Help!!! ... Cinderella castle playset??

[KerriMc]

Hi ... hoping for some help here

We wrote our Santa letters today because it was the Santa Claus parade in our city and the girls put them into the carriers bags. It is early, but I also like to get an idea of what they would like so I have time to get it for them. They are allowed to ask for two things from Santa, because Santa also likes to surprise them with a little something extra he has in his bag when he comes to their house.

Anyways, youngest DD is adament she would like a brown teddy bear (simple I think) and she would also like Cinderella's castle. Now where in the heck would I find Cinderella's castle??? I know there is that large pink princess castle (ugly and expensive) that is out right now, but she wants the white castle with the toys for it. I know I have seen it AT some of the WDW gift shops (Contemporary for sure), but where else can I get this for her?? I don't want some cheap knock off (but also don't want to pay hundreds either). If I ordered from the gift shop at WDW would they be able to sell it to me and ship it? Would the shipping be absolutely horrendous??? (I don't mind 40 bucks or so) I looked on EBay but they are used from what I saw. I've never used EBay anyways and am somewhat apprehensive to do so. I have bid, but have never won.

What do I do? Does the Disney store carry this castle?? I haven't seen it if it does. Just wondering if anyone has ordered direct from WDW or bought an item while at WDW and had it shipped home. We had wanted to buy this castle for our oldest one year, but didn't think it looked like fun to haul home on the airplane!!

Thanks for any help ...
Kerri

 

[mommytodarlings]

Hi Kerri,

There is a castle playset that you can buy at WDW. I looked at it last year in DTD, I think it was $65. I asked a CM about shipping, it was $60 for the castle. I didn't want to carry it home on the plane either, the box is pretty big. We are going Dec 14th for Christmas and driving down so I am thinking of getting one this year for dd for Christmas.

Here is a pic of it :

http://www.laughingplacestore.com/Product-4247.asp?R=LP

there markup on it is huge.

I have heard a lot of people say their dd's love it.

Where in ON are you?

Michelle

 

[M2DD's]

Hi, We live in the US and had recentlly shipped the castle to our house for our 2 girls for christmas.It came a wk after we go back so it shipped quickly.It was around 14$ to ship back so I Thought it was cheap.You also have to keep in mind because your shipping it you don't have to pay taxes on the castle which makes it more affordable.We had purchased several other items so I can't tell you the exact amount but if was around 90$ USD.For sure under 100$ with shipping.I can't wait for them to open it christmas morning. Here is the number of the mail order department 407-363-6200 or catalog department 800-237-5751. Hope this info helps.Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions
laura

 

[KerriMc]

Thank you ... I am going to call that number now and see if I can order it and have it shipped. DH says he doesn't care how much it is to ship ... he just wants it for her!! Now I just have to try and make a call without my kids walking downstairs here. Murphy's Law ... as soon as I am on the phone someone needs me !!!

Michelle ... I am a half hour north of Barrie. Where in ON are you?

Kerri

 

[KerriMc]

Me again ... just called them and the shipping is $75!!!! That is more than the $69 castle itself!!! Not sure about that!

She was really nice and suggested sending it to a friend in the States, but I only know one or two people and hate to inconvenience them (plus their DD's would be mighty upset to see a castle arrive and then have it be mailed out again!).

What to do, what to do ....

Kerri

 

[rella's fan]

Great toy! I bought this for my daughter for Christmas when she was 3 and she still plays with it all the time, 3 years later. We saw it on vacation and I didn't want to bring it on the plane either,so I got the phone number and called and ordered it when I got home. I believe it was around $60 and I think it was about the same to have it shipped to Canada. I ended up shipping it to the U.S. and I believe it was around $7, do you have a friend that lives over there that visits? or a U.S. mail box? I have a U.S. mail box and it has saved me a fortune this year with all of the free shipping offers from Amazon, Gymboree, etc. Good luck!

 

[KerriMc]

How do you have a US mailbox? Do you live close to the border and just cross over? I can't believe it costs $14 to mail in the States and $75 to Canada. I wish I had a US mailbox!!

Kerri

 

[mommytodarlings]

I am in Cambridge, we had our Santa Parade this w/e too, that's why I wondered.

Disney's shipping to Canada is absolutely crazy. They just consider it the same as other "international" destinations.

I could bring 1 home for you, but I won't be home until after Christmas, then I would still have to ship it to you from Cambridge.

 

[rella's fan]

Yes, I live close to Windsor/Detroit. I usually wait till I have 2 or 3 orders there before I make the trip over but it still is so worth it (mailbox is $25 a month).
I told my friend that the next time we drive to Disney we should pick up a couple castles to re sell (not for a profit) - just because it was such a rip off for shipping. Good luck, if you're anything like me you won't be able to get it off your mind - I wanted my daughter to have it really bad (plus I loved it just as much)!

 

[abirdd]

I've been following this thread today, and am curious... just how BIG is the box?!
Is it a case of the castle and pieces being small, and would it make sense to take it out and pack into our suitcase among the clothing for protection?

 

[mommytodarlings]

I've been following this thread today, and am curious... just how BIG is the box?!
Is it a case of the castle and pieces being small, and would it make sense to take it out and pack into our suitcase among the clothing for protection?

Yes, you could do that. The CM suggested that to me last year, but I didn't have the extra room (travelling with 4 kids doesn't leave you with much, lol), but she wanted it for Christmas and won't be there before then.

 

[abirdd]

Yes, you could do that. The CM suggested that to me last year, but I didn't have the extra room (travelling with 4 kids doesn't leave you with much, lol), but she wanted it for Christmas and won't be there before then.

DH is reading over my shoulder, and is laughing... he's wondering what shoes and clothes I'm planning on leaving at home, so I can fit a castle

 

[KerriMc]

I've sent an email to two people in the US (one is in Missouri and the other is the lady we are renting our house from and she is in Chicago). Seeing as the box is big though, I would think they will have to pay a bit to mail it to me anyways, so the savings of maybe $10 wouldn't make it worth it. I have also emailed my uncle who is a border crossing guard at Gananoque (sp??). Although I have a feeling I will end up just sucking it up and paying the shipping fee. The things we do for our kids!

Kerri

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

We live close to the Niagara Falls New York border and this is what we do...

We have the item shipped to the UPS depot in Niagara Falls New York. We make sure that as well as our name that our home phone number is contained in the shipping address. When the package arrives at the depot, they call us and we 'cross over' to pick it up. They have a specific number of days that they will hold the item. Our son often buys from EBay and this works really well.

Find the nearest UPS depot and give them a call to see if they would do it. Note that it isn't a UPS store with boxes, it's a warehouse. You have to make very sure that your phone number is there.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

That castle is quite large...I'm not sure how small it is out of the box.

They used to have a small one for around $20 that was wonderful. My daughter and niece have one. it was really cute and since it's tiny, my teenage daughter still has it one her dresser. It's one of her favourite 'kid' toys. However, I looked for it the last few years for my other niece and it is no longer sold. It was a Mattel item.