Grocery ? for you DVC Veterans

[BankBunny]

Which is more cost effective-to order from one of the online companies and have them delivered or to buy items at home and ship them to yourself? I was looking at one of the online companies and the item prices seemed pretty high (I'm sure this is for the convience of having them shop for you). I know that I could get stuff much cheaper at home when it's on sale, but then there is shipping costs (Especially heavy stuff like soda). So, I was just wondering what everyone's experince has been or preference is. TIA

 

[DVC Mary]

Subscribing....

Great ? I've been wondering the same thing.

 

[mikesmom]

We always make a grocery stop once we get to Orlando. There are always perishables we want, not to mention all the things we didn't realize we "needed" until we see them in the grocery A lot of stuff (bandaids, pizza cutter,coffee filters, laundry soap) we already have down there in an Owners Locker, so there's not that much stuff to get for the family except food.

Of course, if you're not renting a car, I don't have a good answer for you.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Well.... for me since we are from California the prices are way cheaper than here. I use the grocery service. Wegoshop.com uses the price that is charged at the store. There is no mark-up unless that has changed. They do charge a delivery service fee but ends up being cheaper than renting a car. However, if you are renting a car then, I'd shop anyways. But we usually use the Magical Express so we don't have a car. I've gotten perishables with wegoshop too. I love the service because it really feels like vacation when someone else does the shopping...

 

[kato0627]

We have used wegoshop.com quite a few times. In fact, we will see Marge on Friday . We have always been very pleased with her service. The prices at the stores we choose for her to shop (publix or winn dixie) are the same prices as our home stores. It is much cheaper to have her do the shopping than us grab some things at the market in the resorts. There is a delivery fee, however it is still cheaper. Marge is the owner and she is really great to work with. Good luck

 

[senecabeach]

I use gardengrocer.com and just them !!
Perishables, ice cream, dairy, cases of water...everything !! They deliver "directly" to my room (timing is everything), so far, 6 times, NO problems!!
I usually start doing the on line shopping very early, play a lot with it, and finally submit my list 48 hrs. in advance of my arrival.

I enjoy and look forward to grocery shopping at home...but...Couldn't imagine wasting time, grocery shopping (in the Fla. heat..BTW), when my vacation clock is ticking !!!

 

[cookies]

What's an owners locker?

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

We have used GardenGrocer.com twice and so far so good. The 1st time our plane was late and they left everything with bell service. The 2nd time they delivered within our 2 hour window and put everything away for us!!! Great start to a vacation--- I need them to come home with me

I have friends who will take a taxi to Walmart, but who wants to waste valuable Disney time to grocery shop.

What I like about GardenGrocer.com is that you can shop one day and go back the next to add to your list. They keep you cart open for you until you decide to purchase. The prices are comparable to what you pay in the store without the benefit of any sale prices but they do take coupons!

Have a great trip.

 

[mikesmom]

What's an owners locker?

Owners Locker is a service that gives you a very large storage chest to put items you use in Florida, but don't want to pack. For instance we have medicine cabinet stuff (band aids, moleskin, antibiotic ointment, etc), flip flops, favorite shampoo, salt & pepper, coffee filters, pizza cutter, bathing suit, laundry soap, hats,- LOTS of stuff that helps make "home away from home" feel more like home - and that I get tired of hauling back and forth.

They deliver the box right to your resort, pick it up after you checkout. The box is kept in a climate controlled storage facility, so safe to store wine, perfume, etc.

Search on Owners Locker on these boards and you will find all kinds of things people store. The service is awesome - don't know what we did without it.

 

[ILYSWAK]

We are going in March to OKW ( our first time as DVC members) and after looking at the WDW groc.list prices I am going to use a grocery service. I do not want to pay WDW $1., for one banana. Although, garden grocer's listed at .39 cents for one banana. However, when on vacation & wanting the convenience of some basic items it is well worth it. It seems to me that wegoshop, is a shopping service. A nice lady who will go out to the normal markets and pick up the items.
gardengrocer has a list on the web with specific prices.
Reviews on both have been good.
We will arrive at MCO at 9pm, so I do not know how it will work. I am sure a phone call will answer the questions.
Disboards is a super web site - with super Diser's. Thank you for the tons of info I have found.

 

[jpeka65844]

As long as the items aren't going to be damaged in shipping, we ship things from home. When we went in March, I worked on "The Box" for a month. I was able to accumulate things gradually to put in, rather than have to spend the $$ all at one time. Also, grocery $$ are MUCH lower here than anywhere in the Orlando area!

