How is Publix?

[Tomh]

We've been vacationing in Disney every summer since 2008, always on site, always with dining plan.

The price increases over the years, combined with a significantly lower income tax return this year have forced us to make some changes, so for the first time ever, we are renting an off site house. Plenty of room, and the price was VERY right. Since we don't have the dining plan, we are planning on having breakfast at the house, and taking sandwiches with us for lunch, so we only have to pay for supper in the parks.

The house we are renting is about 25 minutes from Disney World, not terrible, and I don't mind driving. I've found that there is a Publix super market very close to the house we are renting, but I am unfamiliar with them. Price wise, are they comparable to Wal Mart? Is there another chain we should be looking for instead?

 

[JimMIA]

Publix is pretty much THE Florida grocery store. They are always our first choice.

I'm not sure how Publix prices compare with Walmart or Target, but we have always found them to be reasonable. In fact, for some items, I have been surprised to find them less expensive than Costco! With beer -- believe it or not -- they are ALWAYS less than Costco.

Winn Dixie is also what I would consider to be reasonably priced, and both they and Publix are somewhat less expensive than places like Goodys and Whole Foods, etc.

The other option offsite is, of course, restaurants. You will find the offsite restaurants offer MUCH greater variety, from McDonalds to fine dining. We find the food higher quality, better prepared, and considerably less expensive than Disney restaurants...which have declined in quality over the years, IMHO. Even when we stay onsite, we eat most dinners offsite just because we like it better.

 

[bankr63]

Publix are generally very nice stores, but 25 minutes out is pretty far; I know most of the ones nearby (there are 5 that we have been to close to Disney, and 4 I would rate very good, one moderate. I'm guessing by your byline that you are somewhere in the North East? I would rate them on a par with good Price Chopper or Hannaford if you are familiar with those brands, a small cut below Wegman's. (IMO - and Consumer Reports too, Publix is usually their #2 chain nationwide).

Prices won't be as low as Walmart (and there are a ton of Super Walmarts in the Disney area too). But Publix will offer excellent Ready to Go meals and wider full range selection.

 

[smcabee]

Publix offers good quality food at higher than Walmart Prices. I frequently shop at Publix for produce, specialty food such as specific cuts/types of fish and meat and ready to go meals, rotisserie chicken etc. But for staples we use Walmart which at least in SC in my area are significantly cheaper.

 

[missbrooke06]

I went to a Walmart in Orlando instead of the Publix that I typically do because we decided to get an umbrella stroller. In Walmart's defense, it was a Saturday night but I basically located the stroller, recalled Rambo, dialed it down two notches, and fought my way to the cashier.

I went to Publix and bought groceries there. I probably spent $4 more there than at Walmart but my sanity was worth it.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Publix is what I would call a standard style decent quality store. Great selection, quality produce, and it caters to the vacationer cause they carry a nice selection of fresh prepped foods. Above Hannaford, not quite Wegman's.

IMO, Walmart carries more BULK sized packages, which is more than we can use in a week. (dish soap, etc.)

I also agree, there are now many great offsite restaurant options!

 

[loves to dive]

We have Publix, Kroger, Winn Dixie, Whole Foods, WalMart, Target, Piggly Wiggly and a zillion other small local grocery stores in my area. I won't shop at Publix. The prices are higher than anywhere else and I haven't really found the produce or meat any better or a better selection than Kroger. I know there aren't Krogers in Florida but just for breakfast and sandwich makings, I'd go to WalMart.

 

[NH-to-FL]

I agree with the previous posters. And add that we have found the Publix staff to be very friendly and helpful. And plentiful. Plenty of cashiers and very few checkout lines.

That said we do the bulk of our shopping at the Super Walmart at Cagan Crossings (junction of 27 and 192), but do stop in to Publix for some organic produce and some more uncommon grocery items. And we will occasionally visit the Super Target in Posner Park (27 and I-4).

For a vacation visit I don't think you can go wrong with Publix. Good selection. Good quality. Depending on which Publix you visit you might pay a small vacation location premium but I would argue that the selection and ease of shopping make it worth it.

Wishing you a magical visit!

 

[MommyinHonduras]

Tagging on you post, OP, hope you don't mind. Our offsite condo has a grill, I do not like Wal-Mart meat. Is publix a place to get decent steaks, chicken and burgers for grilling?

 

[Woodview]

To the OP .... Go for Publix ..... they are local Florida chain .

There are many stores around Hwy 192 / Hwy 27 ( North ..... Cagans Crossing area & South heading for Haines City )

25 min drive is not far from Disney . You will enjoy the freedom of a Villa.

Forget Supper in the Parks .............. There are many fine places to eat ( Family Prices )...... out side of Disney & Many are near Publix stores.

As a European Villa Owner we shop for groceries at Publix & clothes at Walmart & Target

Tip .. As you are staying at a Villa ...... when you first buy groceries ... Buy 2 or 3 X 1 gallon water for drinking

+ a dozen small bottles , for parks , when empty refill from 1 gallon bottle, Then Re fill the gallon containers at Publix or Walmart.

 

[Tomh]

Thank you ALL for the advice / inside info. I find it amazing that with the little bit of detail I gave you all figured out where I live, and where I am staying!

Indeed, I am from the North East, New York, about an hour away from Manhattan (an hour, and a world) in a tiny village on the banks of the Hudson River.

And indeed, the place we are renting is off 27, not too far from 192. Amazingly two of you nailed that intersection. I am speechless

Looking around on Google Earth a bit more, I see that in addition to the Publix just South of where we are staying, there is a Wal Mart not all that far North, so I guess we've got it all covered.

