Fish Extender, Scavenger Hunt, And Towel ANimals
Fish Extender
WHAT IS A FISH EXTENDER? (FE)
Short answer: Guest organized secret Santa
Long answer: Every stateroom has a fish of some kind hanging on the wall outside the door. This is part decoration and part message center. The fish is there for Disney to place important communications to you such as excursion tickets and notes from the Cruise staff. It is like a mailbox for your room. A Fish Extender (FE) it is something that you hang off the fish. By hanging the Fish Extender off the fish, the Cast Members can still use it for its original purpose. All the people in the exchange buy or make little items and place them in each other's fish extenders. It is great fun to come back and check the items you have received.
Guidelines for Our Fish Extender Exchange
All gifts are to be delivered between the cruise leaving port and returning. This gives people time to pack their bags and set them outside their stateroom doors the night before we disembark.
There is no minimum or maximum dollar amount to be spent on the gifts given. I just ask that you give thoughtful consideration to what you are giving. Gifts can be homemade, store-bought, Disney, non-Disney, it is totally up to you. J Please no candy or food unless you plan to do a “state themed” gift and candy or food from that “State” is warranted, then that is fine. For example, Maple Syrup Candies from Vermont.
All cabins are cheerfully invited to participate. YOU choose how you would like to spread Disney Magic. You can give one gift suitable for the entire cabin, a gift to each person in the cabin, separate gifts catered to kids, then gifts catered to adults, etc. Again, this is up to you!
If you have multiple cabins in your party signing up for the FE exchange, each cabin must individually participate, you may not combine them. It is not fair for folks to make items for multiple cabins and only receive one item in return. Each cabin is counted individually in the exchange.
Deadline for signing up for the full FE exchange will be set to. This allows participants time to order personalized gifts. Anyone who would like to join after that time can sign up for the Pixie Dust List. The pixie dust list simply implies that you may or may not get gifts from everyone in the FE exchange but that you will get sprinkled with gifts by those who may have extras to give and you are encouraged to do the same.
Feel free to attach a label to your gifts with your Social Media name, Facebook name, cabin number or family name so that we know who to thank. If you wish to remain anonymous that is OK too. ;-)
Basic information collected:
Cruiser(s) Name(s) and Age(s)
Cabin #:
Allergies:
Celebrations on Board:
Favorite Characters per cruiser:
Favorite color:
Favorite movie:
You can participate in multiple groups but remember, you may be exchanging with the same families and therefore, may receive duplicate gifts.
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Term fish extender comes directly from the description of hanging the holder on the decorative fish (or seahorse, depending on which side of the ship a cabin is on) outside a guest’s stateroom door
Gifts are placed in the Fish Extender holder outside the participant’s stateroom
Gifts can run the gamut from being store-bought or homemade, dollar store trinkets or pricier Disney merchandise
There is no real rule as far as what is given, other than to “give what you would like to receive”
There are Fish Extender groups for families, children only, adults-only, cabin only (one gift for everyone in the cabin to share) or some combination of the above
Generally, when a cruiser decides to participate in their sailing’s exchange, there is a form on the cruise group page that lets them specify specifics like favorite Disney character, age, any allergies they have, or any special events they may be celebrating while on board
You are crafty and want to share
It does make cruising more exciting/fun
Who does not like to open presents almost daily
You are an organized person and want to handle the extra responsibility
You like to spread cheer and joy
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Added another layer of pre-planning to our vacation that I felt took away from the relaxing element of a Disney Cruise
Ensure I can fit everything in my luggage
Keep in mind that you will be receiving gifts in exchange so you need to make sure you have ample room to bring your goodies home
I’m participating in a Fish Extender exchange, I am purposefully adding another to-do item to my pre-cruise planning. I must purchase or make gifts tailored at least in some way to every person’s liking in my group.
This is both a time-consuming and financial effort.
Cost financially even if making the gifts
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Part of the excitement leading up to any Disney Cruise Line voyage is being able to connect with your fellow seafaring folks online, and planning unofficial exchanges of gifts and trinkets. I love walking down the corridors and passing by all of the colorful Fish Extenders that guests hang outside their doors, and it's great to see them make a return after previously being prohibited for a while.
