Magical EBTA 2017

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi, I've been thinking of you and hoping everything went well with your cataract surgery and your move. Congratulations on the new furry addition to your family, Gus, too! Hugs!

Thank you for your kind thoughts!!
Surgery went very well, and I am doing the follow up visits and eye drops now, and I am so pleased!!
Moving is a bit stressful, our new house is 1/2 the size of our old one. We knew that of course, but it's challenging. We have made many 640 mile trips between Dayton and Cape May, with a few more planned. The house in Ohio will be on the market this week.
Then there's Gus, who has obedience issues. With us, in the house, he is fine, it's the outside world that he has problems with. We got him on Sunday and when we brought him to vet yesterday, he acted like a wild dog, barking, pulling, jumping on door to go out, not vicious, scared I suppose. He has bowel and ear problems, 4 types of medicines we have to give him.
The vet gave us cards of trainers, and we have an appointment with one on Monday. If Gus is accepted into the program, he will board with the trainer for a bit, than we will show up and work with trainer and Gus. This should work. Gus is already in our hearts, and needs help dealing with the world beyond our little house.
Bobbi

 

[Deb T.]

I'm so glad to hear the cataract surgery went well and you are pleased with the results! That's a relief!

I can empathize with you on downsizing a home! We will be moving to a smaller home in the next year and I've already started to pare down 40 years of accumulated stuff. I mean, really, who needs 80 ink pens and 5 rulers??? lol But, there are many items I'm having trouble parting with - - - some for sentimental reasons, and others because I "might need them." Have you heard of Marie Kondo's Japanese Art of Decluttering? I need to buy her book and study it!!! I've also been trying to envision living minimalist... like in a "tiny home," even though our new house will be far from tiny, just smaller than what we have now. Good luck as you continue the process.

Good luck, also, with Gus. Poor guy. Sounds like in time he will thrive under your love and care.

Can't wait for our cruise!!

 

[Deb T.]

Hi Everyone! Here's the latest update on our Fish Extender Exchange!

The following people are officially signed up for the exchange!
Deb T.
Giggles6311
hmhaase
ImNarek
Kerpe
Maple Det
Mommatothebear
mvlimmex
ndloewen - need cabin number
Nutrigirl
Pawdoc Daisy
QueenEleanor - need cabin number
Shawnadb

The following people have shown interest in joining, but have not sent me their information yet:
Dismama2
tmullen93
CowboyKell
sourmug
Poookie
cali cruiser
SwingDancingAnn
Lonnstar
Cbardwell
Joseph Bennett

The deadline to join the Fish Extender Exchange is in a little over a month, on Saturday, April 15, 2017, to give everyone time to get their FE gifts prepared and packed.

To join the FE Exchange, please send me (Deb T.) a “Conversation” with the following information:
*Your Cabin Number
*Names of everyone in your cabin
*Ages of children
*Any allergy considerations
*The size of the FE group you want to be in: “No more than 10,” “No more than 20,” or “Sky’s the Limit.”

To send a “Conversation”
Click on my name (Deb T.) in the little box on the top left
Click on “Start a Conversation”
Enter a “Conversation Title”
Under the row of icons, type your message
To send, Click “Start a Conversation” under your message
(If you are new to the DIS Boards, you will need to have at least ten posts on DIS Forums before you can send a Private Message.)

 

[bobbiwoz]

Hi! I am bumping up this invitation to show interest. On April 1 I will begin accepting conversations with cabin numbers. Deadline for getting information to me is April 15, and I will send the groups their information. It looks like 2 groups.

