First time driving...who, what, when & where for groceries

[Anal Annie]

So we usually fly, use DME, stay in studios and get a small grocery order from Garden Grocer. This time tho we'll be driving and we'll be in a 1-bedroom rather than a studio. We're leaving in the wee hours of the morning NEXT Fri. to try to avoid DC beltway traffic, driving as far as Savannah, GA on Fri. (about 9.5-10 hrs) to spend the night and then going the rest of the way on Saturday. Should I pack a small cooler with a few things or just wait & shop for everything once we arrive? We've never gone offsite so what are our grocery store options that are close by? I'm still not really planning to do a lot of cooking in the villa - just wondering if shopping may actually be cheaper in FL vs our DC prices. I was thinking we could bring our own cases of water, beer & wine. I know if FL you can buy both in the grocery stores whereas here we cannot and our taxes here may be higher on those items. Just wondering if I should try to pack it all or make a good shopping list to use once we get down there.

I don't care that we WILL have a car on this trip - grocery shopping is not something we'll want to spend a lot of time on once we GET there. I am hoping we can get to WDW around 1:00 on Sat. then we'll head over to Epcot to get our tix (have a 3:10 ADR at Via Napoli). So I don't know when we'll get our villa or when we'll feel like going back out to shop. I thought it would feel like the start of vacation to have a pizza at Via Napoli on our first day but maybe my timing sucks?! We COULD stop to shop before we get there & put the cold stuff in a cooler with a bag of ice for awhile & leave it in the car, right? When do most folks do their shopping when they drive?? I know once we're in Epcot we won't want to leave to go back to the room as soon as we get there. Hummmmm

 

[sarah4770]

I know that alcohol is a little cheaper in florida. Just browse the Publix or Winn Dixie weekly ad online right before you leave for your trip. I guess you could bring down non perishables ( grab cereal and laundry detergent, etc, while you find it on sale) and then just make a quick stop to pick up perishable items.
If you are planning on getting pizza upon arrival, then maybe you can hold off shopping until the next day. Just grab milk or juice at the resort store for the am.

 

[tjkraz]

We usually stop by WalMart or SuperTarget sometime after the parks have closed on arrival day. Those stores are open late...maybe even 24 hours. Only downside is that the stores are much busier than what you will probably find in your local WM or ST. Still, the stores are huge and the staff is used to dealing with the volume of business.

No way I'd buy water in advance. Unless you're particular about brand, I guess. Typically you can get a 24-pack of Aquafina or some similar brand for $4-5. Can't help you with the wine.

Most groceries aren't subject to sales tax so that won't have much impact on your bill either way. Prices in WM and ST are comparable to what you'll find at home...perhaps inflated a bit for staples like bread and milk. If you go to a grocery chain like Publix or Winn Dixie which is near WDW, there you will see greatly inflated prices.

Philosophically, we don't pack much more than snacks for the car. It's just not worth the hassle of dealing with a car full of groceries for 1000 miles, IMO.

 

[dianeschlicht]

When we stay at AKV, we usually shop on 192 at Target, Publix etc, and there are also some great restaurants over there that we like for a break from Disney food (Sweet Tomatoes and Bahama Breeze).

 

[LauraLea]

Oh my, arriving at 1 pm and having a 3:10 ADR is a little optimistic to get checked in, tickets exchanged and to Via Napoli on time. No way you can sneak a grocery shop in there as well. Be prepared for traffic/accident delays, Murphey's Law you know.

Sounds like you want to hit the parks right off. I would not worry about the cost difference in the groceries. Bring your own beverages and whatever food items you'll need for at least the first few days. Then when you have more time, head to Winn Dixie (11957 S Apopka Vineland Rd) and pick up what you need. WD is close to SSR.

Laura

 

[mwehttam]

In the past we have gone to the Publix at the corner of 530/192 (W Irlo Bronson) and International Drive but that one has since closed. Now there is a new Publix roughly across the street from it on Bronson/Celebration Ave. That was the one we were going to go to in Aug. I usually go while DW puts the kids to bed. I like Publix; they have good prices and alcohol.

 

[Anal Annie]

Oh my, arriving at 1 pm and having a 3:10 ADR is a little optimistic to get checked in, tickets exchanged and to Via Napoli on time. No way you can sneak a grocery shop in there as well. Be prepared for traffic/accident delays, Murphey's Law you know.

Sounds like you want to hit the parks right off. I would not worry about the cost difference in the groceries. Bring your own beverages and whatever food items you'll need for at least the first few days. Then when you have more time, head to Winn Dixie (11957 S Apopka Vineland Rd) and pick up what you need. WD is close to SSR.

Laura

If were running late we could just head straight to Epcot & not bother with trying to check-in first. We are going to be exhanging DL park tix for WDW AP's and will buy the TIW card at Guest Services. But there's no rule about having to be checked into a property first is there?? It would be nice to have the check-in process overwith first but not necessary, right?

Thanks everyone for listing our options. I will look online at a couple of these websites & see how much their prices are. I can often catch a case of 35 waters on sale here at my grocery store for $3.99 so I can just bring a case along with some coffee & snacks & probably a 30-pack of beer for DH.

I do not see us using the car much once we get there. It will probably stay parked for most of the trip. We are not used to having a car while we're there and I don't see us wanting to spend a lot of time outside of Disney once we arrive.

 

[crazybones27]

We drive from NJ twice a year. We always stop in Savannah/Pooler exit. It has a 24hr Walmart at this exit that we always pick up stuff at before we head on to Florida. This way we don't have to stop once we're near Disney. That exit also has one of the cheaper gas stations in the Walmart parking lot .

 

[LauraLea]

Only reason you would need to check-in first is if you want the parking pass to park at Epcot.

