Sending package vs. packing? About This Page:

[tink123]

Ok, I'm very new here but need some expert advise. We are going to WDW in Dec, with our then 6 mth old daughter. Do you suggest mailing formula, food and diapers before hand, packing it, or having it delivered from a local store?? I'm a new mom so I have no idea what to do!!

[HiddenMickey]

I've heard of people doing it both ways. For me, I'd probably pack what you need and use the space that will avialable on the way home for souveniers. BUT, I've never taken a baby to WDW.

[J603]

Whoa. Tough call. I would go with either go with shipping or food delivery. Good luck figuring it out.

[my2girls]

While I didn't have formula and bottles to take with me, we did pack snacks, diapers, swim diapers, wipes, and sippy cups. I put all the snacks in a carry on, so this way we had the empty bag for souveniers, and my kids had snacks on the plane. We put diapers, wipes, and swim diapers in the outside zippered pockets of every suitcase. This also came in handy for flat souveniers, pictures, rain ponchos, etc for going home. As a mom, I can tell you that we left our diaper bag at home, and I took a package of gallon size zip lock bags. At the end of every day, I packed what I would need (ie. pullups, underwear, wipes, gum, napkins, advil) in a couple (at most 2) ziplocks and this was put in the bottom basket of the stroller. Very easy to find stuff, and super easy for security.
I highly recommend it instead of a diaper bag. We also had a cooler for juices and snacks.

[Colexis Mom]

I packed most of that stuff and sent it ahead. Just remmeber to pack enough before you get to your hotel. Last year, DS was still in diapers, and I had packed a bunch in the box I sent down to AKL. Problem was, I only had 3 or 4 in the carry-on, and we came in late so we stayed off site that night, and didn't check into AKL until noon. Needless to say, we had to stop at Walgreens to get more diapers

[TexasHeathers]

I say pack and send it ahead and then use the box to send your dirty clothes back in - and then put your souvenirs in the suitcase in the space where your clothes was - lol. We are going in November and I think I'm packing a box. I don't have to pack formula and bottles - geez that would take up some ROOM huh?? But my kids are partial to our own blankets - and so am I and that kind of thing takes up space - but we will sleep better at night with them so I am going to make sure some of our big quilts get sent ahead - lol.

I think the LESS you ahve to carry through the airport the better when you are hauling kids with you. I've been with an 11 month old and this year I'm going with an almost 3 year old and a 14 month old = so I do not want to have more to handle when navigating the airport than is absolutely necessary!

Heather

[KandJluvdisney]

I don't have kids so I am really no expert - but my advice would be to send it ahead to your hotel, and just keep enough either in a diaper bag or carryon so that you at least have what you need until you get there. I have young nieces and nephews and if I were taking them, I would want to be more focused on keeping them calm and what not than to have to lug a huge diaper bag with me. Though only MHO
p.s - welcome to the boards!!

[Steph A]

We always send a box ahead to the resort (traveling 3 times with a 15-20 month old). I always bring what I need for at least one day in my carry-on.

My suggestion is to allow plenty of time for shipping. I always send my boxes ground UPS (guaranteed in 3 days). I ship it 4 days before arrival and then track it before I leave to ensure that it arrived. It has worked wonderfully.

I then ship myself a box home of either stuff I have bought, diapers I didn't use, etc. The resorts have always been able to do this for me.

The less stuff I have to take to the airport the better. You already have enough stuff, car seat, strollers, etc.

Happy Planning!
Steph A

[tink123]

[ QUOTE ]

My suggestion is to allow plenty of time for shipping. I always send my boxes ground UPS (guaranteed in 3 days). I ship it 4 days before arrival and then track it before I leave to ensure that it arrived. It has worked wonderfully.

I then ship myself a box home of either stuff I have bought, diapers I didn't use, etc. The resorts have always been able to do this for me.



[/ QUOTE ]

Didn't think of that. Thanks, I was really worried about it getting to the resort if a send it ahead of time. I do that with all my packages I send to my MIL, I don't know why I thought any different when it came to sending it to WDW. I've always jam packed my return bag too, never thought to ship it home.

Thanks

[Happymommy]

I ship everything UPS (I also track it on the computer, and call the hotel to make sure it's there before we leave), and use the box to ship things back home.