**Fantasy Becomes Reality** Group--5/19/2012 (INDEX/ROLE CALL, PAGE 1--ENTRY 1)

[kimistry6]

Wow! So much activity!!! Welcome to new friends! StJohnsCrew, our boys are 7 and 9 (Alex, the 7yo, will be 8 the week after the cruise) so they're around your DS's age too

I still can't decide on excursions. Having never been to either island before, I'm thinking shopping and local beach and just relaxing. I love the idea of having an excursion to take care of things, but I also like the idea of going back to a quieter ship while everyone else is out exploring, haha What to do, what to do! I have a little while to figure it out

Still checking for those coveted Palo brunch ressies... Holding out hope for that onboard score

I check for brunch several times a day, still a no go. We have decided to not try to get brunch while onboard. It's just not that important to us. We love eating at Cabanas and then going to the pool when we first get on. Last year we had such a great time just sitting in the Mickey Pool with our boys and watching and listening to the sounds of the ship.

We have a son, Matthew, who is 8. Maybe they will run into each other in the clubs.

 

[JohnPA]

12 days until FE lock. Last chance to sign up!

I took a shot at splitting the list. The first time I tried, I did it by just taking every other row on the spreadsheet that was sorted by cabin (this is on sheet 3 - "Every Other Row" of the spreadsheet). It didn't work out too well. The split between kids was uneven. So I tried again with just splitting the list in half - top 15 rows to one set, bottom 15 rows to the other. This came out with a great even distribution and has some other "pros". Take a look at the spreadsheet (click on "Every Other Row" sheet tab at bottom). I think that works really well, and should make delivery much easier as you're not traveling to so many decks.

What do you think?


FE Participation Confirmation Ideas

I guess I'll send a PM to each name on the list to get a confirmation that everyone that signed up is still interested. Any other ideas? (like just ASSUME everyone is still on board?)

(I'm too excited to sleep!)

 

[mom2LLN]

We have a new room assignment. We are now in room 7588.

I've been working on something for everyone on the list, so I'm good with however the split works best. Thanks for handling all of this for our group

I can be hit or miss as far as posting/playing catch up...but I read something about group t-shirts. Are we are still planning on doing this? I would love to be a part of the group order, if we are. TIA!!

 

[biff423]

Please add us to the FE list - we have decided to participate.

 

[Dizneyholic]

12 days until FE lock. Last chance to sign up!

I took a shot at splitting the list. The first time I tried, I did it by just taking every other row on the spreadsheet that was sorted by cabin (this is on sheet 3 - "Every Other Row" of the spreadsheet). It didn't work out too well. The split between kids was uneven. So I tried again with just splitting the list in half - top 15 rows to one set, bottom 15 rows to the other. This came out with a great even distribution and has some other "pros". Take a look at the spreadsheet (click on "Every Other Row" sheet tab at bottom). I think that works really well, and should make delivery much easier as you're not traveling to so many decks.

What do you think?


FE Participation Confirmation Ideas

I guess I'll send a PM to each name on the list to get a confirmation that everyone that signed up is still interested. Any other ideas? (like just ASSUME everyone is still on board?)

(I'm too excited to sleep!)

Looks good to me!!! Now, I better get started on something soon!!!

 

[shoes99]

I don't see us on the cabin list or roll call so I'll post again:


SHOES99
Michele(66), Milton(67)
From: New Jersey
Stateroom: 7680
Celebration: 35th Wedding Anniversary on May 28th
Dining: Main
Show Time: Late
Participate in FE: No

 

[donaldsgal]

I don't see us on the cabin list or roll call so I'll post again:


SHOES99
Michele(66), Milton(67)
From: New Jersey
Stateroom: 7680
Celebration: 35th Wedding Anniversary on May 28th
Dining: Main
Show Time: Late
Participate in FE: No

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[donaldsgal]

12 days until FE lock. Last chance to sign up!

I took a shot at splitting the list. The first time I tried, I did it by just taking every other row on the spreadsheet that was sorted by cabin (this is on sheet 3 - "Every Other Row" of the spreadsheet). It didn't work out too well. The split between kids was uneven. So I tried again with just splitting the list in half - top 15 rows to one set, bottom 15 rows to the other. This came out with a great even distribution and has some other "pros". Take a look at the spreadsheet (click on "Every Other Row" sheet tab at bottom). I think that works really well, and should make delivery much easier as you're not traveling to so many decks.

