Wonder - November 9, 2013 - Bahamas from Galveston

[jknee74]

I am excited to see people on this cruise lol. It is our first one. I am hoping we can have a fe set up.

 

[DanaG]

This is our first cruise as well. I read up on the fish extenders and it sounds like it would be fun. It is going to be me, DH, and DD (6). How do we get it started? I know my DD would be thrilled

For those of you that are veteran Disney cruisers, the following is a few things that I was wondering about, if you have any reviews or suggestions, that would be great:

1. Couples message w/ the villa. This sounds so relaxing and romantic. I am going to book it but was wondering if the experience is worth the price tag.
2. The dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon is where we are planning to take my DD. If you do the dolphin encounter, can you also use the beach or do you have to pay extra for that?
3. What is there to do at Key West that we will all enjoy?
4. On formal night, other than the dinner, what else happens? Is this something that my 6 year old would enjoy. She does love dressing up so I know she will like that part.
5. The musical shows, do the younger children seem to enjoy these?
6. My DH and I would like to have some time to ourselves. We haven't even went out to dinner by ourselves since our 6 year old was born lol. I am worried about strangers watching after my DD in the kids clubs, does Disney provide reliable and trusting kids care?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dana

 

[mrsamador321]

we just came back from our 1st disney cruise march 1. we talk about it so much that my sister in law is going nov 9, hopefully we can tag along. fish extenders are awesome. im so excited that i will be helping my sister in law and her 3 kids plan.

 

[aseyrick]

This is our first cruise as well. I read up on the fish extenders and it sounds like it would be fun. It is going to be me, DH, and DD (6). How do we get it started? I know my DD would be thrilled

For those of you that are veteran Disney cruisers, the following is a few things that I was wondering about, if you have any reviews or suggestions, that would be great:

1. Couples message w/ the villa. This sounds so relaxing and romantic. I am going to book it but was wondering if the experience is worth the price tag.
2. The dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon is where we are planning to take my DD. If you do the dolphin encounter, can you also use the beach or do you have to pay extra for that?
3. What is there to do at Key West that we will all enjoy?
4. On formal night, other than the dinner, what else happens? Is this something that my 6 year old would enjoy. She does love dressing up so I know she will like that part.
5. The musical shows, do the younger children seem to enjoy these?
6. My DH and I would like to have some time to ourselves. We haven't even went out to dinner by ourselves since our 6 year old was born lol. I am worried about strangers watching after my DD in the kids clubs, does Disney provide reliable and trusting kids care?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dana

Hi Dana,

I'm going to attempt to answer your questions:
1. I'm assuming you're referring to Castaway Cay? If so, the cabanas are quite nice and well worth the value; however, know that they are located in the adults-only section, so your DD won't be able to enjoy it with you. Unless you intend to have her at the kids' club at CC, I'm not sure it would be worth the rental. Now, if you're just talking about getting a couple's massage either on the ship or at CC, that's totally up to you. I'm quite picky when it comes to massage therapists, so I really only stick to the ones I know back home. I just don't want to spend that much dough and be disappointed with the experience. With that said, both locations are wonderfully relaxing and romantic. That, alone, could be worth your price??
2. You can definitely use the beach w/ the dolphin encounter w/o add'l fee.
3. If you're referring to excursions, I can't help you there as we never took one. With that said, we love everything about Key West ... the pace, the views, the food. We normally would just get out, walk around and graze. There's a whole strip of food huts/bars right on the pier where you can eat, drink and enjoy the view and the company of fun-loving strangers. Not sure if DD would be too crazy about it, but the beach is fun and clean.
4. Nothing much aside from the characters will all be in donning their formals too, so lots of photo opps. But, it is fun just to dress up for dinner and show.
5. YES!!!! My son (4 at the time) was born with ants in his pants, and he sat through the shows and was simply mesmorized. This is the same kid who left after 30 minutes of his 1st circus. Initially, I was concerned about how late they were (we had main seating), but my DH tends to balance me out and continuously reminded me that we're on vacation.
6. I wrote a HUGE excerpt about the kids clubs once. I'm a worry wart by nature. And, when it comes to DS, no holds barred. I literally ran a background check and drug screen on our 1st babysitter and grilled her for an hour before I let her babysit. As you can imagine, I had some serious reservations about "dumping" our DS (he was 3 the 1st time) with a group of strangers. So, I went with him for the 1st 3 days. Each time, he would run off with my chasing him from 1 fun station to another. When I dragged him out, he would literally scream and cry and then beg to return. This is why we chose DCL, despite it being the most expensive cruiseline of its class. Very simply, Disney knows how to cater to kids and families. As soon as a kid walks in the kids club, they scan their bracelets for security and squirt soap in their hands and usher them to the wash basin. (Love it!) Then, it's all about supervision and fun. The counselors were awesome. They're fun and engaging and made sure every kid enjoyed themselves. On occassion when a kid was truly unhappy, they'll page the parents. (You're given a pager at dropoff.) When kids went to the restrooms, a counselor would post sentry until the child came out. Then, more handwashing. The counselors aren't allowed in the restrooms, so no "funny business" could possibly occur. (Love it!) On the 4th day, we left our DS for 30 minutes while I spied on him. He was having the time of his life. Thereafter, we would take him for an hour in the morning when DH and I worked out and then an hour after he finished dinner so we can dine in peace. It was the 1st time I felt I was on vacation. Meaning, we took several trips prior, but that was the 1st time I, the mom, was on vacation, if you know what I mean. So, don't you worry. DD will be well taken care of.

