EBPC December 9, 2012!!! Who's in????

[MrMom]

Wowsers! This is such an active group. I'm working my way through all the old posts in an effort to get up to speed. 36 pages down so far. Only 55 left to go, nope now it's 56. Y'all talk too much.

I've requested access to the facebook group and sent in our request to join the FE.

Changing topics - My daughter will be turning 9 on this cruise. Do any of our fellow cruisers have a daughter that is a similar age who would be willing to be a pen pal? My daughter needs to work on her writing and penmanship, plus I think she would be excited to have a friend to meet once we get on board.

Looking forward to joining everyone. For now, I need to get back to reading.

 

[hedgerow]

Changing topics - My daughter will be turning 9 on this cruise. Do any of our fellow cruisers have a daughter that is a similar age who would be willing to be a pen pal? My daughter needs to work on her writing and penmanship, plus I think she would be excited to have a friend to meet once we get on board.

My daughter will be 9 on Friday. I think being penpals would be grand. Our Serenity loves to make friends. PM me if you want to get things started.

 

[Travelbee]

My daughter will be turning 9 on this cruise. Do any of our fellow cruisers have a daughter that is a similar age who would be willing to be a pen pal? My daughter needs to work on her writing and penmanship, plus I think she would be excited to have a friend to meet once we get on board.

My daughter will be 9 on Friday. I think being penpals would be grand. Our Serenity loves to make friends. PM me if you want to get things started.

My daughter is 9 but will turn 10 about 3 weeks before the cruise. She would love to be part of the pre-cruise meet up too!

 

[ChipperMerlin]

Hi, Doug and Shirley! Are you doing this cruise? We will not know if we are until sometime next week (I hope). We would love to cruise with you again. What fun that would be!

Judy

Yes, we're on the cruise. I just sent you a PM.
Shirley

 

[MrMom]

My daughter will be 9 on Friday. I think being penpals would be grand. Our Serenity loves to make friends. PM me if you want to get things started.

My daughter is 9 but will turn 10 about 3 weeks before the cruise. She would love to be part of the pre-cruise meet up too!

Outstanding! PMs will be sent shortly.

Thank you!

 

[Gdes1]

First, to Julie/skoi - I am glad your little boy is OK. I was worried when we had not heard from you in a while.

By the way, we both read through the directions when we got home, and nowhere could we find a mention of ink color. So we should be okay. But still.

Ugh! Forms and the govmint! DD needs a passport, her first since she is 6 months old. I got everything organized and DH met me at the Post Office. I had checked the hours online, twice, and it said 8am to 4pm. We get there and see a sign saying it's by appt only! So, we waited in the line to mail stuff and a very nice clerk said they have asked and asked to get the website changed and it never happens. Our appt is in 2 weeks.

Speaking of passports....
That being said, I don't want to be standing at check-in at the LA port and have a CM tell me that they won't accept my passport because it doesn't have 6 months left on it.

I think if you want to know what DCL requires for boarding, you should call. I think that 6 month rule is that certain countries don't want you entering, staying a while, and then not leaving or still being there with an expired passport. So, as long as DCL will let you on the ship, you can still fly home with a soon-to-expire-but-still-good passport. The only hitch I could see is if you somehow ended up in one of those countries that has the 6 month rule, but, again, they wouldn't let you in, vs. not letting you leave.

I thought silvers were September 10th? I remember my DH making a joke that we were going to be spending our 1 yr anniversary booking things? But i could be wrong

Yes, Silver is 9/10, go Silvers! I hope there are a few things left to book once we are allowed to call!

So, I am excited! First, I am keeping up with my 5 pages per night of the Canal book. Second, the main supplies for my FE arrived today. We have only done one cruise on DCL and did not do an FE, so I need to make us one. It's a surprise, but I can say it will have a Christmas theme, as others are doing. I had looked and looked at ideas for a regular one and was not inspired, but as soon as someone here mentioned using a stocking or something Christmas-y, I got inspired. Now, I just hope my idea works....

