March 5th-12th, 2016 - Western Caribbean on Disney Fantasy

[Kim Burns]

Hi! This will be our 1st time on a cruise. We would like to participate in fish extender group. My husband, myself, my son (10) & daughter (7). We will be in cabin 7654.

Great! You guys will LOVE it. Please send me the names of your family, and favorite characters. You can email if you want...
kburns.mac@me.com

 

[Jesica]

hi. This is our first Disney cruise and the first cruise ever for our kids. We are in cabin 8102. We would love to be part of the FE group if still room left. We are a family of 5 with 3 kids:
Daughter-8- loves Harry Potter and Star Wars and pink/turquoise
Son- 6- loves toy story, memo, Mickey
Son- 5- loves Star Wars and super heroes

Cabin 8102. Krechelj@yahoo.com

 

[Jesica]

hi. This is our first Disney cruise and the first cruise ever for our kids. We are in cabin 8102. We would love to be part of the FE group if still room left. We are a family of 5 with 3 kids:
Daughter-8- loves Harry Potter and Star Wars and pink/turquoise
Son- 6- loves toy story, memo, Mickey
Son- 5- loves Star Wars and super heroes

Krechelj@yahoo.com

 

[Sabr]

We will be celebrating Jagjit's (my husband) 40th birthday & Sabr's (daughter) 7th birthday.

Sabr (7 years) loves Snow White & my little pony

Ranveer (10 years) loves Star
Wars & Minecraft

My name is Hardip. I think I am more excited about the cruise then the kids.

First time for everything. Please pardon if any errors.

 

[Sabr]

When will final list be posted as to who is participating in fish extender?

Is this where it will be posted?

Thanks! Just anxious to get started.

 

[katellynne]

We are joining this cruise! Looks like lots of kids around same age as mine, I am bringing my 7 year old and 16 year old girls. I hope the 7 year old can get over the Star Wars Day, she has no clue! But her big sister is a fan so this is for her. I requested to join the social media page, is anyone else on there? Wondering how big the FE groups are? although I think the cut off was a couple days ago...

Katie

 

[Kim Burns]

We are joining this cruise! Looks like lots of kids around same age as mine, I am bringing my 7 year old and 16 year old girls. I hope the 7 year old can get over the Star Wars Day, she has no clue! But her big sister is a fan so this is for her. I requested to join the social media page, is anyone else on there? Wondering how big the FE groups are? although I think the cut off was a couple days ago...

Katie

Hi Katie,

I am adding your family to the fish exchange group, please let me know if you want to be removed... ASAP. People will be making their gifts. Glad to have you. Let me know your room number.

Thanks,
Kim

 

[Kim Burns]

When will final list be posted as to who is participating in fish extender?

Is this where it will be posted?

Thanks! Just anxious to get started.

Hi, Glad to have you in the group! Please let me know your room number.

Thanks, Kim

 

[Kim Burns]

Our Fish Extender Group!!!
Welcome EVERYONE, and thanks for participating!!
We have 10 families participating. We need some information for a few of you... Please include your last name, in the event someone is making a magnet for you, and definitely give us your stateroom number, or, no gifts. This group is a great size. If you are not confirmed on the cruise, or do not wish to participate, let me know immediately, so save the others the expense, and hassle, of getting you gifts. I will provide the general information for fish extenders in the next post. Please reply to this post with any changes or new family information.

FISH EXTENDER GROUP - Fantasy Star Wars Sailing, March 5th-12th, 2016
Staterooms:
#6508 -- Vaden Family
Jason (Dad)
Amanda (Mom)
Kinsley (G-7)

#6626 -- Burns Family
Jim (Dad)
Kim (Mom)
Henry (B-15)
Hannah (G-15)
Quincy (B-11)

#6624 -- Young Family
Greg (Dad) Birthday 3/5
Heidi (Mom)
Isaac (B-16)
Ella (G-14)
Kira (G-12)

#6040 -- Alexander Family
Katrina (Mom)
Gloria (Mom)
Ezra (B-11)
Milo (B-7)

#6590 -- Callejo Family
Michael (dad)
Layla (mom)
Lincoln (B-9)
Grant (B-6)

