October 16, 2008 3 night

[ndepaola]

Hi all -

I'm getting into busy season here (I work in tax), so I'll be on and off the boards.

My suggestions for FE and Cruise Meets are as follows:

FE: The best part of doing the FE exchange is not knowing what you're going to get on any given day. Some give one gift per stateroom, others give one to each occupant. We'll only really have Thurs night, Friday and Saturday to leave gifts, so I really don't think we need any formal schedule. All we really need is a good list of who is participating and what staterooms the participants occupy.

This should be pretty low key. I think when you start setting rules for what to give, when to give, how much to give, etc. you instantly limit the number of people willing to participate. I think it boils down to the fact that this is supposed to be a fun add-on to a relaxing vacation. When it gets too formal and structured, I, for one, am out.

Cruise Meets: A lot of groups try to meet on the first day, right after everyone has boarded. The problem, of course, is that not everyone gets on the boat at the same time. And then some need to go running around lining up kids and meals and excursions and all that.

How do we feel about an adults only meet in one of the bars one night to see one of the shows? I for one, have more fun at a bar with a group.

 

[ndepaola]

Meant to ask - is anyone else in a guarantee room?

When we cruised this last spring everything was planned far in advance and we got a balcony room, since it was a 7 day cruise. This time it was a last minute add on to a work trip, so we went cheap and got a cat 12 guaranteed room.

Is anyone else is in a guarantee? Let us know when you start hearing about room assignments.

 

[zulaya]

I think it may be hard for all of us MN people to come up with something different for the FE, if we are doing stuff from our locations. I'll have to think about what kind of fun stuff to bring.

I don't think we have any meets set up. But maybe we should have something casual so we can all put names to faces on that first day. Thoughts on that?

I'm planning on arriving early to board as soon as possible. Shall we try and meet somewhere before sail-away?

 

[zulaya]

Well I can volunteer to keep track of names and cabin numbers for the FE exchange and then dole that out as we get closer to the time.

I have a room number already, but for those who have guarantee rooms...don't you think they've assigned your room already? This is my first cruise so maybe they don't. Have you logged in online to see if you have a cabin number?

I'm agree with a PP about FE goodies...no need to be formal, but we do need to know how many are participating.

 

[ndepaola]

I checked online yesterday and I still don't have a room number. I've heard that most of the time you'll get it with your cruise docs, so it could be a last minute thing. I was just curious if anyone else had been assigned yet.

Thanks for volunteering to manage the FE list.

 

[zulaya]

I went through the thread to see who exhibited interest in Fish Extenders and here's who I have:

zulaya
brucechase
ndepaola
butterx3
952LisaR
Smiley22
gatorcruiser

If you see your name on this list and you DO NOT want to be on the FE activities, just let me know.

If you don't see your name on this list and you want to participate, please post on the thread, PM or email me.

I so should be working, but this is way more interesting than making host packets right now.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Meant to ask - is anyone else in a guarantee room?

When we cruised this last spring everything was planned far in advance and we got a balcony room, since it was a 7 day cruise. This time it was a last minute add on to a work trip, so we went cheap and got a cat 12 guaranteed room.

Is anyone else is in a guarantee? Let us know when you start hearing about room assignments.

We booked our land/sea package back in February through Dreams Unlimited. We got our cabin assignment at that time. We are booked in Category 11 with a specific room number. However......I am still hoping we will get some pixie dust our way and get an upgrade

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I went through the thread to see who exhibited interest in Fish Extenders and here's who I have:

zulaya
brucechase
ndepaola
butterx3
952LisaR
Smiley22
gatorcruiser

If you see your name on this list and you DO NOT want to be on the FE activities, just let me know.

If you don't see your name on this list and you want to participate, please post on the thread, PM or email me.

I so should be working, but this is way more interesting than making host packets right now.

We would love to do the FE!

For ours, we went to AC Moore and bought some small canvas bags, I am going to decorate them, string them together with ribbon, and use those (I am too lazy and too busy, working 2 jobs, to sew!). We have 2 staterooms, so I have to do 2.

I have been getting our door magnets started....I am making 2 T-shirts for the MNSSHP for my older kids....and now the fish extenders. Nothing like waiting til the last minute. I hopefully can finish it all by October.

 

[zulaya]

Steph - I made a note on the list and have you listed as 2 staterooms.

Anyone else? Can I get all the participants to email me at some point? I think it will be infinitely easier for me to email the list, once complete, rather than try and PM all of you individually. It just would take a lot less time.

Here's the updated list as of 9/11/0 at 11:47am central time:
zulaya
brucechase
Smiley22
ndepaola
952LisaR
Butterx3
gatorcruiser
2princes2princesses

Off to print magnets...

 

[brucechase]

Front page is now updated.

zulaya, I have a list of all the names and ages in excel if you would like that to help you out. I am really looking forward to this. Since it is easy in excel, I did sort by everyone's ages and I can post that (or email it) so the kids can get together by age group. I also have 2 staterooms since there are 5 of us and I'm too cheap to get a big room.

As for the room, Nope, no number yet. The usual time, according to this board, is 30 days out. We should get it next Tuesday. I will send you a PM with my email so if you want the excel, I can get it to you. You can use that email to send me the list and anything else you want to communicate with. Also, I can send you any magnets that I have if you want. Just let me know. Thanks for volunteering for the FE.

Also, there is a sort for everyone going to Atlantis so we can share a cab if everyone wants. This is who I have going to Atlantis:

brucechase (4)
livinthedisneydream (2)
gatorgirl (2) - maybe
crazyfordisney (3) - maybe

 

[brucechase]

Quick sort of children and ages. If anyone wants off, I will edit. If more sail with us, I will add them.


