Packages Mailed Home

[Pony]

I understand you can get you souvineers mailed to your home, if you don't want to take them on the plane with you. I will be in the consigere level at Animal Kingdom Lodge so how do I go about doing this?

 

[goofy4tink]

Several ways. I like to do two runs to DTD during my trip. You can get a lot of the same stuff in the big Disney store there that you can find in the parks. So, I get a lot at one time, and then have them ship it home directly from that store.
In the parks, if I buy something that is large, fragile or I just don't want to deal with it on the plane, I have them ship it for me from that particular store. It isn't particularly cheap but it's worth it to avoid the aggravation of lugging it home.
Or you can get all your stuff together, and ship it from your resort. They can box it up for you and mail it. I've actually shipped an extra suitcase home from BW!!! DH still hasn't gotten over that one!

 

[mountdew1]

There was recently a thread about this on either the Budget Board or the Attractions & Strategies board. Search refuses to work for me now so I can't provide the exact link. The basic gist is this. There are 2 ways to ship stuff back home. Let Disney do it, or you do it.
If you let Disney do it you can bring all your purchases with receipts to any store/gift shop and ask them to ship the items for you. The shipping cost is based on the total cost of the items purchases. It starts at 9.95, for under 50 of merch, and goes to about 50 for under a thousand worth of merch I believe. 2 benefits to doing it this way. First, if anything happens to the items after you hand them to the clerk, and before you receive them, Disney will replace them. Second, according to feralpeg, they will not charge you FL sales tax on the item. The CM is much happier to do this on a single purchase, but supposedly they are also supposed to be able to do it for previously made purchases, but it involves them returning, then reselling all the items to take out the sales tax. That may take a while for them to do if you are in a rush.
If you do it, you just bring a box, and a preprinted shipping label, and then pack it yourself. Bring it to the front desk, and ask them to give it to UPS/FedEx/Whomever your shipper is. Most resorts will have them stopping by daily so it shouldn't be a problem. Plus side to this, it SHOULD typically be cheaper than having the stores do it as you are shipping by weight, not value. Down side to this, if anything breaks in transit, you will have to take it up with your shipper, and hope that the insurance you selected on the item covers the breakage.
I imagine if you are staying concierge level you can get them to do either method on your behalf.

 

[Lives4Disney]

We stayed concierge a couple weeks ago. my kids wanted to enjoy their purchases during our stay so the day before we were checking out I took all the items I wanted shipped home to the concierge desk and filled out a shipping order form and they took it from there. Super easy. I had my items bagged but that was it. We flew home on a Sunday and the items were at our door on Wednesday morning. I had a huge amount of stuff shipped and it worked out great.

I think it's more cost effective to just ship all in one shipment than to ship each purchase as you buy it.

Lives4Disney

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I shipped one package home from the gift shop at CSR in May. The CM said it would be about a week. It was just over 2 weeks from that day that it finally arrived! When I called in a week to see where it was they told me that they had just (that day) got it to UPS to ship. What they were doing with it that whole week before, I don't know!

But, it did arrive and it was packed nicely and in great shape!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I shipped one package home from the gift shop at CSR in May. The CM said it would be about a week. It was just over 2 weeks from that day that it finally arrived! When I called in a week to see where it was they told me that they had just (that day) got it to UPS to ship. What they were doing with it that whole week before, I don't know!

But, it did arrive and it was packed nicely and in great shape!

everytime I have had concierge ship packages home for me they arrive within 3 business days.

I also shipped a purchase from BVG at the CR for a friend - to her house via FED EX...and it cost me A LOT to ship it...(I think $24.95)...I don't think it ever arrived to her house. She never said anything about it and I think she would have and honestly until just now I FORGOT!!! (this was paid for and shipped in March) I don't think they gave me any option...just FED EX - and it was only about a $40 item, too....no way do I still have my receipt, either. I remember the shipping costs were hideous there.

I had two HUGE boxes shipped home last week and they cost me about $50. I am talking HUGE boxes.

Lives4Disney

 

[kidslovemickey]

I shipped directly from a store, and I took a box to the front desk last time. The box I shipped from the front desk took a few days, the one from the store took 2 weeks!!