#7604 -- ? Family
Diana (adult)
Julie (adult)
Kyle (B-11)

#7654 -- Sahota Family
Jagit (dad) Birthday *40
Hardip (mom)
Ranveer (B-10)
Sabr (G-7)

#8102 -- ? Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (8)
Boy (6)
Boy (5)

#9544 -- Evanko Family
Brian (Dad)
Erika (mom)
Olivia (G-11)
Bennett (B-8)
Charlotte (G-4)

#9596 -- Lampe Family
Chris (dad)
Kaicia (mom)
Kaden (B-7)
Cambria (G-5)

#_____ -- Gregg Family (check back for cabin number!!)
Mom
Devin (G-16)
Leighton (G-7)

Pascual Family
Stateroom 8032
Marc (dad)
Traci (mom)
Chase (7yrs.) loves Star Wars.
Alyssa (7yrs.) loves everthing Disney.

 

[Kim Burns]

WHAT IS A FISH EXTENDER? (FE)

Every stateroom has a fish of some kind hanging on the wall outside the door. This is part decoration and part message center. The fish is there for Disney to place important communications to you such as excursion tickets and notes from the Cruise staff. It is like a mailbox for your room. A Fish Extender (FE) it is something that you hang off the fish. By hanging the Fish Extender off of the fish, the Cast Members can still use it for its original purpose. THIS IS NOT A ONE ON ONE EXCHANGE, YOU ARE PART OF A GROUP.All the people in the exchange buy or make little items and place them in each other's fish extenders. It is great fun to come back and check the items you have received.

• *It has been brought to our attention that some TA's and pages are giving wrong info. They are saying you can hang an FE holder outside your door and expect gifts.
• Cast members are not walking arouind like tinkerbell handing out gifts.
• You cannot just show up on a cruise with gifts to randomly pass out (well you could but that would be more like Pixie dusting than FE)
• YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR CRUISE PAGE AND JOIN An FE GROUP TO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING, HOW LARGE YOUR GROUP WILL BE AND ALL OTHER INFO!
• ( this is a voluntary program and is not sanctioned by Disney)

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

The most common Fish Extenders are ones that have a pocket for each person in that stateroom. Some are very fancy, some are very plain. Some are store bought, some are homemade and many are bought on eBay or Etsy.com. Search "Disney fish extender" and you will get options that range in price. Currently Lots of people are using a baby organizer from Walmart. It has 4 pockets and you can deocorate it with spray paint or other tiems. (some cut a pocket off the bottom)

SIZE DOES MATTER!

You should make sure your Fish Extender is between 8" & 12"" wide. Otherwise it starts to get in the way of your stateroom door. It should not exceed 5 feet, otherwise it will hit the floor. If you are creating your own it is suggested you make the pockets a little deeper than normal too. It will keep items from falling out and keep curious hands from reaching in (average depth is 5-6 inches)but 8-11 is a better way to go if you are making it yourself


HOW MANY CABINS WILL BE IN MY FE GROUP and WHO PARTICIPATES???

That depends on your cruise page. They range in average from 10-15 sometimes even 25 and up. Most do the smaller groups with the option to join more that one. It makes it more manageable .

Also this is typically a whole cabin event. you usually may not just sign up the kids. There are some pages that hold whole cabin FE groups, and Adult Only groups. But not Kids only .


WHY DO I KEEP HEARING ABOUT FISH EXTENDERS? (FE’S)

Usually there will be a cruise page for your particular sailing. A cruise page is a great way to meet people before sailing away. On your cruise page is where you will also find sigh ups for the FE. Everyone that would like to participate will sign up by a deadline. Normally the deadline will be about 6-8 weeks before you sail. This allows everyone ample time to pre-buy/make what they want to exchange, even if you are adding a stop to Walt Disney World before you sail.


ARE THERE ANY RULES REGARDING WHAT I HAVE TO GIVE OR HOW MUCH TO SPEND? WHATS THE AVERAGE PEOPLE SPEND?

