Grocery Delivery to the HoJo

[Mouse13]

We'll be staying at the HoJo in late May and I want to have a few groceries delivered to the room on the day we arrive. Our flight gets in at 5 pm on a Saturday and I want to hit the parks that evening instead of making our usual stop at the grocery store on the way in from the airport. For those of you that have done this in the past, I would love to hear your recommendations, challenges, etc. so that I can try to accomplish this feat without a lot of extra charges and make sure that what we order will actually be delivered to the hotel on schedule. I know this has been discussed in a previous thread but the search function doesn't seem to be working and I can't find the thread. Thanks in advance for your help!!!

 

[avalon451]

Hi! We ordered through Albertsons.com when we stayed at HoJo and it was fine. We got in about 2:30, earlier than we expected, and the groceries weren't there yet. We wanted to get to the parks, so I asked the front desk if they would mind putting the groceries in our room for us when they arrived. They did this, and put the milk, juice, and yogurt in the fridge. So nice! I wouldn't guarantee they'll do this-- I think usually they just hold them at the desk for you-- but since I asked specifically, they did. Also, I think maybe they weren't that busy that afternoon. Anyway, that worked out great.

Seems like I remember that Albertsons has a deal where you can get your first online delivery order with no delivery charge, if you order $50 worth. We managed that by ordering a couple of small, expensive items (chocolate! Yum!) to go back home with us in the suitcase.

So when you order, you just put in the hotel's address as the delivery address. When you call the hotel to confirm your reservation, let them know that you have a grocery delivery coming, and what time window it's scheduled for. I think the time windows are in increments of an hour and a half.

Hope that helps!

 

[Mouse13]

avalon451, thanks so much for the info! It's really helpful and I'll check out the Albertson's site.

 

[avalon451]

You're welcome! Oh, one other thing, about the fridges in HoJo: first, they're not big-- not the bar-sized ones; more the square ones, so I don't think I could have fit a gallon of milk in there. As it was, we could put in a half gallon of milk and juice lying on their sides, plus yogurt, cheese and bottled water crammed into the leftover spaces. Second, to save energy, HoJo unplugs the fridges between guests. So if you get there and the fridge doesn't seem very cold yet, don't worry-- it will be nice and cold in a little while. Somebody else on here noticed this as well as us, and Lorealle from HoJo told us that was why.

 

[paige101]

We will also be staying at the hojo in May and are having our groceries delivered. I checked out both the Albertson's site and the Von's site. I preferred the Von's one and after I set up an account and made my grocery list (which I just have saved on there for now) I got a email from them with a code to put in so that my groceries will be delivered for free. We are arriving at the hotel around 3pm so I am just going to use the late evening delivery window and then I know for sure that I will be there. We don't plan to attend the park that day but I know if we did the hotel said they would receive our groceries for us and have it taken to our room.

I found that if I started to put stuff on my list now then I wouldn't feel rushed and probably wouldn't forget something that I wanted.

Hope this helps!! Have a great trip!!

 

[avalon451]

Paige, we did Vons, too, when we stayed at GCH, and they were fine. This last time, I went to order with them, and they had changed their online selections, and I couldn't find any breakfast cereal! It was the weirdest thing. It seemed like the choices in general were much more limited, too. That was why I switched to Albertsons. I bet there were some complaints and they fixed some things-- I hope so! Seems like I recall that they didn't have a $50 minimum order, which was handy. I think it would be worth it to check them both out.

 

[Mouse13]

Paige101, thanks for the free delivery tip. I'll check out Von's and Albertson's and see what they have to offer.

 

[Niele]

Paige, we did Vons, too, when we stayed at GCH, and they were fine. This last time, I went to order with them, and they had changed their online selections, and I couldn't find any breakfast cereal! It was the weirdest thing. It seemed like the choices in general were much more limited, too. That was why I switched to Albertsons. I bet there were some complaints and they fixed some things-- I hope so! Seems like I recall that they didn't have a $50 minimum order, which was handy. I think it would be worth it to check them both out.

So avalon451, there was no problem getting groceries to the GCH? I did not know if they would accept deliveries. Were they left at the lobby or did they make it up to your room? Sorry for all the questions. We don't get in until 5pm or so and wanted to make sure we had some food in the room for the little ones to snack on. Any information would be very much appreciated.

