Sending stuff ahead?

[yasuern]

Ok I know I have read about people sending stuff ahead to the resorts - ie: dry goods etc - Do the resort staff give you dirty looks when you check in and you ask them if your package has arrived yet? Has anyone ever had a problem with this? I plan to send some stuff down - 1 box - and am curious if anyone has done this and if they ever encountered any problems with doing this?

 

[jcanary]

I have sent a box ahead of time and have had no problems when I arrived. They usually mention it to me at check in. It is usually on their computer as a note that a package is in the back for you. Very nice about. I had shipped a small Xmas tree and presents ahead of us when we were down there at Christmas.

 

[eva]

Are there rules about what you can and can not ship? I am thinking about sending down a box in May because we are flying this year. It will mainly be breakfast stuff like cereal and such, but are there rules about shipping liquor? As you can tell I rarely send packages anywhere, since I don't know this.

 

[jcanary]

I would not recommend sending any liquids in the mail. I would only send dry food, like cereal, spices, coffee, tea, filters, and other snack foods. It is the US postal service and it will be treated like any other package and I would be afraid of bottles breaking, etc. You can send pasta, detergent, etc in the box. I am not sure how old your children are, but you can also put a surprise Mickey and Minnie and start their vacation off with a surprise from someone who sent the package. I always love surprising the family with little trinckets. Have fun. Make sure you put your arrival date and name as the guest, besides the return address on the box. then also call the day before you leave and check to see if it has arrived.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by jcanary
I always love surprising the family with little trinckets. Have fun. Make sure you put your arrival date and name as the guest, besides the return address on the box.

I've sent little gifts for family and friends so that they have a great start. I've been told that as they check in the CM says "We have a package for you". What a great feeling.

 

[Geebs]

I never thought of sending things down prior...
what do you put on the label??? Do you send it directly to the resort you are staying at? please help..this sounds like a great idea.!! thanks

 

[jcanary]

Yes geebs, you can send boxes ahead of time. I usually mail atleast one week in advance of our arrival date. usually in the bottom left corner i write
guest: name of registered guest
arrival: mm/dd

I usually call the day before we leave to make sure things have arrived and they usually look it up on the computer and things are all set. The kids don't know I have sent ahead of time so they try to figure out "who knew we were coming?" It's a lot of fun and I never let in that it was me. It makes traveling a lot easier seeing you can travel a little lighter.

It's always worth the money for postage.

 

[DeeP]

I sent a box down for my last trip in Sept, this was my very first time shipping a package ahead and it was so easy. Just put the name of the resort and your name and then I also wrote on the front of the box: Guest Name:XX, Date of Arrival:XX. When I arrived the box was already there and when luggage services brought up the luggage they brought the box also, I never received the slightest bit of attitude from the CMs regarding my package. It was so easy I am doing the same thing for my upcoming trip. The only thing if you are shipping ground transport make sure you give it 5-7 days, air shipment is much more expensive and although it will be there in 2 days it is not worth the price.

 

[BigTigger]

One note on shipping ahead - FEDEX has gotten into Ground shipping in a big way and is very competitive, fast, and affordable. We sent a Third Day Ground package with lots of things that are hard to pack for their size (cereals, teas, sunscreen, pool items for the kids, etc.) three days ahead of departure. It was cheaper than USPS Parcel Post and got there in two days without a dent in the box. It was about $11 for a 2'x3'x3' box that weighed 16 pounds.

 

[yasuern]

Thanks for all the info I am glad to here the resorts don't mind it will save us alot of hassle if we can ship some stuff ahead.
Again Thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

I thought about doing this, but decided it was cheaper to just shop when we got there. The only thing is my frustration at not finding the products I want! This year, I plan to pack a food suitcase.

 

[KathyK]

Just a note - I read on another board (probably the families board), that Disney resorts will only accept packages from FedEx and UPS - not the USPS. Just something to consider when planning how to ship.

I'm planning to ship some baby supplies via Netgrocer early next week for our arrival on the 10th. A wide variety of baby food and diapers are not available on-site, and I hate to spend my vacation time shopping. Hopefully it will work out OK.

 

[DVC-LEROY]

Shipping supplies down was the best suggestion yet - we sent a large box down for our Oct 2nd trip and everything arrived just fine. I made a list of essentials we needed that would not be coming back with us - started buying things on sale about 2 months ahead and filled a rather large box. I also shipped our Britta pitcher down. I just made sure to have room for it in our luggage for the return trip! It was much easier than getting frustrated in a store that I'm not familiar with. And - I didn't have broken and smooshed items as I've had when I packed an extra suitcase. We made a grocery stop on the way in just to pick up things like bread, juice, wine and beer. Couldn't imagine having to find more than that in a short time while I'm so excited about getting my vacation started.