 

[HARASW]

I understand you can get you souvineers mailed to your home, if you don't want to take them on the plane with you. I will be in the consigere level at Animal Kingdom Lodge so how do I go about doing this?

For the last 2 years, I stayed at the WL, concierge level. I gave it to one of the CMs and they gave me a form to fill out. I didn't have to do anything else. It was packed well, shipped and received within the week. It's the best way to go!

 

[BCV23]

I ship from the stores all the time. No taxes are charged which pretty much offsets the cost of shipping. It doesn't really cost more to make multiple shipments as it's based on cost of the purchase.

For me, the convenience of not lugging purchases around the parks is one big reason to ship so I don't take my purchases back to the resort.

There are different options for shipping. I always choose UPS ground. I think it says allow 2-3 weeks but our purchases usually arrive around a week after we ship. They arrive so quickly that I try to save my shopping for the end of the trip so I'm home before the packages arrive.

 

[HARASW]

I ship from the stores all the time. No taxes are charged which pretty much offsets the cost of shipping. It doesn't really cost more to make multiple shipments as it's based on cost of the purchase.

For me, the convenience of not lugging purchases around the parks is one big reason to ship so I don't take my purchases back to the resort.

There are different options for shipping. I always choose UPS ground. I think it says allow 2-3 weeks but our purchases usually arrive around a week after we ship. They arrive so quickly that I try to save my shopping for the end of the trip so I'm home before the packages arrive.

Just a note:
If you are staying at a WDW resort, make a purchase at the park, and are staying for a few days after that purchase, you don't have to carry your purchases with you. They will deliver them to your hotel the next day, at no charge.

 

[BCV23]

Just a note:
If you are staying at a WDW resort, make a purchase at the park, and are staying for a few days after that purchase, you don't have to carry your purchases with you. They will deliver them to your hotel the next day, at no charge.

Thanks. I do know that.

But why fill out paperwork twice or have purchases cluttering up the room? I just mail it home and I'm done!

Just the way I prefer to do it.

 

[HARASW]

Thanks. I do know that.

But why fill out paperwork twice or have purchases cluttering up the room? I just mail it home and I'm done!

Just the way I prefer to do it.

I can understand your point. I just like letting the concierge handle it. It makes me feel more comfortable. It's less busy and I know that they are taking care of it for me.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can understand your point. I just like letting the concierge handle it. It makes me feel more comfortable. It's less busy and I know that they are taking care of it for me.

And that works for you! That's great. But most here don't have that option. I don't think concierge is going to be too thrilled if I amble on up and ask them to take care of shipping my purchases home for me....not if I'm not staying concierge. But, I could be wrong.
I have had great success using Disney to ship my stuff....directly from the store. Now, it's not an automatic thing for me. But, like I said before, I tend to save most of my shopping for that last day, so send one package, with no sales tax. It usually takes about a week to get to me.

 

[Lives4Disney]

I can understand your point. I just like letting the concierge handle it. It makes me feel more comfortable. It's less busy and I know that they are taking care of it for me.

Me too!

PLUS I know it will reach it's destination. I have never had a problem when concierge mailed my packages. AND I do have shipping options with concierge. In March when I mailed a $45 chip/dip I did not have an option from BVG. They had only FedEx at $24.95...and I am still waiting to hear if it arrived....i doubt it did. They rang it up and placed it all on a pile behind the desk. Also, in November when I purchased a couple ornaments from the Xmas shop in DHS SAME THING ...the $24.95 shipping and no other option.

Plus...the nice thing about having concierge take care of it is that if you have purchased items (beach towels, toys, stuffies, CDs, DVDs) that you want to enjoy in the room you have them during your stay and then don't have to deal with packing them. It's great way to go if you have kids.

The resort guest concierge at the front desk can handle it, too...you don't have to be on a concierge floor. It's a perk for any disney resort guest.

Lives4Disney

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

We always ship a box to WDW prior to our arrival (don't do this to a convention resort or you will be charged to hold it). Anyway......we save the box just in case.

If we have to send something home you have a couple of choices.....

1.) Drop it off at Guest Services at your hotel. Disney has a contract with FedEx and it will be shipped right away (Generally FedEx ground) and the $$$ will be billed to the card on your reservation. VERY EASY.