There are really no strict rules regarding gifts (no minimum or maximum dollar value). Gifts can be homemade or store-bought, Disney, non-Disney, totally up to you! It’s really hard to put an average dollar amt. on the gifts. Some people may be crafty, or thrifty, or really creative. Some may know how to use an embroidery machine, and that can help keep cost down compared to someone who has to special order an item. It’s whatever you feel comfortable with.

It is suggested that an FE is given to each child and a FE for the cabin. However, You can either give one gift to each cabin or a gift to each person in the cabin. Or kids gifts or Adult gifts…or something for everyone! It is the thought that counts. And you should put some thought into it. Presentation is everything J and no one says you have to give the same item to everyone.

**If you are signing up more than one cabin to participate, you should not combine them.. it’s not fair for people to make items for 2 cabins and receive from 1 of them. They should be counted as 2 separate cabins


WHAT DO WE EXCHANGE?

Some people get very crafty and make items, some are store bought. Sometimes items are Disney related and sometimes they are not. Again, no set rules.

It isn't about how much you spend; it is about the fun in exchanging and seeing what you get!


DO I HAVE TO BUY FOR EVERYONE?

Sort of…You have to do something for EVERY CABIN PARTICIPATING, Some do a cabin gift, and then do a few items for the kids.Some do individual for each member of the cabin. Some people are crafty and make gifts, and some are store bought. It’s across the board. Some gifts are to be used on board and some are to be used at home. Again.. up to you.


DO I NEED TO GIVE PER CABIN?

YES! you have to give every cabin that’s participating You choose whether its adult gifts or kids gifts or cabin gifts or a combination. YOU CAN NOT LEAVE A CABIN OUT IF THEY HAVE SIGNED UP At the very least, 1 cabin gift, per cabin.


DO WE PUT GIFTS IN EVERY DAY OF THE CRUISE?

That's up to you. Most deliver ONCE.

Most do one gift, some do multiple gifts. But most deliver once. You don’t want to spend your whole cruise delivering gifts. It can be time consuming. Most deliver over the whole length of the cruise One morning you do all the cabins on decks 4-6 that are Forward. Another time you do all the mid cabins on decks 1-4.. and so on.

*If you are on a longer cruise, considerdelivering later in the week. Most deliver in the begining and then there is nothing towards the end (and the kids like to find stuff in the holder)


***HELP! I DON’T KNOW HOW TO FIND A CRUISE GROUP PAGE***

Finding a cruise group can be as simple as typing it into the search bar up at the top of the Facebook page. Try something like Disney Wonder April 2, 2014 or Disney Wonder sailing 4-2-2014. Sometimes a different combination helps



WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Once a Cruise Meet thread has been started for a cruise, someone steps up to handle the exchange. Once it’s determined that there are enough people interested in participating in it, someone will (or should) volunteer to organize it

The FE organizer will maintain the FE list. Everyone will get a list of who is participating; this list usually will have participant’s names and room numbers. Other bits of information that can be included would be ages, genders, any allergies, favorite Disney characters, or any other item of interest to the other participants. MOST LISTS ARE NOT AVIALBLE TILL AFTER THE PAID IN FULL DATE (PIF DATE) 5% of those who sign up leave. So looking at the list too soon may leave you with items you can’t pass on or use because of drop outs.

The organizer will make the "rules/guidelines" for participation It's also possible for a FE group to get quite large (especially on longer cruises). Sometimes the FE group will decide on a maximum number of rooms in a FE group. For example a cruise that has 80 rooms wishing to participate may decide to break up into smaller groups of 15-20 rooms, adding additional groups as necessary. People can sign up to be in all the groups or just one or two, depending on how much they want to participate. Remember you have to get all your items to and from the ship ( I suggest keeping FE groups between 10 – 15 cabins with the option to join more than one group, it really makes things more manageable)

There is a cut-off date for signing up. This usually is about 4-6 weeks from the cruise timeframe, in order to allow everyone participating to have time to purchase/make/finalize their gifts.

MY GIFTS ARE TO BIG TO FIT IN THE POCKET, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?

1. You can lean it against the door

2. You can hang on door knob

3. You can leave it at guest services, marked for each stateroom and then notify each stateroom to go pick up.

4. You could try to ask the stateroom host out in the hallway to place it inside the cabin.

5. You can just hang it on the "fish.


WHO CAN JOIN?

