Garden Grocer vs Publix/WinnDixie

[jdd]

I'm sure this has been asked and answered a thousand times, but my search results brought up nothing.

We'll be in the World in two weeks cool1 and will have a car. I'm trying to figure out if we should just do a shopping trip to Publix or WinnDixie, or use the convenience of Garden Grocer. Has anyone ever compared prices between the two? When I compared GG to our local store's prices, they're fairly high, but I don't know how they compare to the Orlando stores. For example, I can get a case of water (32 bottles) here for $2.99, and it's $6.99 on GG's site (on sale!) Several other items are much more expensive as well (mostly drinks - pop, water, juice), although some items are comparably priced.

Anyway, if anyone has ever compared the pricing, can you let me know what you found?? TIA!!

 

[outahere]

I've never compared prices, but I would have to believe that GG is higher than any local store in Orlando, plus you would probably pay a delivery charge. We usually have a car and make a trip or two to Publix, especially if we're staying in a villa, and the prices I've seen in Orlando are comparable to our local stores. If you will be buying any "adult beverages" I suggest going to ABC Liquors or any of the several Walgreen's that have small liquor stores attached. You can buy wine and beer in the grocery stores in Florida.

My vote would be to do the shopping yourself. Just my $.02 worth.

 

[akl-fan]

Having done both we now opt to drive to Publix. They have a really nice store (on the Irlo Bronson Way?) close to AKL. The service is good and the prices imo are fine. They have a good selection of fresh and frozen foods and also sell wines and beers. We have used the GG before and whilst it was an efficient service it was very expensive and the choice on the website at that time( 2010) was limited. We also found that we did not remember everything that we would need so a day after GG delivered - we were in Publix picking up our forgotten items.

My advice unless your time is very limited then I would go to Publix. We always go for two weeks so are not in a rush to do anything.

 

[AmyLand98]

We have done both as well. The year we did Garden Grocer we did not have a car. It worked out very well but it was very expensive. Last month when we went we had a car (stayed at AKL) and the front desk told us there was a Super Target very nearby. It was only a few minutes away and they had EVERYTHING!!! This was a Super Target so it had a full and complete grocery side and the fresh fruit was very good!! The prices seemed to be the same as local prices for me so I was very happy!!! I would have been happier if I would have taken my red card (to save another 5%) but I didn't know there was a Target nearby!

 

[sharadoc]

Yeah, I'm trying to make that decision now. GG would be so convenient, while going shopping myself will not only be less cost, but will allow me to pick out my items. Since we'll have a kitchen and a grill, I plan to cook some meals at the cabin. I want to see and pick out my own meat and produce.

If I was just ordering cereal, water, soda, etc. the delivery would be more appealing I think.

I have a Winn-Dixie discount card and I like the fact that it's the "opposite" direction from all the traffic once I leave the DTD entrance so I don't sit in a lot of traffic. I love Publix too. So, bottom line, I think I'm going food shopping when we get there while DH and kids unpack and set up the cabin.

 

[wdwrich]

We always have a rental car and on past visits have either gone to Winn Dixie to shop, or used Garden Grocer. Even though it cost us a bit more to use Garden Grocer, we are now firm believers in using a delivery service. The reason? We are spending quite a bit of $$ for our WDW vacation and we don't want to waste any of our precious time there traveling to, and shopping in, a grocery store. We go grocery shopping all the time at home- no need to use vacation time doing the same thing at WDW. JMHO.

 

[Pirate Me]

We always have a rental car and on past visits have either gone to Winn Dixie to shop, or used Garden Grocer. Even though it cost us a bit more to use Garden Grocer, we are now firm belivers in using a delivery service. The reason? We are spending quite a bit of $$ for our WDW vacation and we don't want to waste any of our precious time there traveling to, and shopping in a grocery store. We go grocery shopping all the time at home- no need to use vacation time doing the same thing at WDW. JMHO.

This is our reasoning as well. We don't want to lose time on our vacation by going grocery shopping when the groceries can come to us instead.

 

[magrudersmakes3]

You are paying for convenience. We will not be renting a car for our June trip so we will be using them. I know the few things we need will be more, but a lot less than renting a car and driving to the store. I am ok paying for convenience on vacation.

