Need tips on what others do bringing home souvenirs when flying

[tami82]

This wil be our first trip flying with our 3 kids as we always do road trips. We got a good price on flights so decided to go that route. I'm very nervous and I know packing is going to be a challenge and things I really need I won't be able to take with us. Now the next thing what does everyone do with the souvenirs they buy. I'm guessing that I need to really downsize what I pack in order to have room in my suitcase. The same for my older daughter who likes to shop. I would really love to hear if anyone has any good tips.

 

[hoffman1]

You can always have what you buy mailed back home. They do it at the register when you check out.
If we are flying Southwest, we take an empty suitcase (everyone gets 2 bags and a carryon free of charge with them).

 

[purple figment]

We have our purchases shipped home from the stores. We keep track of what we want to buy, then make a large shopping trip towards the end of the trip and have it mailed home. The shipping fee is based on the total cost of the merchandise so one big shipping fee is less than shipping multiple smaller purchases. We have also arranged to pack and ship things from our resort. If you are staying at a convention resort there is a business office at the convention center or you can ask at the resort's gift shop. We have also packed an extra suitcase within a larger suitcase because there are always extra things to pack at the end of the trip.

 

[noahdove]

I agree with hoffman1, take an empty suitcase... I usually put all my purchases
in my carry on bag, just to be safe...I have thought about shipping stuff home, but,
the extra suitcase works great...

 

[tami82]

We have our purchases shipped home from the stores. We keep track of what we want to buy, then make a large shopping trip towards the end of the trip and have it mailed home. The shipping fee is based on the total cost of the merchandise so one big shipping fee is less than shipping multiple smaller purchases. We have also arranged to pack and ship things from our resort. If you are staying at a convention resort there is a business office at the convention center or you can ask at the resort's gift shop. We have also packed an extra suitcase within a larger suitcase because there are always extra things to pack at the end of the trip.

Good idea I never thought of putting another suitcase inside of one. good,to know the stores will ship items

 

[WDWNY]

You can also use the Shop Disney Parks app to buy everything and get it shipped that way if you want things from different stores

 

[Araminta18]

I second using the app--sometimes they run free shipping promos if you spend over a certain amount. When we were there two weeks ago, we easily hit the $50 free shipping threshold and so bought most of our bulky souvenirs on the app to be shipped home.

 

[tami82]

I second using the app--sometimes they run free shipping promos if you spend over a certain amount. When we were there two weeks ago, we easily hit the $50 free shipping threshold and so bought most of our bulky souvenirs on the app to be shipped home.

Can you tell me exactly how this works when purchasing multiple items in different store. we would hit the $50 limit no problem.

 

[Araminta18]

Can you tell me exactly how this works when purchasing multiple items in different store. we would hit the $50 limit no problem.

The app isn't divided into different stores--you just add stuff to your cart and once you hit the threshold for free shipping you can place your order.

Or when you're in a store and find something you like, you can scan it in the app (so the app will pull up that item) and add it to your cart. And again different stores does t matter on the app.

 

[Araminta18]

I just checked their app--it's currently a $75 threshold to get free shipping.

 

[squeezle]

We also do one big shopping trip and ship it home. Another bonus of doing it this way is that you save the sales tax having your items shipped out of state.

 

[nemodeb]

I like using the shop app, except that it doesn't work for me so I end up calling my order in to their customer service. I think it might have to do with having a PO box for our billing (NOT shipping) address. I can get all the way to the end of placing the order, but then it won't go through. But it is handy for saving what I want to get and then having a list to call in.
Another thing we do is eat breakfast in our resort room most mornings, so we pack a box of cereal in our luggage for the trip down. We eat the cereal, recycle the box, and have that much extra space in the luggage for the return trip home.

 

[momtotaryn]

We always do a suitcase inside another suitcase whenever we travel. No matter where we go, we're always bringing lots of souvenirs or other purchases back home. Shipping to Hawaii is costly, so we usually don't do that. I imagine buying tons of stuff from WDW, when we go in June!