 

[figmentfan423]

There's a Walmart on 27 for basics and a nice supermarket just to the north of that north bound on 27 never can remember the name LOL and it's less than 25 minutes from 27and 192 to parking most mornings. I've stayed out that way before and quite enjoyed it. gas is also a bit cheaper on 192 and 27 compared to along and just off I4

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Ah, I think you might have Sop &Shop at home then. I don't think I've been to a Stop & Shop for at least 5 years, but I'd say Publix is roughly equal to the Stop & Shop I remember, plus a nice selection of convenience foods. I think all the Publix I've visited all carry beer/wine, if that matters. I don't typically cook while I'm on vacation near Disney, so I can't help you with raw meat. I'm more on the lookout for produce: quality then price. If I buy meat near WDW, it is usually from the deli. Publix has a decent deli, IMO.

Unless you have a big group, I don't think I'd bother visiting two different grocery stores just to save a few dollars.

There was one WDW trip where we shopped at Walmart and picked up stuff beyond groceries. We stayed at Pop, so we bought a coffee pot. It worked well enough I suppose, but we haven't repeated the effort.

I also love the Orange World citrus stand! Take W. Orlo Bronson Highway past Rt417 and Orange World is just a little ways further, across from the Wyndham Cypress Palms. The whole building is a giant 60 foot orange! (well half an orange) It's classic roadside Americana! If you are coming from Tampa, I'm not sure it is worth the drive, but if you are coming from the airport or the east side of I-4, it isn't far out of your way. It dates back to 1973, so it is almost as classic as the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Upatnoon]

We've been vacationing in Disney every summer since 2008, always on site, always with dining plan.

The price increases over the years, combined with a significantly lower income tax return this year have forced us to make some changes, so for the first time ever, we are renting an off site house. Plenty of room, and the price was VERY right. Since we don't have the dining plan, we are planning on having breakfast at the house, and taking sandwiches with us for lunch, so we only have to pay for supper in the parks.

The house we are renting is about 25 minutes from Disney World, not terrible, and I don't mind driving. I've found that there is a Publix super market very close to the house we are renting, but I am unfamiliar with them. Price wise, are they comparable to Wal Mart? Is there another chain we should be looking for instead?

Publix is a great store, however if you want to maximize your savings go to iheartpublix.com before you leave to see what's on sale. On every Monday they list what will be on sale for a week ahead.

In general, Publix is a little more that Walmart, but if you throw in a mix of stuff on sale it will be pretty close. Plus, shopping at Publix is a much better experience than shopping at Walmart. Publix is NOT a super-premium store like Whole Foods or Fresh Market.

 

[aleksandr]

I've never done an item to item comparison, but as someone from the Northeast, I find Publix to be very expensive. I don't know if it is a Publix thing, or a Florida thing, but when I spend time in Florida, my weekly grocery bills are invariably much higher than back home. Depending on distance, I'll shop at a Super-WalMart or Super-Target for cost savings over Publix.

The Publix I've been in (Davenport) are certainly beautiful stores and the folks at the Deli were always quick to give samples of meats even if I didn't ask for them, but some of the prices I saw were shocking.

 

[mom4fun]

We will be staying in an embassy suites with a refrigerator and microwave. Breakfast is included and we will be having one meal in the park. I would like to have one meal in the room cheaply. What are public pre made meals like? Would this be a good option for a family of 3?

 

[Woodview]

To Tomh

Here is another Tip

Cross over Hwy 192 heading North.

Pass through Traffic Lights at Cagan's Crossing ( Walmart & Lowes ) keep straight on for about 4 miles

Pass Tradds Landing on your Right ...... Slow down & turn Right into " Showcase of Citrus."


Here you can Pick your own " Citrus Fruit " & also do The Giant Bus Buggy Tour of the Ranch .


showcaseofcitrus.com 5010 US Highway 27 Clermont Fl 34714


Then drive a few miles North on Hwy 27 & Turn Left into Lake Louisa State Park & eat your Oranges etc.

 

[bankr63]

To answer the question on grilling meats, yes, Publix has a good selection of grilling meats, chicken, pork, etc. We BBQ about half our dinners at our resort; Vistana has great new gas grill stations (was more of a pain a couple of years ago when they still had Charcoal Grills; then I would BBQ maybe twice a week).

Price is often a perception thing. We find Publix much better priced than groceries up here in Canada; but we also camp a lot in Upper NYS (Saranac Lake Area) where we find groceries outrageous. So I'm thinking it is a very regional thing. To test the waters, go to the Publix flyer site and do a quick price compare to your local stores. Do the prices seem expensive to you?

 

[kwdw]

I'd just stick with Publix - but they do vary a bit in quality of store. It's a standard chain grocery store - think Kroger, Giant, Winn-Dixie, Safeway, Giant Eagle, Stop n Shop - not sure what your local chain is. Definitely not like a Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or Wegmans. I personally get frustrated at super Wal-Marts and Target because they just don't seem to carry every item I need - and I don't want to go two places on vacation. For me - Publix in Florida prices are pretty much identical to home. I like the Publix at Celebration, and there are a couple on 192 west of I-4 I've been too. I've also been to the one off of Doc Phillips up closer to Universal. There was one I didn't like as much --- sorry I don't remember the address!

 

[ilovefh]

We're local and we have 2 Publix stores within a mile. I love Publix but if your goal is to save money, I would go to Walmart. I can usually save about 30-40% by shopping at Walmart. The same brand of bread we buy is $2 cheaper at Walmart.

We only use Publix for last minute things, produce and the deli. Everything else we buy at Walmart.