Getting Groceries, staying onsite with no car

[greg54n]

Hi

We will be saying a Port Orleans Riverside in February with our 14 month old son and 5 year old daughter. We were thinking of getting milk, diapers and other things for the baby once we got to the resort. We are flying in and taking the magical express to the hotel so we are wondering the best (fasters, cheapest) way to get groceries.

Here are my options as I see them:
-Take a taxi to a local Walmart, Publix etc and back to the resort
-Use an online site (gardengrocer.com)
-Rent a car

I would prefer to go to the store myself, this way I can select exactly what I want. This leaves me two options, taxi or car rental. From some online research using an online taxi fare calculator that a taxi one way trip to Walmart or Publix is roughly $25 - $35 (or $50-$75 round trip) that is way too expensive. The car rental process seems to me like it would be a bigger hassle to do just for a one hour shopping trip.

The online option seems like the best choice expect when I took a look at the offerings on gardengrocer.com even though they had a very good selection they didn’t have everything I wanted (ie only had 2% milk, I want 3%) as well they don’t deliver wine or beer.

I would be interested in anyone else’s thoughts or experiences in similar situations.

Thanks

 

[robhawk]

Hi,

We used wegoshop our last visit. You make out a shopping list just like at home. You can give them specific brands & sizes, also whatever store you are familiar with. They deliver right to your room. good luck!

 

[greg54n]

I looked into wegoshop as well but hear that it is very expensive mostly because its a bit more labor intensive for the shopper and you are paying for their time to shop plus delivery and then a tip. Based on that review I scratched it off the list, did you find that their was good value when you used the service?

 

[robhawk]

We were happy with the value. The prices are the same as the store plus the service charge & tip. We found the taxi to cost about the same as those charges. It didn't take time away from our vacation so that is always nice! Our last vacation we got to BCV at about 1030pm so I was glad I didn't have to go out that night or first thing in the morning!

 

[vacationclub]

Just curious, have you looking into buying these items right at the resort? Or at another resort? Each resort has a store....though prices are inflated, but you might be able to get what you need there, with fewer choices to select from.

We sometimes go without a car, but still grocery shop at the resort we are at. Before buying DVC we used to stay at POR and they had a decent store with the basics for making simple meals....not sure about baby supplies though

 

[Alesia]

Garden grocer does deliver beer and wine, you just tell them what you want in the comments section of the order.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to ask...what is 3% milk??? I've heard of 1% and 2% and whole milk, but never 3%. Just curious.

I have used both gardengrocer and wegoshop...both with good results. I have been able to get everything I needed. Yes, there is a delivery charge, but it's less than a cab ride would be, or a rental car. There is no way I would rent a car to get groceries.

Why do I recommend using a grocery delivery service??? They spend the time in the store, they deliver it right to the resort and in some cases, right to the room. I don't have to spend my vacation time shopping. But, that's just me.

You can get a lot of stuff right at the resort, but it is expensive. But then again, you aren't paying the delivery charge either. It all depends on how much you need.
Renting a car is going to be a major hassle, just for shopping. You are going to have to get to the car rental office, do the paperwork, drive to the store, shop, head to POR and on load your groceries, then drive back to the rental office, return the car and then head back to POR. This can be incredibly time consuming!!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Skip the ME and arrange for a car service that offers a 30 minute grocery stop.....they run 90-120.00 round trip, usually stop at Publix and you can get what you want, skip the Disney bus and other resort stops and be one your way......we prefer car services but we arrive by train but that grocery stop is a must with a liquor store next door.....I know the ME is free but factor in the other options you have and see what works best for you....

 

[greg54n]

Thanks for all the great replies. The town car idea is a good one, I would assume that you would still use the Magical express to collect your luggage and deliver it to the resort? Just curisous if anyone knows if the approx round trip taxi fare from POR to a local Supermarket is $50-$70 ? I was a bit shocked at that and was thinking it would be closer to $15 each way ($30 total)

By the way 3% Milk is Homogenized milk

Thanks

 

[deegack]

Thanks for all the great replies. The town car idea is a good one, I would assume that you would still use the Magical express to collect your luggage and deliver it to the resort? Just curisous if anyone knows if the approx round trip taxi fare from POR to a local Supermarket is $50-$70 ? I was a bit shocked at that and was thinking it would be closer to $15 each way ($30 total)

By the way 3% Milk is Homogenized milk

Thanks

I do not think homogenized means what you think it means. I just looked at my fat free and 2% milk. Both are homogenized.

 

[deegack]

Wait are you Canadian?????

Because whole milk in the US = homogenized milk in Canada. They both have about 3.25% milk fat.

