Groceries on POR boat

m86 · Apr 25, 2015

Hi DISers,

We are going to POR in Aug, and we have a question regarding boat transportation.

As we are Europeans we love visiting American supermarkets and we are planning to do some shopping at Winn Dixie in LBV, and bring it back to the hotel (a dozen cans of soda, one bottle of whiskey and further some snacks and waters) (Yes we know that we are crazy doing this in the Florida heat, but this is our vacation). Is it frowned upon to bring 3-4 grocery bags per person on the boat transportation to POR?

We know about Garden Grocer etc. but indeed to do as planned.

Thank you!

goofy4tink · Apr 26, 2015

I would imagine that it might be frowned upon. Especially that many bags!! Why not take the boat to DTD, from POR, and then take a cab back? I know that Disney doesn't allow a lot of things on their buses/boats/monorails.

Alesia · Apr 26, 2015

Take a cab. Those boats are small and often crowded. There's just not enough room for each of you to have 4 bags of groceries.

bumbershoot · Apr 26, 2015

Take a cab or get a rental car for the day.

Is there a liquor store attached to or near the Winn Dixie you're going to? (Publix stores are much nicer than WD, in my opinion)

m86 · Apr 26, 2015

Thank you for your answers. Cabs and rental cars are means of lazy souls

. (Need to burn those American calories)

However I can't imagine a dozen of sodas and a bottle of booze and some cookies taking any space at all at the boat (We will keep the bags at our legs or on our laps.)

m86 · Apr 26, 2015

bumbershoot said:
Is there a liquor store attached to or near the Winn Dixie you're going to? (Publix stores are much nicer than WD, in my opinion)

Yes, there is a huge ABC at the parking lot at the Winn Dixie. We have walked there many times from DTD.

bumbershoot · Apr 26, 2015

m86 said:
I can't imagine a dozen of sodas and a bottle of booze and some cookies taking any space at all at the boat

I can't imagine that small amount of groceries being 3-4 bags per person, but that's what you said.

You asked the question, and we're trying to help you.

Take the boat to DTD and walk to WD, but have assistance while getting back to POR. Being disgustingly hot and sweaty while carrying 3-4 bags per person doesn't sound enjoyable at all, and if you add in possibly not being able to board the boat because of what you're carrying, it sounds worse.

THAT SAID! People coming from DTD are expected to have shopping bags from the DTD stores, so I suppose there's allowance for parcels. Maybe you won't be denied. Still doesn't sound like fun, though.

m86 · Apr 26, 2015

bumbershoot said:
I can't imagine that small amount of groceries being 3-4 bags per person, but that's what you said.

THAT SAID! People coming from DTD are expected to have shopping bags from the DTD stores, so I suppose there's allowance for parcels. Maybe you won't be denied. Still doesn't sound like fun, though.

When I said grocery bags I don't mean full ones, just a bit of food/drinks in each. Also the grocery bags at Winn Dixie are tiny. Maybe 4 cans of soda in each as they seem very fragile. Your last point made me think that we are going to be fine. People in DTD tend to have much more shopping bags than what we are planning to bring.

We are looking so much foreword to our trip

Edit: added info about grocery bags at Winn Dixie.

maxiesmom · Apr 26, 2015

I would take a cab. What you are describing won't fit onto your laps. And it is considered very rude to put bags on a seat and have them taking up space. And if you are told you can't bring your bags on board, you will have quite a hike back to find a cab. So not worth it.

kirstenb1 · Apr 26, 2015

So cabs and rentals are lazy, but sitting on a boat is exercise? Many people have suggested this might not be a good idea, but you seem determined to do it. Not sure why you asked the question, since your mind is made up.

goofy4tink · Apr 26, 2015

Ok. Not trying to be snarky here, but....did you not notice us telling you that Disney may very possibly having an issue with your groceries?
I do take slight offense at the 'lazy souls' though. Not really sure how taking a boat vs a cab or rental car is burning calories. If you want to burn those 'American calories', you can always just hoof it back to DTD and take a cab from there. Maybe only 100 fewer calories spent.

m86 · Apr 26, 2015

maxiesmom said:
I would take a cab. What you are describing won't fit onto your laps. And it is considered very rude to put bags on a seat and have them taking up space. And if you are told you can't bring your bags on board, you will have quite a hike back to find a cab. So not worth it.

I would never take up a seat with grocery bags. I will keep them at my feet or my laps.

kirstenb1 said:
So cabs and rentals are lazy, but sitting on a boat is exercise? Many people have suggested this might not be a good idea, but you seem determined to do it. Not sure why you asked the question, since your mind is made up.

