Disney Dream - October 21, 2016

How many cabins would you like to see in your FE Group?

  • 10

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • 15

    Votes: 4 100.0%

  • 20

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    4
  • Poll closed .
DisneyFanCat said:
I know we have a lot of time until the cruise, but does anyone know when we should start organizing the FE? Or is anyone willing to do that? I am fairly organized but have no clue at all what to do when it comes to setting up the FE or Meet Up.
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This might help:
SETTING UP A FE GROUP

It appears there are a number of you who are interested in a Fish Extender group. There is’t one currently set up here on DISBoards. Here’s a little write up on how FE groups are set up:

There really are no “rules” as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone maintains the list of those who wish to participate. The group can decide on what information is necessary to produce FE gifts. A basic list may only have DISname/room number/number of people in the room. A more involved list could be first & last names/ages/room number/ favorite character/ favorite color/allergies/whatever is deemed necessary to know in order to create the gifts. Also a decision can be made as to size of FE group. Some groups break out the list(s) at 10-15 rooms max, so that there are multiple lists (and some people will participate in more than one list). Other groups just make one big list (upwards of 20-30 rooms).

At some point the list will “close”. Typically this happens 30-45 days out from the cruise, so that everyone participating has time to organize/prepare their gifts. Shortly before this time (about 2-3 weeks prior) the organizer will post the list, either directly on the Cruise Meet thread, OR via private conversation, or, possibility, via e-mails. This is to confirm everyone on the list is still participating. It’s important to make a state about “anyone not confirming by XX date will be dropped” at this time. A little harsh, yes, but often there are people who will post on the cruise meet thread as soon as they reserve the cruise and say “I want to participate”, and are never heard from again.

Once the list closes, the organizer will post the final list. Also, a decision must be made as to whether to allow late additions. Sometimes there is a “pixie dust” list. That is, basically, a latecomers list that gets posted about a week out from the cruise that others may or may not add to their “final” list. Be sure the “pixie dust” list participants realize they may or may not get gifts from others, but are expected to provide gifts for the other FE participants anyway.

The other “biggie” is no other social media sites are allowed to be linked or search directions posted as to how to find that other site here on DISboards. Please read this: http://www.disboards.com/threads/im...uise-meet-and-fish-extender-programs.3353477/

As it seems there are a few here on your cruise meet thread who would be interested in doing this, who’s going to step up and volunteer to maintain the list?

I will also note, to participate in conversations, everyone needs to have at least 10 posts. For those who wish to use this option for private conversations that don’t have 10 posts yet, head over to the Test Board to post and up your post count. http://www.disboards.com/forums/test-board.88/


Up to 20 people can participate in any given conversation.
 
Hi Everyone! Just booked this cruise....our fourth time on the Dream. My DH and I will be travelling with our DD(5) for her birthday and our DD(3). Excited!! We will be interested in the FE also :)
 


Hi everyone...This will be my families first Disney cruise. It will be our youngest son birthday while we are sailing. We are traveling with a 6, 11 and 15 yr old. We are avid Disney park enthusiast and now counting the sail days down. Heard about the FE and want to participate. Don't know what we are suppose to do or how to help.
 
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Mky4Life said:
We will be interested in the FE also
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caliokie22 said:
Interested in the FE
Click to expand...

Lizzy7172 said:
Heard about the FE and want to participate. Don't know what we are suppose to do or how to help.
Click to expand...
@DisneyFanCat was the one who expressed an interest in starting up a Fish Extender group. Don't know if it actually happened, though.

There information in post #22 on how to set up a group. Here's more in depth info as to how it works:
Quick course in Fish Extenders:

HOW DID THIS FISH EXTENDER IDEA GET STARTED?
The idea was the brainstorm of a woman named Debbie For the first Magical sailing through the Panama Canal back in 2005. Debbie thought it would be a fun way for others to exchange gifts.

WHAT IS A FISH EXTENDER? (FE)
Outside your room onboard is a message holder, in most cases it's shaped like a fish (but can be a starfish or sea horse): fish holder wonder 2012 1408 100_7536.JPG

The fish is there for Disney to place important communications to you such as excursion tickets and notes from the Cruise staff. It is like a mailbox for your room. A Fish Extender (FE) it is something that you hang off the fish, much like a pocketed organizer. door magnets 4 wonder oct 2011 256 100_3589 1500.jpg

By hanging the Fish Extender off of the fish, the Cast Members can still use it for its original purpose.

Once a cruise meet thread is up and running, someone in the group will (should?) step up and say "I'll maintain the Fish Extender exchange list". That person is the center point for all those who want to participate in the exchange. The list can be as simple as DISnames/room number/number of guests or as involved as full names/room number/ages of guests/like & dislikes/allergies/favorite characters/whatever is deemed necessary to know assemble the gifts.

Then each room on the FE list (note this will not be everyone on the Cruise Meet thread for your specific cruise), makes a Fish Extender holder. THIS IS NOT A ONE ON ONE EXCHANGE, YOU ARE PART OF A GROUP. All the people in the exchange buy or make little items and place them in each other's fish extenders. It is great fun to come back and check the items you have received.

