Shipping boxes ahead to resort - a few questions??

[DISNEYmooner2008]

DF and I will be honeymooning 1/6-1/13 and are considering shipping a few things on down to our resort before we arrive. Can anyone tell me how this works please?? We are staying at AKL. What info would need to be on the package, how far in advance should I ship it, how do we get the package once we arrive?? Any info would help!

 

[CDSTapisRouge]

I would suggest shipping it about a week in advance (maybe a week and a half) that way you can use ground shipping and save some money! UPS, Fed Ex or DHL are your best options as they deliver directly to the hotels (the US Postal Service goes to a PO BOX first, is sorted there and then sent to the hotel so it could delay the package).

You should address it to whoever is the lead name on the reservation and put Hold for check in with the check in and out dates on it. Once it is received at the hotel, the front desk will make a notation on your reservation that there is a package waiting for you. When you check in, if the CM does not say "we have a package for you", just tell them you sent a package ahead of you and could they check if it has arrived (sometimes they miss the note that it is there)...if you are already checked in, they will leave a voice mail on the room phone that it has arrived and you can come pick it up (or they will deliver it to the room, just depends on if they have a runner scheduled for that day)...

Anyway, I would address it like this:

To: "Lead name on the reservation"
HOLD for check in "check in/out dates"
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Front Desk
2901 Osceola Parkway
Bay Lake, FL 32830
(407-938-4715)

 

[estherhead]

We did this & LOVED doing it. Dh said he will shipped all his luggage next time. Just put it in a box with the resort specific address on it. We put our name & check-in date. We shipped it on Monday & were checking in on Friday.

At the check-in counter I asked about it & the lady called. When we got to our room: there was our box. Ta-Da! It was perfect.

 

[Elmo888]

I found UPS Ground to the the least expensive, and you can get on their web site to figure when to send for your arrival (they only deliver on business days, so keep that in mind). The package arrived on Friday and we arrived on Saturday. It worked perfectly, and our resort even let us know that we had a package (I didn't even have to ask).

 

[DisneyWorld Delight]

I did this too. Sent a package to the Beach Club when my youngest was 10mths old. The package had been delivered to our room by the evening. The only consideration was, there was a $17 charge on my bill for holding the package. Paying the $17 was easier than shlubbing it all down there, but I was still a little suprised. (Maybe my box was TOO BIG!)

 

[SkcMom]

Is it "the norm" to be charged to hold a package?

 

[Pakey]

We have shipped each time since we bought DVC and have never been charged. These stays were all at DVC resorts, not hotels.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Is it "the norm" to be charged to hold a package?

I've never heard of this, does anyone know about this?

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I've never heard of this, does anyone know about this?

this is totally OT, but could you please tell me where you got your countdown thingy?? I would like to have more than one and sig limit wont let me with this size ticker. Thanks!!!

 

[Desnik]

We will be at AKV tomorrow and I shipped my package on Mon. I used UPS ground and you get tracking and insurance for up to $100 included in the shipping price. I have shipped to my resort many times, all different resorts and have never been charged a holding fee. My package has always been given to me at check in. I go onto UPS website and plug in the address and it gives you an estimated time of arrival and price. Remember they do not deliver on the weekends so take that into account when shipping. Right now I can track where my package is and it says it is out for delivery and will be at AKL by the end of the day! It cost me $19.26 and I had a ton of stuff in my package. I had soda cans, water bottles, drink boxes, breakfast items, all our toiletries and 2 prs of Crocs. I also put in all our pins/lanyards, Mickey hats, and glow bracelets for the kids. I always put on the outside of the box, on all sides, the resort address, the name the ressie is under, date of arrival and ressie #.

 

[mistygapa]

Since it will be your honeymoon (congrats by the way!), I just wanted to let you know what happened to us last year on our anniversary trip to WDW. DH shipped a surprise package to me at our resort before we left. On the outside of the box, he put all sorts of little "happy anniversary" clip art. The CM receiving the package was very observant and had Mickey & Minnie stop in our room while we were out and leave a balloon and autographed photo wishing us a happy anniversary.

Just a thought - if you put something about your wedding/honeymoon on the package, maybe you'll get a little extra surprise like we did!

Enjoy your trip and again, congratulations!

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Since it will be your honeymoon (congrats by the way!), I just wanted to let you know what happened to us last year on our anniversary trip to WDW. DH shipped a surprise package to me at our resort before we left. On the outside of the box, he put all sorts of little "happy anniversary" clip art. The CM receiving the package was very observant and had Mickey & Minnie stop in our room while we were out and leave a balloon and autographed photo wishing us a happy anniversary.

VERY cute idea!!! I am going to have to steal it!!! I'm going to get a box together to ship ahead for DH. He loves little things like that!! Thanks!

 

[Nancyg56]

My DD shipped a box ahead to AKL for our first family trip and it was a lifesaver for us! Our luggage was delayed by our carrier but DD had packed clothing, a Tink outfit medications and personal items in the box. We knew that it had arrived because of the tracking number but DD did call ahead and confirm. We would have survived without the box but having the items made the difference between going to DGD's first dinner to meet Pluto "dressed in style" and going in her "walking clothes.

I will add that I had explained to the CM in Bell Services why I was worried about our luggage arrival, DD had packed a Minnie Mouse dress for Chef Mickey's. She called back to our room and told me that the manager wanted us to buy the little one a Minnie Mouse outfit at the CR. I thanked her and told her that I was not asking for anything, I was just explaining why I was asking about the luggage, she said AKL is magical and they wanted a little girl to have her first character meal dressed the way her mom planned.

We did not need to take advantage of this kind and generous offer because DD remembered the Tink outfit in the box, but I know that you are also going to be touched by the CM's at AKL. They are exceptional.

 

[BarleyJack]

We will be at AKV tomorrow and I shipped my package on Mon. I used UPS ground and you get tracking and insurance for up to $100 included in the shipping price. I have shipped to my resort many times, all different resorts and have never been charged a holding fee. My package has always been given to me at check in. I go onto UPS website and plug in the address and it gives you an estimated time of arrival and price. Remember they do not deliver on the weekends so take that into account when shipping. Right now I can track where my package is and it says it is out for delivery and will be at AKL by the end of the day! It cost me $19.26 and I had a ton of stuff in my package. I had soda cans, water bottles, drink boxes, breakfast items, all our toiletries and 2 prs of Crocs. I also put in all our pins/lanyards, Mickey hats, and glow bracelets for the kids. I always put on the outside of the box, on all sides, the resort address, the name the ressie is under, date of arrival and ressie #.

You packed soda cans? did you have to package them in any special containers??

 

[Mickiethepooh]

I read the fine print on my POR confirmation and it states there is a $20 per package charge for accepting and holding packages sent to the hotel.

 

[BarleyJack]

Then it would be cheaper to use gardengrocer.com....their delivery fee is only $12.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Hmmm anyone know if there is a fee to hold packages at AKL??

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

We just got back from AKL on November 7th and we shipped a 32 pound box to the resort with most of our luggage and food (we were not on the dining plan). It arrived on a Monday. We arrived on a Wednesday. There was no charge for them to hold our package. At the end of our stay we used the same box and shipped everything back home. They did charge a few dollars more (the box weighed the same with sovies in it). But that was fine with us. It was so nice not to have luggage that ended up in another country for once. Hope this helps.

 

[Nancyg56]

We have shipped packages to AKL, the Poly, POFQ and CBR. There was never a fee.

 

[BarleyJack]

Can you ship wine or beer to the resorts?