I would walk from Winn Dixie to DTD and take the boat from there. Saving money and burning calories. My question is simply if they allow a couple of shopping bags. If it is not allowed, I will of course plan to do differently.

m86 · Apr 26, 2015

goofy4tink said:
Ok. Not trying to be snarky here, but....did you not notice us telling you that Disney may very possibly having an issue with your groceries?
I do take slight offense at the 'lazy souls' though. Not really sure how taking a boat vs a cab or rental car is burning calories. If you want to burn those 'American calories', you can always just hoof it back to DTD and take a cab from there. Maybe only 100 fewer calories spent.

Than you for your response. If Disney have an issue with some shopping bags, then I will of course figure some other ways to bring my sodas to my room. I must say that it is a bit strange if they allow tons of merchandise but not some soda.

Regarding the lazy souls it is just a joke and if anyone took offense, I apologize.

goofy4tink · Apr 26, 2015

My biggest issue is having anyone come to this board and get info that may not be correct. Can things be different? Sure. But....at least people will know, going in, what could possibly happen.
If you end up doing this, please come back here and tell us how it worked out.

m86 · Apr 26, 2015

Will give an update when I have been there in Aug/Sep. In the mean time I would be happy to hear other peoples experience regarding this.

seashoreCM · Apr 27, 2015

If you plan on taking groceries on public, er, Disney transportation then you should bring extra plastic bags so you can double bag the groceries. That is not the store's responsibility. You can't say, "Stop the world, I want to get off," should a bag break spilling groceries all over the place and the skipper or driver needs to unload and load quickly and close the doors and be off.

When I think of moderate to large European cities I think of convenient light rail trains gliding through the streets. It would a pity if people visiting WDW, which operates like a city, can't use the Disney buses and boats for similar purposes, including everyday shopping.

Gracie09 · Apr 27, 2015

seashoreCM said:
If you plan on taking groceries on public, er, Disney transportation then you should bring extra plastic bags so you can double bag the groceries. That is not the store's responsibility. You can't say, "Stop the world, I want to get off," should a bag break spilling groceries all over the place and the skipper or driver needs to unload and load quickly and close the doors and be off.

When I think of moderate to large European cities I think of convenient light rail trains gliding through the streets. It would a pity if people visiting WDW, which operates like a city, can't use the Disney buses and boats for similar purposes, including everyday shopping.

But Disney does not allow luggage on buses and I have seen luggage on city buses and trains and subways. Comparing public transit to a private bus service is apples to oranges. The purpose of the transportation is to allow guests to move around the property and spend money. So bags of merchandise bought a disney owned dtd, is different than groceries bought at an outside company. Will they let you, probably, do I think its a good use of time and energy, no.

bumbershoot · Apr 27, 2015

m86 said:
Also the grocery bags at Winn Dixie are tiny.

Another reason to go to Publix.

I knew there was a reason I always keep Disney shopping bags...should I ever want to do this I'll just put my groceries into the Disney shopping bags. They might wonder why I have a Disneyland bag from 2007, but that's their mystery to figure out.

joelkfla · Apr 27, 2015

bumbershoot said:
Another reason to go to Publix.

I knew there was a reason I always keep Disney shopping bags...should I ever want to do this I'll just put my groceries into the Disney shopping bags. They might wonder why I have a Disneyland bag from 2007, but that's their mystery to figure out.

I would invest in a couple of the cloth reusable bags. The basic ones with the store name usually sell for $0.99.

No worries about bags breaking or leaking, plus the handles are a lot easier on the hands than are the plastic bags.

minnie mum · Apr 27, 2015

Gracie09 said:
But Disney does not allow luggage on buses and I have seen luggage on city buses and trains and subways. Comparing public transit to a private bus service is apples to oranges. The purpose of the transportation is to allow guests to move around the property and spend money. So bags of merchandise bought a disney owned dtd, is different than groceries bought at an outside company. Will they let you, probably, do I think its a good use of time and energy, no.

Your luggage argument is irrelevant. The OP is not talking about luggage. And I don't know why shopping bags from a non Disney store should be any different from shopping bags from a Disney store. Or bulky backpacks, diaper bags, or strollers for that matter. People go to the Hess station for a beer run all the time, and use Disney transport back to their resort.

Having said that, I think its penny wise and pound foolish to waste the time and energy to do what the OP proposes.

Groceries on POR boat

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