Canadians Shipping Food/Packages to WDW Resorts!

[disneymath]

Has anyone successfully done this from Canada? If so, how?

We will be travelling with a baby this December - he'll be 5.5mths at the time - and staying at ASMu (Family Suite). We're relying entirely on Disney transport (including Magical Express from the airport). It would be nice if we could lighten our load so to speak and send some of his stuff (diapers, formula, maybe a case of water) ahead of us to the resort.

I'm open to suggestions!

 

[dsneygirl]

I would consider getting a grocery delivery service. The shipping cost would probably be outrageous for something as heavy as formula and water.

 

[dishguy1977]

One thing to note is that formula is slightly different in the US and some babies don't do well with a formula change. Even when it is the same brand the actutal composition is slightly different. My friend called Nestle about buying Goodstart in the US instead of bringing it from here and they told her it was different.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Shipping from Canada to the U.S. is not cheap generally speaking. I live near the border with Maine and often times it's actually cheaper for me to drive something across and then ship FEDEX or UPS than it is to ship it from my home location.

That said.. here's basic rules and guidelines for shipping to resorts from the Resorts Board. None of this is Canada specific but it's good info as a starting point.

Don't ship it through the Post Office... Here is why... The US Post Office does NOT recognize Disney streets, any and all mail being sent to Disney through the US Post Office will go to the PO Box (regardless of how you address it) as the post office does not deliver to Disney directly. From the PO Box it is sorted into sections and then specific locations before it is delivered out to property. This can take quite a bit of time.

UPs, Fed Ex, DHL, any kind of courier service will deliver directly to the hotel. My suggestion would be to get the package ready and send it out about 7 days prior to your arrival (you can send it further out if you like they will hold it). If you give yourself enough time you can ship it ground service which is the cheapest.

As for who to address it to you would want to address it like this:

The name of the person who is the LEAD name on the reservation (may not be you, but it is easier to find that way)
C/O the hotel you are staying at/ Front Desk
The address of the hotel
And put HOLD for guest check in and the date (you can put the res # too if you want, but it is not really needed).

So it would look something like this

John Smith
C/O Disney's Wilderness Lodge Front Desk
Hold for guest arrival 4/02
901 Timberline Drive
Lake Buena Vista, Fl 32830

Here is a list of the resort address' (again this can ONLY be used for courier services, US Post office will not deliver to the property directly)

Disney’s All Star Movies Resort 1991 West Buena Vista Drive
Phone: 407-939-7000
Disney’s All Star Music Resort 1801 West Buena Vista Drive
Phone: 407-939-6000
Disney’s All Star Sports Resort 1701 West Buena Vista Drive
Phone: 407-939-5000
Disney's Pop Century Resort 1050 Century Drive
Phone: 407-938-4000
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort 900 Cayman Way
Phone: 407-934-3400
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort 1000 West Buena Vista Drive
Phone: 407-939-1000
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter 2201 Orleans Drive
Phone: 407-934-5000
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside 1251 Riverside Drive
Phone: 407-934-6000
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 2901 Osceola Pkwy.
Phone: 407-938-3000
Disney’s Contemporary Resort 4600 North World Drive
Phone: 407-824-1000
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 4401 Floridian Way
Phone: 407-824-3000
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge 901 Timberline Dr.
Phone: 407-824-3200
Disney’s Polynesian Resort 1600 Seven Seas Drive
Phone: 407-824-2000
Disney’s Beach Club Resort 1800 West Epcot Resort Blvd.
Phone: 407-934-8000
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort 1700 Epcot Resort Blvd.
Phone: 407-934-7000
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn 2101 North W Epcot Resort Blvd.
Phone: 407-939-5100
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort/Campground 4510 N Ft. Wilderness Trail
Phone: 407-824-2900
Disney’s Old Key West Resort 1510 North Cove Rd.
Phone: 407-827-7700
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort 1960 Broadway
Phone: 407-827-1100

Walt Disney World Dolphin 1500 Epcot Resort Blvd.
Phone: 407-934-4000
Walt Disney World Swan 1200 Epcot Resort Blvd.
Phone: 407-934-3000

Shades of Green 1950 W. Magnolia Palm Dr.
Phone: 407-824-3400


All hotels are in Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830 (Except Animal Kingdom Lodge which is Bay Lake, FL 32830).

 

[disneymath]

Thanks for the replies everyone ... we thought about grocery delivery, but we never even considered that formula in the States would be different from the same name brand here!

I know shipping will be outrageous ... even local shipping rates are crazy high IMO.