Regarding splitting the FE group....I know some groups are huge, like 80 cabins. I guess in terms of packing/shipping, both getting our gifts to the ship and getting stuff back home, I would like to see a split group. It seems perfect for people to have the option to join both groups.

 

[MrMom]

I'm thinking about taking the plunge and joining the FE group. I'm hesitant because I'm not very crafty/creative nor do I have a lot of spare time or $$$ to put things together for every person in a cabin nor space in my suitcase for gifts, but it sure looks like fun, especially on a 14 day cruise where we'll have more time to wander about delivering gifts. Can I join anyway? Or will I feel like a total Scrooge if I give one small gift to each cabin instead of multiple gifts? I glanced through the homemade FE thread to get some ideas and was wowed by the talent and generosity of the gifters. I know I shouldn't be comparing myself to others, but my small gift will probably look like peanuts next to some of the gifts I saw in that thread and I just don't need more guilt in my life! So should I participate or sit it out?

Do you put your name/cabin # on the gift? Or do people prefer being anonymous as in "Secret Santa"?

Thank you for asking this question. It could have been written just as easily by myself or my wife. The FE experience seems intimidating to us non crafty people, but because of the positive responses you received we've decided to jump in. I haven't a clue what our gifts to everyone will be, but will put some thought into them and try to get it figured out ASAP. My kids are going to love, love, love the fe experience.

THANK YOU!

 

[pharmjenn]

Kids passports cannot be renewed by mail like an adult one can be. It is considered a new passport when a child gets theirs 'renewed.' I was going to Costco anyway this morning so I got the pic done. Dd's current passport has a pic from when she was 3 months old. She definitely looks different now. I plan on going to the post office next week.

My DS4 got his passport at 3wks old, so he really needs his new one. It expires in January, and I got photos done at Costco last week as well. I think he was smiling in it, hmm, didn't know about the no smile rule. I am going to hold out on getting the application done till closer to the date, since the photo only has to be within 6 months of applying.

Thank you for asking this question. It could have been written just as easily by myself or my wife. The FE experience seems intimidating to us non crafty people, but because of the positive responses you received we've decided to jump in. I haven't a clue what our gifts to everyone will be, but will put some thought into them and try to get it figured out ASAP. My kids are going to love, love, love the fe experience.

THANK YOU!

I am totally non-crafty as well but am really looking forward to the FE. I have an idea for our gift, and hopefully will be able to put it together nicely.

 

[LindaBabe]

GOOD Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Thank you for asking this question. It could have been written just as easily by myself or my wife. The FE experience seems intimidating to us non crafty people, but because of the positive responses you received we've decided to jump in. I haven't a clue what our gifts to everyone will be, but will put some thought into them and try to get it figured out ASAP. My kids are going to love, love, love the fe experience.

THANK YOU!

Welcome aboard, MrMom & family.

GANG! One FE gift per cabin is FINE.

Some people have more time than others and like to keep themselves busy making stuff! Others not so much.

Some people are crafty. Others, not so much.

In the long run, LESS is probably more, especially when it comes to packing to get it home! FEs are supposed to be FUN, not a budget busting, creatively exhausting process.


Off to get ready for the gym.

Happy Day, all!

 

[Manon_Paul_Nina]

Great idea! Since this is my first FE, I'd prefer to be in a group of under 50 families, so I don't bite off more than I can chew! I was very hesitant to join in the first place, partly because I need to have my gifts completed well before the October 28 cutoff date, so I'd be thrilled to be split into a group that has an earlier closing date as well as a group that isn't too large.