Updating interest list in local Candy/Snack exchange

Big red07
Nrbrenna
Kerpe
Mommatothebear
SwingDancingAnn
Pawdoc
KJET54
Expedition EverestI
Poookie
Deb T
scottrob
bobbiwoz
tmullem93
cali cruiser
Maple Det
Shawnadb
Tinked
ndloewen

Still opened for participants. April first I will ask for information like cabin numbers, how many adults, children in each cabin and if there are any allergies.
When I began the list, I did mention that I keep the numbers between 6-11. If I split (into 2 groups it looks like at this time) I look at cabin numbers and arrange by decks. If you have an opinion about splitting, some like larger groups and have asked to be in both groups, for instance in the past, please mention those ideas here, and in the conversation you send to me around April 1st.


Bobbi

 

[CapeMayCruiser]

Hello! My mother and brother are booked on this cruise. They would really like to visit the Warner Bros Studio Harry Potter tour but are not having much luck booking a tour round trip from Dover. Would anyone be interested in sharing a private car? From my research the museum is just outside London. If anyone else has any ideas on how to make this happen, other than a private car, I am all ears! Thank you in advance.

Tried researching this trip with no success. Last year a company (Viator) offered the tour and drop off at London hotels when we disembarked in Dover. Doesn't look like this company, or any others, are offering the Harry Potter tour round trip from Dover. I read the studio is about 26 miles NW of London and the writer felt this was not an acceptable distance to travel from Dover for a shore excursion.

 

[Mommatothebear]

https://www.internationalfriends.co...s-studio-tour-the-making-of-harry-potter.html

Did you look at this one?

 

[minnie4ever]

So I waited until now to sign up for a Character breakfast and a Princess Meet and Greet and actually got both (no Frozen but I would rather hang with Cinderella and Rapunzel anyway!) Hopefully all the little ones got theirs already.
Got a Palo dinner with no problem but the Brunch is a wash! Not a single rez left! Oh well. Saves me 30.00
SOOOO excited! Just a couple of months away! Wondering if it will be cold on deck on Pirates Night?? Arg, bbrrrrrr

 

[Deb T.]

Got a Palo dinner with no problem but the Brunch is a wash! Not a single rez left! Oh well. Saves me 30.00
SOOOO excited! Just a couple of months away! Wondering if it will be cold on deck on Pirates Night?? Arg, bbrrrrrr

We've been able to get brunch ressies onboard by checking with them frequently for cancellations. Hopefully, you will be able to, as well. Sending lots of pixie dust your way!!!

I know I'm living in Denialville but I'm hoping for warm weather the whole cruise. Actually, the entire Baltic area was experiencing a record-setting heat wave during our 2010 cruise, so I guess it could be possible to have some warmish weather this sailing. Don't worry, though... the realist and over-planner in me is packing for all temperatures.

 

[For the love of Pooh]

I will be sailing solo on this cruise - 1st TA, 3rd on DCL, 18th cruise overall. My first cruise was on the WBPC last May and after the first week I was enjoying it so much I booked this cruise while onboard. I need to read through all the previous posts to catch up. This is my first post on these boards as I stumbled across them in my search for DCL info. 9 weeks to go

 

[Deb T.]

I will be sailing solo on this cruise - 1st TA, 3rd on DCL, 18th cruise overall. My first cruise was on the WBPC last May and after the first week I was enjoying it so much I booked this cruise while onboard. I need to read through all the previous posts to catch up. This is my first post on these boards as I stumbled across them in my search for DCL info. 9 weeks to go

Welcome aboard!

 

[Disneypeach]

Welcome! The TAs are great!

 

[charterchick]

Hi! I am bumping up this invitation to show interest. On April 1 I will begin accepting conversations with cabin numbers. Deadline for getting information to me is April 15, and I will send the groups their information. It looks like 2 groups.

Updating interest list in local Candy/Snack exchange

Still opened for participants.

Bobbi

Yippee, sounds like the exchange is sill open. I'd love to participate! I missed out last May, but sprinkled pixie dust on my own. This will be second TA with husband, John. It's our 3rd, the first being Magic's inaugural back in 1998! We're looking forward to another Magical adventure.

