Sending Packages Ahead of Stay?

[plymouthmom]

Hello All, I am busy putting finishing touches on our January trip plan. We are a family of 6 and most likely will be packing very light and doing laundry daily. I am assuming there isn't enough laundry detergent supplied to do that. So...I was thinking of sendng a box down ahead of us with laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, shampoo and conditioner and cleaning wipes. We are not renting a car this trip and are doing garden grocer but the sizes of these items are either to much or too little.

How far ahead of time do I need to send and how do I address it ( other than the obvious address)

THANK YOU!

 

[edk35]

I ordered water from Costco and had it delivered to two resorts. It came within a few days of me ordering, but if you put your name on the box they will save it for you...... if it arrives before you. Depending on where you live and how you ship it will determine how quickly it arrives too.

 

[plymouthmom]

I am in Minnesota. I was thinking 2 weeks, maybe 3. Since it will be January thought an extra week may be a good idea with the whole inclement weather thing!

 

[edk35]

I am in Minnesota. I was thinking 2 weeks, maybe 3. Since it will be January thought an extra week may be a good idea with the whole inclement weather thing!

Well I would NOT send it 2 weeks ahead (3 is just toooooo far in advance) unless you are sending it the cheapest way possible and I still think that is too far in advance. I would think a week is plenty if you are sending 1st class/priority mail or UPS. I think UPS is cheaper for large boxes maybe and gets there quicker. Maybe others will post too.

 

[plymouthmom]

Sounds good! That is why i need help, i have no clue what the protocol is for this kind of thing. We have been to WDW several times, but this is our first DVC trip so all new stuff!

 

[Nanajo1]

Hello All, I am busy putting finishing touches on our January trip plan. We are a family of 6 and most likely will be packing very light and doing laundry daily. I am assuming there isn't enough laundry detergent supplied to do that. So...I was thinking of sendng a box down ahead of us with laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, shampoo and conditioner and cleaning wipes. We are not renting a car this trip and are doing garden grocer but the sizes of these items are either to much or too little.

How far ahead of time do I need to send and how do I address it ( other than the obvious address)

THANK YOU!

We send our box UPS ground 7-10 days ahead. I included the name the ressie is in and the arrival date. I take the tracking number with me just in case.
There is plenty of dishwash/washer detergent availble. You can always request more w/o charge. We go shop will buy whatever size package you request. Dont forget dryer sheets, "dye magnet" (so you can combine loads)coffee filters and plastic food storage bags.
Have a great trip!

 

[edk35]

We send our box UPS ground 7-10 days ahead. I included the name the ressie is in and the arrival date. I take the tracking number with me just in case.
There is plenty of dishwash/washer detergent availble. You can always request more w/o charge. We go shop will buy whatever size package you request. Dont forget dryer sheets, "dye magnet" (so you can combine loads)coffee filters and plastic food storage bags.
Have a great trip!

I buy those color catcher sheets that I think Shout makes. IS that what you mean by dye magnet?? Oh and I tell you ...I kept thinking about a downey ball the last trip. I have an HE machine at home with dispensers for everything..... but the machine there at Disney don't have a dispenser for fabric softner. I lke to use fabric softner for my clothes (use dryer sheets for towels) so I am bringing a downey ball so I don't always have to wait for the rinse cycle.

 

[Nanajo1]

I buy those color catcher sheets that I think Shout makes. IS that what you mean by dye magnet??

Yes that's what I meant.

 

[lowepg]

Hello All, I am busy putting finishing touches on our January trip plan. We are a family of 6 and most likely will be packing very light and doing laundry daily. I am assuming there isn't enough laundry detergent supplied to do that. So...I was thinking of sendng a box down ahead of us with laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, shampoo and conditioner and cleaning wipes. We are not renting a car this trip and are doing garden grocer but the sizes of these items are either to much or too little.

How far ahead of time do I need to send and how do I address it ( other than the obvious address)

THANK YOU!

I would send you package UPS 3-day, its a bit more expensive than ground, but you will be able to KNOW when its arriving. Im sure the hotel staff if fine with holding a box for a few days, but it could be a week? That feels too long to me.

 

[P&B's Mom]

We sent our box one week ahead of our arrival on a Saturday. It had arrived on Monday! They had no problem holding for us until our arrival that next Saturday.

I put our name, check-in date--did not put our reservation number because I didn't want someone else having access to it.

 

[DeeCee735]

If WeGoShop sells all these things including water other than Dasani & Zephrylis, may I ask why you guys ship things down?

We usually take the car cause DH doesn't fly, well this January he surprised us all by saying "buy me a plane ticket!", we will not be renting a car, we are at BWV so easy access to 2 parks, buses or cabs for the others. I have been thinking about doing a small shop with WeGoShop(never used them before) for water (Poland Spring), coffee, creamer, filters, laundry detergent, and some snack foods. I didn't consider shipping, WeGoShop seems so much easier.

Is there a reason why we should consider shipping instead? TIA

 

[ebloom]

Hi Plymouthmom,
Any chance you will post how long it does take from Minnesota? I was wondering the same thing and I live next door in Medina (almost Plymouth really, behind the Target on 55). I would sure appreciate learning from your example.
Thanks

 

[Karenj2]

I've never shipped anything to Disney, but in my job I ship training materials to hotels on a regular basis... We use UPS, either ground or 3rd day guaranteed depending on where it's going. (I'm sure the USPS will do fine, too.)

