Shipping food to your resort?

[zulaya]

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but hoping I can get some feedback.

I frequent a meal prep company here in the the Twin Cities every other month or so where I prep meals that are then frozen in my freezer until I take them out, thaw and cook. Just a time saver for me when I have a busy schedule.

They haven't expanded outside MN yet (so wish they were in FL because they have a pick up service where they mix it up and then you pick it up...I would be on that everytime we are at WDW, but that's a whole 'nother thing) SO I was thinking about making some meals just for my October trip, freezing them and shipping them to BCV, timing it to arrive on our arrival day.

Has anyone ever shipped to themselves, specifically frozen items? If so, did you have to pack it special? Which shipping service did you use? UPS? Fedex? Someone else? Did you ship Ground? Next Day Air?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, but hoping for some feedback!

 

[DonnaL]

Hi Zulaya,

I have shipped a package with food items on two occasions....once to BWV
and once to SS..however, nothing frozen. I don't think I'd take the chance with something frozen since UPS ground takes four days from PA to FL. Now if you wanted to go to expense of overnight......depending on time of year and even then.......don't forget it will sit in a truck in FL while other deliveries are made. I usually ship stuff like coffee, cereal ( I put in a Ziploc bags to conserve space in the box) paper plates, extra sugar packets, english muffins, small jar of jelly or packets if I can get them, crackers. It depends what accomodations we're getting on that particular trip. If it's a studio usually more snack and convenience stuff.....a 1 or 2 bedroom sometimes things like rice (again in Ziploc) or spices (snack size Ziploc) to prepare a meal or two. Since I buy a lot of things at my local grocery when they're Buy 1 Get 1 I feel even if it costs me $15.00 or $20.00 to ship, it's still less than
paying premium price at the grocery store there. Also, detergent and some foil, plastic wrap (not whole rolls, just pieces folder over) salt and pepper,
I ship it to the address of the resort attention front desk and put my name
and check in date along with reservation number on the front also. Haven't had a problem getting it.

 

[Danthesand]

We couldn't live at the Boardwalk villas without using the wegoshop website. Best grocery delivery service we've ever used.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Has anyone used the delivery from DVC? What did you think about that wervice. WEre the products delivered to your DVC for arrival

 

[zulaya]

We have used wegoshop as well and LOVE their service. We will continue to do that for snacks and such.

Let me explain in a little more detail because I don't think I did it too well before.

These are frozen meals that I have already prepped and frozen.

For example, I have Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs that I regularly make. I place the chicken thighs in a ziploc bag, add the lemon, garlic, molasses, salt, pepper and worcestershire to the bag, shake it slightly to mix and then freeze the whole thing. It thaws in the fridge over night and then I make it for dinner.

This is not something I can purchase from wegoshop. I know that I am prepping a meal that everyone in my family will like and it doesn't have preservatives and such.

I'll just have to talk more with Mix It Up and see what shipping service they would recommend.

 

[Danthesand]

We have used wegoshop as well and LOVE their service. We will continue to do that for snacks and such.

Let me explain in a little more detail because I don't think I did it too well before.

These are frozen meals that I have already prepped and frozen.

For example, I have Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs that I regularly make. I place the chicken thighs in a ziploc bag, add the lemon, garlic, molasses, salt, pepper and worcestershire to the bag, shake it slightly to mix and then freeze the whole thing. It thaws in the fridge over night and then I make it for dinner.

This is not something I can purchase from wegoshop. I know that I am prepping a meal that everyone in my family will like and it doesn't have preservatives and such.

I'll just have to talk more with Mix It Up and see what shipping service they would recommend.

Maybe I'm mis-understanding, but you certainly could purchase all the ingredients (the thighs, the seasonings, the ziplocs, the whole nine yards) for this recipe from wegoshop. They'll get and deliver just about anything that's available in a grocery store.

