What do you do with the things you buy...

[Aubrielle]

while in the park? I don't feel to comfortable keeping things in the stroller or hauling them around all day.

I read somewhere that DL provided "package check" at the following locations: DL Newsstand, Pioneer Merchantile and Star Traders. Also, it is available at Engine Ears Toys in DCA. I assume this means that they will keep your purchases there for you to pick up later, so you don't have to haul them around with you.

Has anyone used this service?

Is it only for purchases AT THOSE STORES, or will they hold a package from anywhere?

Also, if you have used this, is it a hassle to arrange?

We are not staying on property, so unfortunately cannot take advantage of having our things sent right back to the hotel.

Any advice on "package check" would be very much appreciated!
Thanks so much for any advice you could give!

 

[Flitterific]

while in the park? I don't feel to comfortable keeping things in the stroller or hauling them around all day.

I read somewhere that DL provided "package check" at the following locations: DL Newsstand, Pioneer Merchantile and Star Traders. Also, it is available at Engine Ears Toys in DCA. I assume this means that they will keep your purchases there for you to pick up later, so you don't have to haul them around with you.

Has anyone used this service?

Is it only for purchases AT THOSE STORES, or will they hold a package from anywhere?

Also, if you have used this, is it a hassle to arrange?

We are not staying on property, so unfortunately cannot take advantage of having our things sent right back to the hotel.

Any advice on "package check" would be very much appreciated!
Thanks so much for any advice you could give!

It is true that you can drop off things that you purchased at certain locations in DL and DCA (I know for sure that the newsstand at the entrance of DL does it and so does Engine Ears in DCA but I'm not sure about the other locations). However, I do find those two locations the most convenient places to drop them off as they are the closest to the entrances at the respective parks.

Anyone can use the service. You just have to give them your receipt with the bag of merchandise and they give you a form to complete and a carbon copy of it. The service is free and it makes it a lot easier than to lug it around with you at the park.

The only thing is that Engine Ears closes at 11pm (when DCA officially closes). So if you are planning on watching the 11:15pm WoC show, you don't want to drop it off there as they will be closed already. I remember that it said on the form that you have a week or so to pick up your stuff but the lady at Engine Ears was hesitant about keeping our stuff overnight so I ended up lugging it with me. If you ask any of the stores, they should be able to give you a list of places that provide the merchandise check service

 

[PinkBudgie]

When we bought a Dinsey Apples to Apples game (very fun, btw! )at the Emporium on Main Street they asked if we wanted to have our purchases sent to the stand by the exit for pick up later. Since we were leaving the park to go home, we declined.

We saved that bigger item purchase for our last half day. Unless it is pins or jewelry that can easily be carried in my purse, we don't by a lot of stuff until we are ready to leave the park, either to take an afternoon nap or for the evening.

Also, we might look around at stores and get an idea of what we wanted so that when we were ready to buy we knew right where it was.

 

[grafxgirl]

I thought I might find something for you on the Mom's Panel, but nothing. All they had was this.

From the Mom's Panel:

Welcome to the mom's panel!

Guests staying on Disney property have the luxury of having their purchases delivered to their rooms free of charge. Whether you purchase souvenirs from one of the parks or at one of the shops at Downtown Disney your purchases can be delivered to your room if that is what you would prefer.

http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.c...&page=1&where=search&qid=85004&pid=77&cid=143

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We've used package check a few times. Our preference is to only do it when we have something fragile or awkward that we just can't force ourselves to wait to buy immediately before a break or end of day. Small things we usually carry around with us in the backpack.

We usually use the Newstand package check but have also done it at EngineEars toys. You bring the items you bought to the package check location and pick them up before the park closes. The only restriction I know of is that they won't hold food of any type.

 

[DisSarahK]

We don't go shopping until the end of the day.

 

[goldies 5]

Have done this at the Pioneer, even when staying onsite.

 

[Malela9]

I am a frequent Magic Kingdom visitor and shopper. I try to wait until I am done for the day and then go shopping.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Depends on what's available. Most of the time I'll send stuff back to the hotel. Other times if I buy art or big figs I'll have them ship it to my house. Other times I'll run it back to the room. Like the time I won that big wiener dog in Paradise Pier. I didn't want to schlep it around all afternoon so I just ran it back to the hotel (5 min tops!).

 

[Peri]

I have used Pioneer for large items that I needed to buy "right away," since recipients were away on rides and purchases were secret! Very convenient! Yes, they take all the merchandise you have on you, no matter which shop you purchased from. Pick up on your way out - but do be aware of closing times.

 

[Capt. Swan]

I have used this service every time we go, as I will shop mid-day. I just swing by the city hall, give them my tickets, and receive my packages. the lines have never been long to pick up the packages at the end of the night, and we wait 'til the last second to leave.

The evening shopping crowds before we leave are too packed for me to enjoy shopping. from some of the tips I have read here on the Dis, evening is the highest volume time for shopping.

 

[marcemc]

We avoid shopping at the night time too. It is just plain crazy and you have to stand in line forever to pay! if you stay on one of the Disney's Hotels, they ship your stuff to your room.

Don't keep valuables in strollers. Last year my brother's Mad Hatter hat was stolen from our stroller while we were riding Alice in Wonderland.

 

[AmyPond]

We typically buy things at the end of the day. But if we don't, then we put our purchases in our locker.