Anyone and everyone! Even if your stateroom is 2 adults, you can join and have just as much fun! The only rule I would say is to HAVE FUN!! if it's not about the gift it's about the thoughtfulness behind it.


I’M IN A CONCIERGE SUITE, OR SOMEONE IN MY fe GROUP IS. WOULD THERE BE A PROBLEM BEING PART OF THE FE?

No, there are fish message holders outside all rooms on board.

IM GTY CAN I STILL PARTICPATE IN THE FE?

Yes, GTY is a guaranteed category. You are paying for a specific category. Closer to sailing , after Miliary rates, fla res. rates and any last minute specials, aprox 2-4 weeks before sailing you'll get your room. (possible an upgrade in category too)


WHEN LEAVING A GIFT, DO WE IDENTIFY WHO IT IS FROM?

Its best to leave some kind of to/from tag on your items. Most want to know who it came from. Some do it because they don't want people to think they got shorted a gift or assumed theft of an item.


WILL I HAVE TO WALK ALL OVER THE SHIP to deliver? Whats the best way?

Sort of: I suggest you break up your list by location, Forward- Mid and Aft. Before leaving home. Large zip locks are good for this. Gather all the Forward cabin items and head to breakfast a few min early. Start from your highest deck and work your way to your lowest.. Next delivery can be lunch or next time. REMEMBER.. You don’t have to deliver all on the first day, especially on the longer cruises J



****ITS BEST TO DELIVER DURING HIGH TRAFFIC TIMES

High Times are breakfast or dinner. It’s suggested not in the middle of the night, when no one is around. or when people are off the ship when sticky fingers are more likely.


DO PEOPLE CARRY ALL THEIR GIFTS IN THEIR SUITCASES?

Most do, however, you can ship your items down. They must arrive by the day before you sail and contain no food items (they will get snagged by the dogs and get held up). Make sure you packaged addressed exactly how your name is in your reservation and it will be in your stateroom when you get there (even before your luggage!). Below is more info on shipping items. For less restrictions you can also send to your hotel if you are staying at one before you sail. KEEP IN MIND... you can not ship home from the ships and youll have a lot to get home.


I HAVE TO DROP OUT.. HOW DO I DO THAT.

Its very important that if you have to drop out for any reason you notify the person running your FE. (They can be found on the cruise page you signed up on)

It’s important so that others who are participating don’t count you in, when you won’t be there. Everyone’s time

is valuable. Its courteous to let someone know


I’M CURIOUS, HOW DID THIS FISH EXTENDER IDEA GET STARTED?

The idea was the brainstorm of a woman named Debbie For the first Magical sailing through the Panama Canal back in 2005. Debbie thought it would be a fun way for others to exchange gifts. Apparently a lot of people agreed with her!


ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?

Yes, this is your vacation! You do not have to feel obligated to join anything you don't really want to do!

However, if you decide you do not want to participate, please let the organizer know. People put a lot of time and effort into FE gifts, and are expecting something in return. Its not fair to the group if you bow out without letting anyone know

 

[Sabr]

Hi, Glad to have you in the group! Please let me know your room number.

Thanks, Kim

Hi Kim! We are in room 7654 Last name is Sahota. (Jagjit , Hardip, Ranveer And Sabr) Sorry for the confusion. We are listed twice.

 

[Kim Burns]

Hi Kim! We are in room 7654 Last name is Sahota. (Jagjit , Hardip, Ranveer And Sabr) Sorry for the confusion. We are listed twice.

Great, thanks! I made the changes to the previously posted list.
kb

 

[katellynne]

Hi Katie,

I am adding your family to the fish exchange group, please let me know if you want to be removed... ASAP. People will be making their gifts. Glad to have you. Let me know your room number.

Thanks,
Kim

Thanks Kim! I would love to participate! We haven't been assigned a room number yet, I just purchased the VGT discount yesterday.
We are the Gregg family. Katie (me) and my daughters are Devin 16 and Leighton 7. Dad doesn't get to come He has to go to NYC on business. We will miss him and my 2 other kids...one has horse shows both weekends and my son is looking forward to some time to himself.