As a fellow crafter I love that you've felt inspired to get creative with it, so I spoke with one of the friendly Crew Members currently on board who was happy to run up and check:
Typically the aquatic creature-themed Stateroom Mail slots have just enough clearance to be able to hold a few pieces of important correspondence; these can include invitations to special events, statements, promotional flyers or notices. Generally whether you have a fish, seahorse or starfish outside of your Stateroom door there's well under an inch of clearance to the wall, or just above 2 centimeters. (Note that this may vary and be subject to change from ship to ship and especially on the Disney Wish, but generally if it's thicker than a shoelace or a pen - chances are that it might not fit!)
Be sure to check the official guidelines and policy for decorating spaces outside your door; you wouldn't want to be charged for anything that may result in scratches or any damages! I've seen some extravagant examples made of various materials that might be inconvenient or unsafe for Crew Members as they clean corridors and tidy rooms!
What is pixie dust?
Are the Random Acts of Kindness given to Disney Cruise guests from time to time
Pixie dust is the real-life sprinkling of magic
Smaller gifts that can be given out to random staterooms on a Disney cruise, just because
Questions and Answers on Stateroom Decorating
Can I decorate my stateroom door or hang items over the doors? as of 5/28/2026
You are welcome to personalize your stateroom door with a tasteful magnetic sign for a celebration—or simply to add a touch of fun! However, magnets won’t adhere to Concierge stateroom doors on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, as these doors are wooden.
Please avoid using tape and other adhesives, including gel adhesives, to affix items to your stateroom door, as this can damage the doors’ finish.
Also, using over-the-door hanging organizers is prohibited, as they may cause scratches or other damage to stateroom doors and trim.
Items of value should not be used to decorate your stateroom door. Disney Cruise Line is not responsible for damage to or loss of these items.
As a courtesy to other Guests, sound or video elements should not be used.
Decorations should only be placed on doors and are not permitted on corridor walls or ceilings.
Guests who damage doors in violation of these guidelines will be assessed a $100 fee per incident to cover the cost of repairs.
Keep in mind that items of value should not be used to decorate your stateroom door. Disney Cruise Line is not responsible for damage to or loss of these items.
May I decorate my stateroom verandah or hang a sign from the ship's railing?
To maintain the ship’s appearance and safety for all Guests, flags, banners, signs, light strings and other hanging items may not be attached or otherwise displayed from any part of the ship, including stateroom verandahs. Additionally, seasonal and/or celebratory light bulb strings or other hanging items are not permitted.
Disney Letters and Surprise Scavenger Hunt
We did a scavenger hunt for the kids to figure out the trip
See the PDF as an example
We themed a letter each day based on something for the kids:
Pirate night
Port adventure
Day at sea
Fun tasks to perform on the ship
Disney Cruise Line Towel Animals
Each night your stateroom host once you venture off to dinner and they turn down your room, will make a towel animal with chocolate
On board there will even be a towel folding class offered
Disney Cruise Line Paper Crafts
Disney Vacation Club
If a member make sure you stop by the office/booth daily during your sailing for a free small gift
Disney Cruise Line Fun Facts
Uniquely Disney
The Disney ships are painted in Mickey Mouse-inspired colors – black hull, white superstructure, yellow trim and two giant red funnels, each with the Disney Cruise Line Mickey Mouse logo.
Disney Cruise Line was the first cruise line to have yellow lifeboats, instead of the traditional regulation orange. Disney was granted special permission from the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, to keep with the special color theming of the ship.
The Disney Magic was built in two halves… one hundred miles apart! Part of the ship was constructed in Ancona, Italy then towed 100 miles to meet the stern in Marghera to be perfectly joined and welded together.
Disney Cruise Line ships use the iconic first seven notes of the “When You Wish Upon a Star” song melody as their horn signals.
Disney ships are the only cruise ships to have five captains – the ship’s captain, Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, Captain Hook and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Measuring 964 feet in length, the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are each longer than Main Street U.S.A at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. At 1,115 feet, the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are longer than the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and longer than the height of New York City’s famous Chrysler Building.
The anchor on the Disney Magic weighs 28,200 pounds – about the same as three full-grown elephants.
On a special night aboard most Disney cruises, the “Pirates in the Caribbean” deck party features a spectacular pyrotechnics performance – fireworks at sea like only Disney can do!
Guest Experience
Eighty-eight percent of the staterooms on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream and more than 70 percent of staterooms on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have ocean views. Of those, nearly 90 percent and 60 percent, respectively, have private verandahs.
In a cruise industry first, most staterooms on Disney ships feature a split “bath-and-a-half” design, providing families the added convenience of a sink and tub/shower in one room and a sink and toilet in a separate room.