What do you think?


FE Participation Confirmation Ideas

I guess I'll send a PM to each name on the list to get a confirmation that everyone that signed up is still interested. Any other ideas? (like just ASSUME everyone is still on board?)

(I'm too excited to sleep!)

JohnPA, I just want to say thank you again for your work on this. I know we all appreciate it as it's a non-paying position!

We're doing something for every stateroom, and I'm looking forward to visiting all the decks, so having to visit all the decks doesn't bother us. I figure it's a great way to see the ship! Do we have a deadline for the delivery of the FE gifts when we're on board? We've never done the FE exchange before. Oh, and since it's just our group of three, it doesn't affect us if the FE group is split up in such a way that people are in the same exchange group as the rest of their traveling party. I'll leave that up to the those who have a dog in that fight. Our gifts are non-age specific, so the distribution of kids doesn't matter to us, either. I just appreciate you doing it, keeping track, and making this easier on the rest of us!

The cut-off you've chosen sounds good to me! I know we'd all appreciate time to get gifts together, and adding new people right up till the time we leave would be stressful.

Have a good night, all!

 

[bookite]

i apparently missed john pa's post about the lock up. i just want to make sure all three of our cabins are on the list

bookite (ron, lara lee, ds (10) and dd (8)
skeen (gil and linda)
buchheit (roland, joyce, ds (6) and dd (4)

i can't remember our cabin #'s off the top of my head but if you need them pm me and i'll get them from dh. tia!!

what is the cut off date so i can remember to check and see what the final number is for my group (and where will i get that info, the number, i mean?) i see ref to a spread sheet but didn't see it in a post...am i just missing it?

oh and just to dbl check are all of us in the same group (the three families i listed above) b/c i'm pretty sure my il's at least will want to be with us. if they are NOT do NOT sweat it, i just want to have a heads up so i can "warn" her, lol!

 

[JohnPA]

Do we have a deadline for the delivery of the FE gifts when we're on board? We've never done the FE exchange before.

Absolute deadline would be the afternoon before disembarkation so that you can pack all the goodies from everyone. But I'm sure that by the fourth day, most will have delivered their gifts, especially since the first two days are 'at sea'.

i apparently missed john pa's post about the lock up. i just want to make sure all three of our cabins are on the list

bookite (ron, lara lee, ds (10) and dd (8)
skeen (gil and linda)
buchheit (roland, joyce, ds (6) and dd (4)

i can't remember our cabin #'s off the top of my head but if you need them pm me and i'll get them from dh. tia!!

what is the cut off date so i can remember to check and see what the final number is for my group (and where will i get that info, the number, i mean?) i see ref to a spread sheet but didn't see it in a post...am i just missing it?

oh and just to dbl check are all of us in the same group (the three families i listed above) b/c i'm pretty sure my il's at least will want to be with us. if they are NOT do NOT sweat it, i just want to have a heads up so i can "warn" her, lol!

I have you in #8550 and Gil & Linda in #8552, but don't have Roland and Joyce at all, so if they're doing the FE too, I'll need their stateroom number.

Cut off is March 11th!

The link to the spreadsheet is in my signature below. Just click it to open the spreadsheet in Google Docs. You can then bookmark it in your browser to always get to the latest version. I wouldn't suggest saving or printing it until we're locked in as things can change in the next two weeks.

It looks like the best way to do this will be the option which will put all of you in the same group. So no problem!

 

[spacecanada]

Thank you, JohnPA for keeping all the FE stuff in check. We're still participating and I am working on FE presents today! I have something for each cabin, and a few extras for anyone who signs up between now and the cut-off date.

Even though we are taking DCL Magical Express transfers to the ship, we were able to get an 11 AM arrival time (because I have no idea when the bus will arrive) and booked all the excursions we wanted to do. Yay! And now, back to making FE gift bags. And maybe baking cookies and cleaning the house a bit too... busy day ahead.

 

[DizDaddy]

Hello!


I've been absent....we are in the process of moving, which means we had been house hunting, dealing with all of the particulars, and downsizing after being in our home for nearly 12 years. So my boards time has diminished, however we are scheduled to move Sun/Mon March 4/5. There is an end in sight! We are only moving less than 2 miles away. At this point we are just HOPEFUL that we will be able to find all of our stuff to pack for the trip!

