What did you ship down ahead of time?

[Honeymooners1021]

DH and I were planning a taxi trip to a grocery store after we checked into our hotel. I was thinking that it might be easier to just send a box down with the things we would buy there they will be cheaper here and our preferred brands.
This is what I have backed in our box so far:
granola bars
cereal (we will buy milk at the gift shop)
plastic bowls
plastic silverware
crystal light individual sizes
paper towels

What else should we pack? No matter what I will fill the box with other things that we will either toss or pass on like ponchos, mole skin, and other first aid things.
Maybe I am just better off making a grocery stop because I would like bottled water, red bull, and alcohol. I just don't think I could ship the red bull and I don't know about the alcohol (non-carbonated).

Any thoughts???? Suggestions??

 

[KangaFan]

Just a thought . . .

are you planning to buy souvenirs when you're there? We're bringing an extra small suitcase of snacks and plan to fill it with our souvenirs on the way back.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hi there

I've been bringing an extra inexpensive suitcase for this reason for a few years now. I have a $9 one from Wal-mart that is small enough to carry-on yet big enough to fit a box of cereal. I bring it with me filled with supplies & bring it home filled with souviners. During the summer months I check 2 similar bags splitting a case of bottled water to keep the weight down and carry on a 3rd with

I would think the drinks could be carried on but I wouldn't check the bag. My cousin's DH came to visit 1 year and the red wine burst in the bag (was it thrown? ) and made a REALLY BIG MESS. I bet if it had been a carry-on it would have been fine ,just check with the airline ahead of time to see if its legal these days. You could always wrap the alcohol in your extra set of clothes to keep it safe.

Have fun

 

[pepe of ohio]

We do not ship anything down but do enjoy alot of what you plan on shipping for yourself. We sometimes get picked up at the train station by our daughter and SIL, they fly and rent a car and we all do the grocery stop together. When we take the cab from the train station to WDW, we bus to DTd and walk to Goodings and back. Prices are high but cheaper than WDW prices, and we get lunchmeats and picnic fixings for around the pool and alcohol. Next best bet is bus to resort thats closest to where you plan on doing your shopping and grabbing a cab from there, you pay by the mile and we once stopped at a Publix in Kissimmee that had an ABC, alcohol, store next door and hailed another cab for the return. Never done the pre-grocery delivery thing, figured for the same cab money and picking out what we want versus the delivery fee, we prefer going ourselves. Maybe in the future we'll give it a try but for now, we prefer to either do the hike to Goodings, hire a cab from closest location or even rent a car for the day and do our shopping. While on property we prefer to use Disney transportation and renting a car for the entire stay when travel is free is not cost effective.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I had water shipped down from Staples.com. (free shipping)

Also, I packed a small(ish) suitcase with snacks, diapers, wipes, toiletries, etc. Things I knew we'd use up while there and then I had an instant souvenir suitcase!

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

We have never shipped anything down to WDW before, however during our last trip we did ship our souvenirs home. What a relief not to have to lug or tow the suitcase full of goodies home. It was rather reasonable, we worked it all out with the folks at the checkout of our Disney hotel and approx 2 weeks later -- all of our souvenirs showed up unbroken and undamaged. In my opinion it was well worth it.

 

[Desnik]

We have shipped a package down many times and will be doing so on our up coming trip. We love it and we ship a smaller box in a larger box filled with our stuff. We use the smaller box to ship whatever we need back home, like our toiletries. We have kids so we also ship down some things for them. Here's our list:
drink boxes
all liquid toiletries
cereal
candy(m&m's, gummies)
snacks(pretzels, goldfish)
swim shoes
glow necklaces and bracelets
We are DVC'ers so we don't need to send down any utencils and such.
When we check out, or the night before we go to the front desk and get some packing tape and ship the box from there. We use UPS from both destinations. We have always gotten our box we ship home within a week. We also have a tracking # to keep track of it which I love.

 

[disneymomof6]

Gosh I never thought of shipping stuff down there.... we travel as a family of 8 and usually just pack the extra suitcases with the food we need BUT with the little ones and all them suitcases... it gets on the nerves alittle taking it through the airport. I am assuming that you can just have it shipped to the resort and there isnt a problem getting it? any hints on shipping?

 

[Honeymooners1021]

I didn't think about shipping either but I have read tons of posts about and thought it would help lighten our load. Plus it will be a fun suprise when we get there!!!!!!

I will also be packing our window decorations and suprise gifts for hubby since it is our honeymoon and the week before valentines day!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!! 30 days til we leave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Therinian]

Gosh I never thought of shipping stuff down there.... I am assuming that you can just have it shipped to the resort and there isnt a problem getting it? any hints on shipping?

