Everything on a Disney Cruise is fantastic, as you would expect. From the events, entertainment, and Disney-inspired EVERYTHING! On our first cruise, our family had quite the adventure. Still, the only question we kept asking ourselves was, “What are all these lovely banners hanging at people’s staterooms?” We soon learned these were Disney cruise fish extenders, which we assumed groups traveling together did it for mutual communication.
We finally decided to ask someone we encountered leaving their cabin. They informed us that cruisers join a Fish Extender group prior to the cruise and use the pockets to leave gifts for other families in their designated group. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser, understanding the concept of fish extenders on a Disney cruise can enhance your trip.
What is a Fish Extender?
First, some Disney Cruise backstory so the moniker “Fish Extender” makes more sense. Every stateroom on every Disney ship features an ornate fish on the wall outside the door used for collecting cruise documents and reminders for on-boat appointments like massages, dinner plans, etc. People began hanging pocketbooks and ornaments from the fish over time. From here, some extremely intelligent Disney fans reasoned, “Hey, what if I create a group for people going on the same cruise to exchange gifts for fun?”
See, even Disney guests are awesome! And with the creativity involved in Disney cruise fish extenders, every trip becomes memorable.
How to Join a Fish Extender Group
Disney Boards
You can join Fish Extender groups on DISboards.com, which is the original website where the Fish Extenders service was first launched. This site is one of the places where you can join Fish Extender groups. The website in question is a conventional bulletin board, and anyone is welcome to sign up for it.
To begin, you will need to visit “Forums” and then “Disney Cruise Meets” after you have created an account. The next step is to search for your cruise by entering the name of the Disney ship, the date you depart, the number of nights, and the name of the location (for example, Baja, western Caribbean, etc.).
Also, this website is a traditional message board site that anyone can join. You start by creating an account, going to “Forums”, then “Disney Cruise Meets”. Lastly, search for your cruise by putting in the name of the Disney ship, the date you leave, the number of nights, and the destination name (e.g., Baja, western Caribbean, etc.).
You can also search by year to see when your ship is scheduled to sail. One thread called “Find your 2019 Wonder Cruise Meet LINK here” is where I found our Disney Wonder cruise to Alaska. To find information about fish extension groups to join on this site, you have to look around a lot. Even so, I think you should check out the following boards. They have a lot of useful information about Disney cruises.
Facebook Groups
Another place, and I think a better choice, is to look for a group on Facebook. In the same way, you would look for a group by ship name, cruise date, and cruise location. An open Facebook group means that anyone can make one. You might find a group for your ship, or you might not. Joining Disney cruise fish extender groups online, like on Facebook, can be a fantastic way to connect with fellow cruisers.
No matter which one you choose, they will each have their own way of choosing and setting up how to make fish extension groups. The secret Facebook group I was a part of made a Google doc. In this document, people could put their information under the group they wanted to join. There were some small groups with seven families and some bigger groups with fifteen families. The kids in our group were about the same age as us.
Most groups will only need your last name and stateroom number to prove that you were on a cruise. I strongly advise that you NEVER give out any other personal information, like your home, phone number, or place of work. Each person in our stateroom had a name, age, gender, favorite character, dining time, and an event they were enjoying, like a birthday or anniversary. This makes it easier to give gifts that are more acceptable and personal.
What You Will Need to Participate in Fish Extenders
A Fish Extender
Of course, the most important thing you need is pockets to hang from the fish outside your cabin. It was easy for me to find many cute Fish Extender choices on Etsy. Most of them are made from fabric that has your names sewn or ironed on to it. The prices for the Fish Extender bags were between $40 and $80, and it took about two months to get them. You can make your own Fish Extender bags like I did if you are short on time or want to save money.
Fun & Thoughtful Gifts
The gifts for each family come next. When choosing gifts, consider the kids’ ages so they will be happy. Personalized gifts, such as practical items bearing the cruiser’s name (such as a water bottle or sunglasses), consistently garner appreciation. Things that keep kids busy, like small toys or activity books, can be added to a grab bag for a low price. I think adults should get snacks, tools, or useful souvenirs like a Disney keychain or a can coozie. You can find Fish Extender gift ideas on Pinterest.
I hope that I helped you understand more about giving Fish Extender gifts. Now you can decide if your family wants to join this fun Disney Cruise practice.
If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a message or tell me about your experience with fish extenders on Disney cruises. Happy Cruising!
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Hi, I’m Jenn. I am a mother of 6, an avid traveler, & a certified travel advisor. I believe that making memories while exploring new places is essential for families. Let me help inspire & plan your next trip!