In the box we put: pop-tarts, granola bars, goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, Nestle Quik as well as consumable items we'd use during the week (diapers, wipes, shampoo, etc....) When we got there, we bought soda, milk, and bread.

We're traveling with 8 other people in June '08 and I think we'll go with a grocery service to avoid a grabasstic grocery stop. We'll be needing much more in those fully-stocked kitchens!


Denice T.
Olathe, KS

 

[BankBunny]

I had looked at some of the prices on GardenGrocer and they seemed kind of high and WeGoShop wouldn't let you just look without signing in. Do they just list those prices as a guide line and you pay what they actually pay for the items plus the delivery charge?

 

[jemiaule]

I would not order from Disney, they are too expensive. We usually use GardenGrocer.com and have always been pleased.

Is GardenFrocer cheaper than me shopping at home and then shipping the box? No idea. But I do feel the time I would spend doing all of that is worth way more than the maybe the $10 or $20 bucks I might save.

 

[BankBunny]

I would not order from Disney, they are too expensive. We usually use GardenGrocer.com and have always been pleased.

Is GardenFrocer cheaper than me shopping at home and then shipping the box? No idea. But I do feel the time I would spend doing all of that is worth way more than the maybe the $10 or $20 bucks I might save.

I wasn't even considering ordering from Disney. What I was wondering is-Are the prices listed on GardenGrocer what you are charged for the items, or are they just a guideline and you pay what they actually pay at the store when they shop for you? And as far as shopping at home, I wouldn't make a special trip to the store I would just pick things up on sale when I did my normal shopping.

 

[jemiaule]

I wasn't even considering ordering from Disney. What I was wondering is-Are the prices listed on GardenGrocer what you are charged for the items, or are they just a guideline and you pay what they actually pay at the store when they shop for you? And as far as shopping at home, I wouldn't make a special trip to the store I would just pick things up on sale when I did my normal shopping.

The prices are stated on the site and those are the prices you pay, not a quote or guideline.

You may want to read the information on their site about ordering:
http://gardengrocer.com/order.php

 

[LisaS]

Are the prices listed on GardenGrocer what you are charged for the items, or are they just a guideline and you pay what they actually pay at the store when they shop for you?

You pay the prices listed for each item.

 

[BankBunny]

Wow! I just can't imagine paying $4.29 for a box of Cheerios or $3.69 for Oreos or $4.99 for a 12pk of soda. I would just think it would be cheaper to start buying things on sale weeks before your trip (when doing your normal shopping) and ship them down. And then just sucking it up and spending the extra for stuff like milk at the resort. Does anyone have any experiences doing that?

 

[jemiaule]

Wow! I just can't imagine paying $4.29 for a box of Cheerios or $3.69 for Oreos or $4.99 for a 12pk of soda. I would just think it would be cheaper to start buying things on sale weeks before your trip (when doing your normal shopping) and ship them down. And then just sucking it up and spending the extra for stuff like milk at the resort. Does anyone have any experiences doing that?

Out of curiosity I looked up prices at the grocery store to compare to the ones you listed to see what is the better cost savings.

Cheerios at Safeway, 15oz box: $4.45
Cheerios at GG, 15oz box: $4.29

Oreos at Safeway, (currently on sale), 18oz: $2.50
Oreos at GG, 18oz: $3.69

12pk of soda, at Safeway I chose Pepsi 12oz bottles to compare: $4.50
12pk Pepsi 12oz bottles: $4.99


Grocery local cost: $11.45
Grocery GG cost: 12.97

Cost to ship box via Parcel Post from my address to OKW: $18.80
Cost to have GG deliver: $10.00

Total local cost including shipping: $30.25
Total GG cost including delivery: $22.97


Savings by using GG: $7.28

 

[BankBunny]

I guess I get better sale prices in PA. I never pay more the $2.50 for a 12pk of soda or $2.00 for a box of cereal. That's why I was thinking if I started stocking up on things that I would bring when I can get them on sale it would be better in the long run to ship them.

 

[pershing]

I'm planning on packing less clothes and using the washer and dryer. Then using the extra luggage for dry goods. (Thank goodness for Magical Express or as I like to call it 'Magical Back Saver')

I was going to order the perishables from GardenGrocer but now I'd like to check out Wegoshop as I've just learned about them from this thread! Thanks