Fantasy Western April 28, 2012

[taswira]

done!

Thank goodness others are tech savvy...I *could* be but sadly can't spend the time I would like to figuring these type of things out

LOL - Thanks for posting the link!

 

[Topelski4]

Website is great! Thanks for taking the time to do it is there a way to password protect it since our stateroom numbers are on it? Maybe people could email you for access? Just a suggestion

 

[Topelski4]

Also, have to admit I haven't been on a lot recently but was reading through the threads and saw some people posted concerns about a FE group getting too large. That is a concern of mine too. Our last cruise we had 19 families which consisted of almost 30 kids and it was a lot to deliver and got pricey, however we loved doing it! I was wondering if maybe whoever is doing the website wants to cut it off a a certain number and then start new groups? Our last cruise had 3 different FE groups and I think it really helped. Just a suggestion, thoughts? Also I mentioned before someone started a facebook page for our last cruise and it helped a lot too, especially with FE

 

[taswira]

Website is great! Thanks for taking the time to do it is there a way to password protect it since our stateroom numbers are on it? Maybe people could email you for access? Just a suggestion

Thanks! I understand your concerns, but although stateroom numbers are on it (only required for those participating in the FE), last names and email addresses are not, and that is the more sensitive information. Considering that the Dis is public (registration is required to post but not to view) and it is common to discuss which cabin people are in, I don't think there is anything on there that anyone doesn't usually post on Dis threads anyway. I don't have time to manage emailing everyone. The only feasible option for me would be if someone here who has a Google account/email volunteers to manage the FE (since I do the website but am NOT associated with the FE at all). I could then make the list private but give that one person access and they could manage distribution. Giving out an access password to everyone on this cruise would end up being so many that I'm thinking it may as well be public, like the Dis. On all my past cruises, everyone seemed to like being able to go to the page to see who is sailing with them, whether there were kids the age of theirs, etc. It was about networking, not just the FE.

Also, have to admit I haven't been on a lot recently but was reading through the threads and saw some people posted concerns about a FE group getting too large. That is a concern of mine too. Our last cruise we had 19 families which consisted of almost 30 kids and it was a lot to deliver and got pricey, however we loved doing it! I was wondering if maybe whoever is doing the website wants to cut it off a a certain number and then start new groups? Our last cruise had 3 different FE groups and I think it really helped. Just a suggestion, thoughts? Also I mentioned before someone started a facebook page for our last cruise and it helped a lot too, especially with FE

I have never participated in an FE and will not this time either. A volunteer is needed to organize that. I know that it is common for the organizer to designate smaller groups, usually according to location. Would you care to volunteer?

I use Facebook a lot, but on my last cruise it was far less active or effective than our cruise thread and cruise website due to the number of people who prefer not to use it. Since FB revamped their Groups, doesn't each member have to be invited to join instead of just requesting to join then being approved?

Anyway, thanks for joining the list!

Shari

 

[supercruiser420]

Hey guys, when we did fish extenders on the medditerrean cruise, we had over a 100 people on our list. The way we did it was to have different groups. We had two groups on that cruise...A and B. The moderator of the fish extender selected who was in each group randomly, but made sure that each group had around the same amount of people to make it fair. So you may have more or less state rooms depending on how many guests are in each one!!! There was one giant spread sheet with every state room, guest name, age, and which group. Everyone participating got a copy of this about six weeks prior to the sailing. So there should be a cut-off date to sign up...maybe like 8 weeks prior. This will give everyone time to get gifts and will keep the total number under control!! Just a couple of suggestions. Cannot wait for this cruise and meeting everyone!!!! It's almost time

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Great suggestions on how to do it, but someone still needs to offer to be the FE organizer - or at least well before April.

 

[taswira]

Great suggestions on how to do it, but someone still needs to offer to be the FE organizer - or at least well before April.

I agree! And again folks - I have NOTHING to do with the organization of the FE!

I do think whomever becomes the FE organizer would be wise to break the long list of participants into small groups according to deck and location. The Fantasy is a big ship and even if each individual only had a few cabins on their FE list, it doesn't make sense to have them several decks apart.

I will post a cut-off date on the site as the cruise gets nearer. Right now there are only 7 cabins doing the FE, so plenty of time. Still need an experienced and dedicated volunteer to be the FE "organizer."

 

[Topelski4]

Wasnt trying to be difficult, these were just suggestions I have two young children and don't have the time to organize the whole thing but maybe as it gets closer we can figure out how to split it up, I just know my daughter loves it and will want to do it again Thanks!
Niki

 

[Topelski4]

Hey guys, when we did fish extenders on the medditerrean cruise, we had over a 100 people on our list. The way we did it was to have different groups. We had two groups on that cruise...A and B. The moderator of the fish extender selected who was in each group randomly, but made sure that each group had around the same amount of people to make it fair. So you may have more or less state rooms depending on how many guests are in each one!!! There was one giant spread sheet with every state room, guest name, age, and which group. Everyone participating got a copy of this about six weeks prior to the sailing. So there should be a cut-off date to sign up...maybe like 8 weeks prior. This will give everyone time to get gifts and will keep the total number under control!! Just a couple of suggestions. Cannot wait for this cruise and meeting everyone!!!! It's almost time

That's how ours was,im sure we will figure it out as we get closer or as the group gets larger

 

[Topelski4]

Great suggestions on how to do it, but someone still needs to offer to be the FE organizer - or at least well before April.

