Shipping vs Paying to Check Luggage

[kkmauch]

My sister and I are taking the kiddos to WDW in December. In the past we've been able to make it on carry-on only. But, we'll be there 8 days this time so we'll have the need to check something.

Just curious, what have been your experiences with shipping what you would normally pack to your resort, instead of paying to check luggage?

For us, it would cost $25/per bag/per flight for checked luggage. We estimated we would need to check two bags for the 4 of us so it would be $100.

Would it be cheaper to ship a box of our stuff down a week or two ahead and only have carry-ons? If so, do we simply prepay for the return label and leave it with the front desk for the next mail pick-up?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Be sure that it won't cost you more to ship your bags rather than just pay the airline (and the fee is usually reduced if you prepay this cost). I rarely check luggage, but I have a lot of experience shipping items and you'd be surprised how expensive it can be. Sending via USPS can be very expensive; you might want to explore alternative shipping methods (FedEx ground, UPS).

 

[Dewy]

I've done it using UPS to other hotels but not yet to Disney. It's very simple and very convenient. On ups.com (I think they have this on Fedex.com too) there is a calculator that can help figure the cost and also how much time it will take to get to the destination so you do not have to ship too early. I always ship by ground service and plan for the stuff to arrive 1 - 2 days before I do. I always track and confirm it's arrived before I leave for the trip.

A couple of ways to save money:

I use my employer's account(with their permission) and take advantage of their discounted rates.

I never call for a pick up as that' an extra fee. If I have my act together I bring the boxes into work with me and print the labels and they are picked up there(UPS picks up there every day). Or if I can't do that I print my labels and then take the boxes to Staples...in our area every store is a drop off point for UPS.


For your shipping label, it is a good idea to use this format:

Hotel name
Street address
Hold for guest(your name)
Arriving On(date of your arrival) & conf #
City, State, Zip

Don't forget to print your return labels and bring tape to re-pack your stuff. When you arrive tell the person at the front desk that you have a package waiting for you ask what is needed when you are leaving to get the package to UPS. Most will just tell you to bring it to the front desk taped up, labeled, and ready to go.

It's not always cheap but my thinking is if I have to pay anyway I might as well save the hassle at the airport.