Sept 16 2012 - WONDERing who's on the Calif Coastal with me?!

[GuardMusic]

Yay - I finally did it!

After 5 years of building a new program at my full-time job, I decided to refocus on something that would bring me joy (& give me something to focus on other than work).

So throughout this summer I did all of the work and completed all of the courses to become a travel agent with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency!

Can't wait to celebrate next week with everyone!
Gayle

 

[ludari]

Hi everyone,

We reserved some months ago. This is our first Disney cruise. My wife and I have only ever been on Carnival (Honestly, I enjoy them greatly, but this will be a huge change of pace for how I normally cruise). We will also be going with my wife's sister and her family.

We have a 7 year old daughter who knows nothing about the trip. She is getting suspicious something is up because I think she noticed we are adding extra school work into her homework (to be ahead of the approved independent studies) and she swears she saw that her after school day care calendar has her off that week. We are not sure if we are just going to show up at the ship and board and surprise her that way, or if we should have Mickey or Goofy call her the morning of.

Anyhow, I had a question about the FEs you are talking about. It looks like basically a glorified name tag for the front of each room. Do a lot of people do this? Is it just a name announcement, or is there something special or a game with them or something? I am curious because I could see some issues with it. Is anyone here have any issue that a stranger can match parents names with a child's name? I know I sound paranoid, and I know 9999 times out of 10000 there is never an issue, but I am still a little concerned with something like that.

If anyone is at Karaoke, look for a big guy with a chin beard. That will be me! Wifey is short, so we stand out!

Everybody enjoy!

Matt


********* EDIT ******* OK, I see that FE's are used for some type of gift exchange. What is that all about?

Welcome to the group. I think you and your family are going to have a wonderful time, especially your daughter.

I am a single traveller so I do not typically participate in the FE exchange but I have done it once in the past. Anyway, people hang a homemade or purchased type pouch (search the disboards for pictures) from their stateroom door hanger (you'll see it on the ship some are shaped like fish which is why they are called fish extenders) to receive gifts from Disboard members. Sometimes the gifts are postcards from other Disboard members with some information about where they are from but the majority are homemade or purchased items such as lanyards, keychains, chapstick, kids jewerly, stickers, etc). If you decide to participate in the FE exchange you should also bring or make something to put in other FE. I hope this answers your question about FE.

 

[sunshine1259]

Yay - I finally did it!

After 5 years of building a new program at my full-time job, I decided to refocus on something that would bring me joy (& give me something to focus on other than work).

So throughout this summer I did all of the work and completed all of the courses to become a travel agent with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency!

Can't wait to celebrate next week with everyone!
Gayle

First of all Congratulations!!! I will definitely help you celebrate!

Now, I WANT TO DO THIS! You must let me know what it all entails. Sounds like this would so much fun!!!

See you in about a week.

 

[GuardMusic]

First of all Congratulations!!! I will definitely help you celebrate!

Now, I WANT TO DO THIS! You must let me know what it all entails. Sounds like this would so much fun!!!

See you in about a week.

Send me a PM if you want more info.

 

[sunshine1259]

Send me a PM if you want more info.

Done!

 

[DominFam4]

Hello. I am the thread starter on another cruise that I will be taking a month from this one and here's a link that I posted there that might help. Mind you, it is probably more information than you need, but it is great for the first-timer.

Cruise Tips and Planning Thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1264914



But a general answer is, I will bring several tops and mix and match outfits, plus formal wear. Hope this helps.

Hi Sunshine,
That post on the planning was very helpful. Thank you. Also, I did get your DCA map. Now I just have to remember to bring it

 

[ladgen3]

Has everyone finished getting their FE's together? I hope I'm not the only one still working on ours! We are so excited and can't wait to meet up with everyone.

 

[jadragnfly]

welcome matt and family
the tip i wanted to give u is get a camera for every member of ur family so they can take tons of pics..i would surprise ur dd right at the wharf and dis does such a great on board welcome, u WANT PICS OF HER !! also u were smart to go on carniv 1st ,cause disney is going to blow ur socks off!...kinda like driving a vw then switching to a maserati...really a dis cruise is 5star all the way..be sure to take pics of the cool decorated doors on all floors! they were really fun to look at when we got home..we were on a 14 day trans atlan last yr on the magic and we enjoyed all 14 dys.also dont miss the pirates party and bring a costume if possible cheers, cya on board ,~nancy and rich jan

We reserved some months ago. This is our first Disney cruise. My wife and I have only ever been on Carnival (Honestly, I enjoy them greatly, but this will be a huge change of pace for how I normally cruise). We will also be going with my wife's sister and her family.

We have a 7 year old daughter who knows nothing about the trip. She is getting suspicious something is up because I think she noticed we are adding extra school work into her homework (to be ahead of the approved independent studies) and she swears she saw that her after school day care calendar has her off that week. We are not sure if we are just going to show up at the ship and board and surprise her that way, or if we should have Mickey or Goofy call her the morning of.

Anyhow, I had a question about the FEs you are talking about. It looks like basically a glorified name tag for the front of each room. Do a lot of people do this? Is it just a name announcement, or is there something special or a game with them or something? I am curious because I could see some issues with it. Is anyone here have any issue that a stranger can match parents names with a child's name? I know I sound paranoid, and I know 9999 times out of 10000 there is never an issue, but I am still a little concerned with something like that.

