The Fantasy's First MNSSH Cruise: Zombies of the Caribbean October 27, 2012

[gilsan]

We are excited about the Costa Maya stop, I know lots on this board say it's not worth getting off the ship, but Maya Chan sounds great. They are having Mayan days with a feast and snorkeling, kayak lessons and sand building contests for the children supervised by staff, so the adults can get a chance for a massage and nap in a hammock. Transport from the dock is included and I know we are not in port for very long, but we intend to make the most of it! PM either of us if you want more details

We are going too! It should make for a fun day.

 

[Maddiesmum03]

I do not think we should put to many rules on the fe. Fe gifts do not need to be to big. They can be pencils, stickers, post cards from your home state, candy, pins, or any other simple trinkets. It is just the fun of getting something when you get back to your room. I have even recieved tissue, hand sanatizer, or even pins. Useable stuff.
We should not end to soon maybe a month out, but make a few extra for stragglers. Simpler gifts for them.
There should not be a set time for delivery. People have things they want to do when they want to do them. It always works out. We should not exclude anybody from participating.
How would you feel if you were told that you could not participate with the main group hut you have to start a new group with only the few late people? You would would feel bad. We had people like that last year and they were very upset about it.
The fe should be for anybody. We just need to make simple gifts for anybody after the cutoff date.

What do you think?

I don't think anyone wants to leave people out of the FE who want to participate. I think we will easily get another group of 20 between now and August 27. Anyone after August 27 can have a group just for them, or I think would understand that we had a cut off. On my first cruise I missed the cut off date and didn't feel upset that I was unable to participate. I think most meet up threads have a close date on FE sign up.

Many in the group, me included, are interested in keeping the number of cabins they need to deliver gifts to small. Many of us are traveling some distance and don't have the luggage space, especially since most of us are also participating in the trick or treat. I know that when I joined the thread I was unsure about FE until we decided to keep the groups small. 20-25 gifts is no problem but with 40-50 I might not want to participate.

Some of us would also like to give more than stickers as a gift, not that there is anything wrong with stickers. It also seems that many in the group are making their gifts so having a cut off date and number makes gift making easier.

I think everyone is with you on the set delivery time. We will deliver whenever.

Anyone else want to jump in on this topic, in particular about cut off dates and # of people in FE groups.

Katzs13, I am 100% in agreement with all the points Gilsan has just raised. I have already posted that the thought of making and delivering, not to mention using the whole of our luggage allowance on an unknown quantity of gifts would make me reconsider the FE experience too - 23kg does not go an awful long way when you add in formal wear, halloween costumes and dive/snorkel gear! The whole thing should be fun. I am looking forward to ( and have already started!) making gifts I would be happy to receive myself. Please don't get me wrong, we will be happy to find ANY gifts in our FE, but without giving away any spoilers, I would not be happy to give a "nice" homemade gift to say the first 25 families then stickers to the other late arrivals....Imagine if those other families read my trip report after our cruise and wondered why they only got stickers

As for a cut off date, 1 month before is far too late, for instance we are travelling on 16th Oct, that would give only 2 weeks to organise gifts, along with all the other last minute planning and things to do. Most DIS'ers are planners, after all that is why we are all on these boards so the august cut off date is not unreasonable

 

[Staceyl0u]

I don't think anyone wants to leave people out of the FE who want to participate. I think we will easily get another group of 20 between now and August 27. Anyone after August 27 can have a group just for them, or I think would understand that we had a cut off. On my first cruise I missed the cut off date and didn't feel upset that I was unable to participate. I think most meet up threads have a close date on FE sign up.

Many in the group, me included, are interested in keeping the number of cabins they need to deliver gifts to small. Many of us are traveling some distance and don't have the luggage space, especially since most of us are also participating in the trick or treat. I know that when I joined the thread I was unsure about FE until we decided to keep the groups small. 20-25 gifts is no problem but with 40-50 I might not want to participate.