I guess what you're saying is (given who wants to be spending time at WDW prepping food) that in a perfect scenario, you would make the thighs at home in advance and have some easy-to-use service ship/deliver them frozen to your villa at WDW?

 

[zulaya]

would make the thighs at home in advance and have some easy-to-use service ship/deliver them frozen to your villa at WDW?

This is exactly what I want to do.

 

[MNSusan]

I've never shipped frozen things to myself, but I've had them shipped to me (appetizers.com). They were packed in special boxes that had styrofoam liners and had packs of dry ice in them. They were shipped overnight.

Not sure where you'd find those boxes (unless you want to order some appetizers), but maybe a styrofoam cooler would work inside a larger box. Also not sure where to find dry ice but I'm sure it could be done. You could ask Mailboxes, Etc, or FedEx Kinkos about how to do it.

Pre-made meals sound like a good idea to me!

 

[zulaya]

MNSusan---

I totally love Mix It Up Meals. When I know we will have an especially busy couple weeks, I schedule the workshop and have meals that are ready to go! Just thaw, cook and and serve. They have meals that you can grill, bake, cook stovetop or even in the crockpot.

I am going to PM you.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'll bet if you ask Mix it up Meals, they will have packagaing for you, or may at least be able to tell you what you will need. We have had hams and other food stuffs shipped to us via UPS without any problems, and they have always come in special styro packs with frozen packs to keep them frozen.

BTW, I think that is an EXCELLENT idea. It might be worth looking to see if Mix it Up Meals knows of a similar establishment in Orlando.

 

[zulaya]

I asked one of the owners and she didn't have anything set up per se as a service, but said she ships meals to her dad all the time in Iowa. So I am sure it's possible, I just have to run the logistics.

 

[disnyrtl]

I used to work for FedEx until I completed my Masters degree and now work for the State (upgrade???)

Anyway, Dry Ice is THE way to go for frozen shipments, but pay attention to a few
things:

1. Dry Ice is a DANGEROUS GOODS item. This is because if it touches human skin it will cause severe freezer burns in milli seconds.

2. FedEx has no problem shipping Dry Ice items. Although they charge a fee for Dangerous Goods (DGS) (ALL carriers do) FedEx does not charge the extra DGS fee for Dry Ice shipments. However, you are required by Federal Law to mark the package and shipping label as containing dangerous goods along with the weight. FedEx can give you DGS stickers free of charge.

3. Dry Ice frozen items, when packaged right (later) will keep your items frozen for AT LEAST 24 hrs but up to 48 hours basedon weight.

4. DGS shipments MUST be sent for next day delivery. Although, I don't recall if it has to be there first thing in morning or not, you only need to do "priority overnight" (delv by 10:30am most locations)

5. For shipping, you should pick a strudy container, pack it with your items and them TAPE IT SHUT really good. Some stores such as Home Depot sell a wrapping tape that is similar to plastic wrap that can go around your entire container. I would suggest picking out a strong styraphone cooler since it is cheaper, lighter (you pay by weight) and can be thrown away when you are done with it.

6. Make sure the front desk is aware of your shipment and place a notice on the package indicating your date of arrival. You might also want to give your cell phone number so they can reach you on the road.

7. DGS shipments MUST be dropped off at a MANNED FedEx station (MAYBE kinkos) you can find them either online or call 1-800-Go-fedex for more info. You can not drop it off at a fedEx box because it is a DGS shipment, plus it is too big to fit in the box anyway.

8. Just about any major grocery store chain willhave Dry Ice, as well as some gas stations. Bring your cooler since they don't place it in a plastic bag, plus bring some STRONG, THICK gloves to handle the ice. (Remember the frost bite thing).

9. I would buy some insurance on the package about 2.50 for up to $500 if it is available, for if they don't deliver on time, or even lose it, you can have some food money paid back to you.

Although it sounds like alot of work, it is easier than it sounds.

One last point, if you have ever ordered from Omaha Steak Company, they send out their shipments is a reusable cooler that would be perfect for your needs, and they shipping exclusivly via FedEx.

