Cheaper to ship toiletries to resort?

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

Will be going to WDW in June and staying at BW. When I travel I always pack a separate bag for our toiletries just in case something break/spills. We're flying Airtran and of course they charge $20 per checked bag. Would it be cheaper to just box up the toiletries and have them shipped to BW? And would BW accept the box and hold it until we checked in?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sissy_ib]

Will be going to WDW in June and staying at BW. When I travel I always pack a separate bag for our toiletries just in case something break/spills. We're flying Airtran and of course they charge $20 per checked bag. Would it be cheaper to just box up the toiletries and have them shipped to BW? And would BW accept the box and hold it until we checked in?

Thanks in advance!

You could ship a box for much less than $20. And yes the resort will accept it. I just put the stuff in zip lock bags so if it breaks it wont get on clothes.

 

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

You could ship a box for much less than $20. And yes the resort will accept it. I just put the stuff in zip lock bags so if it breaks it wont get on clothes.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

Would USPS be my best choice or FedEx or UPS?

 

[MrsPete]

We're close enough to drive to Disney, so this isn't a problem for us . . .

but I did do this when we did our western national parks driving trip. I got a large pre-paid mailer from the post office, which I think was $14. If your trip's shorter, you could probably do with a smaller /less expensive box. Given the right circumstances, I'd absolutely do this again.

The $14 box was large enough to hold full-sized shampoo, sunscreen, and everything else our family of four needed for three weeks. I did put everything into ziplock bags, but we had no problems with the liquids. They did put a "liquids" sticker on the box when I took it back to the post office.

Yes, we could've bought toiletries when we landed, but we were arriving in Las Vegas late at night, and I did want a toothbrush and toothpaste at my disposal right away. We also mailed a lighter, kitchen knife, and my husband's pocket knife. Those things wouldn't have been allowed on the plane at all. Also, I use a couple dermatologist-recommended skin products (Vanicream products) that aren't expensive, but aren't easy to find.

I did call our Vegas hotel ahead of time to verify that they'd accept the package. I labeled it with my name and the words "Hold for guest check in on ___ date". I mailed it about a week and a half in advance, and I called to see that it'd been received. Trouble? Yeah, a little, but so is getting through the airport with liquids. For our circumstances on that trip, this was less trouble.

 

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

You could ship a box for much less than $20. And yes the resort will accept it. I just put the stuff in zip lock bags so if it breaks it wont get on clothes.

We're close enough to drive to Disney, so this isn't a problem for us . . .

but I did do this when we did our western national parks driving trip. I got a large pre-paid mailer from the post office, which I think was $14. If your trip's shorter, you could probably do with a smaller /less expensive box. Given the right circumstances, I'd absolutely do this again.

The $14 box was large enough to hold full-sized shampoo, sunscreen, and everything else our family of four needed for three weeks. I did put everything into ziplock bags, but we had no problems with the liquids. They did put a "liquids" sticker on the box when I took it back to the post office.

Yes, we could've bought toiletries when we landed, but we were arriving in Las Vegas late at night, and I did want a toothbrush and toothpaste at my disposal right away. We also mailed a lighter, kitchen knife, and my husband's pocket knife. Those things wouldn't have been allowed on the plane at all. Also, I use a couple dermatologist-recommended skin products (Vanicream products) that aren't expensive, but aren't easy to find.

Did you discard the toiletries after your trip or did you mail them back?

 

[Cruise]

We also mailed a lighter, kitchen knife, and my husband's pocket knife. Those things wouldn't have been allowed on the plane at all.

As a matter of interest, you're also not supposed to ("allowed to") mail lighters, anything with fuel, or anything that once contained fuel. It's considered a hazardous material.

Just putting it out there.

 

[jessica52877]

If you lived in California and were mailing full size toiletries I could see it being close to $20. Otherwise I think you'll be fine. I chose to purchase sunscreen in the Bahamas at $26 a bottle vs take a checked bag. Overall, we still saved $.