2.) There is a UPS Store just outside WDW - near Publix. If you have a car, this could save you a few $$$.....but is it worth the trouble of leaving the park? .... only you can decide. This package will also ship ASAP.

3.) Shipping home from the store purchased is can be costlier and will take longer because it has to go from the store to shipping (I guess that takes a bit of time). I have done this a few years with packages from DTD Christmas Store -- fragile gifts. It has ALWAYS arrived....about 10 days or so....well packaged. My worry is I don't get an actual FedEx tracking number so I have no idea where the package is and when it will arrive. I wouldn't use this option for gifts you plan to share soon after you arrive home.


Guest services is my favorite.....easy....it magically arrives home with little worry.

 

[HARASW]

And that works for you! That's great. But most here don't have that option. I don't think concierge is going to be too thrilled if I amble on up and ask them to take care of shipping my purchases home for me....not if I'm not staying concierge. But, I could be wrong.
I have had great success using Disney to ship my stuff....directly from the store. Now, it's not an automatic thing for me. But, like I said before, I tend to save most of my shopping for that last day, so send one package, with no sales tax. It usually takes about a week to get to me.

I'm not sure if concierge would be thrilled to take packages from all guests at the hotel. There is a main hotel concierge downstairs in most of the hotels that will handle it, as well as the front desk. Also, I did ask a few shops to directly ship the items for me and they told me that wasn't an option. I guess I've been shopping at the wrong stores. It's great that you are so organized about your shopping. Because I go with my children and also have relatives who make requests, I can't do it your way. We're lucky we have so many options. Enjoy your next trip!!

 

[HARASW]

Me too!

PLUS I know it will reach it's destination. I have never had a problem when concierge mailed my packages. AND I do have shipping options with concierge. In March when I mailed a $45 chip/dip I did not have an option from BVG. They had only FedEx at $24.95...and I am still waiting to hear if it arrived....i doubt it did. They rang it up and placed it all on a pile behind the desk. Also, in November when I purchased a couple ornaments from the Xmas shop in DHS SAME THING ...the $24.95 shipping and no other option.

Plus...the nice thing about having concierge take care of it is that if you have purchased items (beach towels, toys, stuffies, CDs, DVDs) that you want to enjoy in the room you have them during your stay and then don't have to deal with packing them. It's great way to go if you have kids.

The resort guest concierge at the front desk can handle it, too...you don't have to be on a concierge floor. It's a perk for any disney resort guest.

Lives4Disney

I'm sorry I missed your post before I posted my most recent one. I noticed you mentioned the same option I just did. I see you're heading to the GF. We've stayed there a number of times and found concierge to be helpful with almost eveything. Enjoy!

 

[Lives4Disney]

I'm sorry I missed your post before I posted my most recent one. I noticed you mentioned the same option I just did. I see you're heading to the GF. We've stayed there a number of times and found concierge to be helpful with almost eveything. Enjoy!

THANKS!! Actually, lol...we just got back from the GF RPC last week!! It's our favorite. We can't stay away. Yep ..I totally agree - they have a great concierge staff!! I thought they would squirm at all the stuff we brought to them to ship home on our last day. THey were great!!!

Have a wonderful WL vacation!

Lives4Disney

 

[BCV23]

Also, I did ask a few shops to directly ship the items for me and they told me that wasn't an option. I guess I've been shopping at the wrong stores.

Wow, that's a shame. Do you happen to remember where? I've never tried shipping from a kiosk so don't know if it's possible there but every other place I've wanted to do it, I've had no problems. Occasionally, a new CM won't know the procedure or form. I wonder if you just ran into new employees who didn't know how?

I agree that we're lucky to have so many options. I did ship a Christmas Tree home from Sugar Loaf one year. It was a six footer that our son gave us for Christmas. Concierge did great with it. As I recall, I had the same shipping options as in the stores which of course makes complete sense since it's all WDW shipping. It came in two boxes and only one ornament broke. I didn't even call about that because to me it was a miracle that they were able to package it up that perfectly.

But in all my years shipping from WDW since the 80s, no packages have been lost and that was the only tiny bit of damage.