I think this is a great idea!
It's our first FE too and i'm making them myself!
So it's not because of the cost or such things but more about the weight! Coming from the Netherlands we have a long way to LA!!!
To be fair my max is around 30 in a group! Well those 14 extra i could do but that is a real max for our FE's

 

[Relaxin']

This will be my third FE. I have not thought what I am going to make this time, but I understand about the shipping. My last cruise we had almost 80 cabins - many of the gifts were small, and I had no issue in packing them. Many were magnets. I made one gift per cabin. (luggage tags using Shrinky Dink - all I needed was a computer image - printer - shrinky dink paper for inkjet - oven). My biggest problem was getting the paper. To order it and ship to Canada it was going to cost me an arm and a leg, and Michael's did not show much interest in getting it in for me. So whenever my son came home from university (he was two hours away), I would drop into a different Michael's each time and pick up a package and get the 40% off each time. This saved money and made it a little fun. I ended up with a few extra to give to people I met on the cruise. It was great have a number of cabins because each day I would take a bundle and deliver to a deck. I can understand that it can be very overwhelming because there was a point that I thought, what am I doing, am I crazy making all these gifts. In the end I was really happy that I joined in for the big group.

I suggest that we break it down. One small group (10), one medium(25), and then one group that includes everyone. This should meet everyone's needs. Somehow this worked out for my last cruise. Easy for me to say, I am not the organizer.

 

[skayrobe]

We are first time Disney cruisers so I am not familiar with the Fe exchange. I can't wait to see what you all are talking about so that I can sign up for the exchange on my next Disney cruise. I will be nosy and ask to see some of your products so I can steal your creative ideas.. Sherry

 

[Crusingbean]

Hello! I wanted to introduce myself as I will be joining you on this cruise! I finally got the go ahead from my professor to take my Final a couple of days early. Thank goodness for only having 1 Final! Joining me will be my parents, grandma, brother (23) (if he is back from his deployment in time) and 2 sisters (29 and 2). My family was on the last EBPC back in 2008 but this one will be extra special as my grandma and new little sister (who's adoption will be finalized right after the cruise is over!) will be joining us!

Even after 8+ Disney Cruises, this will be all new territory for us as we have never cruised with a toddler before! What a lucky little girl though to have her first cruise be through the Panama Canal. And I think we have a Disney Cruise monster in the making- she will watch family videos for previous Disney Cruises and she goes NUTS! She will dance away watching the Sailaway part and Pirates night!

Any tips on traveling with a toddler would be great and I can surely answer any questions you may have about the previous Panama trip! Only 147 more days!!

 

[LindaBabe]

We are first time Disney cruisers so I am not familiar with the Fe exchange. I can't wait to see what you all are talking about so that I can sign up for the exchange on my next Disney cruise. I will be nosy and ask to see some of your products so I can steal your creative ideas.. Sherry

Hi Sherry,

Basically, outside your stateroom is a FISH. DCL leaves messages on the fish. Then dis-ers started leaving little gifts for each other on the fish. But, they didn't balance very well, so one Bright Dis-er (EpcotKilterFan) had the bright idea of extending the capacity of the fish with pockets. Thus was born the FISH EXTENDER aka FE.

There's a whole thread full of gift ideas - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2907032 no, actually TWO threads http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1980639

Hello! I wanted to introduce myself as I will be joining you on this cruise! I finally got the go ahead from my professor to take my Final a couple of days early. Thank goodness for only having 1 Final! Joining me will be my parents, grandma, brother (23) (if he is back from his deployment in time) and 2 sisters (29 and 2). My family was on the last EBPC back in 2008 but this one will be extra special as my grandma and new little sister (who's adoption will be finalized right after the cruise is over!) will be joining us!

Even after 8+ Disney Cruises, this will be all new territory for us as we have never cruised with a toddler before! What a lucky little girl though to have her first cruise be through the Panama Canal. And I think we have a Disney Cruise monster in the making- she will watch family videos for previous Disney Cruises and she goes NUTS! She will dance away watching the Sailaway part and Pirates night!

Any tips on traveling with a toddler would be great and I can surely answer any questions you may have about the previous Panama trip! Only 147 more days!!

Welcome aboard, Cruisingbean!

 

[dthogue]

We are first time Disney cruisers so I am not familiar with the Fe exchange. I can't wait to see what you all are talking about so that I can sign up for the exchange on my next Disney cruise. I will be nosy and ask to see some of your products so I can steal your creative ideas.. Sherry

It's not too late to sign up for this cruise if you are interested It's basically a gift exchange/secret santa type of activity. Linda explained it well above.