Hope that helped.

As for how to get FE started, someone will need to track everyone (name, gender, stateroom #, cellphone, emails, etc.) who wants to participate so everyone knows what to give each participant or stateroom. The "FE Coordinator" will need to be ready for last-minute changes and distribution of those changes, which always happens. I just don't have the knack for it, sorry. So, if someone is well-organized, is a people-person and is up for the job, then, please volunteer away!

Looking forward to meeting you all!

 

[violetmonarch]

Just curious....will there really be holiday decorations up on this particular sailing? I thought perhaps it was too early for Thanksgiving and too late for Halloween We usually like to travel in Jan/Feb.

 

[Nanny2004]

When we cruised on the Magic this time last year, there were no decorations. They did start building the gingerbread house towards the end of the cruise, but Thanksgiving was the next week. There will be a whole week between this cruise and Thanksgiving so I don't figure there will be any Holiday decorations.

 

[aseyrick]

Oh, bummer. When we went this time of year in 2010, they had everything up on the Magic. I was really hoping to see it again.

 

[Nanny2004]

Maybe we'll get a little and there will be decorations! That would be a pleasant surprise.

 

[angelica86f]

We are so excited, we just booked our cruise!! Can't wait to see the expressions and excitement on my kids face!!!
Has anyone started a FISH EXTENDER??? We would really like to participate!
I wouldn't mind starting one but its my first cruise and I wouldn't know what to expect..

 

[DanaG]

Thanks Aesyrick for all of the details!! I am going to try and not be so overprotective while on the cruise but I just hate it when my DD is out of my sight.

I have been reading up on the fish extenders and I think I could probably handle organizing it. I am a spreadsheet nerd lol. But I have never even participated in one with this being our first time. But I am up for the challenge if we need someone. I could at least get it started and if someone joins that has experience in setting it up and would line to take it over, that would be fine with me as well.

I thought of some questions though:

1. How early does the organizer need to start? Is now too early?
2. Do we need to do one gift per cabin or per person? I have seen online different ways to do it so I wanted to make sure.
3. Do you give a gift just one night of the cruise or do you give gifts every night?

That's all of the questions that I have for now about the fish extenders and I can go ahead and start putting a list together of people that are interested. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will message you my work email because that is the one that I check all the time.

Thanks --
Dana

 

[violetmonarch]

Our last cruise was the end of January this year, and we had two FE groups since there were many that got in on the trip last minute. The first FE group had a cut off so that those that were making handmade crafts or ordering special things or even personalized items would be able to have time to finish. To me, this was a bit confusing, but understandable. The cut off date was a good idea for most, but not all participants.
Some people gave one gift per person, others per family, and still others gave gifts thruout the trip...anything that you decide you want to do is good. No pressure on the size or amount, just what ever you are compelled to make or bring. We personally gave a few gifts per room, not specific to any one person. This way whoever wanted could claim it. Door decorating was probably the most fun for me...but Imma nerd.
Any way you do FE, it's fun! My kids have the items received still around and we all often recall coming back from wherever to find something special in our FE. Anyhow, those are my little two cents

 

[aseyrick]

We are so excited, we just booked our cruise!! Can't wait to see the expressions and excitement on my kids face!!!
Has anyone started a FISH EXTENDER??? We would really like to participate!
I wouldn't mind starting one but its my first cruise and I wouldn't know what to expect..

