October 16, 2011 Mexican Riviera on the Wonder

[Brooke3L]

Who do I need to contact to sign up for the FE?

 

[phred84044]

Who do I need to contact to sign up for the FE?

I believe that the person who had volunteered to head up the FE had to back out of this sailing; so at this point we don't have anybody steering the boat (pun intended).

If anyone wants to volunteer, please do. Otherwise, I'll see if my DW Tracy (disneymom84074) will do it.

 

[Jathanis]

Yes, use San Pedro as the area. There are only two known 3.5* hotels in San Pedro; the Crowne Plaza and the Double Tree. However, I have only seen winning bids of the Crowne Plaza on betterbidding.com. The magic price is $65. I heard of others trying $63 unsuccesfully and then using a free re-bid at $65 and getting it. Others have just done $65 on first bid and gotten it. I tried $63 and was unsuccessful and was successful at $65. We have used Priceline for well over 24 hotel stays and have never had a bad experience. As long as your plans don't change and you go in with a strategy, there is no other way to get a lower rate on a hotel room than with Priceline.

What about the parking for the cruise? I've read elsewhere that the CR offers a park and sail package, but if you book on Priceline, etc, the parking will be extra above and beyond the $65, but if you book through them, it's included in the $169 price... Any experience with that?

 

[phred84044]

What about the parking for the cruise? I've read elsewhere that the CR offers a park and sail package, but if you book on Priceline, etc, the parking will be extra above and beyond the $65, but if you book through them, it's included in the $169 price... Any experience with that?

I called them a few weeks ago. The $169 price does not include parking. The park and sail package is $199. If you don't do the park and sail package, they charge $10 per night for parking ($12 per night at the cruise terminal). Using Priceline and paying $10 per night parking is cheaper than their park and sail package.

 

[Jathanis]

I called them a few weeks ago. The $169 price does not include parking. The park and sail package is $199. If you don't do the park and sail package, they charge $10 per night for parking ($12 per night at the cruise terminal). Using Priceline and paying $10 per night parking is cheaper than their park and sail package.

Thanks for the info - makes that part of the budgeting a bit easier!

And while talking to DW today, she started asking about the FE for this cruise - I told her how our coordinator had to cancel, and right now we don't have one. So she decided that there's no reason that her and I couldn't do it (meaning me, of course). So if the fact that this is only our second ever cruise, and first ever FE participation isn't a problem, I'll officially volunteer to collect the names, make the maps, etc. Luckily, there's plenty of other shining examples on this board I can steal... err, gain inspiration from! (I didn't realize she'd already been scouring the bargain section at Target, etc for FE gifts without telling me).

Anyone else want the job? It's all yours! Otherwise, I'll look over the thread and post a recap of who has said they want in in a few days as soon as my work can allow it, but definitely this week to allow the next few months for shopping - and don't forget, exactly two months from right now, we'll all be packing up and getting ready to head for the airport or drive to the pier! ... ...

 

[DisneyKim68]

and don't forget, exactly two months from right now, we'll all be packing up and getting ready to head for the airport or drive to the pier! ... ...

Woohoo!

 

[cluna]

Our family is booked on this cruise, this is our first time crusing on DCL! My DD is 8 and DS is 11. They aren't finding out about this trip until we are on the airplane! I been working on all of the clues to lead up to thier surprise...can't wait!

 

[anthonysmama]

Our family is booked on this cruise, this is our first time crusing on DCL! My DD is 8 and DS is 11. They aren't finding out about this trip until we are on the airplane! I been working on all of the clues to lead up to thier surprise...can't wait!

Welcome Aboard!

 

[princssdisnygina]

Our family is booked on this cruise, this is our first time crusing on DCL! My DD is 8 and DS is 11. They aren't finding out about this trip until we are on the airplane! I been working on all of the clues to lead up to thier surprise...can't wait!

Hi Crystal!! You found the thread!

 

[Jathanis]

Our family is booked on this cruise, this is our first time crusing on DCL! My DD is 8 and DS is 11. They aren't finding out about this trip until we are on the airplane! I been working on all of the clues to lead up to thier surprise...can't wait!

My DD turns 8 on our PV day! I'm sure they'll be spending a lot of time together in the Oceaneer's Club...

 

[Steiny47]

Daughter & son-in-law surprising hubby with family cruise for hubby's 70th birthday Oct 16th...pointers appreciated...can't wait!

 

[cluna]

Hi Crystal!! You found the thread!

Hey Gina! I've been trying to get caught up. I'm used to booking my cruises a year out! So much to do....

I am learning about the Fish Extenders...hoping that we have enough interested to do that for our cruise. Sounds like fun!

 

[Jathanis]

First of all, welcome, Steiny47!

Second, and what many have been waiting for/asking about: I'm finally done going through the thread, and have started the FE list. So far, I have the following as having definitely expressed interest, with ages, (birthdays if while on the cruise), names, favorite characters, and favorite colors listed if known.