 

[charterchick]

Any advice on Amsterdam? What is close to the port? We planned on doing DCL Port Adventures at each stop, but the options are extremely limited in Amsterdam if you are traveling with young children.

There is a Maritime Museum in the port area. Have not been, but you could Google it.

 

[charterchick]

Hi Mommatothebear and welcome!

Usually, each cabin is assigned to exchange with 10 (or 20, or "Sky's the Limit") cabins. It is up to each giving cabin whether they want to give one surprise to each of the other cabins they are assigned to exchange with, or if they want to give one surprise to each person in each of the other cabins they are assigned to exchange with. In turn, your cabin would receive surprises from each of the other cabins you are assigned to exchange with (and it would be up to each of those cabins whether they are giving one surprise per cabin or one surprise for each individual in the cabins). That means you and your Mom would have to split up the loot, per se.

Occasionally, when more than one "family" is sharing a cabin (for example, two friends sailing together, or multi-generations in a cabin (like yours), they will request to be treated as two separate FE sign-ups so that they can receive two sets of surprises. If you decide to do that, you and your children would give out surprises to the 10 cabins you are assigned to. Additionally, your Mom would give out her own surprises to the 10 cabins she is assigned to.

I hope this explanation makes sense! I'm always more than willing to accommodate everyone's preferences.

This is a great explanation, thank you. DH and I walked the halls on our last cruise admiring all the FEs. And, the stateroom doors were also decorated. Great fun!! I'll be adding a few things to our door this year.

 

[charterchick]

I don't scrapbook, but I plan on brining my coloring books and water color painting stuff. There was another cruiser named Heather who also mentioned she's interested informing a group to do crafty/coloring type of stuff.

I want in! I love making cards and anything that has to do with stamps, ink, pens and pencils! Will bring my coloring book and look forward to hearing more about a get together. I'd even be willing to put together a make in take. With six days at sea, we should be able to find time ... with or without a cocktail hour!

PS I'm just now reading threads, so if I missed something please let me know.

 

[For the love of Pooh]

Hi! I am bumping up this invitation to show interest. On April 1 I will begin accepting conversations with cabin numbers. Deadline for getting information to me is April 15, and I will send the groups their information. It looks like 2 groups.

Bobbi

I've never participated in such a thing but it sounds interesting. So a participant will be assigned cabins to drop off a snack/candy, is this just one time during the cruise?

 

[For the love of Pooh]

Hi Everyone! Here's the latest update on our Fish Extender Exchange!

So my daughter and I had no idea what the fish extenders were when we saw them on the Wonder in December but did notice there seemed to be little packages dropped off in them. So do you drop off a different gift daily? Are there rules for the types of things to exchange? I won't have any kids with me so I'm not sure I meet the criteria for participation

 

[For the love of Pooh]

For the Amsterdam experts - Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh museum? I plan on wandering around on my own and would love to see some art but want to make sure I leave enough time to see other things too. I'm also interested in doing a canal cruise.

 

[Deb T.]

So my daughter and I had no idea what the fish extenders were when we saw them on the Wonder in December but did notice there seemed to be little packages dropped off in them. So do you drop off a different gift daily? Are there rules for the types of things to exchange? I won't have any kids with me so I'm not sure I meet the criteria for participation

Thanks for asking about our Fish Extender Exchange. You can most certainly participate! It's open to everyone! We have lots of people signed up without kids. I don't set any rules to the FE Exchanges that I set up because I want it to be a fun, stress-free experience for everyone. What and when to hand out your surprises is completely up to you. Most will deliver a surprise once during the cruise, while some might decide to do more than one delivery. (I will actually be doing two deliveries because I recently found a Frozen-themed goodie in addition to my main FE gifts.)