Welcome aboard!! It always amazes me how folks can keep it all a secret. As soon as I book any vacation, I'm just dying to tell our DS, even if I have to tell him exactly how many days until D-day every day, twice a day. I saw a mom telling her kids at the airport once by bringing out their mouse ears, and I thought those kids were going to pass out. It was actually quite touching.

Thanks Aesyrick for all of the details!! I am going to try and not be so overprotective while on the cruise but I just hate it when my DD is out of my sight.

I have been reading up on the fish extenders and I think I could probably handle organizing it. I am a spreadsheet nerd lol. But I have never even participated in one with this being our first time. But I am up for the challenge if we need someone. I could at least get it started and if someone joins that has experience in setting it up and would line to take it over, that would be fine with me as well.

I thought of some questions though:

1. How early does the organizer need to start? Is now too early?
2. Do we need to do one gift per cabin or per person? I have seen online different ways to do it so I wanted to make sure.
3. Do you give a gift just one night of the cruise or do you give gifts every night?

That's all of the questions that I have for now about the fish extenders and I can go ahead and start putting a list together of people that are interested. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will message you my work email because that is the one that I check all the time.

Thanks --
Dana

Thanks so much for volunteering!! To answer your questions ...

1. You can start any time. Generally, the FE Coordinator will need to check this board fairly frequently to catch the additional cruisers or those who leave. . The biggest challenge is boarding day as there are usually lots of cabin changes at the last minute and then making sure that everyone has an updated FE list. Normally, by the time we sail, we'll all get to know each other pretty well, so there's generally a real "cruise meet" on Day 1 to say hello to everyone and to distribute any last-minute cabin changes. If someone doesn't show, you may need to stop by their cabin and provide the updated list.
2. That's up to each cabin as to what they want to give. You can give 1 per cabin, 1 to the adults and 1 for each child or 1 for the adults and 1 for the children. I've seen it all across the board. The key is to note the names/gender of the adults & name, gender & age of all the kids so that everyone knows.
3. For both of our last cruises, we split them up into 2 days because there were quite a few families who joined and we could literally spend all morning delivering gifts. But, that's also up to everyone. It was fun for us to start each morning delivering gifts to a floor or 2.

Thanks again for volunteering. I'm sure you'll do awesome!

 

[angelica86f]

Woohoo thank you DanaG for volunteering!

 

[DanaG]

Your welcome I am new at this but for a few days now I have been doing a TON of reading on fish extenders lol!

To everyone - I wasn't sure how people would feel about posting their information so I sent a private message to everyone last night with the information that I will need to put together our group list. You can reply back to that message or you can sen it to my email at dgay@dlinc.net. My iPhone goes everywhere with me and check my email frequently. I have my disboard account also set up on my phone so I will get your notification if you post it here as well.

If you didn't get my message last night and you want to participate in the fish extender I will need the following:

Adults - names and genders
Children - names, ages, and genders (just put B or G will be fine)
Room # if known
Any special occasion that you will be celebrating
Any favorite character if y'all have one
Any food allergies

I was thinking of a cut off date of October 9th as far a adding new participants. This would be a month before the cruise and would probably give everyone enough time to get stuff together. Let me know if this cut off date works for y'all. This is my first Disney cruise so I will gladly take any feedback

 

[dallasmomof3]

10

 

[dallasmomof3]

Hello my name is maria and I will be joining the cruise....woohoo!!!!

 

[dallasmomof3]

My kiddos are super excited and cant wait!!!

 

[angelica86f]

Welcome on board dallasmomof3!!!!!

 

[dallasmomof3]

1st cruise!!!

 

[dallasmomof3]

Thank you angelica86 I am super excited to join you guys on the cruise!!!