The most common Fish Extenders are ones that have a pocket for each person in that stateroom. Some are very fancy, some are very plain. Some are store bought, some are homemade. Search "Disney fish extender" and you will get options that range in price. You should make sure your Fish Extender is between 8" & 12"" wide. Otherwise it starts to get in the way of your stateroom door. It should not exceed 5 feet; otherwise it will hit the floor. If you are creating your own it is suggested you make the pockets a little deeper than normal too. It will keep items from falling out and keep curious hands from reaching in (average depth is 5-6 inches)but 8-11 is a better way to go if you are making it yourself

They also make up gifts (either individual gifts or room gifts - whatever is decided by your group) to be delivered during the cruise).

One note about the gifts, some groups set up specific delivery dates, and specify "each person gets a gift" or "only one gift per room" or (even) maximum/minimum price ranges for gifts. Other groups just say "whatever", so people can choose what/how many gifts to give. Some give individual gifts, others only one gift per room, while others might do one for the adults and separate gifts for kids. Or only gift the kids.

WHO CAN JOIN?
HOW MANY CABINS WILL BE IN MY FE GROUP? DO I NEED TO BUY FOR EVERYONE?
Anyone and everyone on your cruise may join. Whether you have 2 adults or a mix of adults and children, all are invited. The only requirement is that each room participating agrees to give AT LEAST one gift to each other room on their list.

Depending on how your FE group is set up, you may only have a few other rooms, or many. Some FE groups have separate lists for every XX number of rooms, but often allow participants to sign up on more than one list, if they want. Others just have one big list. Some just make one list with a specific number of rooms. That means that, if another FE group is needed someone else will need to set it up.

How many gifts? – It depends on what you want to do. Some people only give one gift per room. Others give one gift for the adults and separate gifts for children. Still others give individual gifts to each person. Some people deliver multiple times during the cruise. Others just deliver once. But, you cannot leave a room out if they are on your list. Some people are crafty and make gifts, and some are store bought. Some gifts are to be used on board and some are to be used at home.

This is typically a whole cabin event. You usually may not just sign up the kids. But, there are some cruise meet groups that have Adult Only groups, while some have kids only. Most are open to everyone. It’s up to each Fish Extender group/organizer to decide on the “rules”.

It's not about the gift it's about the thoughtfulness behind it.

WHEN LEAVING A GIFT, DO WE IDENTIFY WHO IT IS FROM?
Some people do put some kind of to/from tag on their items. Most want to know who it came from. Some do it because they don't want people to think they got shorted a gift or assumed theft of an item. Others go with the original intent and deliver anonymous gifts.

DO WE PUT GIFTS IN EVERY DAY OF THE CRUISE? WILL I HAVE TO WALK ALL OVER THE SHIP TO DELIVER?
That's up to you. Most deliver ONCE. You don’t want to spend your whole cruise delivering gifts. It can be time consuming. Most deliver over the whole length of the cruise. One morning you do all the cabins on decks 4-6 that are Forward. Another time you do all the mid cabins on decks 1-4. And so on. It’s suggested you break up your list by location: Forward, Mid and Aft before leaving home. Large zip locks are good for this. Start from your highest deck and work your way to your lowest.

*If you are on a longer cruise, consider delivering later in the week. Most deliver in the beginning and then there is nothing towards the end (and the kids like to find stuff in the holder).You don’t have to deliver all on the first day, especially on the longer cruises. On the reverse – don’t deliver the last night, as people will be packing up and putting their bags out for pick up.

Don’t deliver in the middle of the night, when no one is around, or when people are off the ship when sticky fingers are more likely.

I’M IN A CONCIERGE SUITE, OR HAVE A GTY RESERVATION , WOULD THERE BE A PROBLEM BEING PART OF THE FE?
No, there are fish message holders outside all rooms on board. Once a GTY reservation has a room assigned, it can be reported to the group. Typically a FE group will set up a meet on embarkation day (generally just prior to the muster is a good time). At this meet any room numbers not already on the list can be added. As well as any rooms that might change. Also, the FE organizer can post a list on their room door for changes.

MY GIFTS ARE TO BIG TO FIT IN THE POCKET, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?
1. You can lean it against the door
2. You can hang on door knob
3. You can leave it at guest services, marked for each stateroom and then notify each stateroom to go pick up.
4. You could try to ask the stateroom host out in the hallway to place it inside the cabin.
5. You can just hang it on the "fish.

DO PEOPLE CARRY ALL THEIR GIFTS IN THEIR SUITCASES?
Most do, however, you can ship your items down, if you are departing from a US port. They must arrive by the day before you sail and contain no food items (they will get snagged by the dogs and get held up). Make sure your package is addressed exactly how your name is in your reservation and it will be in your stateroom when you get there (even before your luggage!). You can also send to your hotel if you are staying at one before you sail. KEEP IN MIND... you can not ship home from the ships.

