June 15 - June 22 2013 Eastern Fantasy

[4newtocruise]

Out of curiosity, why do some prefer smaller FE groups?

The reason I ask is that I've been involved with FE groups on 4 out of our 6 cruises with group sizes ranging from 15 to 125. Honestly, the larger groups were more fun because the entire meet group seemed more united before, during and after the cruise.

Cost/time have never been an issue for us either. On the FE with 125, we purchased customized pens with our DIS meet group name, the cruise dates and itinerary on the pen. We still have a few in our pen drawer at home. It only cost us about $60 for 400 pens as we gave one to each person in the stateroom. I know some spend more per stateroom and others spend less. It didn't matter how much anyone spent as the entire meet thread was united. And as far as time to deliver the gifts, that's never been an issue. Granted, on the cruise with 125 members, we had 7 sea days and delivered gifts on 2 separate days. It was fun to walk each hall and see all of the different and creative FE and door decorations. We did it last year on the Fantasy with about 25 participants and we were able to deliver them all in under an hour.

YMMV, but just some food for thought when deciding what to do.

I would just prefer a more manageable amount. I have already started making/buying items for the FE and like to give for each person not just the stateroom. I'm close to being maxed out for the amount per gift. Whatever the number, I know my children will be happy.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I think of the meet group as separate from the FE group. In my six cruises, I've met many wonderful people from the disboards/Facebook groups because we arranged to meet, have our kids meet, etc..this had nothing to do with whether everyone was participating in the FE exchange or not. I love that our group is getting larger, and am especially excited about getting to know those doing the Bernard's tour. But toting gifts to and from this many people takes a lot of space, time, and money. I'll put my FE on our fish, just because it helps us find our door faster, and I'll bring daily trinkets for my daughter to find in it. I just dont have the wherewithall to take on an FE group this large, but am still really looking forward to meeting everyone.

Good points. I do agree that the FE group is separate. Many don't participate at all but still do the group excursions, meets, tastings etc and vice versa. I still hate to see them split up but that's probably because of our first one was so special and we will never be able to recreate that trip and group.

 

[bobbi565]

I think of the meet group as separate from the FE group. In my six cruises, I've met many wonderful people from the disboards/Facebook groups because we arranged to meet, have our kids meet, etc..this had nothing to do with whether everyone was participating in the FE exchange or not. I love that our group is getting larger, and am especially excited about getting to know those doing the Bernard's tour. But toting gifts to and from this many people takes a lot of space, time, and money. I'll put my FE on our fish, just because it helps us find our door faster, and I'll bring daily trinkets for my daughter to find in it. I just dont have the wherewithall to take on an FE group this large, but am still really looking forward to meeting everyone.

Agreed! On our last cruise, we had a really fun meet on Day One and enjoyed putting faces with all the names with which we'd become familiar on the DIS over the months. Seeing these folk at the pool, dinner, excursions, and other events made it so much more fun! Half the time I didn't know if they were in the fe group or not, couldn't really keep track.

We should start nailing down the details of our Meet and Greet. On my last cruise, we got neon green rubber bracelets to wear onboard to make it easier to spot one another. I ordered some in bulk. Even had our group name imprinted.

 

[bobbi565]

I would just prefer a more manageable amount. I have already started making/buying items for the FE and like to give for each person not just the stateroom. I'm close to being maxed out for the amount per gift. Whatever the number, I know my children will be happy.

Ditto.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

FE Suggestion:
Since we appear to have some opinions to split and not to split the group I have a suggestion. Currently we have 28 participants in the FE. We can split the group in 14 each but allow some to join both groups with a max of 20 participants in either group. This way no group is too big but would allow the people to participate in a larger group if that is what they like.

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Good morning fellow cruisers. Another week has gone by.
We now have only

weeks to go to the Fantasy.

 

[ambersharley]

Agreed! On our last cruise, we had a really fun meet on Day One and enjoyed putting faces with all the names with which we'd become familiar on the DIS over the months. Seeing these folk at the pool, dinner, excursions, and other events made it so much more fun! Half the time I didn't know if they were in the fe group or not, couldn't really keep track.

We should start nailing down the details of our Meet and Greet. On my last cruise, we got neon green rubber bracelets to wear onboard to make it easier to spot one another. I ordered some in bulk. Even had our group name imprinted.

I like the thought of bracelets. Especially with a group as big as ours. Were they expensive?

 

[beach bums]

If we are able to, Beach Bums would like to join both FE groups (if the groups are split). We have started our gifts and already have the beginning cabins of the list completed. (I think we would fall in the second grouping if the split occurred.) Sorry, this is our first time for the fish exchange and we just wanted to give to all if that it possible. Thank you and have a good weekend.

 

[bobbi565]

FE Suggestion:
Since we appear to have some opinions to split and not to split the group I have a suggestion. Currently we have 28 participants in the FE. We can split the group in 14 each but allow some to join both groups with a max of 20 participants in either group. This way no group is too big but would allow the people to participate in a larger group if that is what they like.

This sounds like an excellent solution! What does everyone else think?

