Welcome aboard, Leann! Isn't it exciting to dream about your very first sailing with Disney Cruise Line? Disney has so much magic in store for you from the moment the Cast Members announce your family name and applaud your arrival as you step into the atrium, until the moment you wave farewell. I'm excited for you to experience it all!
Besides all of the magic that is
included in your cruise, some guests add extra magic to their vacations by meeting up with other guests online prior to sailing to plan fun extras. Check out Disboards.com, under Disney Cruise Line Meets, or Facebook to see if there is a group started for your exact sailing. On Facebook, search for your ship and sail date. Hopefully you'll find the one that other guests have started for your cruise, and can join it to start chatting with others who will be sailing at the same time. Sometimes the groups opt to create little gift exchanges. There are clips shaped like fish outside each stateroom where guests in these groups will hang pockets to receive the gifts. Because the pockets hang from the fish clips, they call them "Fish Extenders", and the exchanges are called Fish Extender Exchanges. It is a lot of fun to participate, so check and see if you can find your group online. Don't wait long because many close the groups at a certain time before sailing to allow guests to prep the exact amount of gifts for those signed up.
Stateroom doors are magnetic, so as you mentioned, many guests
decorate their stateroom doors with personalized Disney magnets. Print your own and create a personalized door! Only magnets are allowed, as other adhesives can damage the doors. I love walking down the long hall of identical doors to spot ours easily all decorated just for us!
Have fun planning, Leann!
Marcy