? about sending food and alcohol

[MizlurksaLot]

Hi every one, this is my first post, but I've been lurking for about a month now. My cousin and I are planning a trip for November, we'll be staying at Pop Century. I've read that a lot of people send packages down before hand to save money on food, but I was wondering if we could send alcohol down in a package (we're both over 21). Also, would it be cheaper to send the food by UPS or to do a grocery stop once we get to Florida? I don't know about the tax and stuff in Florida. It's 6% here in PA, is it higher there? Would it be better for us to buy it there anyway with the cost of shipping?

[renessa]

Hello...and welcome to the DIS!!!! Conrats on your first post!!

I would just pick it up on your Grocery stop. Let your driver know what you're looking to purchase and they can suggest a store. I would be afraid that the shipping cost would be $$$$$. Have a great trip! :teeth:

[GAIL HAYDEN]

sales tax is 6.5%, but is not applied to most food items. It is applied to alcohol and soda. I would check with the interstate laws before you try to send alcohol via UPS or Fed ex.

[MizlurksaLot]

Thanks for the suggestions. I was wondering about the laws for shipping alcohol. It seems that the laws are restricted both in PA and FL. Does anyone know what those restrictions are? My only concern is that we can't do a grocery stop if our flight is 30 minutes late or early. We'll be on south east airlines. Does anyone know if their flights are usually on time? What about a taxi from Sanford airport, how much would that cost with a stop to a store? Thanks again :)

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by MizlurksaLot
Thanks for the suggestions. I was wondering about the laws for shipping alcohol. It seems that the laws are restricted both in PA and FL. Does anyone know what those restrictions are? My only concern is that we can't do a grocery stop if our flight is 30 minutes late or early. We'll be on south east airlines. Does anyone know if their flights are usually on time? What about a taxi from Sanford airport, how much would that cost with a stop to a store? Thanks again :)

A search of the internet should bring up the restrictions you are speaking about.
As to the taxi, I feel secure that the Sanford site will have taxi's listed with approx. fare to the resorts.

[Cheshire Figment]

Taxi might not be a good idea. I did a MapQuest search from near Sanford Airport to the Contemporary Hotel. It comes to about 50 miles. Taxi fares in the Orlando area are $1.75 at the flag drop (1st 1/7 mile) and then an additional $1.75 per mile (25¢ per 1/7 mile). You would be looking at about $90 each way (plus tip) by taxi or about $200 round trip. Also there has been recent discussion on the local news about a possibility of surcharges due to increased gas costs.

You might seriously want to look into a car rental; you might even save money if it is jusy sitting in the parking lot.

Sometimes you might not want to use a car if staying on-site, such as to the Magic Kingdom or for serious partying at Pleasure Island. However, for the rest of the parks, the water parks, to get to other resorts, or to go off property to do shopping having a car is a great advantage.

[MizlurksaLot]

I was worried that a taxi would be pretty expensive. We will be on site, but thanks for the idea about the rental car, unfortunately all four (possible only 2) of us that are going are in fact over 21 but under 25. Last time I checked the age to rent a car was 25+ Oh well, I'll keep thinking, any other ideas would be greatly appreciated :)

[GAIL HAYDEN]

You can rent a car if you are under 25, but, you will pay more per day. Check the different agencies for their rules and rates.

[HappyLawyer]

i don't see a problem with that my only concern would be if it breaks and making sure it is padded enough so it would not break good luck

[FroggyinArk]

erronious posts:)

[crisi]

You can buy alcohol on site at many of the gift shops. It isn't cheap, but it will be cheaper than a taxi or a rental car, and cheaper than having it confiscated through the mail. Besides, liquor is heavy - it won't be cheap to ship.

You can also carry it on to the plane. I wouldn't pack it in my luggage (clothes full of Bailleys would be icky), but a LOT of people carry liquor on planes. You'll want to make sure its well packed - either in a bag with a lot of padding, or in a liquor box.

If you run out of room - ship the clothes. They are lighter and cheaper to ship anyway.

Edited: Ship SOME clothes - you don't want to have a single outfit if the package doesn't arrive or be stuck buying Mickey t-shirts just to dress in the morning.

[summerrluvv]

It's not that much $$ to ship a box to your resort ahead of time. I'm not sure why so many think it's not cost effective. Food is probably cheaper in your home state than it is at the Grocery Store on the way to WDW. Especially if you use coupons and get the stuff very cheap. I have heavy boxes for no more than $10-15 via UPS and Fedex ground is even cheaper. Also, there are always coupons for Airborne in the Office Max fliers and they are usually good for 50% off one shipment (up to $10). Airborne has ground service that is comparable to fed-ex ground's rates.

[macs4us]

When we fly to WDW (usually we drive), we pack a rolling duffel of food and alcohol, and a blender and check it with the other luggage. The duffel we use has a drop bottom, and I line it with a thick beach towel and put our large bottles of microbrews in that section. I put our snack food in large ziplocs, the blender, and a well wrapped bottle of premade margaritas in the upper section. We like to bring microbrews home from our different trips, and we have also brought our brews in our carryons. If you are concerned about breakage, pack a carryon with alcohol (check on limits with your airline - you may have to split up amounts among your party), and a suitcase with food.

I don't like to ship because it's a pain for us to get to the Post Office or UPS - and I am a control freak who rather have her stuff with her!!! :p Plus, a bag with no more food or alcohol gets to come home with stuff from WDW...

You should look into a rental car - if you call the various rental companies they will tell you the policies for the location you would be renting from. Find out what the charges would be, and then head over to mousesavers for some codes to try and get a deal on the rental.

