Close Place for room snacks?

[disneyNJ]

Hi,

We will be staying at the Portofino in July - first time. We always like to have snacks and drinks in the room, so we'll need to make a stop somewhere to pick up these items.

Can anyone tell me if there is a grocery store near the hotel - or another store that is close where we can pick up some soda, beer, wine, water bottles, snacks plus maybe a few breakfast items? We will have a rental car.


Thanks,
Disney NJ

 

[goofy!]

There is a Publix close by that we always visit for snacks. Wine and beer are in the store and there is a liquor store right next door for other stuff.

Robvia has GREAT directions from the HRH - complete with pictures on his website. He has pictures of the Portofino right across the street, so just change the initial directions. Otherwise, he can probably direct you from the PBH.

http://www.nogodforme.com/directionstopublix.htm

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

There are several places along the way. If you are coming from MCO via 528 and route 4, I suggest you take exit 75B (it is a left exit) and stay in the left hand lane. Universal is at the first light. This entrance to Universal (Kirkland Road) is closest to the Portofino Bay. But more importantly, there are a lot of stores on Kirkland as well as a bunch of fast food and other dining choices. Your concierge can give you directions to Super Walmart and Publix.

 

[disneyNJ]

Thank you Goofy and Imgonnabe40 - really appreciate the info. Sounds like there are a lot of places close by - would love to stop at that Super Walmart - they always seem to have everything and the prices can't be beat.

Will have to check out and print the directions from Robvia - thanks for providing the link. I admit, I'd feel strange asking the concierge at the very proper and fancy Portofino how to get to Publix - or Super Walmart!!! Just doesn't fit the image of that hotel.

These boards are so helpful - thanks again to everyone who so willing and quickly shares their knowledge. It makes planning a trip a real pleasure when you can find out before you leave home exactly what you need to know.

Disney NJ

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

...I admit, I'd feel strange asking the concierge at the very proper and fancy Portofino how to get to Publix - or Super Walmart!!! Just doesn't fit the image of that hotel.

Disney NJ

I hear ya! I know that I still have my index card from the HRH with the preprinted directions to Super WalMart (I guess a lot of people request that ) and PM them to you! Okay. Now I will tell on me. While I was at Super WalMart, I bought a $6 toaster that we used in the room to toast bagels! It sure beat paying $6 for a bagel and cream cheese at the restaurant!

 

[Shawn Weldon]

I posted this on an earlier thread. This may help if you want to find a place within walking distance.

There are several places to buy food within easy walking distance of the Portofino. There is a Walgreens, a mini mart and another grocery store all located around the corner of Vineland and Kirkman. All have milk, bread, soda and other items. You can generally shop around and get slightly better prices on things like soda at one or another. The mini-mart had started selling lunch meat when I was there last summer. There is also a store that sells alcohol in the same building as Walgreens. There are also several fast food places along either Kirkman or Vineland. I've walked over for breakfast from McDonalds and to some of the other places when people wanted french fries.

If you go out the main entrance of the Portofino it will be about a 10-15 minute walk one way. I walked back from Walgreens to the Hard Rock Hotel last summer (a longer walk than the Portofino) with two cases of 24 bottles of water. I'm in good shape and enjoy walking but I'm no superman, so it can be done. My family jokes that I only go to Universal so I can walk around the area and see what stores are nearby.

If you go out the main entrance of the Portofino to Universal Boulevard you make a right. This will take you to Vineland. Make another right and walk to Kirkman. There is a short cut from the Portofino that is hard to describe if you aren't familiar with the grounds. Go by the Villa pool and walk up to the courtyard above it. Walk to the end of the courtyard and you will see a driveway that goes down into the parkin lot. Walk straight ahead to the last line of parking. There will be trees and bushes separating the parking lot from Vineland. Make a right and walk until you dead end (you will have to go to your right to keep walking). Instead of going right, look to your left. There is a small path through the shrubs that will drop you about 50 feet from Kirkman. I've gone to Walgreens and back using this route in about 10 minutes.

Basically, the parking lot of the Portofino is flanked by Kirkman and Vineland. There may be other paths through the bushes if you look.

Shawn