Basic groceries at the Trading Post ?

[judykay53]

We stayed in the cabins in 2004 but didn't really cook. What basic groceries are there available at the Trading Post? Are there refrigerated items like eggs, milk, bacon or even meat like hamburger? I know there is an option of taking a cab to a grocery store if necessary. Thanks for your help.

 

[becky1960]

They have everything you mentioned but its not cheap, I have read many times on the forum of people making stops on the way to the Fort for groceries and there are some stores that deliver also..

 

[pooh4me]

We have always picked up what we need at the trading posts. The cost is higher but you will be able to get all the basic items. Fresh meat and produce other than some apples and bananas are not available. They do have a small amount of frozen food and cold meats and cheeses. You can order from www.garderngrocers.com and www.wegoshop.com but they will have a service charge that could bring the price up to about the same as the trading posts. Have a great stay, you will love the Fort

 

[judykay53]

Great. Thanks.

 

[judykay53]

What about charcoal?

 

[2goofycampers]

Yes they have small bags of charcoal.

 

[judykay53]

Thanks.

 

[CCIntrigue]

Bacon is $4.99 for 8 ounces!

 

[AuntBJ]

What about charcoal?

Last time I was there I noticed an older gentleman studying a bag of charcoal intently. He then went out for a couple of minutes, came back in and bought the smaller bag that had the lighter fluid built in. They also had a larger bag of regular charcoal along with lighter fluid. I ended up behind him in line and he was complaining to the clerk about the cost, not in a friendly way either. I think it was around $8 for the small, single size bag.

Later, I told my sister that if I had realized why he was thinking so much about which charcoal to buy, I would have told him to come by our campsite and get what he needed as I had just refilled our container before the trip. However, once he was rude to the clerk who I am sure does not set the price, I wasn't too upset it did not occur to me at the time.

 

[LarryJ]

Bacon is $4.99 for 8 ounces!

Yep the prices on just about everything except milk is outrageous. Don't even think about adult beverages or you will have a coronary. I don't think I have ever seen any sort of fresh meat like hamburger at any of the TPs.

The OP lives close enough that the drive would not be that bad and I can't imagine flying would be cheaper and it sure would IMHO be a lot more convenient that hassling with the extra transportation issues just getting from the Airport to the cabin.

Larry

 

[AuntBJ]

Just out of curiousity, I went on the Garden Grocer site and picked out a few items I knew I would order if I were going to the Fort. I picked out just enough to meet the minimum order of $40. I then went on a local grocer site that has their prices online (not marked up or anything.) Surprisingly enough, my total on garden grocer was $42.01 and the local store was $39. The $39 also included two items that were on sale. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the Garden Grocer prices. The difference of course comes in the delivery fee of $12 and $1.99 fuel surcharge but I am thinking I would allow 2-3 hours minimum for a shopping trip so that is not so bad. I would rather hang out at the Fort and let them deliver. That $13.99 would be nothing compared to the mark-up at the trading posts even if you just needed drinks, snacks, breakfast foods, etc.

The sad part is, I realized how little you can buy for $40 anywhere. That wouldn't go far for a week at WDW for us. We could probably easily order the $200 to reach the free delivery threshold except that we really shop sales, etc. at home when stocking up for a camping trip.

 

[judykay53]

We're arriving late Sunday night then checking out Friday but not leaving til Friday night. We're looking at having breakfast in the cabin each morning and then dinner probably three nights. Would really like a nice big breakfast in the mornings. There are three adults, a 15 year that eats like an adult and then two 9 year olds that do not eat much.

Appreciate all the input. Do the delivery services drop off at the registration desk? I'll check their prices out.

 

[AuntBJ]

We're arriving late Sunday night then checking out Friday but not leaving til Friday night. We're looking at having breakfast in the cabin each morning and then dinner probably three nights. Would really like a nice big breakfast in the mornings. There are three adults, a 15 year that eats like an adult and then two 9 year olds that do not eat much.

Appreciate all the input. Do the delivery services drop off at the registration desk? I'll check their prices out.

According to their website, Garden Grocer delivers to bell services and they hold your groceries including your refrigerated/frozen items. I have seen some posters in the past say their groceries were waiting for them in their cabins. It made me wonder if that is something bell services may do if they are running short of storage space especially for cold/frozen items.

Check out their faq page here:
http://www.gardengrocer.com/questions/index

 

[judykay53]

That would be nice to have the things waiting for us. We will be getting to the cabin around 10 pm.