Grocery delivery for campsites?

[Mchurchill96]

So the only other time we visited WDW was in 2012, staying in a cabin, and we ordered from Garden Grocer. Food was in the cabin when we got there, perishables in the fridge and freezer. It was great! This summer we're staying in a partial hookup campsite with our pop up. I don't plan on cooking much, as we did get the dining plan, but most breakfasts will be at the camper, as well as an occasional dinner and snacks when we're having a down day. Would you recommend ordering perishables, if not all groceries again? We'll be road-tripping this time, so I suppose we could find a grocery store nearby, but by that point, we'll be antsy to get there and set up, not to mention having to find room in our vehicle or camper to get it to the campsite. Thoughts?

 

[tiggerdad]

As far as I know you can still use Garden Grocer, but in this case you will need to set up the delivery after you arrive. As far as perishables go, it depends on your storage abilities. Will you be utilizing coolers or do you have a fridge? There are a few options for grocery shopping, the one I have always used is the Winn Dixie on South Apopka Vineland Road. Here is a picture to help.



The blue circle is obviously, Fort Wilderness. When you leave the Fort just take a left on Vista Blvd and follow it all the way until it ends at a four lane which is Winter Garden Vineland Road. Take a right and follow it until the 2nd top light which is where it intersects South Apopka Vineland Road. Take a left and the Winn Dixie is about a half mile down on the right. Others are familiar with this location because just across the street is where they meet up with Kenny's crew when they rent from Tee Times golf cart rental. It is maybe 15 minutes away, depending on traffic.

Pretty easy access if you ask me.

This is the one source that I use, but others may come along and offer you more input about some options they have used.

Hope this helps.

 

[2goofycampers]

When we're towing we usually stop at Wal-Mart or a Publix before we hit the turnpike. That way it doesn't cut into Fort time. Garden grocer will work also. It is just gonna take more timing than a cabin delivery.

 

[bama_ed]

I've camped the last 10 years at the Fort in my pop-up and used this approach:

1. Bring enough groceries from home to get me to the Fort and for the first day or two.
2. On my first non-park day, I head over to the Winn Dixie outlined by tiggerdad. It's 10-15 minutes from the Fort entrance.
3. The route he outlined is not that busy. It sure beats heading out past Dowtown Disney/Springs and all that mess.

I'm not sure why going out for groceries seems to be a concern. I have checked into the Fort and then headed out that same afternoon/evening for groceries which is a busy day for me so I agree THAT combination is not a good one. Depending on your park day plan, there should be time to head over to restock. I know some campgrounds are a LONG way from a good grocery store so loading up before hand makes sense then but the Fort isn't one of them.

Does your pop-up have a fridge? Does it have 3-way operation? I chill my fridge at home on the propane tanks a day or so before we leave home and stock it with stuff before I leave. Certainly makes more sense to bring the ketchup, mustard, relish, and mayo (and the Tabasco) from home rather than buy new ones at Disney then either throw them away at the end or carry them all home (and I'll have two of everything for a while).

Usually we come into the WDW area the night before and spend one night off property at a local state park for $25 so we can cruise over the next morning and have a full day at the Fort before paying $100 that night. We come about 550 miles and when we drove straight to the Fort it was late afternoon/early evening by the time we got there, checked in, and set up. So the thought of going out for groceries after all that was daunting. So I started using the state park option to relieve the arrival stress and when I am there I switch over to shore power.

Here is the TL;DR version of my answer (Too Long; Didn't Read):

1. You CAN order groceries and have them delivered to a you but...
2. It's not that far to head out and get some.
3. Arrive with enough to get you to when you can head out.

When I need groceries and any household items, I head over to the Super Walmart on 535.

