Grocery Stops and Local Restaurants

[*Emily*]

I'm helping a co-worker plan her first trip to WDW and she is staying at the Hilton Garden Inn @ Seaworld. She's going the same week I am and I'm kinda thinking she's expecting me to be her personal guide! I'm trying to prep her as much as possible so she won't need me as much. I haven't stayed offsite since I was little so I was hoping for a little advice.

She is renting a car and is planning on a grocery stop, probably on the way to the hotel from MCO. Any recommendations where she could stop?

She is also looking for local restaurants that are a 'good deal'. She has two kids, 4 and 6. Any place good between the parks and her hotel? Or just in the general area?

Thanks!!!

 

[Purseval]

The Hilton Garden Inn is located on Westwood Blvd. If you leave the hotel and make a left on Westwood the first road you come to is Central Florida Parkway. Depending on the time of day you're arriving you have 2 good choices. If it's before 10pm you can make a left, go about a mile and a Publix Supermarket will be on the right. You will also pass several fast food places before you reach the Publix, a pizza place, a Chinese takeout, etc.

If it's after 10 you make a right on Central Florida Parkway. You will see a split in the road. The right one takes you to Palm Parkway/Turkey lake Road. Make a right onto Turkey Lake, a Walmart will be about mile down on your left.

If she is going to WDW the left fork in that road I mentioned in the previous paragraph leads to I-4 West, which will bring her to the parks within minutes. If she is going to Universal Studios Turkey Lake Road will lead her right to the entrance, just another 2 miles past that Walmart. SeaWorld and Discovery Cove are right behind the Hilton. If she wants to stop for breakfast before she goes to WDW she can take the PP/TL fork and make a left onto Palm Parkway, follow it down to 535 and she will see an IHOP right at the corner plus more restaurants in either direction left or right. Make a left on 535 and the first right will be the entrance to Downtown Disney and the WDW property. The shopping center on Palm parkway just before 535 has a Cici's Pizza in it. She is really in a fabulous location for driving around the tourist areas, very easy to get to everything.

 

[*Emily*]

Thank you so much! I know plenty about the parks but I'm completely clueless when it comes to off-site stuff.