I owe some updates to page 1----you know who you are! I will try to get them done soon.

I echo everyones appreciation of John's efforts in managing the FE spreadsheet. Although John has invited me to make updates to it as well, I'm in fear that I will cripple it beyond recognition, so I will leave it to the pro!

We have materials purchased for our FE gifts; keeping track of them will be another matter entirely. And....got to get our FE ordered!!!

Chat soon....have a great day....

 

[JRandAJsMom]

We're good with whatever way the FE list is split I plan to do gifts for all of the staterooms as well (provided I get my act together in time!). Thank you SO much for organizing! We would also be interested in shirts if that works out too

 

[nonni]

John thank you for all your hard working on getting the FE organized. I think it would stress me out to be dealing with that.

We are fine with either way it gets split up. We're just excited to participate in our first FE!

We may be interested in the t-shirts too when that gets all worked out.

Also, what about the wrist bands?

One more question. Do we have a large group meet at some point on the cruise, how does that work?

 

[Elaine Dragonlady]

Does anybody know what time the christening is tomorrow? I'd love to watch on a webcam if possible. The pictures of the Fantasy's arrival in New York are amazing - I especially like the one with the Statue of Liberty - two American icons together. Can't wait to meet you all.

 

[JRandAJsMom]

She's here! Some great pictures

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/02/welcome-to-america-disney-fantasy/

 

[DizDaddy]

One more question. Do we have a large group meet at some point on the cruise, how does that work?

I like the idea of a casual group meet....

 

[Jaymepops]

Hello again Cruisers!! Sorry I've been off for awhile, but I have been trying to keep up with what is going on through email. I am going to step away from the FE. I was listed as a maybe - I believe - but I just don't have enough time and creativity to come up with awesome FE's. I've been trying to look back trough the posts....someone gave me their email so I can email a pic of my to post in the roll call....can't find that message, could that kind person please give me your email again? I have also seen everyone makign their touring plans for St. Maarten and St. Thomas/St. John....We have finally decided that in St. Maarten we are going to rent a jeep and explore the island. We will head up to Le Galion - Coconut Beach or aka babies beach. Quiet, shallow and of course beautiful. It's on the North East side of the island, just south of Orient beach. We then are going to drive around the north coast and then back south to Marigot for some French lunch (YUM!) and then we are going over to Maho Beach to watch the planes come in at the Sunset bar and grill. Afterwards shopping in Phillipsburg and then back onto our Fantasy (yes, it's ours, we are just letting you all stay with us! LOL) Since we will be at port there the longest we decided to really make a day of it and try to see "everything" ! St Thomas; we check out Coral world, and WOW. Disney only has it a a 3.5 hour excursion, but from all that we saw, that's like going to Sea World for only 3.5 hours including drive time! Crazy! So we will grab a cab and spend the day with the fish, turtles and sea lions!!! Normall, we NEVER do anything that isn't a cruise excursion - just for safty... especially after our Jamacia trip ((shutters)) but we have 4 Hurricane Hunter and their families for neighbors...and aside from our neighborhood getting buzzed all the time - lol - they guys are in the Virgin Islands all the time during Hurricane Season and they have told us it would be fun and safe to go cruising around on our own. They even told us their favorite places to eat and shop! I can't wait!! We are all so excited here and I can't get enough of checking the Fantasy on AIS, or watching Disney cruise vacation videos on Youtube, or reading through EVERY activity on Disneycruiseline.com......we are a 1st time Disney Cruiser....so come on MARCH 5TH already!!!!! Even through we payed in full when we booked, still have to wait.....tick tock...where is Captain Hook's Crock???

 

[Jaymepops]

***so I can email a pic of my to post in the roll call....

I ment - so I can email a pic of my FAMILY to post in the roll call......

 

[Jaymepops]

Lord have mercy! Just read through my post....I do know English and usually execute it fairly well.....Apparently not rechecking what I typed and getting called away from it for about two hours now, does not make for good posting! Sorry all. I guess it can now become one of those emails that shows how amazing the brain is at reading non words! Anyway, we are very excited and can't wait to be cruising with you all in 79 days!