For those who make a grocery stop?

[always dreamin']

How do you keep your food cold (i.e. milk, etc.) if your room isn't ready when you arrive? We are renting a fridge so I won't have a cooler. Any suggestions? Thank you!

 

[MJwritestuff]

Here's what we did:
Last year at the POR, (and we flew down) we packed a suitcase with Parmalaat milk in individual containers, small boxes of cereal, spoons, bowls, and juice boxes. The milk has a shelf life of like two years or something, so I wasn't sure what the kids would think of it, but they thought it was fine.
Each morning, we just had cereal and juice, and we did that at least four times. The rest we just picked up at the parks or ate breakfast at a restaurant or the hotel.
The best part is that you have a giant extra suitcase for dirty clothes, suveniers (I can't believe I can't spell that word-see what summer vacation does to a mother?) and whatever else you need it for.
As far as other fresh food, I'm not sure as we limited it to the above items. BTW, you can get Parmalaat at most Whole Food Stores, and Super G here in Jersey also carries it.
Good luck!!!
-MJ

 

[always dreamin']

MJwritestuff- Thank you for the information. That is a good idea bringing an extra suitcase. I will do that. (BTW...don't worry about the spelling. Being a SAHM who's brain has turned into mush (see I don't even know how to spell this one!), I can completely understand. Tell me...why isn't there a spell check on this board?! )

The problem with the milk is that I have an infant now that will just be starting to drink whole milk. No more formula! We have never made a grocery stop before. We have always just bought a few products at Downtown Disney. I thought for this trip I would try the grocery stop. However, since our plane arrives early I'm afraid our room won't be ready yet when we get there. Then I won't know what to do with the fresh items that will need to be in the fridge. Has anyone had this problem before? Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!

 

[bearloch]

I got a med sized cooler that i can crash down into my carry on, Were getting what ever size milk I can fit into and cheese etc. I might also buy a strofom cooler at the grocery stop. When we get to the resort I will fill with ice and i checked ahead and the cast members will keep the cooler with out luggage untill the room is ready but i did find out you have to be at the resort to have a fridge brought in.

hope this helps

 

[J. Galt]

We are in the same boat (toddler DD drinking whole milk, early flight, grocery stop) as you and would also be interested in hearing any tips. Our idea was to bring two soft-sided coolers to fill with perishables and ice. We can bring ziploc bags on the plane to put the ice in when we get to the store. Then we will plan our perishable purchases very carefully (whole milk, juice, yogurt, cheese... I'm thinking that might be it) to ensure we have room. I figure we can fit two gallons of whole milk in one cooler and the rest in the other. Then we don't have to worry about the CM's trying to keep our stuff cold until we can get to our room.

However, if anyone has any better ideas, I would also love to hear them!

 

[bearloch]

I also heard to get half gallons of milk and juice that they fit better, both in the coller and fridge

 

[always dreamin']

J. Galt-I have a cousin who lives in Oconomowoc! Wow...you don't see that too often. Very nice area!

I have seen several people refer to soft sided coolers. I know I'm a SAHM and my brain is not all there anymore, but I don't think I have ever seen these. What store carries them? This sounds like a good idea. Also...do the grocery stores carry the styrofoam coolers or do I need to pick one up somewhere else if I decide to go that route? BTW...what store is a good place to stop? (If that should be a different thread just disregard that question!). Thanks!

 

[always dreamin']

Originally posted by bearloch
I also heard to get half gallons of milk and juice that they fit better, both in the coller and fridge

Very true! I never gave that much thought...thanks for the tip!

 

[J. Galt]

always dreamin' -

I'm also a SAHM, so I understand the brain melt thing. However, I have to say that my new job is much more fulfilling and meaningful than my old so-called "real" job.

Hello to your cousin in Oconomowoc. We just love it here. I've probably run into your cousin at one of the 95 parades and street festivals they have in our little town (for such a small place, they sure know how to whoop it up).

Can't help you on where to buy the soft-sided cooler - we got our free for switching banks. I would think that your local Target/K mart/Walmart might carry these (however, I suppose the season is ending soon).

I would also love opinions on which is the best grocery store.

 

[prncess674]

Wal-mart had the soft sided coolers in the sporting good section a few weeks ago.

If you are trying to picture a soft sided cooler think of it as a giant lunch tote that your kid brings. They zip at the top. and are squishy.

 

[bearloch]

Ok this sounds bad but sams club has them filler with beer, not sure if its a deal or not I got mine at a garage sale, BTY tupperware also has a smaller version thats a back pack too for you bottle baby parents.

LOL

 

[kindergartenteacher]

We got styrofoam coolers in August for all of our goodies, but one broke because the stuff inside was too heavy. This time we're goint to use a cooler to pack some clothes in, duct tape it, and send it as a piece of our check on luggage. Hope it works!

 

[sanilacjack]

The following is something we have tryed and other that I have heard of.

*Buy cheap sytrofoam cooler at grocery stop (sp - yea, me too), do a daily ice change, works great, give it away to someone checking in when you leave.

*Just saw a soft sided cooler at our local family dollar store yesterday of 5.00. Would pack easy in the suit case. Saw one acouple of months ago that had wheels on the bottom and looked alot like those backpacks with wheels.

*I have seen people carry small sized coolers on planes and even on a train about a month ago. Just need to be within carryon size. Airlines are pretty understanding when traveling with small children.

I really wouldn't recommend renting a fridge at a WDW resort. $10.00 a day. For that price, I would do the above.

Hope this helps.

-Kim
Oh2b@WDW

PS Isn't this board great????

 

[Samandmom]

In February next year our DD will be on milk by then. We are going to make a grocery stop before hand. We are going to purchase non perishables only. We will purchase the milk and juice at the resort gift shop. It might be a little more but worth the convience.

 

[missypie]

I got my soft sided cooler at Target. My larger cooler on wheels keeps things a lot cooler, however, so folks who are driving, bring a better cooler!

 

[callaghan]

I'm with MJ. Us Jersey girls have to stick together. Parmalat and Borden both make shelf stable milk. A three pack of whole milk for my DD1 works great. Three 8 ounce boxes(in one package, also sold in a nine pack, but the three packs are cheaper) that can go to the park, plane or resort without refrigeration. Can't get any easier.

callie