Suitcase of food on airplane?

[Amy&Dan]

I have heard of people packing food such as water bottles, juice boxes, crackers, cereal etc in a suitcase for the plane. How does this stuff travel? Do you pack other stuff in the same suitcase? We will be arriving late and may not want to make a Publix or Wal Mart stop that night. Also, does anyone know of an all night grocery store near WDW coming from the MCO airport in case we decide to stop?

 

[MiraDawl]

Some people have mentioned having a box shipped to the hotel in advance with your name etc. included on the package. I would call the hotel to check first. Someone mentioned using this method to ship diapers too.

I'd be worried the snacks in luggage would get damaged, spill, etc. Plus, I need all the room I can get for clothes!!

As far as shipping items, I wouldn't try any liquids. They could pop, burst, leak, etc. I think mini-muffins, pretzels, cereal bars, fruit snacks, jerky, granola bars, pop tarts, cookies, etc. would be easily shipped. Plus, extra batteries, sunscreen, toiletries, and other items you may not be bringing home with you. You could even pack a duffle bag for those extras you might aquire!

Hope this helps

~Mira

 

[SkylarKD]

From the Mousesavers website: http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html#howtobring

How to Bring Food With You

If you are thinking about bringing food from home, be aware that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suggests that you do not put food items in your checked luggage, as the automated bomb-detection equipment tends to give false positives on such items. Your luggage is much more likely to be opened and searched outside of your presence if you check food items. Thanks to Mary S for the reminder about TSA regulations.

A better bet is to take these items in your carry on bags, or ship non-perishable food items in advance to your hotel. Disney resorts will hold packages for you without charge*; if you are staying at a non-Disney hotel, be sure to call and inquire first. Address the package as follows:

Hold for guest: (write the full name under which you made the reservation)
Check in date: (insert date)
Hotel's name and address (which will appear on your confirmation form)

*Note that while I've heard from loads of people who successfully shipped non-perishable food items to their hotels and were not charged anything extra, one reader reports being charged a handling fee by the hotel, and I've read rumors to this effect on a couple of discussion boards. It appears this is sometimes an issue at the convention hotels, in particular Coronado Springs, but I don't think it's a consistent problem. You may want to call the hotel in advance to confirm that there will be no extra charges. Be sure to get the full name of the person you speak with!


From the TSA website: http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?content=0900051****31fe8

Summer travelers who want to bring back favorite foods from their destination can do so, but should know that some food products might cause your checked-bag to be screened for security reasons. Pack food products in carry-on bags.