ALL ABOUT THE FE

EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT FISH EXTENDERS-FE

PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THIS OUT.. invite your members to join our page.

THE FE RESTRICTION WAS REMOVED FROM THE KNOW BEFORE YOU GO ON THE DISNEY CRUISE LINE WEBSITE ON APRIL 14th 2022

OK first things first.. Grab your favorite beverage and settle in..- NO REALLY, there is a lot to take in here and if everyone is on the "same page" it makes a difference :)

IF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT HAPPENING ON YOUR CRUISE PAGE- You may want to suggest that it is:

1. There should be some set guidelines so everyone understands its a mutual gift exchange

2. this is not a take event- you give as well and your part of a group!

3. EVERYONE should be tagged and confirmed before ANY list is given out. We find when lists are given out before they are finalized to many issues happen and many sign up, drop and never tell anyone. If no one is checking - disappointment happen...

Now..got that beverage of choice :) On with the info!

WHAT IS A FISH EXTENDER? (FE) & HOW DID THIS FISH EXTENDER IDEA GET STARTED? (updated 4-22)

Every stateroom has a fish of some kind hanging on the wall outside the door. This is part decoration and part message center. 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.

For our purpose- a Fish Extender (FE) it is something that you hang off the fish. By hanging the Fish Extender off of the fish, the Cast Members can still use it for its original purpose.

The FE is a mutual gift exchange you sign up for on your cruise page. THIS IS NOT A ONE ON ONE EXCHANGE, or a gift a day program YOU ARE PART OF A GROUP, and you cant any cabins out of your group.- YOu also give it all at one time

All the people in the exchange buy or make 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 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. Apparently, a lot of people agreed with her!

*PLEASE NOTE- You can not hang an FE holder outside your door and expect gifts if you are not part of a group. (yes there is a chance you can be pixie dusted, but don't count on it)

Cast members are not walking around like tinker bell handing out gifts.

You also cannot just show up on a cruise with gifts to randomly pass out (well you could but that would be more like Pixie dusting than FE) and you prob wont get anything back either

YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR CRUISE PAGE AND JOIN AN 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)

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? WHERE CAN I GET ONE?

The most common Fish Extenders are ones that have a pocket for EACH person in that stateroom. *EACH cabin supplies its own FE holder.

Amazon used to have a small organizer that was great- not sure you could always just use a large reusable shopping bag

SIZE DOES MATTER!

You should make sure your Fish Extender is between 8" & 11" 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

WHY DO I KEEP HEARING ABOUT FISH EXTENDERS? (FE’S)

Every sailing date has its own cruise page. A cruise page is a great way to meet people before sailing away. On your cruise page is where you will also find signups for the FE. (as well as other activities) Everyone that would like to participate will sign up by a deadline.

HOW MANY CABINS WILL BE IN MY FE GROUP and WHO PARTICIPATES???

That depends on your cruise page. FE groups range. The average amt of cabins is from 5-8 especially since most airlines charge for baggage. (years ago groups could have anywhere from 20- 60 cabins). There is usually the option to join more than one if there is room and if you are looking for a larger group.

The smaller groupings It makes it more manageable.

Typically its full cabin exchange- everyone in the cabin participates

WHO CAN JOIN?

Anyone and everyone! Even if your stateroom is 1, 2 or 3 adults, you can join and have just as much fun! The only rule basically, is to HAVE FUN!! although many say,it's not about the gift it's about the thoughtfulness behind it, but please put some thought into it. Scroll the FE page and check out what others are giving/recvibvin and make sure this is for you!

WHAT IF I WANT TO PERSONALIZE ITEMS TO GIVE OUT?

In the past many times people would personalize items. In light of Covid and people testing positive at the port- We STRONGLY suggest NOT personalizing items. (THIS STILL STANDS AS OF OCT 2023 to NOt personalize) Cruise date, name and ship would be fine but leave off names! (you don’t want to be stuck with stuff you cant pass along) and again so many dont show up literally at the last minute

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CABIN GIFT AND INDIVIDUAL GIFTS :

Some do individual gifts for each member of a cabin, and some do cabin gifts.. A cabin gift would be something the WHOLE cabin could use/benefit from.

Individual are just that: Something for the men, something for women, and then you break down the kids based on ages. Depending on what you are giving

PLEASE REMEMBER TO THINK ABOUT THE AGES YOU HAVE IN YOUR GROUP!

Is your item age appropriate for a 5 year old as well as a 14 year old?? Etc…
Would you be happy with your item?

It is the thought that counts. And you should put some thought into it. Presentation is everything! ALSO…no one says you have to give the same item to everyone.

HOW MANY CAN BE IN A CABIN TO PARTICIPATE:

If you have more than 5 in a cabin please join as 2 separate cabins.

If someone is giving individual items to each member of your cabin, please make sure you are reciprocated accordingly- a pack of pencils is not appropriate and more like Pixie dust which is different, and not really fair .

ARE THERE ANY RULES REGARDING WHAT I HAVE TO GIVE OR HOW MUCH TO SPEND?

