

[Rizzo1]

...so I guess we will have an FE exchange on this cruise! PERFECT! I am really looking forward to it. I am sure that we will all enjoy and have fun with it. Everyone just remember, the cost of the gift doesn't matter, it really is the thought!

lauraDar, if you need any help, please let me know.

 

[nogs75]

We are in for the FE exchange. So exciting. Thanks for organizing Rizzo

 

[nogs75]

Rizzo1, I have your reply ready to go, but it won't let me PM you until I reach 10 posts. I'm getting there and will PM you shortly!