I HAVE TO DROP OUT.. HOW DO I DO THAT.
It’s very important that if you have to drop out for any reason you notify the person running your FE. (They can be found on the cruise page you signed up on). It’s not fair to the group if you bow out without letting anyone know

ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?
It has been pointed out that some Travel Agents are giving wrong info. They are saying you can hang a FE holder outside your door and expect gifts.
  • Cast members are not walking around like Tinkerbelle handing out gifts.
  • You cannot just show up on a cruise with gifts to randomly pass out (well you could but that would be “pixie dusting” not participating in a FE).
  • You have to find your Cruise Meet group and join a FE group to know how many people are participating, how large your group will be and all other info.
  • This is a voluntary program and is not sanctioned by Disney.

Now that you have a Cruise Meet thread started, and some people who have expressed an interest in participating in a Fish Extender exchange, it's up to one of you to be the contact point.
 
ok everyone....I did start this because our cruise wasn't listed. I will get this FE thing rolling but if anyone is a FE veteran and wants to take over, you have my blessing. We will also need a cut off date if anyone has a suggestion. After that date I can email everyone the people in their FE group. I want to make sure you have enough time to make your items, etc.

I will start a list and keep track of everyone that wants to join the FE for our cruise.
Please inbox me the following information and I will start a spreadsheet
Cabin #
Names and ages of everyone in the cabin (adults can just put adult lol)
any known allergies
email address (so I can send you the final list of everyone)

I believe you need 10 posts to inbox me so keep that in mind.
 
Ok everyone here is how the FE will work. You have until the paid in full date of August 7th to sign up to participate. After that date, those that sign up will be placed in a "pixie dust" group. Depending on how many people are in this group, I may make a group for them or give out the names and you can decide as a family if you wish to spread a little pixie dust and give them a gift. The final deadline to participate in this FE group is September 21, 2016. That is the final cut-off date and there will be no other signups. I will also be contacting everyone that signed up and double checking that you are still participating. When you get the email you will have 1 week to confirm or you will be removed from your FE Group. I thought this sounded a little harsh so I checked with my friends that participate all the time in this program and they said its necessary or you never know who drops out and if you personalize things for families and they don't participate you are stuck with the items, or you may deliver the items to the cabin and the family does not deliver anything to yours.

There is a poll at the top to let me know how many cabins you want in your group. After we make that decision as a group......I will start assigning cabins as they sign up. So for example...we decide we want 15 cabins in each group. After 15 families sign up, I will assign them Group 1 and send out a spreadsheet. Next 15 will be Group 2 and so on. Please inbox me with the following information:

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW FROM EACH OF YOU...
1. Name of each person in cabin, ages of children
2. Do you want to participate in 1 group or 2, 3 etc?
3. Any Allergies??
4. email address...when you have been assigned a group I will email you a spreadsheet to check for accuracy. Then make any corrections and this will be your FE Group. Don't worry, you won't get any spam or LOL jokes from me :)

Thanks everyone
 
Hi, everyone. This will be our fourth time on the Dream. Our last cruise was in April with our daughter, but this one is just the two of us. We've never been in October, but have experienced Halloween on the High Seas. The ship is beautifully decorated!
 
Just to let everyone know...my husband and I will not be going on this cruise. We have had some work related news that has forced us to make some decisions and unfortunately one of the things we are not going to be able to do is this vacation. I am happy to continue to organize the FE for everyone unless someone feels that they want to take over and that would be great too. I hope you all have a wonderful time on the Disney Dream!
 
imahistorygeek said:
Hi, everyone. This will be our fourth time on the Dream. Our last cruise was in April with our daughter, but this one is just the two of us. We've never been in October, but have experienced Halloween on the High Seas. The ship is beautifully decorated!
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Our last cruise was this past January. This will make our DCL cruise #7, but only our second time on the Dream. We will be kid-less for the first time!! Really looking forward to it. Our 16 year wedding anniversary is 10-21-16. I'm super excited to see the ship decorated for Halloween :-)
 
Jenlikes27 said:
Our last cruise was this past January. This will make our DCL cruise #7, but only our second time on the Dream. We will be kid-less for the first time!! Really looking forward to it. Our 16 year wedding anniversary is 10-21-16. I'm super excited to see the ship decorated for Halloween :-)
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We will be celebrating our 18th on October 24!
 
Hi Everyone,

We would like to sign up for the FE for this cruise. This is our 4th Disney cruise.

1. Name of each person in cabin, ages of children:
Bryan- Dad
Ashley- Mom
Annabelle- 6 years old (girl)
Sonora- 3 years old (girl)
2. Do you want to participate in 1 group or 2, 3 etc?
Doesn't matter
3. Any Allergies??
Shellfish
4. email address
asherry.snow@gmail.com

Please let me know that this was received or if there is something else we need to do!
 
HI!

For some reason it will not allow me to send a private message to you. I guess I haven't posted enough. Here is our information:
This is our 4th Disney cruise.

1. Name of each person in cabin, ages of children:
Bryan- Dad
Ashley- Mom
Annabelle- 6 years old (girl)
Sonora- 3 years old (girl)
2. Do you want to participate in 1 group or 2, 3 etc?
Doesn't matter
3. Any Allergies??
Shellfish
4. email address
asherry.snow@gmail.com

Please let me know that this was received or if there is something else we need to do!
 
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