Some of us would also like to give more than stickers as a gift, not that there is anything wrong with stickers. It also seems that many in the group are making their gifts so having a cut off date and number makes gift making easier.

I think everyone is with you on the set delivery time. We will deliver whenever.

Anyone else want to jump in on this topic, in particular about cut off dates and # of people in FE groups.

I'm in complete agreeance Gilsan, we don't have the luggage space for a week at Disney a weeks cruise and three days travelling as it is, let alone adding in gifts for fifty cabins! Twenty to twenty five seems a good number, and as you said with most people making gifts we need time to do that I know a lot of people work long hours and for anyone ordering bits and bobs online it takes away so much pressure instead of the week efore trying to make and pack! And while it is entireley up to individual as to what they bring I can't say I wouldn't be disappointed if I'd spent months making gifts and got a sheet of stickers? Maybe we should be clearer about that?

 

[Maddiesmum03]

We are going too! It should make for a fun day.

Whoo hoo! the first drinks are on us....ooops, I forgot, it's ALL inclusive

 

[gilsan]

Whoo hoo! the first drinks are on us....ooops, I forgot, it's ALL inclusive

 

[Kdway]

Welcome to the thread kdway!

Thank you gilsan!!! After reading up on the FE thread, I would like to participate for sure. I understand that the number of people may be too high as I'm a little late to the game. If so just let me know.

I noticed some Packers fans will be on board with me!! GO PACK GO!!! I'm proud to say that I am a lucky Packer "owner" as of December 2011!

The excitement I feel for this cruise is out of control!! I'm pretty sure the fact that I can't talk about it with the girls is causing me to obsess about it more.

 

[katzs13]

I don't think anyone wants to leave people out of the FE who want to participate. I think we will easily get another group of 20 between now and August 27. Anyone after August 27 can have a group just for them, or I think would understand that we had a cut off. On my first cruise I missed the cut off date and didn't feel upset that I was unable to participate. I think most meet up threads have a close date on FE sign up.

Many in the group, me included, are interested in keeping the number of cabins they need to deliver gifts to small. Many of us are traveling some distance and don't have the luggage space, especially since most of us are also participating in the trick or treat. I know that when I joined the thread I was unsure about FE until we decided to keep the groups small. 20-25 gifts is no problem but with 40-50 I might not want to participate.

Some of us would also like to give more than stickers as a gift, not that there is anything wrong with stickers. It also seems that many in the group are making their gifts so having a cut off date and number makes gift making easier.

I think everyone is with you on the set delivery time. We will deliver whenever.

Anyone else want to jump in on this topic, in particular about cut off dates and # of people in FE groups.

I do see you point and agree with you. It does take alot time to prepare gifts. We are getting more than expected turnout early. The most I have seen want to participate was 27. I was not wanting to do gifts for 40 or 50 people either. I think 20-25 per group is fine.
I also did not want to get people upset about my examples on fe gifts. These were just examples of the simpler things I have seen. I have recieved very beautiful homemade gifts, coloring books, reading books, disney pins, and even clothes. There are some poeple like my self who go all out and give more time consuming gifts, but there are people who just give out the simpler things and that is fine as well. It is not what we get it is the fun of getting it.
August 27th is the cutoff time. I do agree people need time to prepare. I just was not sure how much. Sorry.

I did mean to upset anybody.

I just want everybody to have fun. I will break my list I have here at 20 and start on the second group.

I was just making suggestions for people after the cutoff date. At least if they recieved a simple gift, it may not be the home made item, at least they will know they could still be part of the fun. All of this is only if people who want to give to the people who ask after the cutoff date. If you do not have the room in your suitcase that is fine. It will be voluntary for anybody in either of the two groups to give to the people who want to participate after the cut off date.
Again just a thought. I do not want to get people upset, I am only giving ideas. Nothing is in stone unless everybody thinks it is a good idea.

This is only if we do not get enough people after the cutoff date for a group. Say under 5 or so.