The only rule really is you must give SOMETHING to each cabin.. how you give is up to you HOWEVER,, we suggest you look at old albums, A piece of candy or a pencil is not really appropriate and is more like Pixie Dust (something dir) .

(YOU MAY NOT LEAVE A CABIN OUT THAT IS IN YOUR FE GROUP)

WHATS THE AVERAGE AMOUNT PEOPLE SPEND?

When asked on the FE page, the average is $10-$15 a cabin.. obliviously some will do more, some will do less

Gifts can be homemade or store-bought, Disney, non-Disney, totally up to you!

What everyone spends ranges.. There is no “correct” amount on the gifts. Some people may be crafty, or thrifty, or really creative. Some may know how to use an embroidery machine, and that can help keep cost down compared to someone who has to special order an item. It’s whatever you feel comfortable with. Just have fun!

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP? HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE?

Check out list here on the page (at the top on the tool bar) or type into the search bar up at the top of the Facebook page. Try something like Disney Wonder April 2, 2022 or Disney Wonder sailing 4-2-2022. Sometimes a different combination helps we also have the list which can be found here, by going up top and clicking on the year you sail.

Once you locate your cruise page: look for FE info... scroll on the page or ask 😊

The FE organizer will maintain the FE list. Everyone participating will get a list of who is participating; this list usually will have participant’s names and room numbers.

AGAIN… YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYONE IN YOUR FE GROUP. You may not leave any cabins out

Keep in mind.. Lists may not be give out till closer to sailing (like 30 days or so) because people keep dropping

MY GIFTS ARE TO BIG TO FIT IN THE POCKET, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?

1. You can lean it against the door ( please DON'T knock, people rest at all times of day)

2. You can hang on door knob or hang from the fish

3. Please do not ask guest services or the Stateroom host to put in the cabin (Disney has nothing to do with the FE and we dont want to give them any reason to ban it as well )

I’M IN A CONCIERGE SUITE, OR SOMEONE IN MY FE GROUP IS. WOULD THERE BE A PROBLEM BEING PART OF THE FE?

Not an issue. Anyone can access the doors there.

IM GTY OR DONT KNOW MY CABIBN NUMBER, CAN I STILL PARTICPATE IN THE FE?

Yes! GTY = a guaranteed category. As soon as you know your room you can update everyone.

Someone should have a wipe off board for updates on the ship . everyone should check it before they deliver. TO check that no one was left at the port!

WHEN LEAVING A GIFT, DO WE IDENTIFY WHO IT IS FROM?

Yes! this is not Secret Santa. Please put a label with to/from and your cabin info

Most want to know who it came from. AND THIS HELPS TO PREVENT STICKY FINGERS. Rare but sometimes happens.

We also hear stories where people have moved and didn't notify anyone and then gifts were returned ( you can then decide if you want to pixie dust etc. )

WILL I HAVE TO WALK ALL OVER THE SHIP TO DELIVER? WHATS THE BEST PLAN?

Maybe...

All the cabins on all the ships have the same sequence.. ITS THE 2nd NUMBER OF EACH ROOM that gives location.. so all the O and 1 Numbers will always be on the left (port) side of the ship 8010, 8021, 8154 AND all the 5 & 6 numbers (again the 2nd number in the sequence )are always on the Right (starboard) 8510, 6520, 5690. If you can work it this way.. and then figure out forward mid and aft..

I suggest you break up your list by location, Before leaving home. Large zip locks are good for this. Place all your items for each cabin in one bag. When you go to deliver you can take the items out and then have the bags for other things.

REMEMBER.. You don’t have to deliver all on the first day, .For those on longer cruises you may want to deliver in the middle somewhere, when the deliveries are starting to slow down a bit, as its nice to come back to your FE holder filled!

ARE THERE BETTER TIMES THAN OTHERS TO DELIVER?

YES! Before or after breakfast or dinner, when there are more people around and the chance of sticky fingers is low.

Worse times are late at night when no one is around. or when people are in port and off the ship when sticky fingers are more likely. (although rare) .

You can start delivering any time after sail away on the first day but PLEASE BE FINISHED by 4pm on the last day, so everyone can pack up accordingly. For those on longer cruises you may want to deliver in the middle somewhere, when the deliveries are starting to slow down a bit, as its nice to come back to your FE holder filled!

DO PEOPLE CARRY ALL THEIR GIFTS IN THEIR SUITCASES?

Yes. You can send items with checked luggage, they will be fine 😊

I HAVE TO DROP OUT.. HOW DO I DO THAT.

Its 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 important so that others who are participating don’t count you in, when you won’t be there. Everyone’s time is valuable. Its courteous to let someone know.

ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO KNOW?

Yes, this is your vacation! This is an optional event. You do not have to feel obligated to join. However, if you have signed up and decide this is not for you, please let the organizer know. People put a lot of time and effort into FE gifts, and are expecting something in return. Its not fair to the group if you bow out without letting anyone know.

********************************************

The admins are not travel agents, do not work for Disney and are not compensated in anyway. Nor do we claim or have we ever claimed that