Laura

 

[com_op_2000]

If were running late we could just head straight to Epcot & not bother with trying to check-in first.

If you do not stop by the resort 1st and head to EPCOT first, you will have to pay for parking instead of getting the free parking that comes with your resort parking pass.

 

[Anal Annie]

Only reason you would need to check-in first is if you want the parking pass to park at Epcot.

Laura

If you do not stop by the resort 1st and head to EPCOT first, you will have to pay for parking instead of getting the free parking that somes with your resort parking pass.

OK. Don't know the ins / outs of driving / parking at WDW. Guess we'll try to leave Savannah earlier than 8:00 then just in case (or I can look to see if there's a later time avail. at Via Napoli).

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I know it's probably semantics, but I wouldn't transport any large quantities of alcohol through potentially dry counties in the South.

It's not as big of a problem as it used to be and I think you can legally have a good bit, but you can go to jail for bootlegging.

I knew of these guys who were frenemies. Anyhow, one of them had bought a lot of alcohol to take to a convention out of state and told the other guy. So the other guy called the first dry county and said the other guy was hauling alcohol, with vehicle description, tag #, and time he would be going through there.

Sure enough, he had the alcohol, they stopped him, and the man went to jail.

It was a big mess and made all the local papers.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Coming down I-4 get off at Exit 67 which is SR 535. Turn left and go South for about a mile and there will be a Super Walmart on your right (and their gas station is usually the least expensive in the area) where you can get what you need.

Go out the South end of their parking lot and the first right turn takes you onto the Osceola Parkway (75¢ Cash toll) which will take you right onto WDW.

 

[Anal Annie]

I know it's probably semantics, but I wouldn't transport any large quantities of alcohol through potentially dry counties in the South.

It's not as big of a problem as it used to be and I think you can legally have a good bit, but you can go to jail for bootlegging.

I knew of these guys who were frenemies. Anyhow, one of them had bought a lot of alcohol to take to a convention out of state and told the other guy. So the other guy called the first dry county and said the other guy was hauling alcohol, with vehicle description, tag #, and time he would be going through there.

Sure enough, he had the alcohol, they stopped him, and the man went to jail.

It was a big mess and made all the local papers.

Bootlegging? Really? In 2013 for a case of beer & a box of wine? If the cops stop my Disney / DVC magnet / sticker covered dirty old Honda Pilot for bootlegging there is seriously something wrong with this picture! I'll take my chances!!

Coming down I-4 get off at Exit 67 which is SR 535. Turn left and go South for about a mile and there will be a Super Walmart on your right (and their gas station is usually the least expensive in the area) where you can get what you need.

Go out the South end of their parking lot and the first right turn takes you onto the Osceola Parkway (75¢ Cash toll) which will take you right onto WDW.

Thanks! We don't want much...just some milk, creamer, frozen waffles, fruit & butter!

 

[MouseMomx2]

As far as the water goes, have you thought about getting Brita bottles? You can get a free cup of ice water at any quick service restaurant and just pour it into the bottle. There is a filter that makes even the WDW water taste good...and I am picky about my water. You won't have to worry about your bottled water getting warm as you can refill your bottle whenever you need/want to.

Not only are they better for the environment, but they will save you tons of money in the long run. The bottles cost $8-9 and replacement filters are a couple of dollars. The filters last at least the couple of months that Brita suggests. You can get them at WalMart and Target, but the best price I have found is at BJs (if you have a membership).

Another plus...they are great when you do fly as you can take the bottle through security empty and then fill it up on the the other side.

 

[bakerworld]

When we drive we pretty much bring everything we need - reice the cooler at Savannah. We've always taken back almost as much food as we bring (beverages are always used) so becareful not to over buy food. If you're going to the food store avoid the one at the end of Buena Vistra Drive by DTD and you'll be fine.

 

[Anal Annie]

As far as the water goes, have you thought about getting Brita bottles? You can get a free cup of ice water at any quick service restaurant and just pour it into the bottle. There is a filter that makes even the WDW water taste good...and I am picky about my water. You won't have to worry about your bottled water getting warm as you can refill your bottle whenever you need/want to.

Not only are they better for the environment, but they will save you tons of money in the long run. The bottles cost $8-9 and replacement filters are a couple of dollars. The filters last at least the couple of months that Brita suggests. You can get them at WalMart and Target, but the best price I have found is at BJs (if you have a membership).

Another plus...they are great when you do fly as you can take the bottle through security empty and then fill it up on the the other side.

No. We DO recycle absolutely everything we can tho. Disney has recycling - we will use it. I have a Brita pitcher in the frig. at home & I'm just not good about changing the filter.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

If you have an Iphone (and there may be an app for android phones), get the "I-95" app. It lists every gas station, restaraunt, and hotel along the way and what exits have them. It was the best app while driving.

Watch driving through Virginia and South Carolina. Cops everywhere!! Do the speed limit even though you will see many speeding.

 

[Chuck S]

In the past we have gone to the Publix at the corner of 530/192 (W Irlo Bronson) and International Drive but that one has since closed. Now there is a new Publix roughly across the street from it on Bronson/Celebration Ave. That was the one we were going to go to in Aug. I usually go while DW puts the kids to bed. I like Publix; they have good prices and alcohol.

Is the one that closed the one that is/was in Poinciana Place center? If so, thanks for the heads up! That is/was my usual Publix.

As to the OP, I did the Wal-Mart once, never again! It took nearly an hour to check-out when I was there. Lines were really backed up. It is Publix for me from now on.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

When we stay at AKV, we usually shop on 192 at Target, Publix etc, and there are also some great restaurants over there that we like for a break from Disney food (Sweet Tomatoes and Bahama Breeze).

This. Exactly this.