 

[BMICKEY]

Hey Katzs 13....How many Fridays left????

 

[gilsan]

Thank you gilsan!!! After reading up on the FE thread, I would like to participate for sure. I understand that the number of people may be too high as I'm a little late to the game. If so just let me know.

I noticed some Packers fans will be on board with me!! GO PACK GO!!! I'm proud to say that I am a lucky Packer "owner" as of December 2011!

The excitement I feel for this cruise is out of control!! I'm pretty sure the fact that I can't talk about it with the girls is causing me to obsess about it more.

I put you in last spot in the current FE group We will be at 21 people if all the maybes change to yes and both of Staceyl0u's other cabins join.

Your daughters are around my daughters age. There are lots of under 10's on this cruise.

 

[gilsan]

I do see you point and agree with you. It does take alot time to prepare gifts. We are getting more than expected turnout early. The most I have seen want to participate was 27. I was not wanting to do gifts for 40 or 50 people either. I think 20-25 per group is fine.
I also did not want to get people upset about my examples on fe gifts. These were just examples of the simpler things I have seen. I have recieved very beautiful homemade gifts, coloring books, reading books, disney pins, and even clothes. There are some poeple like my self who go all out and give more time consuming gifts, but there are people who just give out the simpler things and that is fine as well. It is not what we get it is the fun of getting it.
August 27th is the cutoff time. I do agree people need time to prepare. I just was not sure how much. Sorry.

I did mean to upset anybody.

I just want everybody to have fun. I will break my list I have here at 20 and start on the second group.

I was just making suggestions for people after the cutoff date. At least if they recieved a simple gift, it may not be the home made item, at least they will know they could still be part of the fun. All of this is only if people who want to give to the people who ask after the cutoff date. If you do not have the room in your suitcase that is fine. It will be voluntary for anybody in either of the two groups to give to the people who want to participate after the cut off date.
Again just a thought. I do not want to get people upset, I am only giving ideas. Nothing is in stone unless everybody thinks it is a good idea.

This is only if we do not get enough people after the cutoff date for a group. Say under 5 or so.

Sounds good. I wasn't upset, I was just trying to let you know the reasoning behind the decision. It is always so hard to get tone from board posts I did add kdway to the first group because we have 2 maybes, in that group.

Does your list match up with the second post? We have had a few changes.

How many Fridays do we have left?

 

[Gmilligan]

On page 1 of this thread it has me down as "no" to FE. Everywhere else it says yes.

Can this be changed to yes. That was my original response. I don't want anyone to leave me off of their list.

 

[gilsan]

On page 1 of this thread it has me down as "no" to FE. Everywhere else it says yes.

Can this be changed to yes. That was my original response. I don't want anyone to leave me off of their list.

I added you to the list when you changed your mind the FE list is actually post 3 not 2.

 

[Kdway]

I put you in last spot in the current FE group We will be at 21 people if all the maybes change to yes and both of Staceyl0u's other cabins join.

Your daughters are around my daughters age. There are lots of under 10's on this cruise.

That's wonderful! Let the FE creation begin!
Yes my girls are around your daughters age. I read where you are worried about her wanting to spend time in the kids club. My Kyleigh(8) is so sweet and loves to make new friends. I'm positive if we have them meet on the first day, you'll have no problem with getting her to join Kyleigh at the club...often! Lol!

 

[KAZfamilyPA]

DIS Name:KazfamilyPA
Stateroom:
Names/Age(s) at sailing: Brian, Karen, Nick-8, Mikey-6
Where From: PA
Dining - late or early:late
Celebrating: anniversary
Recipe Exchange: Y/N-N
Fish Extender (FE): Y/N/Maybe-Y
Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt: Y/N/Maybe-Y
If yes for scaveger hunt state the number of kids and/or if you are available to volunteer, and if you have any food allergies.

