Grocery Delivery vs Wal-Mart Run

[Wendie]

We will be renting a car for our week in Disney (we are spending 3 days staying on Disney property while traveling outside of Disney after our MouseVacation). We are planning on doing breakfast in the hotel room and spending most of the day in the parks if weather and the 5 year old allows. So now I'm debating this -

We had planned on using a service like Garden Grocer to deliver cereal, milk, water, fruit, etc for breakfast, park snacks, and before bed snacks (we're flying with no room in our bags for this stuff) BUT would it make more sense for us to hit Wal-mart on the way between the airport and Disney instead?

Part of me says to save the money on the delivery and higher food costs and go to Wal-mart and part of me says let's not drive out of our way and get lost and spend an hour shopping in Wal-mart and have to lug a bunch of groceries around since it's vacation after all

What would you guys do??

 

[emldrl]

We drove down in 2004, and after we got there, we ran to Wal-Mart to get groceries for the week. I don't remember it being too hard to find, or a big pain in the you know what. However, I like the idea of having stuff delivered. I looked at Garden Grocer's site, and We Go Shop, and I like the idea of We Go much better. You give them a list, tell them where to go, there is a set charge, plus a small amount for gas. (they also give a military discount, or so I've heard)

Like I said, going to Wal-Mart wasn't a big deal, but if you don't want to mess with it, the delivery companies look good too. Good luck!

 

[puffkin]

Coming from the airport on 417, there is a Super Target right off an exit about halfway there (Orange Blossom Trail). Also, the exit you take for Disney, you turn left at the next stoplight (RT 535) and Walmart is about a 1/2 down the road. Both are ridiculously easy to get to. I would just stop and get your own groceries. You'll save a lot of money and can get exactly what you want. The delivery services are great if you don't have a car, but I wouldn't go through the hassle if have one.

We usually check in and make sure our room is ready. Then one of the adults stays with the kids and unpacks while the other runs to the store (there is also a Target and Publix on 192 really close to AKV where we stay a lot). That way we don't have to worry about storing cold groceries if our room isn't ready yet.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We always rent a car at Disney....for any vacation, and we've always stopped at a Target or Walmart on the way. Did so with our last trip, April 2014 to WDW. However, I don't think I will be doing that any more. I don't find the shelves very well stocked and most times found the stores on the dirty side (just my opinion). End up spending too much time in the store looking for stuff, usually very crowded with few check outs. Just too much hassle and now we don't see how we're saving anything. Much rather just get to the resort. We're DVC members and from now on will be ordering a few things ahead of time. Honestly, the cost different isn't that great. If we weren't DVC members, I'd look into getting some groceries delivered.

 

[North of Mouse]

We will be renting a car for our week in Disney (we are spending 3 days staying on Disney property while traveling outside of Disney after our MouseVacation). We are planning on doing breakfast in the hotel room and spending most of the day in the parks if weather and the 5 year old allows. So now I'm debating this -

We had planned on using a service like Garden Grocer to deliver cereal, milk, water, fruit, etc for breakfast, park snacks, and before bed snacks (we're flying with no room in our bags for this stuff) BUT would it make more sense for us to hit Wal-mart on the way between the airport and Disney instead?

Part of me says to save the money on the delivery and higher food costs and go to Wal-mart and part of me says let's not drive out of our way and get lost and spend an hour shopping in Wal-mart and have to lug a bunch of groceries around since it's vacation after all

What would you guys do??

Walmart, or Target, is not 'that' far off the path! You have the rental, certainly it would save you the money! Doesn't sound like you'd be 'lugging' around much stuff. But, that's just me - I'm always conservative, while never being 'cheap'.

 

[NicholeB630]

We just placed an order for Garden Grocer for our trip coming up this Saturday, 8 nights at BLT. My husband said he'd go to store but honestly I really didn't want to waste the time going grocery shopping. I'd rather just pay the extra $15 delivery fee and do it online. It was nice being able to see exactly what I getting and think about it before placing the order. Rather than going to a store there, wandering around and wasting time. I am happy we will have things in the room for us. I paid a little more than what I planned our bill was $170 I think but I got quite a bit, milk, orange juice, waters, snacks, breakfast food, diapers and wipes (so I didn't have to pack) plus beer for my husband!!! My input is order, I think its a great thing to have.

 

[hockeygirl14]

I would hit Wal Mart, Target or Publix before heading to your room! They are all easy to get to and you'll save money doing it!

 

[RustManFan]

I would definitely stop and pick up groceries at Wal Mart (or other location). You can get exactly what you want for less money. You are spending enough on your vacation without adding to the cost I would think!

 

[puffkin]

Even though it is only a $15 delivery fee, the prices are still pretty high for the actual items compared to what you will find in store. They are basically giving you the "shelf" price. Then you will also have to tip either them or bell services to bring it to you. I also found the selection to be pretty limited.

I have never had an issue with dirty or understocked stores. Yes the Walmart on 535 can get really busy, but the Targets are both fine. It takes us about an hour to drive to Target from the resort, buy our groceries (we do a full shop), and get back to the resort. It really is not stressful at all. I have a list that I keep from trip to trip and I just update it accordingly so I am not starting from scratch.

I think the grocery services are amazing if you don't have a car. But if you do have a car, it is so easy and convenient to go yourself. I don't think people realize how close the "real" world is to WDW....Disney does a pretty good job of hiding it!

 

[RustManFan]

We went to Goodings which is just beyond DTD entrance road when we camped at FW. It was a very clean store. Prices were about what we pay at local store at home

 

[puffkin]

We went to Goodings which is just beyond DTD entrance road when we camped at FW. It was a very clean store. Prices were about what we pay at local store at home

Yes, I found the prices to be on par or even cheaper (especially for alcohol) than our stores at home.

 

[cattywampus]

Age old question: time vs money. I looked at same option and decided to have groceries delivered. The small delivery charge/increased prices was nothing compared to what I had paid for those two hours of vacation. Seemed like a smart decision to max out vacation time and not choose to spend it in a Walmart or Target.

I think I made correct decision. There is enough "administrative/setup" to do to upon arrival. Don't add to it, especially with only a few days at WDW. If I were staying two weeks, maybe.

If you are staying on site, groceries are delivered to Bell Services, they refrigerate items that need it, and deliver to your room. Can't beat the efficiency.