July 28, 2012- MAGIC- NYC TO BAHAMAS

[carmen927]

Hello, my family is coming on this cruise and we are so excited! It's my husband and two daughters (4 and 6yrs). First Disney cruise for us! My girls are huge fans of all the Disney characters, especially the princesses and after many visits to WDW, we can't wait to go on the cruise! Can someone tell me more about the FE? I know very little about it, though it does sound like fun. And does anyone know if there's somewhere to find the Navigator so I can plan some activities ahead? Thanks and look forward to meeting you all!

 

[Dislaney4n6]

I am thinking about the fish extender. Any rules set out yet? Would we be doing gifts for each family/family member each day or would we be assigned a day to distribute all our gifts. I am a 2nd time cruiser but did not do the fish extender last time. Perhaps, we could all be assigned 1 day to distribute to all and then another day to give all 1 family gift. This may work, I know there are lots of options out there. I have not officially signed up but I think it could be fun. My 13 year olds are psyched about the trip but this could help them more involved with the planning. Tell me if I missed a rules list, I will look back through the thread! Oh, and I got some paperwork today!!!! Always exciting, I can start booking some stuff for the cruise on 4/29. Can't wait!

The only "rule" at this point is to sign up by June 15. I have never cruised Disney so organizing a FE exchange is new to me. Didn't know there were rules. The sign up is short, only 5 families so far. I was ASSUMING all FE exchanges operated the same way--1 gift per person per cruise, days/nights assigned later. Let's plan on doing that.
Family gifts?? Never read anything about those. I guess if you want to, then you can, but it is not expected??
Thoughts??

 

[Dislaney4n6]

Hello, my family is coming on this cruise and we are so excited! It's my husband and two daughters (4 and 6yrs). First Disney cruise for us! My girls are huge fans of all the Disney characters, especially the princesses and after many visits to WDW, we can't wait to go on the cruise! Can someone tell me more about the FE? I know very little about it, though it does sound like fun. And does anyone know if there's somewhere to find the Navigator so I can plan some activities ahead? Thanks and look forward to meeting you all!

There are navigators for other cruises, but since this is a new itinerary, I don't know how accurate they will be, nor am I sure where to find them. (sorry!)

The FE is best explained as a 'secret Santa' where small gifts are exchanged via a predetermined group. The fish extender is like a locker pocket found in lockers, hung from the fish outside the cabin doors. There are threads on here for ideas for gifts and how to make an extender (but again.. not too savvy w/ this site to post a thread in here!)

Not too helpful... sorry!

 

[Dislaney4n6]

And does anyone know if there's somewhere to find the Navigator so I can plan some activities ahead? Thanks and look forward to meeting you all!

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/cr-stateroom-navigator.htm

Fish extender info...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

 

[bonhote]

That sounds perfect! When I read up on the Disboards, people have done these all which ways, and some do give a family gift rather than individualize, but I like the 1 gift per individual per cruise. I am sure we will have a few more join and then we can decide who delivers what on which days! Thanks for organizing! I will sign us up this weekend when I have a bit more time, gotta look up our cabin again

 

[Happy Goofy]

As for the FE I have done it several ways but the less rules the better. I think people should deliver them when it is convenient for them. If they are assigned a day and they want to do some activities on the ship at that time then they are limited.
Usually it is one gift per cabin and if people want to do the children separately it is up to them.

Just a few thoughts on the subject but will go along with the final decisions

 

[Dislaney4n6]

I think people should deliver them when it is convenient for them. If they are assigned a day and they want to do some activities on the ship at that time then they are limited.
Usually it is one gift per cabin and if people want to do the children separately it is up to them.

I don't like too many rules either, but some are necessary to avoid chaos.

I plan on assigning days to people to deliver their items just to spread the excitement out over the week. From what I have gathered, giving out the items does not take too much time ~30mins. Hopefully everyone will be ok with their assigned day, and can find the time to give their items. I just want to avoid all of us giving the items out in the first two days and by day 7 the FEs are just hanging out empty.

As far as gifts.. everything points to everyone getting something. I have read many posts about the different age groups and what to give the hard to please teen boys etc. Let's plan to stick with that, 1 gift per person per cruise. If you want to do a cabin gift, you are more than welcome.

I especially want the kids to be the focus. I personally feel the exchange will bring a little extra MAGIC to their cruise.

 

[bonhote]

I signed up. It will be fun...no perfection needed. Yes, this will add a lot of MAGIC!

 

[Dislaney4n6]

I signed up. It will be fun...no perfection needed. Yes, this will add a lot of MAGIC!

Oh no!!! You have the dreaded "teenage boys" (and I only mean that from a FE standpoint!). Any suggestions on what teenage boys are into would be great!!

 

[bonhote]

Hey, no offense taken, some days they really are the dreaded teenage boys! I will have to ponder but they do like most anything and neither has any allergies!
They do love Disney which helps but I agree, they are at a challenging age!

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

I will be coming with my 3 boys, ages 16,14 and 13. My best friend is joining us with her 2 boys, ages 5 and 7. I don't know who's more excited, me or the kids?

We will be in cabin 2137 and she is on deck 6.

It's been almost 7 years since our 3 night Bahamas cruise. I'm excited to see what's new!!

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

We are in for FE. Sounds fun

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

The transportation is on the port planning page. You have to add it like you would any other excursion. 1st Bus leaves PC at 7 AM and last bus leaves WDW at 11 PM

 

[bonhote]

We are in for FE. Sounds fun

Great! Everyone will be shopping for teenage boy stuff! My 13 year olds are psyched for the cruise too!

 

[NEPatriots]

I vote for doing a second round of FE if we do not get a large group signed up. So far the list is small.

 

[suffieldhockeymom]

How many have signed up for the FE so far?

 

[NEPatriots]

only see 6 families signed up so far (23 people total)

 

[Dislaney4n6]

We can definitely make the decision once it gets closer to the cruise. I made the cut off for June 15, so if we (the exchange group) decide to do it twice, it will give everyone enough time (hopefully!)

My only 'concern' about doing it twice is if anyone is flying to the port. Extra luggage space, extra cost etc.

 

[Happy Goofy]

Hopefully more people will find this thread and sign up for the FE gifts.

 

[NEPatriots]

We can definitely make the decision once it gets closer to the cruise. I made the cut off for June 15, so if we (the exchange group) decide to do it twice, it will give everyone enough time (hopefully!)

My only 'concern' about doing it twice is if anyone is flying to the port. Extra luggage space, extra cost etc.

I understand and it makes sense, just didn't want the kids to miss out. Never cruised or FE'd before so want to get the most out of it.