 

[BlueSkyTraveler]

Thanks Kim! Our family name is "Alexander".

#6040 -- Alexander Family
Katrina (mom)
Gloria (mom)
Ezra (B-11)
Milo (B-7)

 

[BlueSkyTraveler]

Our Fish Extender Group!!!
Welcome EVERYONE, and thanks for participating!!
We have 10 families participating. We need some information for a few of you... Please include your last name, in the event someone is making a magnet for you, and definitely give us your stateroom number, or, no gifts. This group is a great size. If you are not confirmed on the cruise, or do not wish to participate, let me know immediately, so save the others the expense, and hassle, of getting you gifts. I will provide the general information for fish extenders in the next post. Please reply to this post with any changes or new family information.

Stateroom #6626 -- Burns Family
Jim (Dad)
Kim (Mom)
Henry (B-15)
Hannah (G-15)
Quincy (B-11)

#6624 -- Young Family
Greg (Dad) Birthday 3/5
Heidi (Mom)
Isaac (B-16)
Ella (G-14)
Kira (G-12)

#6040 -- ? Family
Katrina (adult)
Gloria (adult)
Ezra (B-11)
Milo (B-7)

#6590 -- ? Family
Michael (dad)
Layla (mom)
Lincoln (B-9)
Grant (B-6)

#6508 -- Vaden Family ?
Jason (dad)
Amanda (mom)
Kinsley (?-7)

#7654 -- Sahota Family
Jagit (dad) Birthday *40
Hardip (mom)
Ranveer (B-10)
Sabr (G-7)

#8102 -- ? Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (8)
Boy (6)
Boy (5)

#9544 -- ? Family
Dad
Erica (mom)
Olivia (G-11)
Bennett (B-8)
Charlotte (G-4)

#9596 -- ? Family
Chris (dad)
Kaicia (mom)
Kaden (B-7)
Cambria (G-5)

#_____ -- Katie's Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (16)
Girl (7)

I didn't see this one on your list - I remember thinking, "cool, another 11-year-old boy":

Hi all! I'm Diana, along with my wife Julie and my 11-year old nephew Kyle. We are interested in the Fish Extenders, and we are from Las Vegas, NV. Room 7604. I've been on a number of cruises, but this is my first Disney cruise, and I'm SO EXCITED!!! Looking forward to meeting all of you.

 

[Laylaljc]

Our Fish Extender Group!!!
Welcome EVERYONE, and thanks for participating!!
We have 10 families participating. We need some information for a few of you... Please include your last name, in the event someone is making a magnet for you, and definitely give us your stateroom number, or, no gifts. This group is a great size. If you are not confirmed on the cruise, or do not wish to participate, let me know immediately, so save the others the expense, and hassle, of getting you gifts. I will provide the general information for fish extenders in the next post. Please reply to this post with any changes or new family information.

Stateroom #6626 -- Burns Family
Jim (Dad)
Kim (Mom)
Henry (B-15)
Hannah (G-15)
Quincy (B-11)

#6624 -- Young Family
Greg (Dad) Birthday 3/5
Heidi (Mom)
Isaac (B-16)
Ella (G-14)
Kira (G-12)

#6040 -- ? Family
Katrina (adult)
Gloria (adult)
Ezra (B-11)
Milo (B-7)

#6590 -- ? Family
Michael (dad)
Layla (mom)
Lincoln (B-9)
Grant (B-6)

#6508 -- Vaden Family ?
Jason (dad)
Amanda (mom)
Kinsley (?-7)

#7654 -- Sahota Family
Jagit (dad) Birthday *40
Hardip (mom)
Ranveer (B-10)
Sabr (G-7)

#8102 -- ? Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (8)
Boy (6)
Boy (5)

#9544 -- ? Family
Dad
Erica (mom)
Olivia (G-11)
Bennett (B-8)
Charlotte (G-4)

#9596 -- ? Family
Chris (dad)
Kaicia (mom)
Kaden (B-7)
Cambria (G-5)

#_____ -- Katie's Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (16)
Girl (7)

Last name for cabin 6590 is Callejo
Thanks again for putting this together!