I had heard of shipping stuff too, but thought, "There's no way that can be true!" Apparently it is--lol! Those who HAVE shipped a package of items down to WDW: I'm also guessing (like disneymomof6) that there aren't any problems with shipping it to your resort? How does that work, actually? Do you ask for the package at check-in? How far in advance do you ship the items--and are you saving money even after the shipping costs?

Thanks for any replies!

 

[GraysMom]

I know there's more, but here's what I can think of right now:

diapers
wipes
antibacterial hand wipes/hand sanitizer
clorox wipes (to wipe down the hotel bathroom, phone, etc)

 

[FormrCastMbr]

I really like the idea of packing these items in a small suit case! I shipped my Xmas tree this year (a 3 foot one) and they gave it to me as soon as I checked in...it was great. For some reason, we had room to put it in the suitcase on the way home...

 

[Desnik]

When we ship stuff down we use UPS. I like to use them because from my location their ground shipping is usually the cheapest for me. Also they have tracking, and the UPS store is close to me. We usually check in on a Sunday so I have to make sure my package arrives on Friday because there is noe delivery on the weekends. So, from NY that means I have to ship it UPS ground by the Tues. before my trip. I have shipped big heavy boxes and have never paid more than $15-$20 for it. Since we don't leave until Sunday I can track the item and see when it arrives. It also tells who signed for it. I always bring a copy of that with me. On the box itself I always write the resort name followed by the address, then "hold for"- the name of the person whom the ressie is under, then our arrival day and ressie#. When we check in I inform them there should be a package waiting for me. At SSR they had it already waiting for me on the side and this was at 2am in Nov!! At BWV they had to send someone to get it and we had it in a few minutes. Never have we had a problem. We always have saved money doing this because we can have time to buy the stuff we need/like with coupons and local discounts. We save on drinks and breakfast, and snacks too. Also I feel I save money because time is money and I don't want to waist time on my vacation shopping for groceies and toiletries. I also breaze through check in at the airlines with no toiletries and no hassel worrying about the sizes and stuff.

 

[GraysMom]

OK, I checked my packing list, and we also pack

paper plates (for take out pizza or leftovers in the room)
laundry soap (triple bagged)
roll of paper towels (for DS2 and to replace napkins)
dish soap (if you're non-DVC and have to wash bottles, mugs, etc)
goodies for in park treats (light up fans, stickers, etc)
dried fruit/raisins
extra baggies in various sizes
plastic cups
over the door organizer for bathroom stuff

Alright, now I have the urge to pack (can we say "obsessive early packer") and we don't leave for 3 1/2 months!

 

[Therinian]

When we ship stuff down we use UPS. ....On the box itself I always write the resort name followed by the address, then "hold for"- the name of the person whom the ressie is under, then our arrival day and ressie#. When we check in I inform them there should be a package waiting for me. .... I also breaze through check in at the airlines with no toiletries and no hassel worrying about the sizes and stuff.

THANK YOU, DESNIK! Your reply was very informative! I will try this method on our next rip to WDW!

 

[hsmamato2]

what about garden grocer? their prices are comparable to a grocery store at home, and they ship it to your resort..... no problems,no extra trips to ups store, just order online,and get your stuff waiting for you! it costs like $10 to ship an order to your hotel, which is less than shipping it myself from home, if you order more than $200-it's free ship

 

[mysparky]

I just going to suggest the same thing about Garden grocer. We had them deliver an order to our resort and the delivery charge was only $10. I can't imagine that shipping would be less expensive. In addition, we were able to order milk, juice, water, etc as well and the bell stand held onto our delivery until we were in our room (they have a refrigerator to store cold things). It seriously could have not been easier and the produce that we ordered (bananas, grapes, apples) were good quality.

I've also read somewhere on these boards that wegoshop.com will deliver groceries as well as alcohol. I haven't used their service, but if you do a search on the boards, I'm sure you'll find comments on their service. l

 

[gary4jenn]

down a box of stuff. You see, Tinkerbelle and friends leave things on our beds after we leave each morning. So I ship little surprises and of couse some Pixie Dust to sprinkle on the carpet. The kids have no idea!
I also Send down:
Bowls
palmolive dishwashing cloths for the refillable mugs
diapers
wipes
pop tarts, oatmeal, granola bars,

I only ship non-liquid foods cuz we do stop at the grocery store and get water, juice boxes, beer and dairy stuff.

I also pack a suitcase inside a suitcase to bring home the soveniers.