 

[Mickeygolf]

If you have a car then I'd highly advise Publix (over Winn Dixie). We've done the GG thing in the past and it was convenient but once you get out and drive a little around the WDW area and beyond it's pretty easy. The Publix we go to has an ABC liquor store right next door so it's very easy and really doesn't take that much time from our vacation. We're DVC members and stocking up the fridge and cabinets makes us feel even more at home, so it's a no brainer for us. This time we're staying at POR and we still plan on making our grocery store run for things in the room. One thing for sure your grocery bill will be much cheaper at Publix than GG.

Good luck in whatever you choose!!!

 

[jdd]

Thanks to all of you for your quick responses! I think we'll probably go with shopping ourselves at Publix. I know it will take some time out of our vacation, but it should be a quick trip, and we won't have to wait for the delivery at least!

For all of you that go to Publix, is there a certain one you like better or is more convenient? My plan is to stop there on a Monday (in between our stays at RPR and AKV) - we'll be at Downtown Disney that day anyway, so is it easiest to stop there, or should I head for the one close to AKV??

 

[wdwrich]

I know it will take some time out of our vacation, but it should be a quick trip, and we won't have to wait for the delivery at least!

I see that you've decided on a grocery trip, but just FYI, you don't have to wait for delivery. You don't even have to be there at all when your order is delivered. Garden Grocer will leave your stuff with bell services who will store/refrigerate as needed until you are in your room and ready for it. They'll bring it to your room at your convenience.

 

[3happydancers]

What about WeGo Shop?

 

[wdwrich]

What about WeGo Shop?

That's another grocery delivery service that works a bit differently than Garden Grocer in that they will shop at the store you designate. We've only used Garden Grocer ourselves, but I hear/read good things about WeGoShop too.

 

[OThopeful35]

We use GG on our trips to the world but only because we do not rent a car. But if I did have a car, I would definitely go to one of the local stores to shop just to have more choices. Plus, you have to spend a minimum amount for delivery and with it being just me and DS, we always end up giving stuff away at the end of our trip. Have fun at The World

 

[EpcotBill]

It really doesn't take much time. We go to the Publix at International Drive and Irlo Bronson. There's a Logan's Roadhouse on Irlo in front of Publix. If you ride Disney buses you're wasting a lot more time than a trip to Publix.

 

[Disney Doll]

Yeah, I'm trying to make that decision now. GG would be so convenient, while going shopping myself will not only be less cost, but will allow me to pick out my items. Since we'll have a kitchen and a grill, I plan to cook some meals at the cabin. I want to see and pick out my own meat and produce.

If I was just ordering cereal, water, soda, etc. the delivery would be more appealing I think.

I have a Winn-Dixie discount card and I like the fact that it's the "opposite" direction from all the traffic once I leave the DTD entrance so I don't sit in a lot of traffic. I love Publix too. So, bottom line, I think I'm going food shopping when we get there while DH and kids unpack and set up the cabin.

Probably if you go by yourself you can get in and out more quickly.

We do Publix. We laways have a car and the delivery services are just more expensive.

 

[davmill]

Publix in my opinion. The other two stores are more expensive in the long run and Publix is such a nice and clean store.

 

[jdd]

I see that you've decided on a grocery trip, but just FYI, you don't have to wait for delivery. You don't even have to be there at all when your order is delivered. Garden Grocer will leave your stuff with bell services who will store/refrigerate as needed until you are in your room and ready for it. They'll bring it to your room at your convenience.

Thanks for that info! I was on another thread where a woman stated she had to wait in her room for their groceries while her husband took the kids to the pool . Maybe I was just looking at old info....

 

[jdd]

What about WeGo Shop?

I did look at their website, but they don't list any prices. That made me a little nervous to not know what to expect in terms of cost. I understand their philosophy, but I just didn't feel comfortable without knowing the price up front.

 

[jdd]

If you ride Disney buses you're wasting a lot more time than a trip to Publix.

That made me laugh We've driven for most of our last trips, but DH and I went solo in May and relied on Disney buses. Boy, they sure are annoying when you've been used to driving yourself around....of course, I'm a bit of a control freak