Magic Jan 29-Feb 3 2017 Western Caribbean

[Capitalangel]

This is for the Jan 29th cruise out of Miami.

 

[AquaDame]

Added to the cruise meet list! Have a great cruise!

 

[Capitalangel]

This will be my second Disney cruise. We went on the Wonder in Feb of 2014. On this trip with me will be my husband and two sons (6 and 3 at the time of the cruise). We loved doing FE's last time and my older son is already looking forward to finding things in his "Mickey Boat" mailbox

 

[Adora-Belle]

This will be our second Disney Cruise also. We went on the dream May of 2013. Loved it so much. I will have my DH DD(10) and DS(7) and me! We are also cruising with my best friend and her husband and 2 sons 6 and 13. We never did the fish extender and i really don't have the time to get all that stuff together. We are just looking forward to the family time and disney fun in the sun!

 

[mplschic]

Yes! So excited for my first Disney cruise!!! Going with my husband and my son who will be 4 by the time we go. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Daisy Ashenfelter]

This is our very first Disney Cruise. We are so excited. We are traveling with three kids ages, Joshua age 3, Hannah age 5, and Noah age 8. We would love any tips or suggestions as well. We are huge Disney fans and live in California so go to Disneyland a lot! Can't wait.

 

[Capitalangel]

I would definitely suggest coming into FL the day before so that you are not stressed about making the ship. One really cool thing is that if you take an item (we did a mat from a picture frame and I know others do pillow cases) and markers to the service desk they will have the characters that are on board sign it and return it to your room before the end of the cruise. We also did the meet and greets with our books, but that way the kids had everyone's autographs. There is also a Pirate Night. When we went I bought my son a Jake and the Neverland Pirates costume the day after Halloween (so it was on sale) and saved it for the trip. I have also found costumes at the kids resale shops

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I would definitely suggest coming into FL the day before so that you are not stressed about making the ship. One really cool thing is that if you take an item (we did a mat from a picture frame and I know others do pillow cases) and markers to the service desk they will have the characters that are on board sign it and return it to your room before the end of the cruise. We also did the meet and greets with our books, but that way the kids had everyone's autographs. There is also a Pirate Night. When we went I bought my son a Jake and the Neverland Pirates costume the day after Halloween (so it was on sale) and saved it for the trip. I have also found costumes at the kids resale shops

This is no longer offered. If you want character autographs, you must bring the item to the meet and greets throughout the cruise.

 

[Capitalangel]

Bummer about not being able to drop off items. My kids loved waiting in the lines and getting the autographs but it was also nice to have the frame too. Thanks for letting me know!!

 

[thej62002]

This will be our second cruise. We would like to participate in fish extenders, but we are not totally sure how to sign up. I am aware of how it works, just having a hard time finding a group. Any information would be appreciated.

 

[thej62002]

I'm taking my 3 adult children and 14 year old daughter on the cruise. I would love for her to make contact with other girls around her age. If anyone is interested please let me know.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This will be our second cruise. We would like to participate in fish extenders, but we are not totally sure how to sign up. I am aware of how it works, just having a hard time finding a group. Any information would be appreciated.

There is no Fish Extender group set up here on DISboards. There may be FE groups on other sites, but they are not DISboards connected, and links or search directions to those are not allowed.

If anyone is interested in how to set up a group, I've put together this:
SETTING UP A FE GROUP
There really are no “rules” as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone will step up and say “I’ll maintain the list”. This means they maintain 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).

The easiest, most private way to handle the information necessary to prepare the list (many people prefer not to put sensitive information on a public forum), is to use the “Conversation” feature here. There needs to be at least two people to start a conversation. Only the starter of the conversation (usually the organizer) can add additional people into the conversation (as long as they do NOT select “Allow anyone in the conversation to invite others” at the bottom of the reply window). Then when new people express a desire to join, usually by just saying “we want to join the FE”, the organizer can add them by clicking on the “Invite more” button in the “Conversation Participants” window (lower right of conversation page). Only those people participating in the conversation can see what’s posted there, and respond there. 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.

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, possibly, via e-mails. This is to confirm everyone on the list is still participating. It’s important to make a statement 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/

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I will point out it's a little early for setting up a group just yet. Typically 6-8 months out is a good time to get things started. Earlier than that, unfortunately, there are many people who, in the flush of excitement in booking a DCL cruise, are all gung-ho for everything. They will say "I want to participate" and then you never hear from them again. Usually because they've re-thought taking the cruise, or because they don't want to get involved with the commitment of participating.

Once you get within that 6-8 month window, more people have made the mental commitment to the cruise and are able to participate better.

Now, all that being said, until someone steps up and says "I'll maintain the list" there will be no FE group here.

 

[atcmomma]

This is our first! We figured we should make our first be with Disney, and do so before we move from SFL! We too are interested in the FE for our 6 & 4 year olds. Friends of ours participated in December & loved it!

 

[Two of us]

This is our first! We figured we should make our first be with Disney, and do so before we move from SFL! We too are interested in the FE for our 6 & 4 year olds. Friends of ours participated in December & loved it!

If you look in Facebook, there is a group there and they are building a FE group already. Look up Disney Magic - January 29, 2017 and you should find it. I've joined already but they won't finalize the list until the FPD.

 

[atcmomma]

If you look in Facebook, there is a group there and they are building a FE group already. Look up Disney Magic - January 29, 2017 and you should find it. I've joined already but they won't finalize the list until the FPD.

I asked to join earlier, is there someone that I have to notify as well?

 

[Two of us]

When I sent a request to join the page, I was accepted the same day. When did you send the request?

 

[atcmomma]

When I sent a request to join the page, I was accepted the same day. When did you send the request?

Yesterday morning around 1030. I'm not expecting an immediate acceptance, I was just hoping it will be within a week or so.

 

[Two of us]

Yesterday morning around 1030. I'm not expecting an immediate acceptance, I was just hoping it will be within a week or so.

I don't remember waiting very long.

 

[Anne Pintar]

We are taking our first disney cruise to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday. DD is 8.

 

[Luvmypetz]

2nd cruise on DCL, 1st only a 3 night. 2 adults, no kids, lookin' to leave cold DC for a few days!