Fish Extenders
Fish extender groups are gift exchanges that you participate in with your fellow cruisers. This tradition began on the Disney Cruise Line and, to my knowledge, remains a phenomena exclusive to Disney. This gift exchange was started by Disney fans that frequented Disney message boards, but they are now coordinated on Facebook. Even though fish extender groups are not officially sponsored by Disney, they allow cruisers to have these gift exchanges.
Fish Extenders can be confusing for first time participants, but we'll explain the details you need to know.
Step 1 - Join an FE Group
In order to participate in a fish extender group, you need to sign up. Otherwise, people won't know to bring you gifts and you won't know who to give gifts to. You can join a Fish extender group from your cruise Facebook page (see the article here on Disney Cruise Facebook groups).Usually there is sign up form in the "Files" section of the Facebook group or a specific person to message to request to be added. If the sign up process is not clear, just search the previous posts or create your own post asking how to sign up. There will usually already be a person who has volunteered to organize the group and provide the list of names and cabin numbers for everyone participating.
Fish Extender Groups vary in size. Groups are usually limited to 8 to 10 cabins and then a new group is started when the first group fills up, though occasionally you might run into smaller or larger sized groups. If there are multiple groups, and you want to exchange gifts with more people, you can usually sign up for more than one group. Keep in mind the larger the group, or the more groups you sign up for, the more gifts you will have to bring for people.
Step 2 - Get a Fish Extender
You'll need to get a fish extender. A fish extender (FE) is a set of pockets or a bag that hang outside your stateroom door (see below). It's most common to have one pocket for every person in the stateroom, but sometimes mom and dad might share a pocket. It's also okay to have one large pouch or bag for the entire room. FEs are often decorated with your family's names, favorite Disney characters, cruise related décor, or other things that represent your family.
Some fish extenders are homemade. Those who aren't crafty can purchase fish extenders on sites like Etsy. Many sellers will customize them with your names, favorite characters, and other designs. On average they run $40 - $80 depending on the size and how many pouches you need. Adding removable pockets or lots of customizations will increase the price.
You don't have to get fancy with your FEs. I've seen people hang tote bags as their fish extender, and that works just fine. The main thing is that there is some sort of "pocket" to hold the gifts. Typically, a fish extender will "max out" at 5 pockets since most rooms hold no more than 5 people. Anything longer than 6 standard sized pockets and you risk the fish extender touching the ground.
So, why is it called Fish Extender? Outside of every Disney stateroom door, there is a metal ornament that crew members used to use to leave messages for guests. On the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder ships, these message holders were decorative fish. These fish message holders were eventually used by guests to hang their gift pouches. The gift pouches "extend" down from the fish, hence the name fish extender.
The newer Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy added sea horses and starfish in addition to the fish ornament found on the classic ships. The Disney Wish takes it even further by introducing several new fish extender hook designs.
Traditional Fish Extenders
A traditional fish extender will have a top panel that features the family's name or some Disney or cruising decoration. Typically, each person in the room has a pocket on the fish extender, though sometimes parents and even kids will share pockets. If you want to keep things simple and less expensive, you can have a single pocket fish extender for the entire stateroom, though this is less common.
Below are some of my favorite shops for purchasing fish extenders. Before purchasing a traditional fish extender, be sure to check out the removable pocket fish extender options discussed below.
If purchasing a fish extender online, be sure to order several months before your cruise. Since most fish extenders are customized, and most Etsy shops are home businesses, please give them plenty of time to make your FE.
Thread In Stitches
If you are looking for a traditional, well made fish extender, the Thread in Stiches shop on Etsy is a great option. Most of their designs are based on variations of Mickey / Minnie icons. They also have Christmas and Halloween designs.
As of February, 2023 prices start at $40 - $65 depending on the number of pockets.
New Threads Embroidery
New Threads Embroidery has a variety of traditional fish extenders feature Mickey / Minnie icons. They also have cute Star Wars and super hero options.
As of February, 2023 prices start at $40 - $65 depending on the number of pockets.
N2 Sewing
N2 Sewing offers several themed traditional fish extender options such as Pirates, Monsters Inc, and Up. You can also create a custom design and choose from over 100 character options.
As of February, 2023 prices ranged from $40 to $90 depending on the number of pockets.
Bewitching Stitcher
Another store offering simple, well made Mickey / Minnie icon fish extenders. This shop will allow you to make special requests for other characters, though some may have an additional charge.
As of February, 2023 these fish extenders start at $50 - $100 depending on the number of pockets.
Removable Pocket Fish Extenders
Removable pocket fish extenders are modular and are assembled from multiple panels to build a single FE. There will be a top panel that is used to hang the fish extender and provides a way to connect additional pockets, usually via carabiner clips or Velcro.
Why are removable pocket fish extenders better? The people you cruise with can change from cruise to cruise. Instead of spending $75 to get a new fish extender each time something changes, you can just add, remove, or move a pocket from a modular fish extender. New baby? No problem, just order an add-on pocket. Is your child's best friend joining you on a cruise? Buy them a pocket and they can participate in the fish extender group too.
