Should I participate in FE or is it just drama?

[DCSWO]

I think it's wonderful that you get to cruise with a family of 8! If you are in the creative mood, perhaps you skip FE drama and stress and do something similar and special just for your family. You can customize them, spend a little more if you like, and know your "audience" will appreciate that extra touch for their first cruise. Enjoy!

 

[Quellman]

You are talking about two different groups. Your specific cruise sailing date group should be stress free and full of friendly folks. That 20k member group is ripe with Drama, over the toppers, and professional craft people with no apparent real life. I wouldn't worry about them. It's a brag board and with that many people there are bound to be plenty of duds and trolls. So don't feed the trolls.

We have done the FE on a couple of cruises, Adults only, family only (kids), and mixed. Each present their own challenges, including getting stuff to the port and getting it back home. We drive, so I take a cardboard box and a roll of packing tape! In my opinion, FE is best for longer cruises 5+ days. This way you actually have a little down time to deliver the gifts, which can take time depending on where the staterooms are located. We have done FE for cruises of 3-4 days, but we are repeat cruisers, so we aren't missing out on the 'first time' cruise experience.

 

[tlprice]

I thought my daughter might be disappointed if we didn't do it even though our first cruise was a surprise for her. From reading on here and other places, it sounded like EVERYBODY did FE. I decided I couldn't handle doing it for a surprise trip, so I didn't. I was surprised when we were on the ship that I saw VERY FEW FE hangars outside doors. My daughter didn't even notice. I'm so glad I didn't do it. No stress and she had no idea she might be missing something. So, unless you WANT to do it, don't feel like you HAVE to do it.

 

[DCLDVC1]

I'm planning on making 2 or 3 pixie dust items, if I see a FE that I think is cute, or if it feels like I can brighten someone's day with my pixie dust then that's what I'll do.

That's also what I do now. I'll look through the FE list that's posted in the FB group and if there are any kids with special needs or celebrating a special occasion, I'll pixie dust them.

 

[DCLDVC1]

You are talking about two different groups. Your specific cruise sailing date group should be stress free and full of friendly folks. That 20k member group is ripe with Drama, over the toppers, and professional craft people with no apparent real life. I wouldn't worry about them. It's a brag board and with that many people there are bound to be plenty of duds and trolls. So don't feed the trolls.

Well said!

 

[MommaBerd]

Recognizing my circumstances were different than yours, I am SO glad we did not do an FE our first cruise!!! (Oldest DS graduated high school the day we left to drive to Port Canaveral!)

I felt really prepared and confident in all my knowledge (gained here) before the cruise, but once I got on the ship, I was a bit overwhelmed! I was glad to just focus on family and the cruise and not stress over delivering FE gifts.

We have booked a cruise for 2018, and my youngest DS wants to do an FE. I'm considering it only because I have a lot time to plan and prepare and again, because he wants to do it.

 

[bumbershoot]

At least 90% of the hangers are of no issue to anyone walking down the hallway

But that 10% can be a doozy!

Last dcl cruise, probably last time we do concierge, there was an overloaded, overwhelming, spilling it's contents, FE hanger on a door between us and the lounge and exit hallway. And for some reason they never brought in any of the items even as the days went on and it got fuller. Items were spilling out and no one was picking them up. No one.* For 24 hours items stayed in the hallway on the ground.


*nope not even me.
1. Not my hanger, not my job.
2. With my luck they would open the door as I was gathering things and accuse me of theft. Since I'm a blusher I would look guilty.
3. An experiment to see how long it would stay there. Like our one time at Grand Californian stepping over the fork on the hallway floor for days to see how long it stayed there. One day it moved and we were elated, only to see that it had been placed on a hallway table
further down the hall.

 

[Capitalangel]

We have done FE's the last two cruises. We got a wide variety of gifts and price points. We tried to do things in the middle range as well. The things I have held on to/ used are the Mickey Sprinkles, handmade coffee cozy, and real maple syrup from the area a cruiser was from. We have also been in groups of 10 cabins each time. My children LOVED coming back to the room and seeing what was in their "mailboxes". Having said all that, I don't think we will be participating on our next cruise. It is a short three night over Presidents Day Weekend. I do not feel the need to add more to our itinerary since it will already feel so short. I also don't want to add the pressure right after the holiday. I might change my mind between now and then or I might just buy things for my sons "mailboxes" and a few pixie dust items as well.

