Mailing Supplies to Resort -- Successful or Problems?

[michellex2]

I'm trying to sort out ways to make it easier flying with my elderly mother -- handling her, the wheelchair and luggage can be challenging. Plus, due to health issues, she needs quite a bit of medical equipment/supplies. I'm considering mailing a box of supplies ahead of time to our resort (AKL). Of course, I'll have her meds on the plane with me. Still if I could mail some of the other bulkier medical supplies, life would be simpler in the airports. I just need to know that the odds are very, very good that the package will be waiting for me when I arrive, rather than lost somewhere in the Disney system. (Too bad teleportation isn't an option ...)

Has anyone mailed things to the resorts? Were there any snags? How early did you mail the package? (The trip will begin on 12/7, so we'll be getting into holiday package time.) Any tips on marking the box that would make it easier for Disney to get the package to the right place at the right time?

Experiences or suggestions from those who have pre-mailed would be appreciated!

 

[Alysa]

I have mailed a 4 foot christmas tree by courier. It was waiting for us no problem when we arrived. Medical supplies are kind of tricky though - if our tree had been lost or damaged - oh well. It my grandmother's back up meds or something had gone missing - not as nice. I would say use a trackable courier and only send stuff that you can replace easily if it does go astray.
I might post this question on the disABILITIES forum too. Good luck!

 

[bicker]

I would definitely have no conern about shipping anything other than critical supplies. For those things, either ship double what you need, in two separate shipments, using two different carriers, with strong guarantees (premium priority service, whatever) on each, or make arrangements for provision of those critical supplies from highly-reputable local sources.

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I shipped baby supplies one year. Diapers, food...big box. It arrived at Beach Club and they held it for me until I got there, and they brought to the room. I was surprised to be charged $17 for them holding it for me for a couple days, but in reality, it was alot easier to pay that, than bring extra baggage or go shopping when we arrived. I just used a sharpie on the box and wrote arrival date and name, a few times.

 

[Cellthing]

I have mailed supplies to the resort before and it worked out just fine. Of course these were likes diapers, formula, etc. not medical supplies. I called the resort and asked for the direct address there and what I should put on the box. They asked that I put the name of the resort, the name the reservation is under and our check-in date. Since these seemed to be important supplies you might want to send it with a tracking number and delivery comfirmation. I do trust Disney and they held our box until our arrival just fine. No knowing exactly what is in the medical supplies, that is for you to make a judgement call. You could always mail it in plenty of time so that if for some reason the tracking is lost or the delivery confirmation isn't confirmed you would know and could either send another box or bring your own supplies. A friend of mine went to Disney with her mother who was on dialysis which she does herself and the dialysis people mailed all her supplies to Disney for her. Everything was waiting for her at the resort when she arrived.

 

[safetymom]

I would allow several extra days for the package to get there. I have had packages delayed from UPS and FedEx so I leave some cushion in delivery dates now.

Also send it with a company that provides tracking information. The Post office tracking will only show when it has arrived. With UPS and FedEx you can always check where it is in route to your destination.

 

[monica31671]

I shipped a box UPS to CBR in June. When I checked in, the CM went to the back and brought my box up. No problem at all.
I looked on UPS.com to see how long it took for a package to get from me to CBR then sent it 3 days early to make sure it had plenty of time. A few days after I shipped it, I tracked it on UPS.com to make sure it arrived safely. I printed out the tracking info just in case, but I didn't need it. I also took pictures of my box that I didn't need. Better safe than sorry.
Other threads suggest you mark your box with stickers or something to distinguish your box from everyone else's boxes.

 

[MinnieSummer]

Every year for the last four years I have shipped my DD's Santa Presents to the resort where we are staying. I have never had a problem. I ship it UPS to arrive two days before I arrive that way I can verify it's delivery. If it doesn't make it I can track it down before I leave for WDW. I've never been charged by the resort for holding the box -- last year there were two and they were quite large.

On the box put your name and c/o (or guest of) the hotels name and address. I also write "Hold for Delivery upon arrival" and the date I am arriving.

Good luck.