 

[Epevanko]

Our Fish Extender Group!!!
Welcome EVERYONE, and thanks for participating!!
We have 10 families participating. We need some information for a few of you... Please include your last name, in the event someone is making a magnet for you, and definitely give us your stateroom number, or, no gifts. This group is a great size. If you are not confirmed on the cruise, or do not wish to participate, let me know immediately, so save the others the expense, and hassle, of getting you gifts. I will provide the general information for fish extenders in the next post. Please reply to this post with any changes or new family information.

Stateroom #6626 -- Burns Family
Jim (Dad)
Kim (Mom)
Henry (B-15)
Hannah (G-15)
Quincy (B-11)

#6624 -- Young Family
Greg (Dad) Birthday 3/5
Heidi (Mom)
Isaac (B-16)
Ella (G-14)
Kira (G-12)

#6040 -- ? Family
Katrina (adult)
Gloria (adult)
Ezra (B-11)
Milo (B-7)

#6590 -- ? Family
Michael (dad)
Layla (mom)
Lincoln (B-9)
Grant (B-6)

#6508 -- Vaden Family ?
Jason (dad)
Amanda (mom)
Kinsley (?-7)

#7654 -- Sahota Family
Jagit (dad) Birthday *40
Hardip (mom)
Ranveer (B-10)
Sabr (G-7)

#8102 -- ? Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (8)
Boy (6)
Boy (5)

#9544 -- ? Family
Dad
Erica (mom)
Olivia (G-11)
Bennett (B-8)
Charlotte (G-4)

#9596 -- ? Family
Chris (dad)
Kaicia (mom)
Kaden (B-7)
Cambria (G-5)

#_____ -- Katie's Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (16)
Girl (7)

Our Fish Extender Group!!!
Welcome EVERYONE, and thanks for participating!!
We have 10 families participating. We need some information for a few of you... Please include your last name, in the event someone is making a magnet for you, and definitely give us your stateroom number, or, no gifts. This group is a great size. If you are not confirmed on the cruise, or do not wish to participate, let me know immediately, so save the others the expense, and hassle, of getting you gifts. I will provide the general information for fish extenders in the next post. Please reply to this post with any changes or new family information.

Stateroom #6626 -- Burns Family
Jim (Dad)
Kim (Mom)
Henry (B-15)
Hannah (G-15)
Quincy (B-11)

#6624 -- Young Family
Greg (Dad) Birthday 3/5
Heidi (Mom)
Isaac (B-16)
Ella (G-14)
Kira (G-12)

#6040 -- ? Family
Katrina (adult)
Gloria (adult)
Ezra (B-11)
Milo (B-7)

#6590 -- ? Family
Michael (dad)
Layla (mom)
Lincoln (B-9)
Grant (B-6)

#6508 -- Vaden Family ?
Jason (dad)
Amanda (mom)
Kinsley (?-7)

#7654 -- Sahota Family
Jagit (dad) Birthday *40
Hardip (mom)
Ranveer (B-10)
Sabr (G-7)

#8102 -- ? Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (8)
Boy (6)
Boy (5)

#9544 -- ? Family
Dad
Erica (mom)
Olivia (G-11)
Bennett (B-8)
Charlotte (G-4)

#9596 -- ? Family
Chris (dad)
Kaicia (mom)
Kaden (B-7)
Cambria (G-5)

#_____ -- Katie's Family
Dad
Mom
Girl (16)
Girl (7)

Room 9544
Our last name is Evanko, my husband is Brian and I am Erika (with a "k").

Thanks again for organizing this! My kids have no idea yet, they will be thrilled!

 

[clungstrum]

We just booked this cruise this morning and would love to join the FE group if it's not too late. We are so excited as this will be our first time on the Fantasy, although our 13th Disney Cruise (at least for me and my wife, 9th and 10th cruises for the kids). Plus we are huge Star Wars fans and had some friends who just got off the last Star Wars Day at Sea cruise and loved it.

 

[Docvaden]

sorry for multiple posts my phone is being grumpy!

 

[Sabr]

.