How to have groceries delivered to bell service directly?

[Debbie Jean]

On Spring Break we stayed off site for a few more nights then we normally do before moving to the bubble so I decided to get groceries myself. Lots of people said Publix was a nightmare to get to from where we were (Hilton Mystic Dunes) and to go to the Walmart as it was much closer. It was easy enough to get to but it was a complete mad house in there and I had no idea where anything was as we don't grocery shop at Walmart at all. I may have saved some money but it certainly wasn't worth the hassle for me.

I certainly get the picking of your own produce but we just picked up bananas and apples which are usually ok with deliveries and we don't buy alcohol for our room so we will be definitely switching back to delivery on the next trip.

When we arrived at BWV they were able to store the refrigerated items for us and brought up everything at one time.
I think they should waive the $6 package/grocery fee if they are delivering it at the same time as luggage but with Disney prices it is just one less Mickey bar so not that big of a deal.

I usually online order from either Publix or Kroger both of which have decent choices and prices… it’s vacation so I just allow for the delivery charge. For me it’s the convenience I’m paying for. Like you I have BS bring up my luggage, groceries and Owners Locker up to the room at one time. I’m just hoping the fee remains $6 for awhile… we know how Disney loves to increase those prices!

Like you I get apples and bananas so not a worry for me lol I don’t drive, I fly… no rental car… and tend to travel solo though so my orders are smaller. I have Ubered over and back to Publix and didn’t think it was worth it. I’ll
forgo that Mickey bar for the convenience of delivery and tip!

 

[Sandisw]

On Spring Break we stayed off site for a few more nights then we normally do before moving to the bubble so I decided to get groceries myself. Lots of people said Publix was a nightmare to get to from where we were (Hilton Mystic Dunes) and to go to the Walmart as it was much closer. It was easy enough to get to but it was a complete mad house in there and I had no idea where anything was as we don't grocery shop at Walmart at all. I may have saved some money but it certainly wasn't worth the hassle for me.

I certainly get the picking of your own produce but we just picked up bananas and apples which are usually ok with deliveries and we don't buy alcohol for our room so we will be definitely switching back to delivery on the next trip.

When we arrived at BWV they were able to store the refrigerated items for us and brought up everything at one time.
I think they should waive the $6 package/grocery fee if they are delivering it at the same time as luggage but with Disney prices it is just one less Mickey bar so not that big of a deal.

I have never been charged the fee when it was delivered with my luggage and owners locker.

 

[sethschroeder]

Sorry - I disagree with this. They need to go through extra steps for the groceries, making sure they have all the bags, waters, cold items gathered on a cart that were delivered by the vendor for you. The extra work for them is on the front end, not just the delivering to your room. Suitcases are simple - they'll be in a single location stored together. In the whole scope of Disney vacations and how expensive they are, I'm surprised this fee is still so low! I really appreciate they'll deliver to the room! The older I get, the more I use it!

New Direct Member offering for a fee:
You order you grocery delivery and we put it in the room and fridge for you.

 

[eticketplease]

I have never been charged the fee when it was delivered with my luggage and owners locker.

I just checked and my last stay at BWV around Easter I was not charged.

However when my owner's lockers, luggage and groceries I was charged at VGF but that was a few trips ago so maybe they have changed? I know I have been charged at other resorts but can't find those receipts right now.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

If you have alcohol, and do Instacart. someone needs to meet with an ID. I just used them last week.

I don’t know if other services can deliver without the guest if alcohol is included.

Adding that the same is true for any medication that would also require ID (like Sudafed)

 

[sethschroeder]

For me it’s the convenience I’m paying for.

Ya our issue is we have had quality issues in the past so for over $75 worth of savings it makes sense for me to quickly head over and pick up the groceries. If all I was paying for was the service itself I wouldn't think twice about it as I was ready to do it this time.

You brought up Kroger so I might check them out as Publix/Instacart was what we normally used in the past and it seems Walmart doesn't do delivery at all in the area now.

 

[eticketplease]

Sorry - I disagree with this. They need to go through extra steps for the groceries, making sure they have all the bags, waters, cold items gathered on a cart that were delivered by the vendor for you. The extra work for them is on the front end, not just the delivering to your room. Suitcases are simple - they'll be in a single location stored together. In the whole scope of Disney vacations and how expensive they are, I'm surprised this fee is still so low! I really appreciate they'll deliver to the room! The older I get, the more I use it!

I agree most of the work is done on the front end when it is dropped off at bell services. However many people have pointed out that if they go down and pick it up they are not charged a fee. So if they don't charge a fee to do all the prep work like you mentioned if you pick it up yourself why charge a fee if they are delivering it at the same time as you are receiving your luggage and owners lockers?

Now if you have them delivered after you have already received your luggage that is one thing but I think it is silly to tack on the fee for the same time delivery.
Again I will continue to pay it if charged because it is convenient to have it all brought to your room.

 

[Mle8308]

I agree most of the work is done on the front end when it is dropped off at bell services. However many people have pointed out that if they go down and pick it up they are not charged a fee. So if they don't charge a fee to do all the prep work like you mentioned if you pick it up yourself why charge a fee if they are delivering it at the same time as you are receiving your luggage and owners lockers?

Now if you have them delivered after you have already received your luggage that is one thing but I think it is silly to tack on the fee for the same time delivery.
Again I will continue to pay it if charged because it is convenient to have it all brought to your room.

One of the reasons is because it takes the bell services CM's out of the luggage delivery rotation, how they make their money. I believe they somehow get a delivery fee (nominal) for taking groceries to a room. It used to be tracked and then entered for payroll, no idea how it's done now (I was trained as a bell services dispatcher at one point, too!).