Your airline MIGHT let you bring it with you....can't hurt to check it out. Well, that is my info for you, I hope it helps.

If you remember, post an update to this when you go, or send me a PM to let me know how it worked out.

 

[zulaya]

Wow. Great advice. Thank you for the tips and whatever I decide to do, I'll let everyone know.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Zulaya, we did take frozen prepared food with us once on NWA, and it also had to have the "hazardous substance" sticker, even though it did not have dry ice, but did have one of those frozen packs in the box. Now with the limits on luggage, I think I would send it instead of trying to take it as baggage.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

I can add that I have shipped boxes to myself at OKW. You would address as follows:

Zulaya
OKW
999999 999999
mmmmmm, jjjjjjj 32549


HOLD FOR ARRIVAL

I did not ship frozen items, so I cannot add anything to that. My box was waiting for me on my day of arrival. I sent it 2 days before I left North Carolina via UPS.

I plan to do that again for our trip the end of July. If I can shop for snacks, paper goods I want, ziplocs, etc., ahead of time here at home, it saves time and money if I find them on sale. That way I don't have to spend as much time in the grocery instead of having fun.


Also, regarding your food prep service. I use Dream Dinners here where I live. I go once a month and prepare 12 meals for the next month. I have been doing this since April and just love it. You feel like a celebrity chef with all the prep work and clean up done for you.

One other thought I had for you. I know when I take my meals out to thaw, it takes them usually 48 hours, not as fast as I would like sometimes. I had been thinking of shipping some down do and thought if I sent them overnight the day before I left with a little dry ice, I should be o.k. Since they take so long to thaw, I had also thought about packing one carry on bag with the frozen items in it. By leaving that morning and arriving that afternoon, nothing would thaw much at all.

Keep us posted on what you do and how it works for you.

 

[pasgt21]

I have shipped some items to and from disney but it sounds like your in for a very large shipping bill to send yourself a few meals. Also dry ice is not cheap & keep in mind scheduling and rushing to get this all done the day before you leave. Your going on vacation... RELAX Have a good trip

 

[AlaskaMOM]

I am from alaska and where I live the tourists are shipping cold food (salmon or halibut) constantly in the summer months(fishing season) The tourists want to take all their fish home with them, some ship it using fedex or ups, but many use what we call a fish box, sold around here in all the grocery stores, next to the dry ice, and check it as baggage. It's a plastic lined box that they place bagged fish in along with the dry ice.
The only thing you need to be careful of is to weigh the dry ice, the airlines are not allowed to accept packages with over a certain weight of ice because when it "melts" the fumes will be in the plane. ( i think 10 pounds is the limit, check with your airline)

I think your idea of preparing meals ahead sounds great! and could be accomplished very easily , You could get the dry ice a couple days ahead of time and keep it in a paperbag in the bottom of your freezer ( the bottom is the coldest part) and then pack your food box last. Being sure to weigh the ice before adding, then label the outside with the contents and the wt of ice. I personally would have it as checked bags so I know it would not be sitting in the back of a hot truck for hours. And also the cost would be nothing except fot the styrofoam cooler and dry ice, assuming you keep the total package under 50 pounds.

I'm sure you'll have a great time having "real home-cooked" meals w/o having to take time from your vacation!

 

[lizziepooh]

Personally, I'd just fix some simpler meals while on vacation. Although it would be tasty, it sounds like it could be pricey and time consuming to get it ready to ship.

 

[zulaya]

The thing is the meals are ALREADY MADE. I got to a workshop, spend an hour making 8-14 meals (the ingredients are there and ready, I just have to put them in freezer bags) and they go in my freezer.

I already do this so it's not like it's extra time for me. Making a judgment on what I want to do with meals isn't really why I asked the question. The meals I make are already simplified...thaw and cook...it can't get any simpler.

Thank you to those for all the helpful suggestions.