 

[englishteacha]

I find I can get by a week on the travel sized bottles of toiletries. Only the liquid items have to go in your ziploc bag for your carry-on. I put my shampoo, conditioner, mini toothpaste, and small container of lotion in my ziploc bag, and then my bar soap, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. go in my bag in my toiletry kit.

If you need more than the mini sizes, I'd guess a small or medium flat rate post office box would be the right size. However, it might be cheaper to box up your stuff in a box you have at home and then take it to the USPS to see how much it would cost to mail. Someone mentioned here recently that the flat rate boxes weren't always a bargain, unless the stuff was very heavy.

 

[geniegirl]

Just sent a 21lb box from PA to Pop for $13.50 FedEx ground. Much better than the $25 bag.

Box has all personal care items, baby formula, sun screen, power cord, chargers, and protien bars that I could not get from garden grocer.

Gonna print out a FedEx ground slip in case we want to send our purchases ack home and save on checked bags.

 

[herdtoDisney]

Would USPS be my best choice or FedEx or UPS?

Well, of course I say go USPS You could use a flat-rate priority box (not sure how much you are sending, maybe a medium box? or small) You can order a pre-paid Forever priority box online at usps.com It can be picked up at your home so you don't even have to take it to the post office!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

For those who are dedicated carryon only packers, shipping excess toiletries makes sense. For others, it may be penny wise, pound foolish. For $15 to $25, you can ship 49.9 pounds with the airlines. If you are going to carry the extra 25 pounds or so any way, you might be happier paying a little extra to check a bag. -- Suzanne

 

[jsmith]

seriously-your going on an 5K vacation and your worried about the 5 bucks you will save by mailing the stuff? As someone else said-penny wise and pound foolish-take one large checked bag-pack all the stuff you would other wise ship in it-plus large bulky things that will make your carry-ons heavy or oversized-like shoes. Youll have extra space to bring stuff home in.

 

[bearloch]

also with airtran if u check in and " move" up to first class/business class for 69 dollars you get free luggage we always do this we get are seats for next to nothing ( always under 75 ) so its still very cheap!! plus you board first and have extra storage room!

 

[distherapy]

Is BW considered a convention resort? Those can charge up to $10 for package handling.

Are you checking any bags at all? If so, I would just double bag your toiletries.

Here is a link to the "Shipping to Your Resort" info thread. Check it out - there are some weird things about how USPS shipments are handled versus other carriers like UPS/FedEx, as well as discussion on what is shippable as well as how to write your label.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2437212

 

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

also with airtran if u check in and " move" up to first class/business class for 69 dollars you get free luggage we always do this we get are seats for next to nothing ( always under 75 ) so its still very cheap!! plus you board first and have extra storage room!

Let me see if I understand your statement....if we bump ourselves up to business class our baggage will be free? Is the under $75 fee one way or round trip? Can this fee be paid prior to the trip or will we have to wait until we get to the airport?:

Thanks so much for the help! Planning this trip is so overwhelming!

 

[iheartdisney]

If you are already going to have one checked bag, i think the most budget-minded move would be to buy a roll of duct tape and a box of ziploc bags. Tape the lid of the bottle closed, seal it in a ziploc. problem solved.

 

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

seriously-your going on an 5K vacation and your worried about the 5 bucks you will save by mailing the stuff? As someone else said-penny wise and pound foolish-take one large checked bag-pack all the stuff you would other wise ship in it-plus large bulky things that will make your carry-ons heavy or oversized-like shoes. Youll have extra space to bring stuff home in.

Of course I'm concerned with saving as much money as possible, but my desire to ship out toiletries is not out of need to save a penny, but to lighten our load.

 

[Pumbaa_]

BW is a convention hotel. All packages are at the BW convention center (not front desk) and are open limited hours

 

[Crazy4DisneyandTink]

bump