 

[RodJohnson]

A acb is not nearly as expensive as what was quoted above. And DO NOT let the car service fool you the grcery stop IS NOT FREE. It is included because you rent the car by the hour and it is only a 30 minute drive to WDW, thereby leaving a 30 min window of time to go grocery shopping. This is a huge scam that makes the car service rich because everyone pays for one hour and most only use 30 minutes. In essence all trips that go directly to the resort should cost half of what they do, but becaus eall teh car services are greedy they charge a ONE HOUR MINIMUM. Please do not be fooled by these crooks.

 

[twinklebug]

I recommend WeGoShop - they seem to be more expensive, but they charge a service fee and actual store prices for the groceries, verses that other service which charges inflated prices. You'll also get what you're looking for instead of having to choose off of a list.

Another option I've used many times: I pack the non-perishables in their own suitcase (some people will pack a box and ship to the resort, but we check it on the plane with us) and I supplement with items from the resort store. Eggs in the store are reasonable at $2/dozen. 1/2g of milk was pricey at $4.19 but still cheaper than a shopper run.

I bring: Cereals, pasta, sauce, popcorn, peanut butter, jelly, pop tarts, pre-mixed pancake mix (home made), a small skillet with turner and a mixing bowl and large spoon as well as the syrup the kids are used to. This way we get some items we know we like.

From the resort store I buy: Milk, eggs, oil, bread, butter. It saves us a ton from eating out and far cheaper than a grocery run. We eat out about once per day - quick service. Add on a few snacks in the parks or at DTD. We eat out at a TS about once every other day.

 

[JessLCH]

We have used gardengrocer.com our past two trips and were happy with them. Even WITH a car next trip, I plan to use them. Don't want to waste vacation time grocery shopping.

 

[3happydancers]

We use both the GardenGrocer and Wego. We like them both. This is what we found:

When we had a small amount of groceries needed, we used Garden Grocer. Their grocery prices are more than Wego's but their services are less.

When we need a larger amount of groceries with specific brands and sizes of items or even sale items, we use Wego because you can tell them which store to shop in, you get an itemized receipt from that store so the grocery prices are not inflated BUT, you pay more for their services. We usually do this if we stay in a one bedroom or larger so we can do some simple cooking by stove top or oven.

I would suggest calculating what you need and how much it would cost from each store add the service/delivery charge and see what works best for you. I agree with the other posts and would not rent a car just for the shopping. Even if you have to suppliment items from the onsite stores, it would be cheaper. And like others, I pack a bag with much of my dry foods and snacks. POR only has small refidgerators and nothing to cook on (no stove or oven but you can use the microwave in the food court. We have done this, no problem.)

 

[greg54n]

If the resort store sells whole milk (or homogenized milk those kooky Canadians call it ) then maybe that is our best bet. Honestly that is what my wife is most concern about since our son is off formula.

We have the free dining plus package so there was no real need to get full groceries but I don't ever really remember a grocery selection the last time we were at an onsite resort. That being said, the last time we were at All-Star and I likely wasn't looking for that type of product.

My other concern was how large the POR in-room fridge is, cause if it was small then we potentially would have done maybe two or more grocery runs (we are staying 10 nights). But if they have whole milk and diapers at POR then this may solve everything.

 

[greg54n]

A acb is not nearly as expensive as what was quoted above.

Just curious, what do you think the cost of a round trip cab be from POR to a Walmart or Publix?

 

[3happydancers]

Just curious, what do you think the cost of a round trip cab be from POR to a Walmart or Publix?

I honestly cannot say what a cab would be but I do know that to and from parks can range from about 10.00-14.00 dollars each way, plus a tip, depending on the distance. This, we have done.

My better half tells me he remember's POR selling whole milk but does not remember diapers.

One thought, maybe you could call the resort direct and ask if their store carries the few items you need or if another onsite store might.

By any chance, are you flying SWA? If so, as of now, they allow 2 pieces of checked luggage without charge, per person. If this is so, you might be able to pack one bag with dry foods, and another large bag with diapers, and still have room for your personals and clothing.

 

[deegack]

Diapers are sold in the resort gift shops and the baby care centers but they are $$$$$. I would look into sending yourself a supply from amazon. Probably will be cheaper even with shipping.

 

[3happydancers]

Diapers are sold in the resort gift shops and the baby care centers but they are $$$$$. I would look into sending yourself a supply from amazon. Probably will be cheaper even with shipping.

Not that I have babies, but that sounds like a good idea. We buy so many other things from Amazon, and many times free shipping with a 25.00 purchase and we all know how expensive diapers are!