 

[dthogue]

Fish Extender Exchange UPDATE ​

We are up to 46 cabins participating - the spreadsheet has been updated. If you would like to join us, please see page one for the details.

A few of you have asked if we will be spilting into smaller groups and some of you have given suggestions on how to do it. For the most part though, I think the majority of participants are planning on delivering to everyone who signs up.

I have given thought to all the suggestions and in order to keep this fun and stress free (at least for me), I will not be spiliting into groups at this time.

What I propose is to make the cutoff date to join the exchange October 9th. Which is 2 months before sailing. At that point, a decision will be made if we will spilt into groups smaller groups. If a spilt is made you will be asked if you want to gift to everyone (be on both lists) or if you want to be on only one list. Unless we get a extraordinary amount of participants, the list will be divided in half, based strictly on numbers. The logistics of doing it any earlier are too much

We also talked about delivery - once the decision is made about spliting or not spilting into groups, each cabin will be assigned either week one or week two to deliver their gifts. This will only be a GUIDELINE, not set in stone - if for some reason your week doesn't work, you are free to deliver whenever you want - it is just a way to avoid having the gifts all delivered the same week.

Hope that clarifies some of the questions - I realize I can not make everyone happy, I will try to do the best for all involved!

 

[magicmaker1]

I'm new to fe as well but I figure the more the merrier! I know my cabin gift won't come close to some of the amazingly creative stuff I've seen but it's the joy of giving (big or small) that makes my day. This should be fun!

 

[JessicasMom]

We are first time Disney cruisers so I am not familiar with the Fe exchange. I can't wait to see what you all are talking about so that I can sign up for the exchange on my next Disney cruise. I will be nosy and ask to see some of your products so I can steal your creative ideas.. Sherry

Fish Extender Exchange UPDATE ​

I have given thought to all the suggestions and in order to keep this fun and stress free (at least for me), I will not be spiliting into groups at this time.

What I propose is to make the cutoff date to join the exchange October 9th. Which is 2 months before sailing. At that point, a decision will be made if we will spilt into groups smaller groups. If a spilt is made you will be asked if you want to gift to everyone (be on both lists) or if you want to be on only one list. Unless we get a extraordinary amount of participants, the list will be divided in half, based strictly on numbers. The logistics of doing it any earlier are too much

I know my cabin gift won't come close to some of the amazingly creative stuff I've seen but it's the joy of giving (big or small) that makes my day. This should be fun!

This will also be my third FE, and I can assure you all that not everyone is a craft wizard...that's not the point! It really is just plain FUN to get and give little gifts...no matter what they are. DH and I participated in the FE on our first DCL cruise; we would have been genuinely disappointed if we hadn't. It was a blast and added so much to that first DCL experience. Our second cruise on the Magic, we took a few more family members with us...the FEs also made it even more special for them, as well. Both were 14 day cruises, and gifts were received every day without assigning weeks (but that's an ok idea, too).

As far as splitting the group, it's fine however the rest of the gang wants to do it...we'll give to all cabins. On last year's WBTA, we ended up with six or seven small-ish groups, which were named for each of the ports, but many people joined more than one (our cabin total was around 60, if I remember correctly).

 

[DVCinderella]

In terms of handing them out, last time I did them we had a meet-n-greet on embarkation day and handed them out then. This also gave the FE coordinator an opportunity to provide updates on last minute cabin changes/assignments/upgrades to the Fish Extender participants.

This would also be a great time to distribute the PC Certificates. Let's definitely plan on a meet-n-greet on embarkation day.

 

[FLPrincessMom]

We will be going on this cruise too! It will be myself (Janice), DH (Hernan), and our twin DD's (Angela and Bridgett) who will turn 12 on the Wednesday before we leave. We are all very excited! My only concern is we still have to talk to the school about missing 8 days. Hopefully it won't be any problem but you never know. We are going to do that when they start back in August so it won't be much longer - I will feel so much better when it's all settled!