2Princes2Princesses DS 3
rosieposie DS 4
2Princes2Princesses DD 5
Nelsongaidola DS 5
952LisaR DD 6
butterx3 DS 6
Crazy4Disney06 DS 6
952LisaR DD 7
Nelsongaidola DD 7
brucechase DD 9
butterx3 DD 9
Michael DS 9
brucechase DD 11
zulaya DD 11
gillenfamily DS 11
gatorcruiser DD 12
zulaya DS 12
Kyneburg DD 13
2Princes2Princesses DS 13
butterx3 DS 13
gillenfamily DS 13
2Princes2Princesses DD 15

 

[zulaya]

bruce - Thanks for the list of kids. If you can email me your Excel sheet, that's cool. I started an Excel sheet for the FE, but if I can use yours and just add FE stuff to it, then that's fine.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

Quick sort of children and ages. If anyone wants off, I will edit. If more sail with us, I will add them.


2Princes2Princesses DS 3
rosieposie DS 4
2Princes2Princesses DD 5
Nelsongaidola DS 5
952LisaR DD 6
butterx3 DS 6
Crazy4Disney06 DS 6
952LisaR DD 7
Nelsongaidola DD 7
brucechase DD 9
butterx3 DD 9
Michael DS 9
brucechase DD 11
zulaya DD 11
gillenfamily DS 11
gatorcruiser DD 12
zulaya DS 12
Kyneburg DD 13
2Princes2Princesses DS 13
butterx3 DS 13
gillenfamily DS 13
2Princes2Princesses DD 15

Hi can you add my son to this list. He would love someone to play with while on the cruise. DS will be 7.

Edited to add: I see we are already on the list! Thanks for doing this!

 

[brucechase]

First wave of door magnets. I hope this isn't the last - time is getting short.

 

[Smiley22]

I have started on my magnets. I found some really cute ones and was even able to personalize them. Sorry cant post them as I dont have a photo account. I have hit panic mode a little today. 5 WEEKS from today and I have so much to do. I am the wild card of the bunch with us coming in that day. (Still crossing our fingers it goes OK)

I have some ideas for FE exchange just have to finish them. Not sure what I could bring from Michigan.....snow, a car ( oh wait they dont make them here anymore)

I still have to finish my magnets, make my fish extender, and make our MNSSHP costumes. Do you think I can get time off from work to prepare for my vacation?? Oh yeah and pack.

 

[Smiley22]

We are gty rooms but dont have an assignment yet. I have checked every day to see if posted yet. Nothing yet.

 

[ndepaola]

Deep breaths and repeat after me...


oooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.



Not sure how many of you are first timers, but if you read all those advice posts, the ONE suggestion you will see over and over again is to RELAX.

You got a fish extender? Great! You forgot it at home or never had time to make it? No worries - I'll leave your gift at your door anyways!

You got your Passporter and read every page? Great! Now put it away and grab a paperback novel, because you're going to want to camp out on one of those lounge chairs and take a nice little nap.

You saw 28 magnets that you absolutely have to have? Great! You only got to make 4, or 1, or NONE! I'm sure you'll still be able to find your room and odds are a few would have gone missing during the cruise anyhow.

You, your kids, your dog, your towel animals - everyone is going to have a great time with or without magnets, t-shirts, FEs, over the door shoe holders, sharpies, duct tape, extension cords, tuxedos, 8 bathing suits, highlighters, and 3 Passporters.

Say it again.....

ooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Now get back to planning.

 

[Butterx3]

WOW, lots of you guys are really organized. I will be ordering my FE off Ebay, and will probably not do magnets at all. Sorry, I'll use I'm a single mother of 3 excuse. But I wanted to jump on and tell everyone; THE CRUISE IS OUT OF THE BAG! My children got the big surprise yesterday, I sent them on a scavenger hunt with clues and words to uncramble that spelled out "We are going on a Disney Cruise", it was wonderful. I had made a poster board with pictures I had cut out of the brochure, and then the words had sticky stuff on the back, so when they made out the message they hung them on the board, and now we have poster hanging in our house to look at everyday until we leave. Maybe I will do a pre trip report and be more specific about the hunt, I videotaped and took pictures, but I am computer illiterate, so don't know how to post that kind of stuff. Would the pre trip surprise report be interesting without pictures? Anyways, my DD 9 is running for student council, they find out today who got picked, but she told me this morning, "Even if I don't win mom, how can I not be happy! We are going on a Disney Cruise"!

 

[brucechase]

You, your kids, your dog, your towel animals - everyone is going to have a great time with or without magnets, t-shirts, FEs, over the door shoe holders, sharpies, duct tape, extension cords, tuxedos, 8 bathing suits, highlighters, and 3 Passporters.

Oh man, now I got to go buy more stuff!!! I'm really stressed now! I only have 2 bathing suits and thankfully there is no formal night so no tux is needed.

Oh wait, half the fun (for me) is being stress out and overplanning. That's the engineer (or cheap-skate) in me coming out.

Not to worry though, this is just a practice run for me (I hope), as I would love to do a 5 or a 7 day cruise (if I can afford one). I am definately much more excited than my kids - and I worked at Disney for 4 years!

Butterx3 - I will be ordering my FE off Ebay

Let me ask my wife if she will do one for you. She has some material left over and it really only took 30 minutes for her to make it. PM me if you want me to ask her.

As for your 9YO, my 9YO DD is already in student council because she was in it last year and hardly anyone wanted to be in it this year. Sounds like they might have some stuff in common.

 

[brucechase]

ndepaola, on your name it says you are from B'more. Is that Baltimore MD?