October 28 2010 Wonder 3 night cruise meet

[SheStang94]

ok - My fiance and I are in!

 

[Docjason2]

Here is a couple links from the FAQ section about FE and such.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=33184281&postcount=2

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

Basically it's kinda like a small secret santa for the families/people who decide to participate. I like the idea...a ship with 3000 people and a few get together randomly on a forum just to talk about the cruise and get to know some people is amazing.

Just got my markers for signatures, magnetic paper for magnets, also found out at work they have an industrial sized laminater so once I get back to work I will take advantage of that, and our color printer! Passports should be arriving later this week wohoo!!!

We've booked a couple things for the cruise, I know it's our first one and it's also short...but we're not sure how often we'll be coming back. We are going on the See and Sea tour of Nassau so we can get some good sightseeing in. And for Castaway Cay just snorkels for me and DW and bike riding for the family. My wife is kind of bummed she isn't supposed to go into hot tubs now, so I think she'll book a massage or something at the spa instead.

 

[travelgal2]

I got this really good explanation from someone else on the boards.

Outside of each cabin, there is a metal fish that the crew use to leave messages, etc for people in their cabins. The FE is a (generally) cloth device with several pockets, that "extends" the fish by hanging off of it, and adding pocket space for folks in an organized "FE Exchange" to leave you small gifts.

As for some examples, I can tell you that last year as a cabin gift we gave out a little baggie with small chocolates and tic tacs. They were each wrapped in personalized wrappers with our cruise date. For the kids, I gave a baggie with disney pencils, candy, disney stickers, glow bracelets, etc. I also gave a couple of gifts related to events happening onboard like a wedding and some birthdays.

We got from other passengers: a tote bag, lip balm, a photo album, personalized candy bar, an envelope with cool pics from around disney, some pens, small bottles of alcohol, shot glasses etc. The kids got: notebooks, stickers, bracelets, candy, toys, etc.

There are several threads on here with ideas for "homemade" gifts as well as gifts "for the not so crafty". It's lots of fun and the things don't have to be over the top. Plus, we don't have many families participating so it shouldn't be too difficult. On my last cruise we had to have gifts for over 20 cabins which was alot. On this one, so far we have 4 families participating.

We'd love to have you join in.

Very good explanation. We've been the recipients of virtually the same things. You can tell, too, who has access to a die-cutting machine...as we got some fabulous homemade bookmarks before, too! I've also heard some folks will give little items pertaining to their home-My MIL on our last cruise brought everyone on the FE list some stuff from Georgia and some UGA stuff-(although I am not sure how well that went over if someone was rootin' for another SEC team... ) We've received Texas seasonings from a family in Texas, a coaster or something if memory serves from another area, etc...things like that as well.

As for the FE themselves, the wall that the fish is on is only approx 9 or 10 inches wide (its just to the side of your stateroom door, so if you are making one, I wouldn't go very wide.) There are threads on here with photos of others' FE's-I got some great ideas and then made one for myself and my in laws. I've also seen bags sewn together and I think someone mentioned some sort of shoe organizer or closet organizer is what they used...although I can't imagine that one being very big. Maybe it was for a child's closet and it was just the right size?

20 families before? Wow-we had 8 rooms the last time and probably that many before, too...and wouldn't you know, although it was only about 8 rooms...they were ALL OVER THE SHIP!!! We certainly got our exercise during the gift delivery. It was fun being sneaky and you certainly get to know the ship this way!

We brought enough gifts from our FE exchange that I made goody bags for our tipped servers and stateroom attendant. I know they have very little room themselves, but in addition to their tips I wanted to share some things with them as well on the last day. I've read there are certain things they aren't allowed to have (don't know enough about this to say one way or the other what the policy is...) but we've made them part of our FE too.

Save room in your luggage to bring your new goodies home!

 

[SheStang94]

Thanks for the great explanations! I went on eBay last night and bought our fish extender!