I guess we'll stick to bringing everything down on the plane with us. Any advice/experience in this area? Will premixed formula and jars of baby veggies be a problem with the "liquids" issue on planes?

(We're flying Air Canada Jazz with an Air Canada connection at Toronto/Pearson, if that makes any difference.)

 

[dsneygirl]

FWIW we travelled to the US about 6 times while my son was on formula and never had any issues with it being "different". For me it would be such a huge hassle to bring it.

Liquids are a non-issue if they are in your checked luggage.

 

[CanadianGuy]

You could always pack a 'freight' box.. and pay the extra charge the airline charges to check it. That could include everything you might need including extra diapers, baby blankets etc.



Knox

 

[abirdd]

We have done numerous trips with our little one since he was born - and packing diapers, formula, veggies, etc - is pretty easy.

I would pack a carry on with "extras". Take what you normally use in a day, and double it. This is to ensure if there are any delays (ME is always 2-3 hours later) or lost luggage problems, you have sufficient meals on hand for the wee one. Note - you should not encounter any problems with airport security - as baby formula and baby food is acceptable as carry on, as long as you are with the infant!

For checked baggage - I always wrapped each baby food jar in a ziplock bag - and made sure they were in the middle zone of our suitcase (less impact from the side walls) and cushioned by clothing.

In terms of formula, I loved my Avent Formula Dispenser/Snack Cup when Duncan was small... life saver both during travel and for playgroups! I filled all three sections for air travel, and then packed the large can of powder in our checked baggage.

I have never bothered with water - I normally just buy a couple bottles when we check in at the hotel. If you should need to mix formula while at the airport, most kiosks will sell water. On the airplane, just ask your flight attendants!

As noted by CanadianGuy, most airlines do allow a freight box. With WestJet, I've seen them waive the fee if the family is not bringing two "baby equipment" items. Not sure if A/C will do the same, but it's worth asking

Worse come to worse, Disney does sell Nestle (US version), Heinz, and Huggies products at all hotels and parks. So, if something does go amiss, you'll at least have coverage!

 

[abirdd]

We have done numerous trips with our little one since he was born - and packing diapers, formula, veggies, etc - is pretty easy.

I would pack a carry on with "extras". Take what you normally use in a day, and double it. This is to ensure if there are any delays (ME is always 2-3 hours later) or lost luggage problems, you have sufficient meals on hand for the wee one. Note - you should not encounter any problems with airport security - as baby formula and baby food is acceptable as carry on, as long as you are with the infant!

For checked baggage - I always wrapped each baby food jar in a ziplock bag - and made sure they were in the middle zone of our suitcase (less impact from the side walls) and cushioned by clothing.

In terms of formula, I loved my Avent Formula Dispenser/Snack Cup when Duncan was small... life saver both during travel and for playgroups! I filled all three sections for air travel, and then packed the large can of powder in our checked baggage.

I have never bothered with water - I normally just buy a couple bottles when we check in at the hotel. If you should need to mix formula while at the airport, most kiosks will sell water. On the airplane, just ask your flight attendants!

As noted by CanadianGuy, most airlines do allow a freight box. With WestJet, I've seen them waive the fee if the family is not bringing two "baby equipment" items. Not sure if A/C will do the same, but it's worth asking

Worse come to worse, Disney does sell Nestle (US version), Heinz, and Huggies products at all hotels and parks. So, if something does go amiss, you'll at least have coverage!

 

[disneymath]

... everyone!

abirdd ... your packing tips will come in handy

 

[Diamondintheruff]

When my kids were little I used to pack the jars in ziplock bags and than cover them with a diaper. Absorbant, shock absorbiing, handy and of course you can always use it later once you get there.

 

[jmtf2004]

I never used liquid formula - if you are concerned about differences in formula to purchase it there, could you pack the dry formula and make it up when you are there? We have used gardengrocer.com a few times now with great success to have water, juice, snacks, things like organic baby carrots, celery, milk, cheese and other stuff delivered to our resort. I believe they charge $12 for delivery now for orders under $200. Their service is excellent...definitely prefer this to lugging a bunch of heavy stuff in our luggage or renting a car to go offsite shopping (or paying the prices at the resort shop onsite).

 

[disneymath]

Again, thanks for all the advice! I'll have to get my sister (the mama) to look at this thread and decide what she wants to do.

If anyone else has any tips to share, I would appreciate it. (We're WDW veterans, but with a baby it'll be a new experience for sure!)

 

[dsneygirl]

In the US Gerber baby food comes in plastic containers. I found it to much handier for travelling. You could get this if you used a grocery delivery service.