Off site assistance and encouragement

[PoohHappens]

We are taking a trip the week of Thanksgiving 11/22-11/29. We usually stay onsite and suggest that to all our friends taking their big trip. However, my mom is paying this time and offsite fit better in her budget due to the holiday pricing. I have tried to do my homework on the resort, we are not high maint. people. So we have what I think is a really good low rate for Royal Plaza for the whole week, includes the breakfast buffet for everyone. We have a car but would like to use the shuttle some if tolerable, we are OK with a 1hr total trip. We know the balcony doors do not open, we know to double check our bill and if we see a bug it does not bother us. We like clean rooms but are not afraid to speak up if something is unsatisfactory. That all said do you think we have OK expectations and will still be OK. It appears there are some nice features to the hotel like room size and big bath. Also I do not know much about what is around. I think there is a market called goodings down the street, but know nothing about it--reg grocery? Also are there some good places to eat we might want to try? If there are any other great reasons to stay off site you would like to share I would love to hear them as well. To be honest I am thrilled to just get to go to WDW and especially at the holidays. We are very excited and looking forward to spending time with family and seeing DS enjoy every minute.

 

[Brian Noble]

You've already identified the biggest reason: if finances are such that its offsite or don't go, I'd rather go and stay offsite.

Goodings is a little expensive, but a regular grocery store. I've not stayed in that neck of the woods, so I don't have any dining recommendations. From Mary Waring's review, it sounds quite nice post-renovation. Enjoy!

 

[PoohHappens]

Thanks, You are right, it was less expensive or don't go. We could have made it with a Value with free DP or the Fall Discount, but the values were not avail by the time we made a decision. My mom just does not move that fast. Thanks for the info on Goodings.

 

[melcan]

Goodings is HORRIBLY expensive. We just got back, stayed at the Doubletree. We went to Gooding once and after looking around left and drove to the Winn-Dixie about a mile down the road, much more resonable. We ate at the pizza place there, It was comparable to Papa John's,maybe a little better.

 

[swilshire]

Goodings is HORRIBLY expensive.

Or drive to the other side of the interstate to the Publix. Goodings is too expensive even for an item or two in my opinion. I'll never go back there.

Sheila

 

[PoohHappens]

Thanks, so unless it is an emergency drive the extra mile to the publix or winn dixie. I do not know the area well enough to know where those are or what highway I am crossing, but thanks to the internet I am sure I can figure it out. Thanks for the info and suggestions.

 

[Frothy]

Never ceases to amaze me that people will pay to go to Disney but then they start asking questions about groceries. It;s the sort of stuff that got the economy into the state it is now. If you can't afford it...don't go.

 

[PoohHappens]

I actually asked if it was a regular grocery as I knew nothing about the store. I really do not plan on buying many groceries. Just wanted to know if we needed to pick something up. However, some folks might like to buy groceries and knowing that the store is very overpriced could be helpful. I would be happy to drive and extra mile or two if my whole bill would be $20 less or even more. I could afford to spend the extra money but why would I do that.

 

[Frothy]

To save $20 you'd probably have to spend over $500 in total on groceries.

 

[PoohHappens]

If people are reporting it being sooo expensive I doubt that. That would only be 4% higher than the other stores and I highly doubt anyone would notice. Anyway I am going to request that any other information you have to offer would be helpful and in direct response to my questions.

 

[barbarah]

Frothy - As far as I was aware these boards are for people to post answers to help people, not criticise them. Even if you eat out every day all of us would visit a supermarket or drugstore at sometime in our holiday for drinks and snacks etc. I am sure the US economy and Florida and Disney in particular would be grateful for as many visitors as possible and as much or as little $ spent rather than them not come at all.

As to the original poster, congratulations you have chosen a lovely time to visit as all the Xmas decorations are up and is truly a special time of year as we have been several times at Thanksgiving even though we are from the UK.

I would also say that Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart were better than Goodings. My only experience of Goodings was one on I drive which was expensive but had nice fresh salad bar.

As to restuarants there are several at the Crossroads shopping area where Goodings is and if you drive under the I4 bridge and turn left you will find a nice Golden Corral and Bahama Breeze.

Have a lovely trip and as others have mentioned your hotel has had a makeover of the rooms etc. so should be nice. We stayed up the road at Best Western and paid extra for Disney view and it was well worth it.

 

[Frothy]

Well that's told me. Next we'll be seeing threads over whether to buy brand names or publix own. A good use of the forum no doubt.

For the record, I've found Goodings to be a much nicer place than many of the other supermarkets. There is a better variety and I really haven't found that much difference in cost. And I still maintain that anyone who has to watch their money so much as to be that bothered about where to buy groceries should not be taking a Disney vacation. Just my opinion.

