For those who send a food box to your room before you get there..

[CaliforniaDreamin]

How do you address it? You don't know your room number until check in, right? So do you just address it: Pop Century c/o John Doe? Also, where do you retrieve it from, the check in desk?
I think it's a great idea to mail down snacks, bowls etc but DH needs some convincing. He thinks it sounds like a hassle. He's afraid the check in people get annoyed with having to handle something like this. I don't think so, so any info you can provide would be much appreciated!

TIA!

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

How do you address it? You don't know your room number until check in, right? So do you just address it: Pop Century c/o John Doe? Also, where do you retrieve it from, the check in desk?
I think it's a great idea to mail down snacks, bowls etc but DH needs some convincing. He thinks it sounds like a hassle. He's afraid the check in people get annoyed with having to handle something like this. I don't think so, so any info you can provide would be much appreciated!

TIA!

send it UPS and on a seperate sheet put your Resort, guest name and arrival date. they will either call when it arrives or deliver it you your room

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Thanks so much, this exactly the info i needed!

 

[Telcogirl]

You can also put your reservation number on the UPS form in the comments section.

We did this on our last trip, and when we checked in, the front desk had a note on our reservation that we had a package waiting for us.

 

[jdvm]

The resorts are great at handling packages shipped to guests. I would add that you need to have the street address of the resort you're staying in.

John

 

[Momx3]

how far in advance should you mail it?

 

[candykisses]

We send our box down about a week ahead of our arrival.

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

Great tips everyone! How about some ideas for what to pack. I am already planning on plastic bowls and utensils, pop tarts, pringles, drink packets to put in bottled water. Any other suggestions?

 

[Telcogirl]

Since we tend to stay in the DVC villas, we have access to the washer and dryer and therefore do not have to pack a lot of clothes. So, we can get by with traveling with a carry-on.

Because of the 3 oz rule at airport security, we like to send down all of our liquids, such as shampo, sunscreen, lotion, toothaste, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc. Anything that we do not want to travel with thru airport security. We also will send down coffee filters and coffee packs from Dunkin Donuts. This way we have the exact amount of filters and coffee for the number of days we are staying and we are not wasting anything at the end of our vacation.

 

[GraysMom]

We usually stay at OKW, so we have dish soap/paper towels already provided. We usually send paper plates, plastic bowls and cups, plus plastic silverware because I have no desire to wash dishes on vacation . I usually send ahead

all toiletries (except a few travel sizes in our carryon in case we get stuck somewhere)
tissue packs (resort tissues are pretty rough)
antibacterial hand wipes (individual packs)
juice boxes/small bottles
snacks (pretzels, candy, stuff for DS3)
disposable ponchos
mini cereal boxes for breakfast/snacks
ziploc bags in various sizes (for carrying snacks, wet clothes, etc)
cans of diced fruit
small boxes of raisins (in ziplocs)
small first aid kit (mini scissors, bandaids, Neosporin, Cortaid, alcohol wipes)
salt/pepper packets or shakers
Chlorox wipes (triple bagged) to wipe down the hotel room
Room decorations/signs

I think that's about it.

 

[Aliceacc]

Just out of curiosity: why send down instead of ordering from down there? How does the price of shipping compare?

I had been thinking of hitting either wegoshop.com or gardengrocer to have them shop and deliver for me.

 

[dburg30]

how far in advance should you mail it?

I would use either fedex or UPS. You can log onto their sites to see how long ground shipments take. I check that out and add a day. So if it says it will take 3 days to get there, I'll ship it 4 days out just in case. So if I want it there on Friday, I'll ship it Monday.

 

[Telcogirl]

Just out of curiosity: why send down instead of ordering from down there? How does the price of shipping compare?

I had been thinking of hitting either wegoshop.com or gardengrocer to have them shop and deliver for me.

Some items we will order from gardengrocer. But for items that we only will use a certain quantity of, like sweet and low packets, we will send down with our toiletries.

 

[GraysMom]

Just out of curiosity: why send down instead of ordering from down there? How does the price of shipping compare?

I had been thinking of hitting either wegoshop.com or gardengrocer to have them shop and deliver for me.