 

[ironz]

It does not have to be drama-- I'm glad I never knew there was a larger social media page about FE.
Focus on your small group if you still want to do it. I made a few good friends from the cruise-specific Fb group and am happy I participated in that way.

We didn't do FE on our first DCL cruise-- a) I don't even know if I knew what it was, b) it was just a 4 night cruise, and c) we were on our honeymoon.
Second cruise was this year to Alaska-- we enjoyed participating in the FE, though it was a bit of work on my part, as I made our gifts, but it was fun work. We had relatively small groups-- from our social media page, we ended up with I think 3 family groups and 2 adult groups, the organizer did a great job and kept it at about 12 cabins per group. We did the adult only group, as it's just DH and myself.
I planned to bring relatively small things, so did not take up a whole suitcase for this-- esp with needing more than our usual luggage for the length of this trip and needing warm clothes. I was not going to check an extra bag or ship stuff just for this little extra activity.
It was nice on the longer cruise, esp since we started with a sea day, so time to drop off many of the items.
We got several cute things, and will use most of them. I do hope that the people who we gifted at least appreciated them, and if not, no skin off my back--I tried!

Whether or not we participate on future cruises will just depend on the length of the cruise and whether or not I feel like it.

 

[cmwade77]

This is one of the many reasons that there are rules on these forums against linking to outside groups, including FB for your cruise. I was talked into joining a FB group for an FE on our last cruise and honestly, never again. I will do FEs through groups on this board, but if it is outside of that, I won't as there tends to be a lot more drama in outside group.

 

[cadien]

Our first DCL cruise is coming up and my research included FEs. I was really relieved to see that even the FE groups advise to skip it on your first cruise. Too many other things to learn and prepare.

 

[WeLoveDisneyAlways]

Anyone joining a FE group needs to be open minded not everyone has loads of money to spend but still wants to participate in the group as they should, if they are spending way too much money that's on them not the other families to pay them back in gifts this is "thought that counts " situation. Personally we only participate for our DD we love making gifts for a few months it helps with the wait and builds the excitement. Frankly I couldn't care less if any one appreciates it that's their problem, we appreciate every thing we've received. We could get nail clippers and a mini chocolate bar and be happy we'd probably have a giggle about it go on with our day, again if people are expecting lavish presents they should maybe make a "platinum FE group" haha. I love when we come back to our room and there's gifts waiting her face just lights up and even more we love delivering the gifts. It's about the experience not the loot. Our 2nd cruise we got a post it "oops we forgot our presents at home" meh didn't bother me they still got their gifts do I 100% believe they left them at home nope did I care nope not letting that ruin vacation

 

[DisneyBelle99]

I love the FE exchange, and think it is a unique part of the DCL experience. Like anything else in life, there are going to be people who don't like it. Also, there will be those who will whine, and critics. It makes me happy, and doesn't stress me out. In fact, even when I don't have a cruise booked, I still like to look at possible things to make, and gifts that can be Disneyfied. I enjoy the gifts that are specific to people's hometowns, or interests

 

[Disneytreasure]

Thanks for all the responses! I think taking on an FE is a little much for our first cruise. Right now I'm leaning toward not participating but still a little undecided. We are just spending so much on this cruise already, and like I mentioned in my first thread/post on here, we are trying to cut corners where we can. It's tough with Palo, excursions, etc all the extra stuff we want to do. But I know that from what I've read on here, it's impossible to do it all I think overall our group would be okay and thankful for whatever we get them. I just got caught up in the level of drama on that FE page! Because there are so many members on there, I just assumed that that horrible attitude was prevalent. I'm sure that's not the case. At this point I will remove myself from it. It's just full of SO MUCH negativity and the person that runs it is on a power trip and the people that post are just... AWFUL, lol. I think if we do decide to participate then we will definitely just look on Pinterest for ideas...