The best tip is to mark on the box:
HOLD FOR ARRIVAL
[the date of your arrival]
Package for: [your name]
Box X of Y (if you have more than one box)

I usually use a sticker, and put it on at least two sides so that it's noticed. (That's probably overkill.)

I wouldn't send it too early, though, even if you're worried about inclement weather... They're supposed to deliver through rain, sleet and snow , and if you're just sending laundry detergent you won't need the package on your first day. UPS has a map showing how long Ground generally takes - just add a day or two to that length and send it then.

 

[Nanajo1]

If WeGoShop sells all these things including water other than Dasani & Zephrylis, may I ask why you guys ship things down?

We usually take the car cause DH doesn't fly, well this January he surprised us all by saying "buy me a plane ticket!", we will not be renting a car, we are at BWV so easy access to 2 parks, buses or cabs for the others. I have been thinking about doing a small shop with WeGoShop(never used them before) for water (Poland Spring), coffee, creamer, filters, laundry detergent, and some snack foods. I didn't consider shipping, WeGoShop seems so much easier.

Is there a reason why we should consider shipping instead? TIA

We ship our clothes! We avoid baggage check in and baggage claim. Things I do ship are coffee filters,sunscreen and my special bath products.Because we have the washer/dryer we don't over pack. I'm either in a w/c or on a scooter and it is much easier not to have luggage to worry about.
We've used WEGOSHOP many times with great service. I like that I can request certain brands and amts and Marge always comes through.

 

[plymouthmom]

Great ideas everyone....Thank You! Ebloom I will certainly let you know what we end up doing. Your first name isn't Erin is it? I have shopped at that Target and Office Max many a time!

 

[edk35]

I've never shipped anything to Disney, but in my job I ship training materials to hotels on a regular basis... We use UPS, either ground or 3rd day guaranteed depending on where it's going. (I'm sure the USPS will do fine, too.)

The best tip is to mark on the box:
HOLD FOR ARRIVAL
[the date of your arrival]
Package for: [your name]
Box X of Y (if you have more than one box)

I usually use a sticker, and put it on at least two sides so that it's noticed. (That's probably overkill.)

I wouldn't send it too early, though, even if you're worried about inclement weather... They're supposed to deliver through rain, sleet and snow , and if you're just sending laundry detergent you won't need the package on your first day. UPS has a map showing how long Ground generally takes - just add a day or two to that length and send it then.

Great tip!!!!

 

[edk35]

If WeGoShop sells all these things including water other than Dasani & Zephrylis, may I ask why you guys ship things down?

We usually take the car cause DH doesn't fly, well this January he surprised us all by saying "buy me a plane ticket!", we will not be renting a car, we are at BWV so easy access to 2 parks, buses or cabs for the others. I have been thinking about doing a small shop with WeGoShop(never used them before) for water (Poland Spring), coffee, creamer, filters, laundry detergent, and some snack foods. I didn't consider shipping, WeGoShop seems so much easier.

Is there a reason why we should consider shipping instead? TIA

We had water shipped from Costco...with free shipping this summer. I paid less than 7 bucks per case. It was cheap and so easy.

 

[jdvm]

Forgive the rather blatant self-promotion, but why don't you just leave your stuff with us? We have it waiting for you when you check in, pick it up when you leave and keep it in a climate controlled warehouse until your next visit. A lot of our Members just carry on and don't hassle with luggage or shipping.
And we have a super deal just for DIS Board members.

John

 

[toocherie]

Forgive the rather blatant self-promotion, but why don't you just leave your stuff with us? We have it waiting for you when you check in, pick it up when you leave and keep it in a climate controlled warehouse until your next visit. A lot of our Members just carry on and don't hassle with luggage or shipping.
And we have a super deal just for DIS Board members.

John

John: a question--I recently became an Owner's Locker customer--but in reality I may not get to WDW more than once a year or every 10 months or so. Here's the dilemma: I have had some personal care products (like lotions) "turn" and start smelling funny after a certain period of time--and these were good products--not even stuff you can buy at the grocery store!

So, as much as I would like to ship down and keep in my OL a large bottle of my lotion, a large tube of toothpaste and similar items I'm afraid that if there is a long time between visits these products really won't be usable. So, I'm thinking I would only keep paper type products, ponchos, first aid kit, dishes and glassware and other types of things in the OL. That limits the effectiveness for me somewhat because I will either need to bring those items with me or buy them in Florida each time.

Have your other customers had this problem? (or am I just picky? LOL)

Cheryl

 

[Forever a Princess]

I ship the box about a week before we leave for our trip. That way it arrives at the resort 2-3 days before we do.

I have heard that if you send it down sooner the Bell Services holding area gets a little bit too clogged up.

Here is how I address the box:

Your Name
C/O Bell Services at the Resort your are staying at
Arrival Date xx/xx/xxxx
Resort Address
State, Zip Code

Shipping a box helps so much with the weight issue.

Save the box you shipped in to send souvenirs back home. Pack a roll of packing tape in the box for the trip down. The Resort Guest Services prints out the shipping label. You can send back by either Federal Express or UPS Ground. We mostly go with UPS ground as it is cheaper.

Have a great trip!!