FISH EXTENDER 101 - updated 2019
By Joelle White Brennan
What is a Fish Extender?
Well, it’s easier to start with the Fish part… Fish (and other aquatic animals depending on which ship you are sailing on) are a messaging clip and decoration found outside each stateroom door. They are really a fancy clothes pin used by Cast Members and fellow cruisers to leave messages. The Fish Extender part is a decoration made to hang off the Fish (extending the fish’s message holding capacity while maintaining the function of the clip) as a mailbox system for an organized gift exchange. Think of it like a Secret Santa gift exchange in that you are giving to people you may have never met (but will be identifying yourself on the gift tag.) When people talk about a Fish Extender Group(or FE Group), they are referring to the organized gift exchange.
Do I have to participate?
No, participating is entirely voluntary. The intention is to be a fun addition to a DCL sailing and a way to spread a little extra magic to fellow cruisers. If it’s not for you, then there is no obligation to participate. If you do sign-up and then change your mind, please let your organizer know as soon as possible so they can remove you from the sign-up and any group(s) you may have been assigned to.
How do I sign-up if I would like to participate?
FE groups are organized of the individual sailing pages for each DCL sailing and each organizer does things slightly differently so it is best to check within that group to find out about how to sign-up, when sign-up will close and when groups will be assigned. You can find more information about groups and expectations below.
What can I use as a Fish Extender and what are the dimensions suggested for a Fish Extender?
A Fish Extender (or FE holder) can be home-made, crafted or bought. They do not need to be fancy, just functional. There are many ideas and vendors on Etsy and Pinterest if you need suggestions or are looking to purchase a premade one. The maximum width is 13” although 8-11” is more common. The maximum length is 5 feet so it does not brush the floor. The suggested pocket depth is 5-6”. Many people also add a way to secure the pocket closed to secure the contents.
How many pockets does my Fish Extender need? Do I need to label each pocket?
That is entirely up to you! You can have 1 for the whole cabin or 1 for each person. Some people label each pocket; others leave each pocket as a generic pocket. There is no right or wrong, it’s up to your personal preference.
How many people participate in a Fish Extender Gift Exchange?
This varies from cruise to cruise. Some have more participating than others however the important thing to remember is this is an organized gift exchange. Usually the large group is broken down into smaller groups of 10-15 cabins per group. Recently mini groups of 5-8 cabins have become more popular. Some people participate in multiple groups. Each organizer makes slightly different choices in guidelines for their groups so it is best to check and confirm on your individual sailing’s FB page.
How much am I supposed to spend on a Fish Extender Gift?
That is entirely up to you! There is no expected amount. It should be an amount you are comfortable with based on your personal budget. The item(s) you select should be something you would like to receive.
How many gifts am I expected to give?
At minimum you need to give 1 gift to each cabin participating in your group, to be shared by the whole cabin. You could choose instead to give 1 gift to each person in the cabin. Another option is to give 1 gift to the cabin and then a small gift to each child. Others give 1 cabin gift and an individual gift…the options are infinite. You may not leave anyone in your group out.
What am I expected to give?
That’s up to you as well! There are many theme exchanges offered (depending on your sailing these might include a magnet exchange, ornament exchange, candy exchange, recipe exchange, adults only, kids only, tsum tsum, American Girl outfit/accessory, postcard, etc) as well as general exchange. If you are participating in a themed exchange you have a bit more direction in what you are expected to give however in the general exchange, it’s entirely up to you. The requirement is that it comes from the heart. It can be disney themed, cruise themed, hometown or state or country themed, it’s entirely up to you. You may choose to give the same gift to each cabin or a more personal gift (neither is better than the other.) You may purchase or make your gift. You may choose to personalize the item as well.
When do I deliver my gift(s)?
Again, that is entirely up to you. You can deliver all you gifts at once or split it up over the course of the cruise. As a general guideline it should be between dinner the first night and the afternoon of the last full day to allow the gift receiver to pack it away in their luggage. If your gift is something to be used on the cruise, you may consider giving early in the cruise. If it is something that can be enjoyed anytime over the course of the cruise, consider giving it mid cruise. If it is something to be taken and enjoyed at home, consider giving it later in the cruise. However if your schedule or comfort is for delivery on a specific day, go for it.
Is there a time that is best to deliver?