 

[Niele]

So avalon451, there was no problem getting groceries to the GCH? I did not know if they would accept deliveries. Were they left at the lobby or did they make it up to your room? Sorry for all the questions. We don't get in until 5pm or so and wanted to make sure we had some food in the room for the little ones to snack on. Any information would be very much appreciated.

bump ...

 

[JadeDarkstar]

were thinking of doing this (my dh thinks he got sick after running to the store an then back an then stright to goofys after that after a 12hour bus ride. so ya were having delivered

 

[JadeDarkstar]

were thinking of doing this (my dh thinks he got sick after running to the store an then back an then stright to goofys after that after a 12hour bus ride. so ya were having delivered

 

[avalon451]

So avalon451, there was no problem getting groceries to the GCH? I did not know if they would accept deliveries. Were they left at the lobby or did they make it up to your room? Sorry for all the questions. We don't get in until 5pm or so and wanted to make sure we had some food in the room for the little ones to snack on. Any information would be very much appreciated.

Whoopsies, thanks for bumping, didn't see this.

Yep, no problem. I called ahead and told GCH that the groceries were coming. I believe they normally just hold them at the bell desk, but you could certainly ask if it would be possible for you to get them put in your room when you arrive. We got in late-- our flight was delayed, and I'd arranged to have the groceries delivered between 3:30 and 5, I believe. But we didn't get there until 6. I was concerned because of the cold items not being refrigerated, but Vons had packed everything tightly into a cardboard box, and the milk, juice, yogurt etc. was still cold when we picked it up from the bell desk at 6 p.m. I believe it's pretty common for the hotels to accept grocery deliveries; they didn't blink an eye at ours.

BTW, if you need snacks in a hurry, be sure to check out Whitewater Snacks in GCH. They are down by the pool. It's a wonderful little counter-service place with just about anything you could want for breakfast, lunch, snacks, etc. They have a grill and do some really good sandwiches, breakfast, etc. But we mostly loved to get their fresh fruit and veggies, cut up with dip, as well as muffins, etc. Also when they're closed, the gift shop has a few items like milk and juice, as well.

HTH!

 

[jory29]

Don't forget to buy a little carton of egg substitute, English muffins, and some Kraft cheese slices for a delicious home made English muffin (in the microwave!) Simply bring a little plastic container that you can pour some of the egg in, COVER with paper towel or kleenex, when you microwave it LOL, as you don't want it to explode and make a mess. We also bought little packs of margarine, (I greased the little bowl with it prior to cooking the egg substitute.) It was really nice to have a home made breakfast in the rooms. Also, instant hot chocolate and microwave popcorn of course are always favorites. The bottled water and small packs of juice for the kids were a real money saver.

 

[Niele]

Thank you avalon451 for the information, that's what I'll do. Glad to know it's not difficult to do at the resort hotels. The cost of beverages from the refrigerators is soooo high that I'd rather save on groceries to spend in the parks.

Great tips, jory29, I'll add those goodies to the shopping list.

 

[RuthieT]

This is something that we might consider doing for our trip in October. What is the latest that they will deliver?? We might not be getting to the HOJO until 10:30pm

 

[avalon451]

Not sure, might be something like 8 p.m.? If you ask, though, maybe HoJo would put your groceries in your room for you before you get there? You could call and ask.

 

[gavinss]

Has anyone from outside the US (e.g. Europe) used Von to deliver groceries alright? I had a quick go (but did not checkout as I have not decided what to buy yet), but as I do not have a US address or phone number, I registered using the hotel's (HoJo) address and their phone number?

Thanks, Gavin

 

[jory29]

Has anyone from outside the US (e.g. Europe) used Von to deliver groceries alright? I had a quick go (but did not checkout as I have not decided what to buy yet), but as I do not have a US address or phone number, I registered using the hotel's (HoJo) address and their phone number?

Thanks, Gavin

I'm from Canada, and did also register with the hotel address. What was interesting is that one of my credit cards does NOT get accepted so I simply tried another one, and it worked. So do keep this in mind if it doesn't work for you.