 

[DVCKev]

Yea, having alcohol delivered with groceries from someplace like Garden Grocer for over 20 years, and now they don't allow it anymore unless your there to receive it all of a sudden for no reason, that is surely progress for whom I'm not sure but it certainly is not for Disney's on-site customers.

 

[eticketplease]

One of the reasons is because it takes the bell services CM's out of the luggage delivery rotation, how they make their money. I believe they somehow get a delivery fee (nominal) for taking groceries to a room. It used to be tracked and then entered for payroll, no idea how it's done now (I was trained as a bell services dispatcher at one point, too!).

How does it take them out of the luggage delivery rotation when they are delivering it all at the same time?

Were you trained at Disney? I have never stayed at a value resort but I have heard that bell services there are contractors where as the other properties are actually employed by Disney. Not sure if that makes a difference for the way they track the deliveries but it could.

 

[babyruth]

Yea, having alcohol delivered with groceries from someplace like Garden Grocer for over 20 years, and now they don't allow it anymore unless your there to receive it all of a sudden for no reason, that is surely progress for whom I'm not sure but it certainly is not for Disney's on-site customers.

yes. this. I always wonder if they had issues with alcohol going "missing" or something when they held it for guests. For the first time I'm considering ordering our regular groceries and getting the wine onsite. Still would be cheaper and more convenient than having to visit the bar or lounge per glass. My husband really likes non alcoholic beer though and I've never seen that in the hotel shops.

 

[Mle8308]

How does it take them out of the luggage delivery rotation when they are delivering it all at the same time?

Were you trained at Disney? I have never stayed at a value resort but I have heard that bell services there are contractors where as the other properties are actually employed by Disney. Not sure if that makes a difference for the way they track the deliveries but it could.

If groceries are being delivered at the same time as luggage, I am not sure they charge, as others (@Sandisw) mentioned. I have never been charged when it was delivered with my luggage and I've done this many times. I meant there may be a charge when groceries are delivered independent of luggage because this would take a CM out of the rotation. And yes, I was there for 15 years. Started out at FD and my last position was an Operations Manager at the Magic Kingdom. I did a lot in those 15 years! I am not sure about the luggage delivery now at the values. When they first opened, it was not called bell services but luggage delivery because it was not supposed to be a tipped position. I do believe they were contractors, but there were some regular CM's who worked some of the positions. I never worked at a value so I cannot say for sure. One of my roommates at the time was a FD manager at a value, but I don't recall specifics. And I say they would track deliveries because at some of the convention hotels, there can be room drops for convention guests (gift bags, snacks, company materials) and if a bell person delivered them, they would get a guaranteed gratuity. They would track the number of rooms they delivered to and the Bell Services manager would include this when doing payroll. They may do this for groceries/packages now. It was not a thing to have groceries delivered when I worked the FD so I can not say positively.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Yea, having alcohol delivered with groceries from someplace like Garden Grocer for over 20 years, and now they don't allow it anymore unless your there to receive it all of a sudden for no reason, that is surely progress for whom I'm not sure but it certainly is not for Disney's on-site customers.

Is it likely to verify age requirements when delivered? Seems like an underage guest could order online, have it delivered and stored, and then take it to the room? That's been the reason in my head the past several years it's been required. I thought it was for potential legal and liability reasons that Disney doesn't want to deal with.

 

[eticketplease]

If groceries are being delivered at the same time as luggage, I am not sure they charge, as others (@Sandisw) mentioned. I have never been charged when it was delivered with my luggage and I've done this many times. I meant there may be a charge when groceries are delivered independent of luggage because this would take a CM out of the rotation. And yes, I was there for 15 years. Started out at FD and my last position was an Operations Manager at the Magic Kingdom. I did a lot in those 15 years! I am not sure about the luggage delivery now at the values. When they first opened, it was not called bell services but luggage delivery because it was not supposed to be a tipped position. I do believe they were contractors, but there were some regular CM's who worked some of the positions. I never worked at a value so I cannot say for sure. One of my roommates at the time was a FD manager at a value, but I don't recall specifics. And I say they would track deliveries because at some of the convention hotels, there can be room drops for convention guests (gift bags, snacks, company materials) and if a bell person delivered them, they would get a guaranteed gratuity. They would track the number of rooms they delivered to and the Bell Services manager would include this when doing payroll. They may do this for groceries/packages now. It was not a thing to have groceries delivered when I worked the FD so I can not say positively.

Ok that makes more sense.

We always drop off our luggage when arriving except for our swim bag. When the room is ready we call for our luggage, owners lockers and groceries to be brought up. Apparently sometimes we are charged and others not. I'm glad other people are not being charged for it if it is being brought up to the rooms with their luggage as I have accepted the fact that I am never lucky lol.

So many acronyms it is hard for me to keep up. When I started reading this I thought you had worked for the Reedy Creek Fire Department it wasn't until later that I figured out it was Front Desk

Thanks for all of your insights!!

 

[Mle8308]

Ok that makes more sense.

We always drop off our luggage when arriving except for our swim bag. When the room is ready we call for our luggage, owners lockers and groceries to be brought up. Apparently sometimes we are charged and others not. I'm glad other people are not being charged for it if it is being brought up to the rooms with their luggage as I have accepted the fact that I am never lucky lol.

So many acronyms it is hard for me to keep up. When I started reading this I thought you had worked for the Reedy Creek Fire Department it wasn't until later that I figured out it was Front Desk

Thanks for all of your insights!!

Front desk! Not fire department, I do see where it can be confusing - too many acronyms!