Removable pocket fish extenders also come in handy because, even if the people in your cruise group may not change, your rooming arrangements might. For example, a family of 5 may cruise in a single family sized room for a 4 night cruise, but decide they want to split into two rooms for their 9 night Mediterranean cruise. Having modular fish extenders allows you to rearrange your fish extender as needed.
Made4UKrafts
Made4UKrafts is a great source for removable pocket fish extenders. You order one top panel used to hang the fish extender and as many "pocket panels" as you want to hold the FE gifts. You can choose each panel's color, an image, and the name or custom text you want embroidered. Pockets attach to one another using carabiner clips
One of the best features of Made4UKrafts is they have hundreds of patches, appliques, and stich designs to choose from. Of all the shops, they have the widest selections of characters and movies. Besides Disney options, they have an extensive selection of Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel. You can check out their available characters and design options by clicking here.
This option is a bit on the expensive side, as you will usually want to order a top panel and individual panel for each member of your family or group. As of February, 2023, each panel was $22. A family of 4 would be looking at $110 plus shipping. However, the flexibility these FEs offer, along with the wide selection of character options, may make it worthwhile.
Sweet Buttercup Road
The Sweet Buttercup Road shop offers traditional, single piece fish extenders as well as removable pocket fish extenders. Their pockets attach with Velcro. You can either add the removable pockets to the top panel, to each other, or to the bottom of one of their traditional single piece fish extenders. When ordering each panel or pocket, be sure to specify you that you want Velcro on the back so you can expand it later.
As of February 2023, this store doesn't have a catalog showing all of the available character and pocket design options. If you have requests for anything other than what is shown in her shop, you will want to message her in advance to work out your request. You can see some of her custom deigns on her Facebook page by clicking here.
Currently, single piece fish extenders start at $45 to $73, depending on the number of pockets. Removable pocket fish extenders start at $25 for the top panel and $20 for each removable pocket. A removable pocket fish extender for a family of four would start at $105.
Pixie Dusted Stitches
If you are looking for a more affordable removable pocket fish extender, Pixie Dusted Stitches has you covered. Choose your pocket color and customize it with any character and name. Images and names are iron on transfers, so they can actually affix any image you want. Pockets connect using carabiner clips.
As of February 2023, a four pocket fish extender with top panel is $54.
Step 3 - Get or Make Gifts
In order to have a gift exchange, you obviously need to have gifts. What kinds of gifts should you get? What are the rules? In a traditional FE gift exchange, there are no rules. You can pretty much give whatever you want.
Some people give a gift for each person in the stateroom while some give one gift for the entire stateroom. Another option is to give a stateroom gift, but still include a little something for each kid.
Some gifts are inexpensive ($1 or $2), while some are comparatively expensive ($20). If you are giving one gift per person, you'll usually choose less expensive gifts than if you are giving one gift to for the entire stateroom. I would estimate that people usually spend between $5 to $15 per stateroom, though you will find the occasional person who really likes to splurge on their gifts. It's perfectly okay to spend whatever you are comfortable spending. It's also common to give gifts with some sort of homemade element to them, which can save money compared to buying gifts.
Sometimes FE organizers will ask for ages, favorite characters, or other interests which can help if you are interested in tailoring gifts to their recipients. Your FE Group may provide specific guidelines for gifts, but this is rare.
Tip: Most people choose to put labels, tags, or a little note with their gifts so that the recipients know who the gift is from. However, this is not required.
Fish Extender Gift Ideas
Not sure what you should give your FE gifts? We're here to help. First, you should know that the vast majority of fish extender gifts are Disney themed, but they don't have to be. You can give any gift you want. The main thing is that you enjoy giving your gifts.
Below are some high level ideas for fish extender gifts.
Where to Buy FE Gifts
Below you will find some recommendations on where to purchase the various types of fish extender gifts. Clicking the store name will take you directly to a search page for those items.
There are stores on Etsy that are dedicated to selling fish extenders gifts. A few of my favorite shops are listed below:
Example Gifts
Below are examples of fish extender specific gifts from Etsy. This will help you get an idea of different items that are popular fish extender gifts. You can click on any image below to be taken to that item's listing on Etsy.
Sample Fish Extender Haul
The easiest way to get in idea of what types of gifts are given in fish extender groups is to see it for yourself. Below a family has laid out all of their gifts from their exchange.
Step 4 - Hang Your Fish Extender
Once you get to your stateroom, you'll want to hang your Fish Extender on your fish. Easy enough.
Step 5 - Deliver Your Gifts
Sometime during your cruise, you'll need to deliver your FE gifts to the others in your FE group. You can distribute your gifts anytime during the cruise, except for the last night of the cruise, since most people will have already packed up their Fish Extender.
Below are printable deck plans that you can use to plan your FE gift delivery:
Disney Magic and Wonder Deck Plan
Disney Dream and Fantasy Deck Plan
Disney Wish Deck Plan
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