 

[Disneytreasure]

I think it's wonderful that you get to cruise with a family of 8! If you are in the creative mood, perhaps you skip FE drama and stress and do something similar and special just for your family. You can customize them, spend a little more if you like, and know your "audience" will appreciate that extra touch for their first cruise. Enjoy!

Thank you! Yes, we are really excited and it's quite an opportunity for us.

Yes, we might end up waiting. I'm leaning toward no but I kinda wanted to talk with my family about it since a couple showed interest.

 

[Disneytreasure]

Oh... that FE FB Group.... Never have I seen more petty nonsense than that group. The FE thing is designed to be a fun little gift exchange. A little bit of Pixie Dust, if you will. Not a competition on who is more crafty/original/well off but you would never know it based on that group of grumpy grouses.

Is it work? Yes. But, if it is work you enjoy, then have fun with it. But remember this is just like giving gifts for any other occasion: if you are giving to get then you have missed the entire point of what 'gifting' is all about. Clearly these other folks on the FB FE group have lost slight of this and, quite frankly, I feel bad for them because it is quite likely a glimpse of their personal life and every holiday their friends and family have to endure.

LOL I think we are thinking of the exact one. And yes, it's quite the little cesspool of a place. It's disappointing because when I think Disney fans, I think jolly, happy go lucky type people. But boy, was I wrong! It seems like just a bunch of unhappy people getting really uptight about a small gift exchange. They seem to really thrive on drama and tearing others down. I think the whole thing just left a bad taste in my mouth. I'm definitely getting off of there!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks for all the responses! I think taking on an FE is a little much for our first cruise. Right now I'm leaning toward not participating but still a little undecided. We are just spending so much on this cruise already, and like I mentioned in my first thread/post on here, we are trying to cut corners where we can. It's tough with Palo, excursions, etc all the extra stuff we want to do. But I know that from what I've read on here, it's impossible to do it all I think overall our group would be okay and thankful for whatever we get them. I just got caught up in the level of drama on that FE page! Because there are so many members on there, I just assumed that that horrible attitude was prevalent. I'm sure that's not the case. At this point I will remove myself from it. It's just full of SO MUCH negativity and the person that runs it is on a power trip and the people that post are just... AWFUL, lol. I think if we do decide to participate then we will definitely just look on Pinterest for ideas...

I will say, I was picking around Pinterest a while back and spotted a pin of a gift I made. It was my picture. I had posted it here on a Dis FE thread and there it was! A pin on Pinterest! I was so excited!

 

[Evoga]

My wife has signed up for a FE group and she is very excited about it. I have to keep stopping her buying items in all the shops we go to as she is forever finding something new. I don't know how big she thinks the fish extenders as I'm more worried that it won't all fit in. She is still looking for more unique Welsh items to give.

I am sure she is also on that large FE Facebook group as she told me a post of someone giving ketchup sachets from the ships restaurants as a gift!

It's all fun though. It's a way to get used to the ships layout and the children will look forward to the gifts.

 

[DL1957]

Where is Disney selling FE?

 

[PrincessTrisha]

We've had some good experiences with FE and some not so good experiences.

Our first cruise, it was a fantastic experience - lots of wonderful gifts, creative people and it was a big group but there was no doubt in my mind that everyone gave (there were a few things that were questionable but very few). Our second cruise was a different story - when someone said they wanted to pull out of the group the organizer said they should just stay in, not everyone had to give, not everyone had to give to everyone, basically it just became a free for all. We got a few nice things but I'd say we received from less than half of a very big list, and we got a lot of questionable stuff (you could tell who'd been to the MNSSHP before the cruise - we ended up with a load of those bits o honey candies that no one likes and rockets and other cheap stuff but they kept the good candy for themselves). I almost didn't do it on our next cruise but it was a small group and it was pretty good - though one person tried delivering on the last morning (debarkation day) and then was surprised when there were no FEs hanging outside the cabin (we were already off the ship at that point!). Our last cruise was broken down into groups and I think that it really did restore my faith in the FE process - lots of very nice, thoughtful (not necessarily expensive) stuff and less random crappy candy and fake tattoos and whatnot.

It's not the cost, it's the thought - you can get some decent stuff from oriental trading if you choose, and you don't have to give ten, 10 cent items, instead of one dollar item.