I'm sure we will find one as it gets closer and the list gets longer

 

[Topelski4]

Just noticed you were from Sanford - just down the road!

Although I'm not into the FE stuff, I'm sure you all could start a Facebook page for it.

Just saw this post where do you live? What a small world!

 

[taswira]

Wasnt trying to be difficult, these were just suggestions I have two young children and don't have the time to organize the whole thing but maybe as it gets closer we can figure out how to split it up, I just know my daughter loves it and will want to do it again Thanks!
Niki

Oh - I wasn't implying that you were! I just mainly want EVERYONE here to know that I only do the website and am not a "leader" or "organizer" for the FE. There is still plenty of time and I'm sure we will have many more people joining this thread. Generally there is someone who is experienced and has the time and actually ENJOYS organizing the FE. As long as that person is with us by the end of this year, that would still give them more than adequate time to get it together. So when anyone mentions "organizing the FE," I will likely post a reminder that a volunteer is needed.

 

[taswira]

Just saw this post where do you live? What a small world!

I know you addressed that post to ThePhantomsGirl, who is traveling with me on this cruise, but ...

Just thought I'd mention that I am about 30 minutes from you, but in the opposite direction of her location!

 

[Topelski4]

I know you addressed that post to ThePhantomsGirl, who is traveling with me on this cruise, but ...

Just thought I'd mention that I am about 30 minutes from you, but in the opposite direction of her location!

Wow, really is a small world! I look forward to meeting you all!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Yes, it is a small world!

 

[CoolHandsGirl]

Hi all - this is my first post even though I've been obsessively checking these boards for the last couple months since we booked!
We'll be a rather large family group travelling on Apr 28 including me, DH, DS(4), DD(2), FIL, MIL, BIL, SIL and their two boys (3 & 1.5).
To accomodate everyone we'll be the crazy canucks in a couple cat T and an adjoining cat V.
Oh, and it's our very first disney cruise. My little and are rather excited to put it mildly!

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

To accomodate everyone we'll be the crazy canucks in a couple cat T and an adjoining cat V.
Oh, and it's our very first disney cruise. My little and are rather excited to put it mildly!

Welcome to the cruise meet thread!

 

[taswira]

Hi all - this is my first post even though I've been obsessively checking these boards for the last couple months since we booked!
We'll be a rather family large group travelling on Apr 28 including me, DH, DS(4), DD(2), FIL, MIL, BIL, SIL and their two boys (3 & 1.5).
To accomodate everyone we'll be the crazy canucks in a couple cat T and an adjoining cat V.
Oh, and it's our very first disney cruise. My little and are rather excited to put it mildly!

We are glad you are joining us! You're going to love DCL!

I hope you will check out our cruise website if you haven't yet, and sign up on our cruiser list.

 

[o&smom]

Hi all - this is my first post even though I've been obsessively checking these boards for the last couple months since we booked!
We'll be a rather large family group travelling on Apr 28 including me, DH, DS(4), DD(2), FIL, MIL, BIL, SIL and their two boys (3 & 1.5).
To accomodate everyone we'll be the crazy canucks in a couple cat T and an adjoining cat V.
Oh, and it's our very first disney cruise. My little and are rather excited to put it mildly!

Welcome! You mentioned that this will be your first Disney cruise. Have you cruised on others before or is this your very first cruise as well? We cruised on our first ever cruise in the Mediterranean last Sept with Disney and became hooked. We are getting close to our next Disney cruise to Alaska in Aug and then are so excited to be going on the Fantasy next spring with everyone! When we cruise next Spring our daughter Spencer will be 23 mo so maybe we can get the girls together or they may hang out in the nursery. Don't hesitate to ask any questions regarding first time cruising or cruising with young kids or anything else for that matter. There are lots of experts on here. I would recommend reading Passporters Guide to Disney Cruise Line - it was very helpful in getting ready for our first cruise.

Marni

 

[CoolHandsGirl]

Welcome! You mentioned that this will be your first Disney cruise. Have you cruised on others before or is this your very first cruise as well? We cruised on our first ever cruise in the Mediterranean last Sept with Disney and became hooked. We are getting close to our next Disney cruise to Alaska in Aug and then are so excited to be going on the Fantasy next spring with everyone! When we cruise next Spring our daughter Spencer will be 23 mo so maybe we can get the girls together or they may hang out in the nursery. Don't hesitate to ask any questions regarding first time cruising or cruising with young kids or anything else for that matter. There are lots of experts on here. I would recommend reading Passporters Guide to Disney Cruise Line - it was very helpful in getting ready for our first cruise.

Marni

Thanks for the tip about Passporters! When you got it, did you do the deluxe edition in the binder or if I were to just download the e-book version to my kindle would I likely have all the info I needed?

This will be all the adults' second cruise - except for DH who was a naval officer and has naturally sailed more than the rest of us put together. Our first family cruise was on the Star Princess for my BIL's wedding (we were a group of 60 on that cruise so this is tame by comparison!) just before any children entered the picture. I was actually pregnant for that one so I'm looking forward to enjoying a bit more night life this time around as I won't be so narcoleptic.

I bet our daughters will indeed run into each other in the nursery or nemo's reef. DD will be 31 months at cruise time and one of my nephews will be in there too (19 months). This board has already proved invaluable for tips about cruising with the little ones - I can't believe how much easier it was last time when I was only planning for myself!