Ok - do you think this is possible?

[JCJRSmith]

We will be at the Fort starting on June 15 (arriving that afternoon/evening, depending on traffic). I will be in Orlando from June 8 to June 13 for a Microsoft conference. Typically, at these confereces you get a new backpack or laptop bag, a lot of junk, t-shirts, books, etc - a lot of folks I know bring an extra suitcase just for the SWAG they get from the conference. I usually try to limit it, but you can accumulate an AMAZING pile of stuff at one of these conferences, some of which is even useful.

Problem is, when travelling by air for one of these I have:

One bag I check thru on the airlines
one laptop bag I carry with me at all times
one bag with my CPAP in it (sleep apnea breathing device - and since the one time I put it in my suitcase and the airline lost it for three days, I will NEVER check this thru again).

Now then, the airlines are charging $25 per extra bag each way...

Here is what I am thinking: I have some time on Friday, June 13 before my flight out of Orlando. Do you think the fine folk at the Fort would be amenable to me checking my SWAG bag from the conference with them to be picked up when we check in two days later? Or, does anyone know where I might find something like a the lockers they have at the parks to put my bag in for a couple of days?

 

[des1954]

Jerry-

Why don't you box up the SWAG & mail/ship it home? The conferences I've been to had a UPS Rep on site to do this for you.

I don't think FtW wants to assume liability for things they cannot readily replace (like WDW trinkets & souveniers) so I doubt they will hold anything for you prior to check in. You might want to call FtW front desk and ask, though. Their # is 407-824-2900.

To my knowledge, there are no lockers on WDW property that aren't cleaned out nightly (like the ones at the theme parks).

Maybe someone else has better info than me.

 

[merryweather20]

Not sure if this helps, but the sleep apnea device should go through free of charge as a medical device. Its still alot of bags to carry around though.

The swap people (fridge swap people) are always leaving things with Bell services, and I don't think two days is a crazy amount of time. They always put on a label with the next person's Ressie details, maybe this would work for your SWAG bag to.

 

[aldebnj]

My experience when traveling (and confirming through the FAA website) is that the CPAP does not count as a bag since it is a prescribed medical device. I only do carry on when I fly and have my suitcase, PC back pack and CPAP, 3 items. I was only questioned once and I referred the airline employee to the FAA website and I was allowed to board.

Al

 

[JCJRSmith]

Jerry-

Why don't you box up the SWAG & mail/ship it home? The conferences I've been to had a UPS Rep on site to do this for you.

I don't think FtW wants to assume liability for things they cannot readily replace (like WDW trinkets & souveniers) so I doubt they will hold anything for you prior to check in. You might want to call FtW front desk and ask, though. Their # is 407-824-2900.

To my knowledge, there are no lockers on WDW property that aren't cleaned out nightly (like the ones at the theme parks).

Maybe someone else has better info than me.

I know I can ship from the hotel as well, which is where all the stuff is going to end up at the end of each day. I've done that before as well - hmmm if I do that I can expense it too. Probably what I will end up doing.

I went to a conference in California once and my friend won a brand new laptop. The next name they drew was mine, and I won a complete set of study guides (8 books in a boxed set - 28 pounds) for a certification I already had. I shipped those home from the hotel. I ended up raffling them off with the money going to the charity fund at my office - raised about $175 and one of our junior help-desk technicians won them.

 

[JCJRSmith]

Not sure if this helps, but the sleep apnea device should go through free of charge as a medical device. Its still alot of bags to carry around though.

The swap people (fridge swap people) are always leaving things with Bell services, and I don't think two days is a crazy amount of time. They always put on a label with the next person's Ressie details, maybe this would work for your SWAG bag to.

Oh they never give me a problem with the CPAP and I always carry it on the plane after US Scareways lost it on a trip to Vermont. I am used to carrying it and a laptop bag, and we have suitcases with wheel so it moves thru the airport pretty easily.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

If it's only two days until you arrive, ship it to the Fort! Then, if it arrives before you do, they should hold it for you as an unopened package till you arrive.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

If it's only two days until you arrive, ship it to the Fort! Then, if it arrives before you do, they should hold it for you as an unopened package till you arrive.

Gonzo...what do you do...snort rocket fuel to become such a rocket scientist???

Thats the perfect solution...and should save big on shipping charges!

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

Just my monthly moment of brilliance. Won't be able to think again now till May.

 

[JCJRSmith]

If it's only two days until you arrive, ship it to the Fort! Then, if it arrives before you do, they should hold it for you as an unopened package till you arrive.

That really is a pretty good idea.

I did call Ft Wilderness and talked to "Marshall" on the switchboard. He told me it wouldn't be a problem leaving the stuff there. He said
they would give me a box to put it in too.

I will let ya'll know what happens.