Official 10/16/11 Disney Wonder FE list as of 9/6, 11:35pm

Definitely in

• Phred84044 & Disneymom84074 ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DH, Trent, Mickey
  2. DW, Tracy, Tinkerbell
  3. DD 12, Karlee, Chip & Dale
  4. DS 9, Carson, Lightning McQueen
  5. DD 11 months, Grace, Cinderella
• Jathanis ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DH 36, Jeff, Genie/Sorcerer Mickey, blue or dark green
  2. DW 38 (on 10/22), Jerri Lynn, Tigger, orange
  3. Aunt, 34, Sabrina, Evil Queen (Snow White), black or purple
  4. DD 8 (on 10/19), Laurie, Rapunzel/Pluto, pink or purple
• DisneyKim68 ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DW 43, Kim, Mickey
  2. DH 44, Curtis, Star Wars/Tours
  3. DD 12, Kaitlyn, Arial/Mickey
• Geekbunny ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DW 35, Tammy, EVE from Wall-E, pink or red
  2. DH 37, Brent, Stitch, blue
  3. DD 3, Audrey, Sleeping Beauty/Aurora, pink
• Anthonysmama ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DW 30, Brandy, Minnie, Purple
  2. DH 55, Ned, Mickey, Any
  3. DS 10, Anthony, Goofy, Blue
  4. DD 1.5, Valerie, Stitch, Pink or Purple
• Brooke3L ~ (RSVPed)
  1. OP ?
  2. DD 9, Loretta
  3. DD 7, Lillia
• Belle402 ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DD 30, Marianne, Minnie Mouse, pink
  2. DMom 60's, Sue, Ariel, aqua
• Bradc ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DH Brad, Mickey Mouse, blue
  2. DW, Laurie, Ariel, red
  3. DS 6, Zach, Phineas & Ferb, red
  4. DD 4, Sarah, Rapunzel/Ariel/Tiana, pink
• cluna ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DW 33, Crystal, Minnie Mouse, Purple
  2. DH 38, Dwight, Grumpy, Blue
  3. DS 11, Parker, Jack Sparrow, Green
  4. DD 8, Paige, Mickey Mouse, Pink
• betsy2010 ~ (RSVPed)
  1. DW 43, Betsy, any character/color
  2. DH 41, Jason, any character/color
  3. DS 10, Greg, any character/color
  4. DS 6, Peter, any character/color

*No reported allergies yet! *

Possibly in

• Boiseflyfisher
  1. DH/DW?
  2. DS 10, ??
  3. DD 8, ??
• Disney23
  1. still waiting on info
  2. 9 adults, 8 children?

NOT in FE, but Feel free to Surprise (room 6148)

• jenpaige ~ DCL wedding!
  1. DW 31, Jen
  2. DH 31, Derrick

I will do another post today when I get home from work with many more details, but I wanted to at least jog everyone's memories! If you're interested, please post, so I can add you to the list. You can also PM me the following info:

1. Names, age and gender of the people in your party
2. Room number(s) (if you're GTY, just say GTY for now and update us later)
3. Any allergies we should know about?
4. Favorite Disney Character!
5. NEW REQUEST - Favorite Color!

We appear to have 24 different posters that are on the cruise (although Phred84044, disneymom84074, and MindyA are all in the same party, lol), so there's still plenty of others who may still want to get in - if this is you, please post!

And just as a side note, I noticed we have a 20th, a 16th (mine), and an 11th Anniversary, plus a wedding party, not to mention several birthdays... I will try to post ALL of this I've compiled later... Now, back to work!

 

[Geekbunny]

Hi everyone, we'll joining you guys as first time cruisers, and we'd love to join in the FE stuff!

DD is 3, DH is 37 and I'm 34. Our room # is GTY, and no allergies.

Thanks for organizing this! We're so excited!

 

[Geekbunny]

DD - Sleeping Beauty/Aurora
DH - Stitch
me - Eve from Wall-E

 

[Jathanis]

Alright, here we go - 50 or so days of shopping left for Fish Extender gifts, so we'd better get going! With thanks to Lornak, who I'm stealing much of this from off of my 10/16 Wonder cruise meet thread from last year:


What Is An FE Gift Exchange?
FE gift exchanges were created by fellow Dissers a number of years ago. Outside the stateroom doors there is a metal FISH Hook for DCL or others to attach important notes or such for you. As part of a FE gift exchange, participants hang some type of hanging organizer, commonly known as a FISH EXTENDER. Some people make elaborate ones, others hang decorative bags, etc. Participants in an FE gift exchange then secretly leave a small gift in the pockets of others Fish extenders. The gift exchange adds more magic to the cruise and it's a real treat to come back to your cabin to find a surprise in your FE! Never seen one before? Here’s a good thread with a description and pictures:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2


How do I get a FE??
Here's a link to someone on ebay who creates these for people:
http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...&_nkw=fish+extender&_sacat=See-All-Categories
(or look up the seller "gradysmommy" if the link doesn't work)

Here's a link on how to make a simple, no sew FE (with a picture):
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=30302583&postcount=609


What kinds of gifts go in a FE?
There are already lots of threads with ideas on what kinds of gifts you can give in an exchange. So I will just post some links here. But in general, any gift that you think others may like is acceptable. Some gifts are home made and others are store bought. Some people bring items from their home state (or country) and others bring cruise items, candy or little trinkets. The sky is the limit---check out some of these threads for ideas!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1522535&highlight=fish+extender+gifts

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1481047

And here’s a great one of home made gift ideas:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1980639

Last, here's a post with a list of threads to reference for anyone new to Fish Extenders (FE): http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=24451956&postcount=41

Or just do a search for “fish extenders” on the board---you will find TONS of threads!!