Bama Ed

 

[FtW Mike]

Advice from all 3 previous responders is excellent. Our coach has a large 4 door refridge/freezer so we hook into shore line at home for 2 days to cool them off prior to a trip. I keep a bunch of water and empty soda bottles ( 1 liter size ) that I fill up and stick in the house freezer like a week before and when I turn on fridge they go in as well. Night before we go anything we want frozen goes in. This way in transit propane doesn't work too hard to keep cool.
Like Bama Ed and 2GC we stop for night near The Fort and take care of any last minute shopping we may need to do. While both of The Fort's Trading posts have the basics I am not inclined to pay Disney Prices for everyday Items though we will for some items ie Milk and eggs maybe bread, and we find Garden Grocers a bit on the expensive side.
This year we are bringing our cooler and will use that to hold what we will use use on our way down and for first several days at The Fort Then we will most likely make a resupply run to Super Walmart, Publix or Winn Dixie after 10 days or so

 

[peg110]

Well I guess I am the different one. While I can see the benefit of services like the Garden Grocer for those who don't have a car or for the Cabins, they want food to be there when they arrive, we bring most everything we need in our TT with us on our ~1000 mile trip.

I do "Pre-Cool" the fridge on Shore power, but I stock it up with those things we think we will want/need. Like ed, Ketchup, Mustard, etc... as well. Our TT only has that standard RV size Fridge/Freezer so there is not really any room for the Frozen Water bottles like FtW Mike does (although if using "Coolers" I'd definitely do this with some water bottles, and then drink them later after they defrosted). The weight of the additional food that we bring is not a concern.

Now of course, if you are coming in a Pop-Up, you most certainly will be concerned about SPACE (and maybe weight depending on your TV). If that is an issue, I would still probably go to a grocery store directly as opposed to the Garden Grocer. Not to say their service isn't good, I just don't see paying the extra money for something that is fairly easy for me to do myself. The value for you may be that you can save that time (of driving over and shopping) and use it for something like swimming or setting up your site. You have to decide that for yourself. Me, I am Cheap ..... errrr..... Frugal!

 

[KristinU]

I'm a fan of the Publix at Celebration. Publix has good deli sandwiches, too, so there's a meal right there when you bring it back! That location also has a decent wine section and beer selection as well, and a liquor store next door if you want to buy hard alcohol.

 

[FtW Mike]

... we bring most everything we need in our TT with us on our ~1000 mile trip.

I do "Pre-Cool" the fridge on Shore power, but I stock it up with those things we think we will want/need. Like ed, Ketchup, Mustard, etc... as well. Our TT only has that standard RV size Fridge/Freezer so there is not really any room for the Frozen Water bottles like FtW Mike does (although if using "Coolers" I'd definitely do this with some water bottles, and then drink them later after they defrosted). The weight of the additional food that we bring is not a concern.

Now of course, if you are coming in a Pop-Up, you most certainly will be concerned about SPACE (and maybe weight depending on your TV). If that is an issue, I would still probably go to a grocery store directly as opposed to the Garden Grocer. Not to say their service isn't good, I just don't see paying the extra money for something that is fairly easy for me to do myself. The value for you may be that you can save that time (of driving over and shopping) and use it for something like swimming or setting up your site. You have to decide that for yourself. Me, I am Cheap ..... errrr..... Frugal!

Paul I use the water bottles to fill space and pre cool and help bring units to temp. After like 36 hours they get replaced with the food we will be eating. Some go back in the house freezer and some stay in the fridge so we have ready source for the Furry ones dishes when we stop for bio breaks or fuel. The Cooler is going to hold a load of the dogs food (They are on a specific diet and we need to cook and portion for them before we go so they get half freezer on trip to the Fort)
We will also store what we will eat on the trip down and first few days at the fort
Like you we travel pretty close to 1000 miles ( 971 ) from De we do find sometimes an added trip to pick up more staples

 

[peg110]

I am a BIG fan of carrying Frozen Water bottles in the cooler because I drink a lot of water. It is dual purpose. It keeps the food (and other drinks) cold and when it is finally melted (or close to it) it is a nice Ice Cold Water to drink.

I don't worry too much about "Pre-Cooling" it. I usually turn my fridge/freezer on (shore power) about a week before we go. Set some ice trays in the freezer to make some Ice as well (We use a lot of ice), and then just go with it. Different Stokes for different folks I guess.