Grocery delivery changes?

[ColonialMouse]

Has anything changed about allowing groceries to be delivered to DVC resorts? We've normally used gardengrocer.com, and their website shows they still deliver, but I also found https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/faq/pre-arrival-checklist/grocery-storage/ which says

"Sorry, due to space limitations, groceries cannot be stored at the Resort or delivered to your room prior to Check-In."

I'm hoping all they're trying to say is that they don't want guests dropping off their own packages to be refrigerated, and gardengrocer etc are still OK, but this also sounds suspiciously like something that could be used to say they only want the Disney grocery shopping service to be used.

I'm going to assume I'm just being paranoid, but thought I would ask.

Bruce

 

[mernin]

We ordered from garden grocer in early Feb for delivery to AKV with no issue.

 

[disneynutz]

They allow from some Disney listed business partners, the also allow at the discretion of resort management but they do not have to. IMO Disney will start charging a handling fee to discourage deliveries for a couple of reasons. It costs them money to process and store deliveries and they lose food and merchandise business to companies not Disney owned.

Bill

 

[Anal Annie]

We just used Garden Grocer with no issues in January (at SSR). Arranged for our normal pre-arrival delivery time from GG. Had the items delivered to our room with our Owners Locker once we went back to the room after receiving the room ready notice. Unaware of any changes to the process. Maybe some resorts have less storage? Maybe some people were expecting deliveries to be made to their rooms before they were actually there to receive them? Bell Services shouldn't be expected to put cold items away in your villa fridge...

"Sorry, due to space limitations, groceries cannot be stored at the Resort or delivered to your room prior to Check-In."

 

[ColonialMouse]

Thanks, I will just go ahead hoping they don't change anything. For now it seems that's just aimed at "you can't drop off food you picked up on your drive from the airport and expect us to keep it" but I do worry that they might decide to restrict external partners---garden grocer carries a lot more than disney does.

Bruce

 

[gharter]

We used Garden Grocer in November with no problems. We were very happy with their service and how Disney handled the delivery before we got there.

 

[Best Aunt]

For now it seems that's just aimed at "you can't drop off food you picked up on your drive from the airport and expect us to keep it" but I do worry that they might decide to restrict external partners---garden grocer carries a lot more than disney does.

Hmm. I have a towncar picking me up at the airport so that I can do a grocery stop. If I arrive at BWV and my room isn't ready, I am assuming that Bell Services will store my food. They will store my luggage. Some people fly with a suitcase full of snacks; Bell Services will store that suitcase. And apparently Bell Services will store food from Garden Grocer. So I guess I don't understand why they wouldn't store my bags of groceries from Publix, or the bags of groceries which people purchased at their home grocery store if they drive to the hotel.

If they are going to have villas with full kitchens, don't they assume that people will have food for those kitchens?

And if the rooms aren't going to be clean and ready when the guests arrive, that's not the guests' fault. The last time I stayed at BWV, my room wasn't ready until 5:45 pm.

And if they don't store luggage and bags, they can't really count arrival day as a "day" when they say that your trip is 5 days and 4 nights, or whatever.

Am I supposed to sit in the lobby surrounded by my grocery bags until my room is ready? That will not enhance the ambience of their hotel.

 

[Nie0214]

Used GG in February without issue. Our room was ready around 1 and we were at Jambo eating lunch. Got to the room and groceries were in the fridge. Super awesome, but I was expecting to have to pick up at bell services!

 

[drusba]

We were there in Jan and used a delivery service with no issue. That stated prohibition obviously does not prohibit delivery to the room, just not before check-in. And unless Disney decides to outsource all of its Bell Services, you should not expect to see some special charge being applied for grocery deliveries because Bell services spends labor and time doing it because the plain fact is you are already paying for all the time and service that Bell services provides through dues.

 

[Halle]

Thanks, I will just go ahead hoping they don't change anything. For now it seems that's just aimed at "you can't drop off food you picked up on your drive from the airport and expect us to keep it" but I do worry that they might decide to restrict external partners---garden grocer carries a lot more than disney does.