How do I sign up for our FE gift exchange?
If anyone would like to participate, just reply to this post or send me a pm, I will keep a master list and update it periodically. I will need to know the following four things:

1. Names, age and gender of the people in your party
2. Room number(s) (if you're GTY, just say GTY for now and update us later)
3. Any allergies we should know about?
4. Favorite Disney Character!
5. NEW REQUEST - Favorite Color!

You don't have to have kids to participate!! Everyone is welcome! The rule for gifts is---give however you would like. In other words, if you'd like to give one gift per cabin, or gift to children only, or gift to adults only, or gift to each person individually, then that’s what you do. The gifts can be store bought or home made. We want this to be FUN and not something to feel pressured about! So do what works for you!!!

As we each find out our cabin number as our cruise approaches, post or pm that info along with the deck number and prior to our travel time, I will get a list to each of you. If there is interest, we can also plan a quick meet up time - some do it on boarding day, others do it on a sea day early in the cruise.


Who is still invited that hasn't joined in?
I posted a few posts above here those Disboard members on this thread who have expressed interest this far in participating, and will continue to edit that post accordingly with updates (as I just did to add Geekbunny) - but just for fun, here's the list of members that have posted that they are going on the cruise, but haven't mentioned interest in the FE - consider this your official "urge" to join up:

• Gometros
• Denine
• Mouseears1
• Dopeyfanatic
• Hamletfan8
• Winegirl
• Jenpaige (Happy wedding cruise!!!)
• Kindsoul73
• Ctp365
• Disney23 (?)
• MindyA
• 2inpink
• Jes11
• Princssdisnygina
• Cluna (?)
• Steiny47

Another important part of this discussion is the cut-off date. From researching previous FE threads, I've noticed many put the cutoff at about a month out, to prevent last minute rushed shopping, so I'm proposing Sunday, September 18th as the cutoff date for anyone who has been lurking on this thread. Anyone new popping up after that date will be considered by the FE group via PM votes, and we will do our best to accommodate them as best we can. I just don't want to see a large group pop up as people are starting to travel, or if anyone orders anything (such as Oriental Trading Company) just to come up short...


Ooooo-kay, I think that does it for now! Please let me know if you see anything I missed, or have any further questions about any of this!

 

[anthonysmama]

Okay...this is my family's very first cruise EVER, so I have been a little leary about joining in the fun. That, and the fact that I didn't even fully know what the FE was till just recently. However, I'm almost convinced that I can do this FE thing after lookin' thru a couple boards with gift ideas. I know I've got the perfect gift for little girls (and possibly even some of the women out there if your like me!) I don't wanna give away my idea, so I won't get too deep into discussion on that. The thing I worry about is being able to provide an equally great gift for the boys/men onboard.

If it's not too much to ask...What I need from those who are planning to participate is basically a gender headcount. Personalized gifts are kinda cool in my opinion, and I'm a tad bit crafty , so names (even just family last names if you don't wish to share all names) would be AWESOME!! The names of my entire family are posted in my Signature (and on all of our magnets you'll see plastered all over our door!) for those of you who wish to use them for personalized gifts!

Maybe once I see how many boys I've actually gotta figure something out for, it will help me decide if I'm brave enough to sign up! Thank you all!

~ Brandy ~

 

[Jathanis]

If you check in 30 minutes or so, I'll update post 173 above with more specific information that has been posted by each member that has expressed interest... I wanted to do that last night, but it was already almost midnight by the time I finished the big FE post, so I had to get some sleep to be able to function today!

Update: done!

 

[phred84044]

I've been religiously checking our reservation for some pixie dust in the form of a stateroom upgrade and when checking our reservation this afternoon it happened!

Check out the cruise description on the reservation. Unfortunately, I refreshed the screen and we were back on a Mexican Riviera cruise.

Just an FYI, GTY status staterooms are starting to be assigned for early October cruises so room assignments won't be much longer; probably a week or so! Keep checking your reservations and let us know if you receive any Pixie Dust...

 

[phred84044]

Here's our FE info:

Room 2124; no allergies

DH (phred84044), Trent, Mickey
DW (disneymom84074), Tracy, Tinkerbell
DD 12, Karlee, Chip & Dale
DS 9, Carson, Lightening McQueen
DD 1, Grace, Cinderella

Thanks Jathanis for putting this together!!!