Just as an FYI, here is a picture of our food duffel, from Target:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00007MEYA.16.PT01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

Have a great time!!!

[swilshire]

Many Sams Clubs in Florida have liquor stores, including one on 192 not too far from Downtown Disney. Their prices are cheaper than what we pay at home. You can go to their website to get a map.

That would be worth a cabfare from your resort if you are a member. You can also stock up on other things such as bottled water, soda, snacks, etc.

Sheila

[crisi]

I don't know about Sam's Club in Flordia, but ours has a pretty dismal selection. Cheap. You can buy a huge bottle of Absolut for only slightly more than the smaller bottle at the liquor store - but they only have the huge bottle - and you'd better want to drink one of the three brands of vodka they carry. Forget about anything even slightly strange, like Chambord or Midori.

As to shipping being expensive - you'd have to be a saavy shopper or buy a LOT of groceries to make $10 or $15 dollars in difference - plus your time. Florida stores will take coupons as well - and the store we shopped in when we were in Orlando was MUCH cheaper than then one we shop in at home (it was also much dirtier, unorganized, difficult to navigate, had horrible produce - but it wasn't expensive).

[snowgooseltd]

We're in New England and travel to Florida several times per year. We always stay on site but last year we purchased a home in Titusville, about 50 minutes from WDW. On a couple of occassions, when we were traveling with children, I began buying groceries (non-perishables, of course) several months in advance. We boxed everything up, food, laundry detergent, drinks, games and such and sent it through as a piece of luggage. Every airline allows it as long as the box doesn't weigh more than 70 pounds. Since we've been heading to Titusville more often this year, we take three or four boxes with us each time. The guys at the airport think it's funny. I tell them that I'm moving to Florida one flight at a time.
ps...we always travel Southwest Airlines and they allow three checked bags per person, whether they're suitcases or boxes.

[MizlurksaLot]

Originally posted by FroggyinArk
erronious posts:)

Ah ha! What have you done bringing this old thing back? Guess what ~ problem solved we're taking the alcohol on the plane (not spending $6 for something I could get here for $2 or $3)~ now if I can just find some liquor under 70 proof :scratchin

[Kitster]

since according to the USPS:

Keep the Mail Safe: Hazardous and Restricted Materials

Some things cannot be mailed or can be mailed only in small quantities for safety and legal reasons. Call 1·800·ASK·USPS or visit your Post Office if you have questions about the item you are mailing. Restricted materials include:

Aerosol cans
Ammunition
Drug paraphernalia
Fireworks
Flammable or explosive materials
Illegal or infectious substances
Lottery tickets
Poisonous materials
Alcoholic beverages

[snowgooseltd]

.......as to what to do with the old thing upon return....obviously the food is gone, as is the laundry detergent. Each child either puts the game or toy they want in their own suitcase, or disposes of it. We just throw the box away.

[maggiew]

I'm thinking about packing some food in a suitcase to take on the plane (checked baggage). I believe I heard that you shouldn't pack peanut butter because it looks like explosives or something on the screening process. Is this true or is it one of those circulating myths??

Maggie

[snowgooseltd]

I packed two jars of peanut butter in one of the boxes that we checked through as luggage, last December. We had no problem with them. Our airport requires you to stand by as your luggage is sanned prior to heading for the gate, so I know there was no problem.
As far as carrying alcohol in your carry-on luggage, I think you'll have a problem getting past the screeners. Better to wrap it very carefully and pack it in a suitcase or box. We've brought alcohol back from the islands, packed like that, and never had a problem. This is a case for the super size zip lock bags. Wrap in soft material and put it into a zip lock. If there is breakage, the material will absorb some of it and the zip lock will protect the remainder of your stuff. You can always reuse the bags for damp clothing on your return flight.

[bsusanmb]

I had no problems with jars of peanut butter, but I had baggies double bagged with laundry soap and would you believe they must have thought it was drugs - they cut my suitcase open and cut up the baggies - I had laundry soap everywhere - what a stupid thing to happen! I used to buy the tablets of TIde but I couldn't find any - so I put powder in baggies - learned a hard lesson!:confused: :mad: :smooth: :tongue:

[snowgooseltd]

bsusanmb...you just lucked out with an overzealous security guard. I've sent bagged Tide through before and had no problem. Security vasilates from one person to another. I asked, before I flew, and was told that knitting needles were fine. They did, indeed, allow my 15 inch needles. However, they confiscated my grandmother's 4 inch embroidery scissors. Since I was traveling alone, I had no one to give them to, so I lost a beautiful memento of my grandmother who has been gone over 40 years. I definately learned the hard way.
ps. On my way back, ( 4 days later) when I arrived in Providence, I asked if I could check and see if the scissors were still being held somewhere. They refused me.

[Pointdisney]

Just a reply about how you'll get to your hotel from the airport. My husband and I have used Tiffany Town car for the past few years and it's a really good deal! We are picked up at Orlando airport by a driver and taken by town car to our resort. It costs $85 round trip for up to 5 people in the car. They also make a stop at a food store along the way at no additional charge. You can pick up your groceries and alcohol then. I don't know if it costs more to be picked up at Sanford airport, however, it would most likely be much less than $90.00 each way. You can log onto www.tiffanytowncar.com to get more information. Once you arrive at the resort, they will store everything for you if your room isn't available yet. Hope that helps!princess:

[disneychrista]

I work for a brewery and from what I understand both the sender and reciever must be licensed to sell alcohol.