 

[Docjason2]

Optimus Prime and Cinderalla costumes bought...I swear kids costumes nowadays are bigger and more elaborate. I'll need a suitcase just for these.

 

[acomasdiaz]

Optimus Prime and Cinderalla costumes bought...I swear kids costumes nowadays are bigger and more elaborate. I'll need a suitcase just for these.

Yay!

We're trying to make room for Belle and the Green Alien from Toy Story too.

 

[Docjason2]

WOOHOO
1 month from today and we'll be flying into Orlando!!!!
Can't.....keep.....waiting.....

 

[acomasdiaz]

I know...Can't wait...Only one month to go...

 

[friends with mickey]

We are counting down the days here in Texas as well. Why does one month seem a lot shorter than 30 days?
Only 5 more Thursdays until we are all on board!

 

[acomasdiaz]

I wanted to post a reminder that tomorrow will be the last day to sign up for the FE Exchange.

We currently have 7 staterooms participating:

acomasdiaz
docjason2
travelgal2
khomer504 (3 staterooms)
shestang4

If you have signed up yet and are interested in participating, please let me know.

If you are participating and haven't already done so, please PM me the following info:
Names in party
Ages of kids (if any)
Cabin #
If you're celebrating anything special

I will then put a list together for all of us participating.

Plus, let me know if anyone in your party has any allergies we should know about.

 

[Docjason2]

Almost October!!!!

I just realized once the cruise is over....I won't have anything to look forward to

 

[acomasdiaz]

Almost October!!!!

I just realized once the cruise is over....I won't have anything to look forward to

Then, you'll just have to book another one while on board.

 

[SheStang94]

I CAN'T WAIT...IT'S ALMOST HERE!!! Just filled out our online check-in, purchased new luggage and faxed over our wedding detail confirmation (Oct. 29, 5:30 PM) acomasdiaz...when is your ceremony?

Are any adults going to be dressing up for the halloween activities??

 

[Docjason2]

Yes I think we will be rebooking while onboard. If the 2012 dates aren't out yet I am sure we'll create a 2011 dummy date. I think we'll skip a vacation next year and work on the house. I can't imagine the wait for 2 years....and I thought 2 months was bad lol!!!

I don't think we'll be dressing up, just the kids. I'm already reading the baggage fees enough as it is for the airlines

 

[acomasdiaz]

I CAN'T WAIT...IT'S ALMOST HERE!!! Just filled out our online check-in, purchased new luggage and faxed over our wedding detail confirmation (Oct. 29, 5:30 PM) acomasdiaz...when is your ceremony?

Are any adults going to be dressing up for the halloween activities??

It looks like we'll be going right before you. We're currently scheduled for 4:00 pm.

 

[acomasdiaz]

The FE Exchange Participants List have pm'd to those participating. We have 7 cabins taking part in the fun!

I've got some ideas and can't wait to start working on them!

Just a reminder: We're doing overall cabin gifts as well as gifts for each of the kids.

 

[Docjason2]

The FE Exchange Participants List have pm'd to those participating. We have 7 cabins taking part in the fun!

I've got some ideas and can't wait to start working on them!

Just a reminder: We're doing overall cabin gifts as well as gifts for each of the kids.

Thanks so much for making the list and gathering the information! I'll have to start working on gathering the gifts for everyone!

 

[Stay_home_Dad_Scott]

Anyone else staying at the airport Hyatt the night before the cruise? We found a good deal on a room at gtahotels.com...we're taking the Disney transfer over to the port from the hotel. I love that moment on the way to the port when you come over the hill, and get your first glimpse of the ship...

 

[Docjason2]

I am actually looking forward to that first glimpse....even more so the kids expressions!

My wife works for Hampton Inn so we're staying at the airport one the night before and after we return to port.

 

[acomasdiaz]

Since we live in South Florida, we'll just be driving up that morning. We usually leave around 6am while the kids are still sleeping, then we stop at Cracker Barrel for breakfast around 7:30am, then go straight to Port Canaveral. Can't wait...