 

[Brian Noble]

The Unofficial Guide compared Goodings, Publix, and Winn-Dixie with a list of vacation staples. As of the 2008 version, $20 is about right: the total bill at Goodings was $81. The other two were $61-$62. If you're already in your car, driving the extra five minutes is probably worth it.

 

[lbklyn]

Seriously, who are YOU to give the op an answer like that! There are many, if not most people who take a family vacation once a year, if that often at all, but at the same time work their tails off all year, paying THEIR bills on time, putting food on THEIR tables, being responsible for themselves and THEIR familys and not asking for anything from anybody. And they still are RESPONSIBLE enough to not just blow through a ton of money just because they are on VACATION! Most people DO have to budget when they go away, and STILL have a wonderful time because they go home with memories that you can NOT put a price on. I did NOT hear the OP asking you for a handout, just some advise. Take your snoot out of the air !

 

[spiceycat]

Thanks, so unless it is an emergency drive the extra mile to the publix or winn dixie. I do not know the area well enough to know where those are or what highway I am crossing, but thanks to the internet I am sure I can figure it out. Thanks for the info and suggestions.

they are easy - turn right out of RP - then at the second traffic light (the really big one) - turn left - get in the middle lane - (the right most quits before) - in a few minutes you will a mall on your right - turn in - there is Winnie-Dixie.

for publix - again right out of RP - then second traffic light (the really big one) - turn right - get in the far left lane - going under the I4 - at the next light take the red - at end of this street on the left is a Publix in a mall.

 

[Camno's Mama]

Never ceases to amaze me that people will pay to go to Disney but then they start asking questions about groceries. It;s the sort of stuff that got the economy into the state it is now. If you can't afford it...don't go.

Everybody makes decisions about where to spend their money on vacation. Most people cannot do everything they want to do every minute of the day. If that 20.00 that is saved on groceries can be spent on something that they wouldn't be able to get otherwise, then who are you to judge?

I believe that this is a fine use of the forums. We are all here to help each other. If you don't want to be helpful, then simply do not respond.

 

[PoohHappens]

For the record, I've found Goodings to be a much nicer place than many of the other supermarkets. There is a better variety and I really haven't found that much difference in cost.

Now see that information I would have found helpful.

 

[LindaBabe]

Off hotel blvd, turn left on Apopka Vineland but in the right lane - at the next light, the right turn takes you to a small shopping center with a post office, and an Olive Garden. I recommend go early, though, because people do line up there, and they don't take reservations.

I can afford Goodings, but I'm frugal, and it doesn't stop because I go on vacation! I like the Publix, and always make that my first stop. Turn right out of hotel blvd onto Apopka-Vineland, and go under the underpass in the left lane. The first left takes you past Mary Queen of the Universe, some outlets, and finally on the left is the Publix. There's a big pharmacy, and a camera shop there,too.

 

[princessmom29]

Well that's told me. Next we'll be seeing threads over whether to buy brand names or publix own. A good use of the forum no doubt.

For the record, I've found Goodings to be a much nicer place than many of the other supermarkets. There is a better variety and I really haven't found that much difference in cost. And I still maintain that anyone who has to watch their money so much as to be that bothered about where to buy groceries should not be taking a Disney vacation. Just my opinion.

I don't have to "watch my money" as you say buynig groceries, but I refuse to pay premium proces just to be able to shop in a nicer store. I can choose to shop in the local boutique grocery, but why when I can go to walmart and get the exact items cheaper? Just to be able to say I shop there. If I save money on groceries by shopping somewhere without an outrageous markup I can spend it somewhere else. That is how people with money get and keep it. Wise spending, even on the little things.

Seriously, who are YOU to give the op an answer like that! There are many, if not most people who take a family vacation once a year, if that often at all, but at the same time work their tails off all year, paying THEIR bills on time, putting food on THEIR tables, being responsible for themselves and THEIR familys and not asking for anything from anybody. And they still are RESPONSIBLE enough to not just blow through a ton of money just because they are on VACATION! Most people DO have to budget when they go away, and STILL have a wonderful time because they go home with memories that you can NOT put a price on. I did NOT hear the OP asking you for a handout, just some advise. Take your snoot out of the air !

Exactly!!

 

[kty]

Hey OP,

Have a Great Trip!!! We stayed off site in a townhome for the first time last year, and loved it so much we are doing it again this year

In terms of food, one of the things we did a few nights was order in - chinese, pizza, etc. The kids loved it! (We live out in suburbs, so we do not get delivery when we are at home!) Also, it was not that expensive - like 30.00 and we could eat in our pjs if we wanted. We also enjoyed take out from outback, red lobster, etc. very relaxing not to have to sit in a restaurant after a long day at the parks.

whatever you decide, you will have a great time no matter where you stay or where you shop!