A big part of the reason I send ahead is because I'm very picky about brands. Not necessarily brand names, but I have a favorite brand for most of the foods I eat, and since some are regional, I like to know I will have what I like when I get there.

The other reason is that I like to shop sales and use coupons. And while I love my grocery coupons, I won't take them on vacation to WDW with me. Which means I can get items cheaper at home and have them on hand to take with me. And yes, shipping does eat up some of the savings, but I like to know I have what I want waiting for me.

Also, next time we go we won't need the big pack of diapers, wipes, swim diapers, sippy cups, and not as many toddler friendly snacks, so the box should be much smaller .

 

[Jakesmom504]

Since we tend to stay in the DVC villas, we have access to the washer and dryer and therefore do not have to pack a lot of clothes. So, we can get by with traveling with a carry-on.

Because of the 3 oz rule at airport security, we like to send down all of our liquids, such as shampo, sunscreen, lotion, toothaste, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc. Anything that we do not want to travel with thru airport security. We also will send down coffee filters and coffee packs from Dunkin Donuts. This way we have the exact amount of filters and coffee for the number of days we are staying and we are not wasting anything at the end of our vacation.

I haven't flown since 2000. What's the 3 oz rule? Is that for carry-ons or luggage? Also what can't you pack in a carry-on? What about medication, do they let you take Rx meds on the plane with you? Sorry for all the questions!!! I hate flying and if DH said we can't go if we don't fly, I wouldn't be flying anywhere!

 

[Telcogirl]

You are not allowed to bring more than 3 ounces each of liquids in your carry on luggage. You can pack the full size bottles of shampoo and liquid like that in your checked bags. You just can not have them in the cabin with you. Medications are fine, but they must be declared to the TSA agents at the security checkpoint.

 

[bpdigsvb8]

I am mailing down a flat-rate box from USPS with all the heavy stuff...juice boxes, Parmalat (milk that does not need to be refrigerated - most Walmarts carry it), etc and then whatever doesn't fit I am just going to pack in the suitcase since it will be lightweight stuff anyways.

 

[jonestavern]

Since we tend to stay in the DVC villas, we have access to the washer and dryer and therefore do not have to pack a lot of clothes. So, we can get by with traveling with a carry-on.

Because of the 3 oz rule at airport security, we like to send down all of our liquids, such as shampo, sunscreen, lotion, toothaste, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc. Anything that we do not want to travel with thru airport security. We also will send down coffee filters and coffee packs from Dunkin Donuts. This way we have the exact amount of filters and coffee for the number of days we are staying and we are not wasting anything at the end of our vacation.

Yep! In addition we pack a good pair of scissors (cutting moleskin); a decent knife (chopping veggies, meats--we cook); perfume & lotion; wet wipes; candles, matches; bath brush; Splenda/Sweet 'n' Low; personal reading lights; an extra carton, strapping tape & Magic Marker; muffin tin; pre-measured spices; Kosher salt; McCormick peppercorns w/built-in grinder; pre-cut tin foil (for easy clean up of cookie sheet or broiler pan); 1 SOS pad & 1 3M scrubbie; gallon zip locks; extra Crocs; Crystal Lite tubs & booze. Small sizes of plastic containers of: mayo; ketchup; cooking oil; syrup; hot sauce; mustard.
Packet mixes (the kind that uses no eggs) of: pancakes; muffins; biscuits and cookies.
The day we leave we use that extra mailing carton & the original to mail back any souvenirs or extra clothing--lightening our carry ons considerably.
This trip we didn't rent a car, but when we do, we go shopping for produce & meats. We will also pick up the small sizes of condiments rather than ship them.

Just out of curiosity: why send down instead of ordering from down there? How does the price of shipping compare?

I had been thinking of hitting either wegoshop.com or gardengrocer to have them shop and deliver for me.

These must be ordered in advance, so the earlier the better.
Yes, their prices are much higher than our local markets, but may be reasonable in comparison with other communities. Some of the WDW resort 'market' items are right in line w/ these shop/deliver folks--just no variety, of course.
I think their delivery charges are very reasonable.

Jean