Bruce

I don't think that it is fair to allow grocery deliveries from commercial services such as Garden Grocers to be delivered and stored and not groceries that members bring and want stored prior to checking in. Members all pay the same dues and where the groceries are delivered from should not be an issue.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I don't think that it is fair to allow grocery deliveries from commercial services such as Garden Grocers to be delivered and stored and not groceries that members bring and want stored prior to checking in. Members all pay the same dues and where the groceries are delivered from should not be an issue.

If you are bringing your own groceries, just check into the resort before you head out since the room won't be ready. I thought the issue was prior to checking in, not prior to moving into your villa..

 

[CarolynFH]

I thought the delivery charges were applied to packages delivered by UPS, FedEx, Amazon, etc., not to groceries. And I haven't seen anything about a refusal to store groceries a guest brings in and needs to check with Bell Services because their room isn't ready yet.

 

[disneynutz]

Just think of the storage and handling as more and more guests order from Amazon, grocery stores, ship from home to save bag fees and don't forget rented EVCs, strollers, and cribs. Disney will be taking steps to reduce the practice, they have no choice.

Bill

 

[Deb & Bill]

Q. Can I store groceries at the Disney Vacation Club Resort I'll be staying in before Check-In?
A. Sorry, due to space limitations, groceries cannot be stored at the Resort or delivered to your room prior to Check-In.

Please check in to your room before you purchase perishable items or arrange to have groceries delivered.

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/faq/pre-arrival-checklist/grocery-storage/

 

[Best Aunt]

https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/faq/pre-arrival-checklist/grocery-storage/

I'm still confused, because there's a difference between checking into your room, and actually getting into your room.

 

[thebigman65]

I'm still confused, because there's a difference between checking into your room, and actually getting into your room.

Not really....letting them know you're there and taking your information, does not equate to "formally" checking in. Until I get our room number, I assume we are not checked in. I would imagine that groceries are a first come first served basis.....they try to discourage it prior to check in because their space is limited. Can you imagine getting 20 deliveries of groceries at the same time and trying to store that? Seem like it would use an awful lot of personnel hours.

On another note, for my upcoming visit i used the Disney Groceries order process. I checked in on GG, but found overall the selection was better, but the costs were more expensive. For what we get, it made sense to order through Disney....i saved approx $15.....and my thought was also, there would be less hassle with having anything refused or accepted. Hope it works out for you!

 

[dwight16]

disney needs to up there grocery game if they want to start adding all these fees and making it a pain to get a GG type delivery. i would have no problem using disney exclusively but they carry zero baby products and they charge crazy prices for 6 packs of beer.....GG is not much better but 1/2 the cost of disney for a 12 pack.....

 

[Nie0214]

disney needs to up there grocery game if they want to start adding all these fees and making it a pain to get a GG type delivery. i would have no problem using disney exclusively but they carry zero baby products and they charge crazy prices for 6 packs of beer.....GG is not much better but 1/2 the cost of disney for a 12 pack.....

But the beer has pixie dust!!

 

[disneynutz]

disney needs to up there grocery game if they want to start adding all these fees and making it a pain to get a GG type delivery. i would have no problem using disney exclusively but they carry zero baby products and they charge crazy prices for 6 packs of beer.....GG is not much better but 1/2 the cost of disney for a 12 pack.....

They don't want you drinking beer in your room, they want you in their restaurants, lounges and bars.

Bill

 

[Best Aunt]

I need to have certain food in my room to keep my stomach happy. I don't expect Disney to sell it in the gift shop - they don't have space for everything. It seems more time efficient for me to stop on the way to the hotel. If Bell Services really stops storing everything except suitcases, I guess I'll just Uber to the grocery store after my room is ready.

But for other people, it will make more sense to rent a car rather than Uber or taxi to a grocery store. And if they're going to rent a car, they can use it to have meals off Disney property, and spend their time at places not owned by Disney. Road trip to Universal or Sea World, anyone?

I read that the whole point of Magic Express was to stop guests from renting cars, so that guests will be more likely to spend all of their vacation time on Disney property, rather than spending some of it driving elsewhere. If guests don't leave Disney property, all of their food money and souvenir money will go to Disney. (And alcohol money, as someone mentioned above.)

So Disney will have to decide (or maybe they have decided) which option will ultimately make the company more money - storing our groceries, which may keep us on Disney property for our entire vacation, or refusing to store our groceries, which may encourage us to rent cars and spend some of our time and money off property.