 

[bobbi565]

I like the thought of bracelets. Especially with a group as big as ours. Were they expensive?

They weren't expensive at all. I actually just bought them and gave them out at the Meet and Greet, but of course, that group (on the Magic) was much smaller. I will do some research and see how much they will cost and see how many people actually want to wear them.

 

[4newtocruise]

FE Suggestion:
Since we appear to have some opinions to split and not to split the group I have a suggestion. Currently we have 28 participants in the FE. We can split the group in 14 each but allow some to join both groups with a max of 20 participants in either group. This way no group is too big but would allow the people to participate in a larger group if that is what they like.

Excellent idea!

 

[4newtocruise]

We should start nailing down the details of our Meet and Greet. On my last cruise, we got neon green rubber bracelets to wear onboard to make it easier to spot one another. I ordered some in bulk. Even had our group name imprinted.

Like the bracelet idea. If we didn't want to spend a lot of money. On our last cruise, we all went to Home Depot and got the lime green mickey head paint samples, cut them out and laminated them then hung them on our purse or beach bag. It was fun to look for everyone, especially when we first arrived at the port.

 

[MousyMe]

I'm sorry if I missed this information somewhere, but do people going on the Bernard's excursion have an idea of what time we would expect to return to the ship? The latest pirate makeover I was able to get for my son is at 4:45, and I am curious whether I should keep that appointment.

Thank you! Wow, am I getting excited!

If you don't mind sharing, what is the pirate makeover you mentioned and how does one schedule it?

 

[GBBTomorrow]

If you don't mind sharing, what is the pirate makeover you mentioned and how does one schedule it?

At the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, they convert it to a pirate lair on Pirate Night, and boys and girls can get pirate makeovers. There's a cheaper one for about $35ish, and a more expensive one ($100ish I think) that comes with a costume. I booked it through the on board fun section of the cruise activities section of the DCL site.

 

[MousyMe]

At the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique, they convert it to a pirate lair on Pirate Night, and boys and girls can get pirate makeovers. There's a cheaper one for about $35ish, and a more expensive one ($100ish I think) that comes with a costume. I booked it through the on board fun section of the cruise activities section of the DCL site.

Thanks for the information. I'll have to see if there is any availability left. My son would love a pirate makeover.

 

[MJDisFamCruisers]

FE Suggestion:
Since we appear to have some opinions to split and not to split the group I have a suggestion. Currently we have 28 participants in the FE. We can split the group in 14 each but allow some to join both groups with a max of 20 participants in either group. This way no group is too big but would allow the people to participate in a larger group if that is what they like.

I think that is a great idea!

 

[npuhala]

I like that idea for the FE group!! That way everyone has a choice of size and is happy

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I like the idea of the combined/split FE group too. I am okay either way and will go with whatever is decided. I was in charge of the FE group on a past cruise and I'm glad Daniel had already volunteered to take it on for this cruise!

I also like the idea of the bracelets. We did those on a past cruise and it helped identify each other. We also did lanyards, but I'm not much of a lanyard wearer.

 

[kalel29]

Hello all!!! Long time disboard member here. I've kept my eye on this thread for a while now but haven't posted until we figured out what we wanted to do. Go ahead and add myself and family (DW 30, DD 11, and DS 5) to the list. We will be traveling with other members of my family who will be on their first Disney cruise. My sister, her boyfriend, my nephew (13), mother-in-law and I also have a DS who is 18 and will be staying with my parents in their cabin. So any info about a 18-20 group meet would really be helpful. We are now less than 85 days from departure and have really stepped up our excitement. I have read about the Bernard’s Tour group and would really like to be part of the group. However I scheduled my son to have his pirate make over at 2:15, which would be right at the tail end of the tour. On the website, the tour ends at 1:30. So I'm not sure I will be able to join or not. Does anybody know if BBB are flexible with being on time or not? I have plenty of questions so be prepared to see my posts on here from now on!!!!

 

[TIGGER/POOH4]

Hello all!!! Long time disboard member here. I've kept my eye on this thread for a while now but haven't posted until we figured out what we wanted to do. Go ahead and add myself and family (DW 30, DD 11, and DS 5) to the list. We will be traveling with other members of my family who will be on their first Disney cruise. My sister, her boyfriend, my nephew (13), mother-in-law and I also have a DS who is 18 and will be staying with my parents in their cabin. So any info about a 18-20 group meet would really be helpful. We are now less than 85 days from departure and have really stepped up our excitement. I have read about the Bernards Tour group and would really like to be part of the group. However I scheduled my son to have his pirate make over at 2:15, which would be right at the tail end of the tour. On the website, the tour ends at 1:30. So I'm not sure I will be able to join or not. Does anybody know if BBB are flexible with being on time or not? I have plenty of questions so be prepared to see my posts on here from now on!!!!

aboard the Father's Day Eastern Fantasy. Also please feel free to join our FB page as well. The link to the FB page is in the first post of this thread. I believe we are starting the group Bernard's tour at 10am for six hours. That will put us back on ship after your appointment at 2:15pm. Not sure about the flexibility at BBB since we did not visit the BBB on our last trip on the Fantasy.