Onboard both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, there are about 950 crew members representing more than 86 different nationalities. That is approximately one crew member for every three guests.
Dining
On an average seven-night sailing aboard the Disney Magic, the following food items are consumed:
Beef – 5,000 pounds
Chicken – 10,000 pounds
Salmon – 1,200 pounds
Shrimp – 1,300 pounds
Lobster Tail – 1,000 pounds
Melon – 15,000 pounds
Pineapple – 4,500 pounds
Eggs – 71,500
Coffee – 57,820 cups
Soda – 3,125 gallons
Beer – 12,385 bottles/cans
Wine and Champagne – 2,700 bottles
Disney Cruise Line dining room Cast members represent, on average, 86 different nationalities.
The décor and food of the Palo restaurant are inspired by Italy, the birthplace of both the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.
Palo takes its name from the poles that line the canals of Venice. Palo’s extensive reserve wine list features selections that hail from some of the most mature vineyards in the world and highlight some of the greatest Super Tuscans like Sassicaia, Ornellaia and Tignanello.
Onboard Features
The Disney Magic and Disney Dream interior is in the art deco style, characterized by geometric designs and bold, solid colors. The interior on the Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy is in the art nouveau style, which features organic influences and curved patterns.
Every Disney Cruise Line ship has an atrium lobby statue celebrating a classic Disney character. Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse, dressed in vintage fashion with a parasol and steamer luggage, graces the Disney Fantasy and Admiral Donald strikes a pose on the Disney Dream. They are the subject of as many memorable vacation photos as their counterparts: Mickey at the helm (Disney Magic) and Ariel sitting pretty (Disney Wonder).
The décor of the Buena Vista Theatre was designed to emulate the elegant movie houses of the 1920s and 1930s, the period when Walt Disney was producing the first Mickey Mouse animated films.
The main showplace for entertainment, the Walt Disney Theatre spans three decks and can seat 977 guests onboard the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder and 1,340 guests on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
A leader in family entertainment, Disney is the only cruise line to first-run feature films, including films in 3-D, with movies premiering at sea on the same day that they are released on land.
With ships purpose built for family cruising, Disney cruise ships boast nearly an entire deck of space dedicated to age-specific children’s activities.
Don’t worry about getting a chill! The swimming pools on Disney ships are heated when the water temperature drops below 75 degrees.
Stay connected, even at sea! Disney ships feature Wi-Fi service in staterooms and public spaces, allowing guests to surf the web at sea from their wireless-enabled device.
Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay was the first private island in the cruise industry where the ship docks alongside so guests do not have to tender to land.
Guests can mail a special souvenir message to family and friends back home by using the Castaway Cay Post Office.
Water is procured in Port Canaveral and delivered to Castaway Cay by the ships to an 80,000 gallon fresh water storage tank on the island.
Feels like home? Approximately 60 Disney Cruise Line crew members live and work full-time on Castaway Cay.
Environmental Programs
Each Disney ship has an onboard Environmental Officer dedicated to overseeing all environmental systems and procedures, along with shipboard recycling, waste minimization and water reclamation efforts.
Condensation from the shipboard air conditioning units is collected and re-used to wash the decks, saving more than 30 million gallons of water each year.
Disney Cruise Line made history by being the first cruise line to utilize an innovative hull coating that is both 100 percent non-toxic to the marine environment, and effective in increasing fuel efficiency. The coating helps reduce the ships’ surface resistance in the water, decreasing the need for propulsion power as the ship glides through the sea.
More than 1,000 gallons of used cooking oil from shipboard galleys is offloaded and recycled in ports of call around the world each week. Through a unique partnership with Bahamas Waste Management (BWM) in Nassau, the used cooking oil is being converted into biodiesel fuel used to power a local fleet of BWM vehicles.
Shipboard recycling systems help divert more than than 325 tons of aluminum, plastics, paper and non-traditional recyclables from conventional waste streams each year. That’s the equivalent of over 54 school buses or 24 humpback whales.
Disney Cruise Line and Disney Animal Programs have partnered with local non-profit organizations, Disney researchers and educators in a multi-year project to restore the health of the coral reefs around Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, and throughout The Bahamas. Researchers are taking long-spined sea urchins that are native to the area and translocating them to coral reefs endangered by algae overgrowth. The sea urchins graze on algae similar to a lawnmower keeping the grass short.