Fish extender tips, tricks and pics

[***tink386]

Ok, this is a probably a dumb question but what is a FE and how do you get one? It sounds like you get a list of everyone else who has one and bring gifts for each other???? We cruised back in 2005 and I was on the DIS at that time....but I didn't know about it then. Can you explain how it all works? Thanks!

 

[alleluia5]

ASo, I apologize to anyone who had to wrestle with my F/E last week... I think I heard some muttered cursing a couple of times...

I thought your bags were cute - the only "challenge" we had was when my friend tried to add I think a maraca to it - it ended up balanced precariously - hopefully it stayed there and didn't "dance" away.

Ok, this is a probably a dumb question but what is a FE and how do you get one? It sounds like you get a list of everyone else who has one and bring gifts for each other???? We cruised back in 2005 and I was on the DIS at that time....but I didn't know about it then. Can you explain how it all works? Thanks!

A FE is some form of bag, container, etc that you hang over the "fish" outside your stateroom. The fish is there for cruise staff to leave mail for you - and of course the disboard folks are so creative that the FE came to pass. The best way to get looped in is to visit the thread for your cruise meet. Normally the FE is organized through there. You basically get a list of who all is participating (or can even just see it when you walk the halls). Its tons of fun and the variety of what you can give is huge, everything from stickers and magnets to personalized pens and notepads to homemade items. I will try to get some pics together that are closer of some of the items and post them later. Some of the personalized stuff with our cruise dates and motto are my fav.

Does that help? Feel free to ask any other questions!

 

[Selket]

I bought my fish extender on Ebay but hanging a tote bag type item out is a good idea too. It helps to have it labeled maybe (like with the logo from your cruise meet).

I should have made a cruise meet logo for my door in case someone thought my fish extender was just hanging out for the heck of it - LOL! I did find that helpful to see as, someone mentioned, a few FE's were out that weren't people on my list. I am just hoping I didn't miss anyone.

I was on the same cruise as the OP - I think there were over 50 cabins exchanging on that cruise!

 

[tammythetwinsmom]

Hi.. wondering if anyone has a picture of their F.E. totebags that they did.. that is a great idea that can be reused for other things if this is the one and only time that you can afford to go on a Disney cruise.. I hate to think so but at this rate!!!

 

[alleluia5]

I don't have a picture but the one I saw was probably about 6 or 7 inches across and looked about the same tall. You take your goodies out regularly so you don't need to much room. Just allow about a 6 to 8 inch drop from the fish to be safe. Don't forget the zip tie!

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

No muttering from me! In fact it was nice meeting you when I was delivering your FE gifts!

Tiffany

Hey...........I met Adrienne when we were delivering FE gifts, i bet she just stayed in the cabin waiting to catch people delievering stuff

 

[alleluia5]

I just have to ask, did anyone else have trouble on deck 5. I was so silly, I got turned around and actually went up a floor to try to figure out how to get to the front rooms

 

[TiszBear]

These are great tips and advice. Thanks

 

[nenner1]

I just have to ask, did anyone else have trouble on deck 5. I was so silly, I got turned around and actually went up a floor to try to figure out how to get to the front rooms

Yes, I got lost looking for Tiffany's room (the *second* time I was down there), but I didn't have my deck plans so that's probably why.
I'm staying on deck 5 next time, I'd better get it straight!

I thought deck 8 was weird too. All those nooks, crannies, and turns in the hallway.
I also find interesting all the additional light on decks 1 & 2. Funny the things you discover when doing the drops..

 

[SILLYANDI]

OOPS, I don't know what I'm doing!

 

[SILLYANDI]

Hi.. wondering if anyone has a picture of their F.E. totebags that they did.. that is a great idea that can be reused for other things if this is the one and only time that you can afford to go on a Disney cruise.. I hate to think so but at this rate!!!

This is a tote bag we used on our first DCL cruise...

This is what I made for our upcoming cruise...

I think we will have to cruise a few more times now to get good use out of it!

 

[alleluia5]

I thought deck 8 was weird too. All those nooks, crannies, and turns in the hallway.
I also find interesting all the additional light on decks 1 & 2. Funny the things you discover when doing the drops..

So I wasn't the only one that noticed the additional lights - especially on deck one - very creative of Disney to make it nice and bright!

I think we will have to cruise a few more times now to get good use out of it!

I think that sounds like the perfect reason to book another cruise

 

[goofprincess]

Is it too late to sign up and get in on this fun! I have purchased an FE to bring along. If can get signed up, where do I go. Thanks for any advice. I am so very excited to go.

 

[AQW]

Hi.. wondering if anyone has a picture of their F.E. totebags that they did.. that is a great idea that can be reused for other things if this is the one and only time that you can afford to go on a Disney cruise.. I hate to think so but at this rate!!!

I bought a denim tote bag at a craft store; the bag portion is approxmiately 10"x10". Then I printed a personalized image on iron-on fabric and appliqued it on (this is post-iron and pre-applique):

It worked fine in a pinch, but next time I'm definitely going to sew a "real" FE. I have an idea for taller/deeper pockets with elastic across the top instead of the usual pleats/bias tape... I've got 54 weeks until my next cruise, maybe I'll get around to it.

 

[alleluia5]

Is it too late to sign up and get in on this fun! I have purchased an FE to bring along. If can get signed up, where do I go. Thanks for any advice. I am so very excited to go.

What cruise are you on? At the top of the page, there is a link to the cruise meets - I would recommend joining that so you can make sure to get looped into the fun If you can't find the link, let us know - we can point you in the right direction

I have an idea for taller/deeper pockets with elastic across the top instead of the usual pleats/bias tape... I've got 54 weeks until my next cruise, maybe I'll get around to it.

Elastic is an interesting idea!!! That would help keep the goodies in for sure!

 

[alleluia5]

This is a tote bag we used on our first DCL cruise...

I think we will have to cruise a few more times now to get good use out of it!

I love the wreath you made around your door - that is so cute - I may have to "borrow" that idea

 

[tammythetwinsmom]

Those who are going for Christmas there are holiday fish extenders already made at Christmas Tree Shops! They are only 3.99 and would work in a pinch too. .they have 3 pockets just an fyi!

 

[ngnear21]

So my DW and I have a question for y'all...

How does the FE exchange work? Does every DIS stateroom give something to every other DIS stateroom over the course of 3-4 days, or do you have certain folks assigned to you?

The reason we ask is that we're already going little gifts every day for the stateroom host/hostess and a end-of-cruise gift for the server team, so if we also have to turn around and make a couple hundred gifts for DIS'ers that could be alot of stuff we have to get to the ship!!

 

[cats mom]

You would need to find the thread for your particular cruise date on the "meets" board here on the Dis and see if an exchange is being organized. Not all groups participate in a fish extender exchange, although many do.

Different groups set up different rules for their exchanges. Some are very meticulously organized events while others are much more loosley organized.

I'm sure you won't have hundreds of participants though. If a group had that many folks sign up, I would hope that they would come up with a way to divide and conquer. Some threads only have a few cabins participating, others have many.

 

[Jazmine8]

SILLYANDI May I use your wreath Idea? It oks great and I'll have to hit up the Depot this weekend Oh on second thpought those are magnet, correct so I'll have to get those magnetic sheets.