Here's my best overall explanation to what a FE is and how to participate:

Beside every cabin door is a large silver fish with an indentation in the back (mail slot) for cruise personnel to leave information, invitations, etc. DISboarders have taken the silver fish one step further... by creating hanging pockets (much like cloth letter holders) to hang/extend from the fish - thus the name, "Fish Extender". Fish Extenders (FEs) can be made of practically anything (cloth, plastic, paper gift bags, etc.), as long as they have at least one pocket that can hold surprises. My first FE was just a medium-sized canvas bag purchased from a local craft store. A Google Image search of “fish extenders” will show dozens of unique styles!

Each "Cruise Meets" thread organizes their own little gift exchange. Some exchanges are set up with a lot of requirements, but I like to make it as easy and fun as possible. I always leave it up to the giver to decide what to give and when to pass it out during the cruise. Some people decide to give one surprise per family, some people like to give a little gift to each person in the cabin, and some decide to do a different theme each day.

There are several DIS Boards threads that discuss ideas for FE gifts. Some gifts are from Dollar Stores, some are handmade, some are bought in bulk from websites that sell trinkets like the Oriental Trading Company, etc. Often, they are stickers, candy, glow sticks, lanyards, luggage tags, magnets, cups, mugs, frames, keychains, etc., with themes such as pirates, beach, cruise, tropical, hometown, holiday, Frozen, Avengers, characters, Disney, etc. The main idea is just to have fun finding little goodies in your FE throughout the cruise.

I want everyone to feel comfortable with the number of cabins you’ll be exchanging with. I’ve participated in exchanges that had only 4 cabins participating on a 3-night cruise, all the way up to over 80 participating cabins on the longer cruises! So, I break the groups down to a choice of 10 in your FE group, 20 in your FE group, or “Sky’s the Limit” for those of us who believe the more the merrier!

The deadline to join this Fish Extender Exchange will be Saturday, April 15, 2017 to give everyone time to get their FE gifts prepared and packed. I will send all participants a Private Message ("Conversation") through the DIS Boards on Sunday, April 16, with your FE group information (names, kids' ages, cabin number, allergies). You'll need to be sure to print that final list of participants and pack it with your gifts so you'll know where to deliver them once you're onboard the ship.

To join the FE Exchange, please send me (Deb T.) a “Conversation” with the following information:
*Your Cabin Number
*Names of everyone in your cabin
*Ages of children
*Any allergy considerations
*The size of the FE group you want to be in: “No more than 10,” “No more than 20,” or “Sky’s the Limit.”

To send a “Conversation”
Click on my name (Deb T.) in the little box on the top left
Click on “Start a Conversation”
Enter a “Conversation Title”
Under the row of icons, type your message
To send, Click “Start a Conversation” under your message
(FYI: If you are new to the DIS Boards, you will need to have made at least ten posts on DIS Forums before you can send a Private Message.)

People who are officially signed up:
charterchick
Deb T.
Giggles6311
hmhaase
ImNarek
Kerpe
Maple Det
Mommatothebear
mvlimmex
ndloewen (I need your cabin number)
Nutrigirl
Pawdoc Daisy
QueenEleanor (I need your cabin number)
Shawnadb

People who have shown interest but not officially signed up yet:
Dismama2
tmullen93
CowboyKell
sourmug
Poookie
cali cruiser
SwingDancingAnn
Lonnstar
Cbardwell
Joseph Bennett

I hope you'll decide to join!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've never participated in such a thing but it sounds interesting. So a participant will be assigned cabins to drop off a snack/candy, is this just one time during the cruise?

Yes, a one time drop off. We use Fish Extenders to hand out local, regional or if you are hard pressed to find something, your favorite candy or snack. We usually include a description of the item from the internet. I learned that Life Savers were invented in Cleveland Ohio, so once I gave those out with the story. It is customary to give enough treats for the cabin to share. Treats should be wrapped by the manufacturer, so similar to Halloween give aways. I do limit the groups to 6 -11.

At this point there are 18 showing interest. When it comes time to give cabin information, we could have as many as 25, or we could lose some and have 16. If 25, I would probably have groups of 8, one 9.,, and if 16, 2 groups of 8.