If anyone is at Karaoke, look for a big guy with a chin beard. That will be me! Wifey is short, so we stand out!

Everybody enjoy!

Matt


********* EDIT ******* OK, I see that FE's are used for some type of gift exchange. What is that all about?[/QUOTE]

 

[jadragnfly]

DIS Meet-Ups!
Embarkation Meet-up for DIS Board members will be 3pm on Embarkation Day in the Promenade Lounge (Deck 3)! Everyone is welcome!!

Pub Crawl - Day 2 (First At Sea Day) - Meet in Diversions (Deck 3) at 10pm and we'll work our way around the ship!!

Cabin Crawl - Day 5 (Second at Sea Day) - Meet in the Lobby Atrium (Deck 3) at 2:30pm - we will give each other a tour of our cabins to see what options are available on the ship.


this is exact same meetups for sept 23 cruise too or am i going coo-coo?[yes im doing a back to back...sept 16 and sept 23rd]
cheers,
~nancy jan
ps shall we wear mardi gras beads so we can id dis and facebook members,easy to pack too

 

[ladgen3]

DIS Meet-Ups!
E
~nancy jan
ps shall we wear mardi gras beads so we can id dis and facebook members,easy to pack too

I like the idea of Mardi Gra beads for the meet up. They are easy to pack and fun!

 

[anc876]

Wow, exactly one week til we fly out! Super excited! What, if anything, do you have left to do? I still need to make shuttle reservations, figure out public transit for one day in SF, buy a few items for the trip and pack, but I think that's it.

 

[caladbolg]

I like the idea of Mardi Gra beads for the meet up. They are easy to pack and fun!

Love that idea. I was going to pack some for pirate night anyways! Now, which color to wear?? Lol

 

[ladgen3]

Wow, exactly one week til we fly out! Super excited! What, if anything, do you have left to do? I still need to make shuttle reservations, figure out public transit for one day in SF, buy a few items for the trip and pack, but I think that's it.

Im still working on FE's and attempting to organize stuff to pack.
I can't believe a week from tomorrow we will be getting on our first cruise!!!

 

[sunshine1259]

Hi Sunshine,
That post on the planning was very helpful. Thank you. Also, I did get your DCA map. Now I just have to remember to bring it

Thanks, glad it was of some help. Oh, I am going to DCA BEFORE the cruise I will send you an PM. Thanks for remembering me.

 

[DominFam4]

Thanks, glad it was of some help. Oh, I am going to DCA BEFORE the cruise I will send you an PM. Thanks for remembering me.

You will have so much fun! We did end up going the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and while there were a lot people there we did pretty good on the rides. Between some of your tips on the fast passes (particularly getting a FP and being able to use it any time after the printed time was a big plus) and ridding single rider on a few rides we did everything we wanted to do (some a couple times!). It should be pretty empty when you are there though. Only thing about Radiator Springs Cars Ride, it broke down all the time. We waited in single rider line for over 1 hour and it never got going. Left and came back later in the evening, got on with the single rider line in about 30 minutes (it was actually faster than people with fast passes) and almost as soon as we got off it broke down again. Have fun and see you soon!

 

[sunshine1259]

You will have so much fun! We did end up going the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and while there were a lot people there we did pretty good on the rides. Between some of your tips on the fast passes (particularly getting a FP and being able to use it any time after the printed time was a big plus) and ridding single rider on a few rides we did everything we wanted to do (some a couple times!). It should be pretty empty when you are there though. Only thing about Radiator Springs Cars Ride, it broke down all the time. We waited in single rider line for over 1 hour and it never got going. Left and came back later in the evening, got on with the single rider line in about 30 minutes (it was actually faster than people with fast passes) and almost as soon as we got off it broke down again. Have fun and see you soon!

You know, I keep hearing that about that ride. I wonder why it keeps breaking down like that. And I don't understand the FP issue either. I thought there were only so many given out per day. Guess not.

Glad you all had a great time and I am so looking forward to this Friday!!!

 

[DisneySpirit]

One more week! OMG, I get such cruise withdraw and it's only been since last October! Can't wait to get back onboard. (at least our next cruise is only 3 months and 2 weeks after this one!)

 

[JnP]

I just registered. My husband and I are parents/grandparents to Dominfam4 who we will be travelling with next week - can't wait. This is our second cruise having gone to Mexican Riveria in April and loved it soooo much decided to do it again with family and friends before Disney leaves L.A.

Have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and have learned alot from all the tips.

Looking forward to meeting everyone next Sunday!

J and P

 

[ludari]

I just registered. My husband and I are parents/grandparents to Dominfam4 who we will be travelling with next week - can't wait. This is our second cruise having gone to Mexican Riveria in April and loved it soooo much decided to do it again with family and friends before Disney leaves L.A.

Have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and have learned alot from all the tips.

Looking forward to meeting everyone next Sunday!

J and P

Welcome to the group J and P.

 

[CruiseTink]

Welcome! Have a great week and we will see you soon!
Susan

I just registered. My husband and I are parents/grandparents to Dominfam4 who we will be travelling with next week - can't wait. This is our second cruise having gone to Mexican Riveria in April and loved it soooo much decided to do it again with family and friends before Disney leaves L.A.

Have enjoyed reading everyone's comments and have learned alot from all the tips.

Looking forward to meeting everyone next Sunday!

J and P