Groceries for OKW. Where?

[DianaLynnIL]

This is my first time staying at OKW Villas (2 bdrm). I am not a DVC member but I thought this would be the best place to ask this question, as OKW is a DVC resort.
Coming from the Orlando airport (MCO), where is the best place to purchase groceries? I stayed at the villas at DI a few years ago and I shopped at Gooding's for groceries. I experienced them as being very overpriced! I was considering doing an on line grocery ship but am becoming uncomfortable with that idea. If you have a specific store you can suggest, can you include driving directons please? We will have a rental car.
Thanks so much!!!

 

[Caskbill]

We always drive to Disney so I don't know about anywhere while coming from the airport. I'm sure others can give some suggestions.

You're correct about Goodings, very expensive.

Once we're at OKW, we go shop at Publix. There are several in the area, but the one we generally use is on hwy 535 just before hwy 192 intersection.

From OKW, get on Epcot drive heading toward I-4. Epcot drive is hwy 536 and is the main expressway you see when you exit OKW. From OKW turn left on Community Drive, then left again at the light, onto Bonnet Creek. Drive up to Buena Vista and turn right, just as if you were going to MGM, but then take the cloverleaf ramp turning right onto 536. Follow this East, leaving Disney property. After leaving Disney property, make a right turn at the first traffic light. This is hwy 535. Drive down a couple of miles. Make a left turn at the light at the Burger King. Then immediately make a right turn into the strip mall's parking lot (just behind Burger King). Drive to the far end of the lot. Publix is there on your left. Note, do not miss the turn by the Burger King or you will wind up getting onto hwy 192 and then having to turn around somewhere and double back.

There's also a Publix down on 192, down East a ways from Celebration. It's kind of hidden back in a shopping area. It's probably closer (by just a tad) to OKW than the hwy 535 Publix. But I don't think as easy to get to. More traffic. To get to it follow Epcot Drive to I-4, take I-4 West (Toward Tampa) to hwy 192 East. Go East on 192 and it will be on your left (but somewhat hidden) just after you go under the hwy 417 overpass just past Celebration.

There are also a couple of Publix stores on 192 West, but that takes you through a number of traffic lights. However if you stay at BWV's, that's another option by leaving Disney taking World Drive (The MGM - MK expressway), then going West on 192. The 1st Publix is a few miles down on your right.

 

[Werner Weiss]

There's a brand new Winn-Dixie Marketplace grocery very close to the Goodings store. Instead of going straight ahead into the Crossroads of Buena Vista center (where Goodings is located) from Hotel Plaza Drive, turn left at the light. Go straight ahead for about a quarter or half mile. The new Winn-Dixie is on your right. We bought our groceries for OKW there in January of this year.

To be honest with you, I still prefer Publix as a grocery chain, but the new Winn-Dixie is so close and convenient! This Winn-Dixie is almost as close as Goodings, but, unlike Goodings, Winn-Dixie has normal grocery store prices.

There's a new Publix under construction on International Drive north of 535 near the little Lake Bryon development. It will probably be the closest Publix to OKW when it opens. In any case it will probably be the nicest, because the newly built Publix stores are gorgeous!

 

[PKK/MJK]

An easy way to get to 535, is to go straight down Hotel Plaza Blvd. When you are at the stoplight (with Goodings/Crossroads striaght across from you), turn right. You are now on 535!! Go down several miles and the Public is on your left--make the left at the Burger King as indicated above.

We turned left onto 535 at the above traffic light, and went to the new WinnDixie--which is very nice!!!!! It is also very close and the prices are not bad at all.

 

[nydizfan]

we just loved the new winn dixie. the prices were great and very close to okw.......dave

 

[Candace]

There is an Albertson's right off Orange Blossom Trail to the right as you come from the airport. It's a wonderful, reasonably priced store, fairly new, and you can see it from the turnpike. Once, when using a towncar service, I faxed them my order and they had it ready at the customer service desk when I got there. All I had to do was pay, and I was on my way.

 

[PamOKW]

Werner -- I like the news about the new Publix! With Winn-Dixie to the left and Publix to the right, Gooding's may have to bring their prices back down to reality.

 

[DianaLynnIL]

Wow not only are you DVC'ers extremely helpful but you're fast too!
Thanks for all your help!
Only 4 more days and I get to go grocery shopping in Florida...and...oops I forgot...go to WDW too!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Another vote here for Winn-Dixie, great store, clean, nice staff and it has a "do it yourself" scan out lane, I love that.
Not sure Goodings will ever emerge into reality pricing, someone has to pay for the capeted floors. They used to be good, price wise, but, they are outrageous now.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by DianaLynnIL
Coming from the Orlando airport (MCO), where is the best place to purchase groceries?

One more thought... You say you'll have a rental car. Instead of stopping at a grocery store on the way from the airport to the resort, consider checking in first, making sure your room is ready, unloading your luggage from the trunk -- and then going to Winn-Dixie or another store at your convenience.