2 kids and no allergies

 

[DisneyOrBustColorado]

As far as the FE goes, I defiantly don't want any hurt feelings over it. That's not at all what a Disney vacation is all about. If only a few more people join, maybe we can add them to the original group? Also if people want to belong to a larger FE group, maybe they can be allowed to join both the 1st & 2nd groups? My opinion is swayed toward the FE cut off because I will also be assisting with the trivia/scavenger hunt and on top of that we are spending a week in WDW before our cruise & my kids want to wear a different costume to the MNSSHP & a pirate costume on pirate night. I am going to be hauling an unbelievable amount of luggage with me not to mention my financial investment in the FE & trivia contest. So the smaller group works better for me. However, I don't want any hurt feelings or anyone to feel left out. So... I am willing to go along with whatever needs to happen with the FE. Maybe everyone will get a pen from me if the group is to large? I don't know yet.

I just hope that everyone has a magical, wonderful, fun filled cruise with tons of Disney magic & smiles!!!

If I am personally needed to assist with something I have forgotten, feel free to send me a PM as a reminder.

 

[gilsan]

As far as the FE goes, I defiantly don't want any hurt feelings over it. That's not at all what a Disney vacation is all about. If only a few more people join, maybe we can add them to the original group? Also if people want to belong to a larger FE group, maybe they can be allowed to join both the 1st & 2nd groups? My opinion is swayed toward the FE cut off because I will also be assisting with the trivia/scavenger hunt and on top of that we are spending a week in WDW before our cruise & my kids want to wear a different costume to the MNSSHP & a pirate costume on pirate night. I am going to be hauling an unbelievable amount of luggage with me not to mention my financial investment in the FE & trivia contest. So the smaller group works better for me. However, I don't want any hurt feelings or anyone to feel left out. So... I am willing to go along with whatever needs to happen with the FE. Maybe everyone will get a pen from me if the group is to large? I don't know yet.

I just hope that everyone has a magical, wonderful, fun filled cruise with tons of Disney magic & smiles!!!

If I am personally needed to assist with something I have forgotten, feel free to send me a PM as a reminder.

I think that groups of 20 should be ok. if we get less than 10 in the new group on August 27 then we would put them in the original group. Anyone joining after that date who wants to do FE can be in the group after August 27.

The FE is suppose to be fun and not financially straining. I thinking keeping it to 20 cabins is plenty. Some in the group are planning on separate gifts for kids and adults, so when you get over 20 cabins it is really beginning to add up.

We have two months until our cut off I think we will more than likely get more than 10 more cabins. I also like your idea that anyone who wants to give to both groups can.

 

[gilsan]

DIS Name:KazfamilyPA
Stateroom:
Names/Age(s) at sailing: Brian, Karen, Nick-8, Mikey-6
Where From: PA
Dining - late or early:late
Celebrating: anniversary
Recipe Exchange: Y/N-N
Fish Extender (FE): Y/N/Maybe-Y
Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt: Y/N/Maybe-Y
If yes for scaveger hunt state the number of kids and/or if you are available to volunteer, and if you have any food allergies.

2 kids and no allergies

Welcome to the thread KAZfamilyPA!. I read your youngest sons name as Mickey perhaps I spend to much time on the disboards

 

[MaryKLady]

I agree I think 20 cabins should be the max per group of FE. We have 14 cabins signed up currently. If we reach 20 prior to August 27th we can start a new group.

If the there are only a couple we can add them to the original group. People joining after August 27 can do a new group for FE if they like. In the post August 27 group I would set a cut off of October 1, 2012

Any ideas for FE? If everyone agrees with the above I will add it to the front page.

Sounds good

 

[MaryKLady]

Also did I read we had Packers Fans on here? Even though were in the UK we are big Packers Fans!!

Dh grew up in GB so we are by association even though I live in Jets country

 

[cat98c]

Dh grew up in GB so we are by association even though I live in Jets country

While my DH would agree with you, I'll need to go ahead and declare this Giants country!