Since the idea is for the gifts to be a surprise, it’s fun to try and deliver in a not busy time however (and unfortunately) this does open gifts up to “sticky fingers.” Good times to deliver are during meal times, especially dinner and breakfast when people are more apt to return to their cabin before going off on an adventure. Avoid late at night, very early in the morning or during the day when the ship is in a port.
What if my gift is too big to fit in the pocket of the FE?
If your gift is larger, plan on having an extra bag (even a plastic grocery bag) to give the gift in. If you can, hanging it behind the FE is a good option. Other choices are hanging the bag on the door or leaving the gift on the floor at the base of the FE.
Is there a best way to organize delivering my FE gifts?
A little planning goes a long way. I suggest trying to arrange your gift delivery in Forward, Mid and Aft groups, starting at one floor and going up or down depending on where you start. Some people also organize floor by floor and Ziplocs can be very handy in keeping gifts organized. A list can also be helpful to tick off the cabins as you go that way you ensure all your gifts are delivered. Deck plans are available on the Disney Cruise website. There is also a system for how rooms are numbered if you want to use that to plan your deliveries. Floors numbers go up starting at the bottom (just like a hotel), each floor is divided into forward and aft as well as port (left) and starboard (right.) The first number of the 4 digit room number (or first 2 if there are 5 digits in the number) tells you what floor the cabin is on. The 2nd number tells you room location 0 and 1 are port side, 5 and 6 are starboard side. 0 and 5 are forward; 1 and 6 are aft. Room numbers start at 00 at the from of the section and go up from there as you move towards the back of the section. Even numbers are outside cabins, odd numbers are inside cabins. So for example, if the cabin number is 5166 you are on the 5th level, port side, aft and since the number is 66 it’s closer to the back of the ship than mid ship. It is an outside cabin.
Do we identify who the gift is from when leaving it in the FE?
Yes, it’s best to have some kind of tag indicating who the gift is to and from. It can be as generic as TO CABIN #____ FROM CABIN#____ or you can add a personal touch and use names. Tags also cut down on “sticky fingers.”
Do we really have to carry all our FE Gifts with us as we board?
(Call for confirmation, may be changing terms and conditions - recent update - no shipping directly to port at this time :( ) however guests may ship items to their pre-departure hotel and then afix a luggage label at port to have the box delivered to their stateroom.
What if the receiver doesn’t like my gift?
Once the gift is given, your part is done. Enjoy the opportunity to spread a little Disney Magic (where else to perfect strangers bring each other gifts?)
What if I don’t like a gift I receive or it’s not appropriate?
Please be gracious in the receiving. If you don’t like a gift, consider re-gifting to your cabin steward or another Cast Member if it is something they could use or want. (Remember to please add a note that indicates you give them permission to have/take it or they are not able to accept it.) You can also consider gifting it to someone else as pixie dust.
What if I don’t receive a gift from someone in my group?
Please give them the benefit of the doubt and remember even on a Disney Cruise, there are “sticky fingers” or people who don’t understand what the FE is and think it is an offering for anyone to take. Many people have started putting explanation tags on their FEs explaining the organized gift exchange or even a “look but don’t touch.” Templates for these can be found on-line. Participating in a FE exchange is an on your honour activity.
What if I forget my Fish Extender?
A shopping bag and a funny note will do in a pinch (pity the poor husband who forgets that bag in the trunk of the car.)
What if I change cabins?
Often one of the Admins will have a message board on their cabin door to record any room changes or changes to FEs once on board OR a plan to address this should be shared on your sailings FB page prior to sailing (some groups ask members to deliver a message to all they are exchanging with on the embarkment day or to post on the FB page before sailaway.) Please be sure to stop there to check the designates spot before delivering your gifts or if you need to make others aware of a change.
What if my Fish Extender goes missing?
Unfortunately this does rarely happen. Please use the message board to make the rest of your group aware ASAP. Reporting it to guest services is not recommended as this is not an officially sanctioned Disney event. There is nothing they can do. Other groups have suggested zip tie-ing the FE to the Fish (bring scissors or nail clippers to remove at the end) to prevent this.
Please remember this is a fun addition to an amazing voyage not a requirement or expectation. Participating should be something you are comfortable with and you feel will add to your fun not your stress level.
If you have any questions, everyone is here to help. Happy Sailing.
Google doc link to this file - https://docs.google.com/document/d/10CyMc-qSwTmxxMPqBnJn7HZMhyRgkzD4CQWCjydOmOA/edit?usp=sharing