Ship Yourself a Package

[agtlmm]

One way to help save yourself some money and create some magic for the kids is to ship a package ahead of time.

The last time I went to WDW it was with my mom, sister and niece. We shipped down a box containing crackers, muffins, granola bars, cereal bars and poptarts. We planned most of our meals ahead and just need a few breakfast meals. These were also great snacks for late at night or even in the park.

I also included in this box a package for my niece. Using a gift box from the Disney Store, I filled it with lots of fun things for her. From the Disney Store I purchased a Mickey and Minnie beanie baby, 2 of the magic towels, one of the light up spinners and a hand held fan. I also purchased an autograph book from the web and I included several large pens. I created a card using disney software telling her Welcome to WDW and I look forward to meeting you. Siging the card from Mickey.

She knew we were shipping snacks down because she helped pick them out, she did not know of the surprise for her. When we checked in we picked up the package. We were going to drop our stuff in the room and then eat lunch before changing and going to the park. As we were leaving I explained that I forgot something and ran back in and placed the box on her bed. When we got back to the room she squealed when she saw that Mickey had left her something.

When she met Mickey for the first time she told him thank you for the stuff he had left in her room. It was so cute.

 

[mousebymarriage]

What a great idea, I never thought of shipping stuff to myself. My suitcase always seemto be on the brink of the overweight limit and that is without any extra's(I know I pack too much, I've tried to cut down.). I especially like the idea of a surprise gift from "Mickey".

 

[Surf Fish2285]

Is there anything special you have to do when shipping yourself a package?

 

[agtlmm]

Is there anything special you have to do when shipping yourself a package?

When you address the package just make sure that you print your arrival date on the package. When I called the resort to make sure that the package arrived they asked me for my arrival date. I am not sure if they sort them by date or what.

Take care in packaging whatever you ship. As our box looked "handled" but not was damaged.

One thing I would suggest is to be aware of the cost. We were thinking of shipping a couple of cases bottled water down for our next trip as a way to save some money. I weighed a case of water I found it was 28 pounds. I checked with UPS and the cost to ship a package that is 24" x 24" x 24" and up to 72 lbs is about $37. (That is 4 day ground) Add that to the cost of the water that is $47. Looking at the cost of the water at the park I believe they are $2 each. That at total of $96. Some savings for a little bit of hassle of getting the package shipped.

If you are not doing heavier items your cost will be lower and your savings greater. Just figure out what you plan to ship and remember to include that in your budget.

 

[figment3258]

We are thinking of shipping down a package with diapers and baby food stuff that would take up too much space in the suit case.

48 day to go beach club here we come!:ROFLOL:

 

[LuLaSue]

Excellent Thread

Wow!!! I need to share some of these ideas with my brother. We are all flying down in November and he has three girls, one still in dipars. It would be wonderful to ship them down as not to pack them in the suit case.

 

[peemagg]

We are going to send diapers down, since we are traveling with 3 in diapers. I think that we will need around 200 diapers for the week that we are down there. I checked with our local Costco and we can order the cases that we need online and have them delivered to our hotel. I have also heard that other companies will mail them also.

 

[Bonnet]

I think that is just so cool and nice that you also shipped the gift for your niece and left the gift to her from Mickey. I will have to keep that idea in mind.

 

[crlachepinochet]

Take care in packaging whatever you ship. As our box looked "handled" but not was damaged.

One thing I would suggest is to be aware of the cost. We were thinking of shipping a couple of cases bottled water down for our next trip as a way to save some money. I weighed a case of water I found it was 28 pounds. I checked with UPS and the cost to ship a package that is 24" x 24" x 24" and up to 72 lbs is about $37. (That is 4 day ground) Add that to the cost of the water that is $47. Looking at the cost of the water at the park I believe they are $2 each. That at total of $96. Some savings for a little bit of hassle of getting the package shipped.

If you are not doing heavier items your cost will be lower and your savings greater. Just figure out what you plan to ship and remember to include that in your budget.

I've shipped a box of snacks to myself before, and it was pretty cheap (although I have a discount). Things like granola, fruit snacks and such are light and won't be very expensive to ship yourself; it's also nice knowing exactly what's in the box. However, I wouldn't recommend shipping yourself things like whole cases of bottled water or diapers... the shipping adds up too fast. Buy from a place like netgrocer.com or gardengrocer.com, and have them send it right to your hotel room. Big companies only pay a fraction of what you would have to pay to ship the same thing!

Also, about packing... stuff your box, whether with something like crumpled newspaper or just lots of snacks. Your box WILL get turned around and flipped over sometimes on its journey. Movement = damage.

 

[mynonnie]

I've shipped canned drinks, water and snacks down for the past 5 years. I can't remember if I used the post office or one of the delivery services, but I shipped the snacks for under $7.00 and shipped the drinks for $17. I thought it was $12 but I just looked back at my scrapbook from last year and my receipt was in there. I shipped UPS and used a $5.00 coupon. Our boxes have always been in our room when we arrived or brought up very shortly there after. I just ship it to me in care of the hotel . In big print on the sides I put " for guest arriving 8-5-08" or whatever the date will be. It works great!

 

[Hakunamatata]

Excellent tips. One thing you may want to consider as well is if flying with kids that don't need twobsuitcases each, you could pack snacks etc in a second suitecase and check it. Some airlines the second bag is still free or reduced rate.

 

[SnowWhiteMomma]

I can't wait to do this!

 

[InsideOtherPark]

Guest sending United States Postal Service deliveries to Disney Resorts may use the following address:


Guest or Party Name (Room Number/Site if known)

c/o Disney Resort where the Guest is staying (e.g., Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Disney's Contemporary Resort, etc.)

Post Office Box 10,000

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000



If the delivery is for a Guest not listed on the Reservation, please include the name of the primary Guest on the Reservation, the Sports Team name, or Group name when sending mail to the resorts. Please mail a minimum of 10 Days before the end of the Reservation. If the Guest has not Checked in, the Resort will hold the mail for them.



For Priority Mail please use the Contact Address for each resort.

 

[Fashionista007]

I've never shipped a package to the hotel but I ALWAYS ship all the souvenirs I buy from the hotel to my home at the end of my trip. I've done this at both moderate and deluxe hotels and they provide you with boxes AND don't charge you for shipping. All you have to do is pack up your stuff and call the concierge to come pick it up. Then, you have something to look forward to after your trip!