Magical Express VS. Taxi + grocery stop? & Dining plan opinions

[Stinasmom]

Ok, I am helping my friend plan her first WDW trip and have a couple questions for my very helpful and knowledgeable DIS friends...

They would like to get some provisions like bottled water, snacks, and a little beer(or the like) to keep in their room (staying at Coronado Springs) but like the idea of Magical Express for the cost savings.
Are their any grocery stores that deliver for a small fee? Or would it be better to hire transportation that allows for a grocery stop and hope that the cost of the transport is made up for by having provisions at grocery store prices instead of park prices?
Or, has anyone found that a taxi ride from the resort to a close grocery store and back was a pretty reasonable option?

Also, she has already signed up for the dining plan... I was thinking of talking her out of it. Did most of you that have tried it found it to be worth the extra planning to get and use ADR's, calculate out exactly when to use counter service vs. table service, and figure out when to use double table service credits for character meals? Eeeccchh! Just asking all those questions makes it sound like too much trouble!

They are a family of 2 adults and 2 boys ages 10 and 8 and they are traveling this June. Is it possible that the dining plan can be a good deal?

Thanks in advance for your opinions on these topics!

 

[CJ]

www.gardengrocer.com

It is a great company, I've dealt with them the last few trips. I would recommend Magical Express and ordering from them, it's so easy!

 

[Kristina]

I too loved Garden Grocer when we used them in Dec. 06 . On our two trips before that we hired a car to pick us up at MCO and included was a grocery stop, and the return trip to MCO when our trip was over. We both enjoyed Magical Express much more and you can't beat the price . Had we not heard so many great things about Garden Grocer beforehand we might have had to still hire the car as we needed many cases of water, but with the delivery service for 10 additional dollars that worked a treat.

Regarding the dining plan and savings check out the dining board here on the Dis. There are loads of discussions and a sticky at the top of the board as well. For us after pricing up everything we would save a few dollars every day, however it would mean visiting Universal Studios for 2 days and Sea World for one a pain regarding dining, so I think we are going to opt for dining freedom instead .

 

[goofy4tink]

I use gardengrocer and love 'em. If I use DME and gardengrocer, life is good, and I save money!!!
As far as whether or not the DDP is a good deal...I would have them sit down and check out the places they would eat at..total up the bills for each meal, add in a counter service meal each day and see if the total is worth the $38 (or so) each day for DDP per adult. That's about the only way I can figure it out.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There is also We Go Shop www.wegoshop.com and Goodings www.goodings.com for grocery delivery. Check them all. They have different delivery fees, and you may or may not get to choose at which store your shopping is done.

 

[kapoof]

fl tours limo services will make a grocery stop. the round trip fee (for us a party of 3) was 109.00. have a great trip!

 

[CleveRocks]

There's no way that your SAVINGS at a car service grocery stop versus delivery service will be more than the fee for the car service.

A car service will run approximately $120 including tips. The fee for Garden Grocer is around $12 or $15 (Gooding's can't deliver alcohol). As you can see, the car service grocery stop won't save you enough money to pay for itself, as compared with DME and a grocery delivery.

Not even close.


Choose a car service if you want that type of private and personalized service, but DON'T choose it because you think it will save you money.

Kinda reminds me of a The Simpsons episode where Homer learns a company will pay people for used cooking fat. Homer buys a few thousand dollars of bacon, cooks it up, sells the bacon grease for a few dollars and then celebrates that he earned a few dollars, mindless of the fact that he spent thousands to earn pennies.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Ok, I am helping my friend plan her first WDW trip and have a couple questions for my very helpful and knowledgeable DIS friends...

They would like to get some provisions like bottled water, snacks, and a little beer(or the like) to keep in their room (staying at Coronado Springs) but like the idea of Magical Express for the cost savings.
Are their any grocery stores that deliver for a small fee? Or would it be better to hire transportation that allows for a grocery stop and hope that the cost of the transport is made up for by having provisions at grocery store prices instead of park prices?
Or, has anyone found that a taxi ride from the resort to a close grocery store and back was a pretty reasonable option?

Also, she has already signed up for the dining plan... I was thinking of talking her out of it. Did most of you that have tried it found it to be worth the extra planning to get and use ADR's, calculate out exactly when to use counter service vs. table service, and figure out when to use double table service credits for character meals? Eeeccchh! Just asking all those questions makes it sound like too much trouble!

They are a family of 2 adults and 2 boys ages 10 and 8 and they are traveling this June. Is it possible that the dining plan can be a good deal?

Thanks in advance for your opinions on these topics!

How much does that 10 year old eat...that would help make the decision with the dining plan...the 10 year would be charged at the adult rate and would have to order off the adult menu and if he does not eat that much it would not be worth it...my daughter who is 10 could only eat a quarter of an adult meal...

 

[kapoof]

There's no way that your SAVINGS at a car service grocery stop versus delivery service will be more than the fee for the car service.

A car service will run approximately $120 including tips. The fee for Garden Grocer is around $12 or $15 (Gooding's can't deliver alcohol). As you can see, the car service grocery stop won't save you enough money to pay for itself, as compared with DME and a grocery delivery.

Not even close.


Choose a car service if you want that type of private and personalized service, but DON'T choose it because you think it will save you money.

Kinda reminds me of a The Simpsons episode where Homer learns a company will pay people for used cooking fat. Homer buys a few thousand dollars of bacon, cooks it up, sells the bacon grease for a few dollars and then celebrates that he earned a few dollars, mindless of the fact that he spent thousands to earn pennies.

i was only giving another option.

 

[tskover57]

I wouldn't know about a grocery delivery service because we drive but we did the DDP and loved it this past December. We all sat down(Mom, sister, my boyfriend, and I) and decided where we would like to eat(TS only) so then we coordinated these TS, some breakfast some dinners, around the parks with EMH, stuff like that. Anything else like our CS and snacks, we just ate when we were hungry did some in the parks or at the resorts(we stopped at POR we really liked their food court). I was worried before we went that we wouldn't have enough food on the DDP but actually had like 2 CS and a few snacks left after the trip and bought snacks for the road home!

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

My husband and I rent cars because we prefer the convenience. If we didn't have the car rental coupons, we would take a Town Car because we do NOT prefer the MOO of the DME bus.

We do stop at the grocery store - sodas, water, beer, snacks, breakfast supplies. We are "nesters". We move in and make ourselves at home with room decorations, etc.

For us, DME is simply not an option and the convenience of a grocery stop is a must.

There is nothing wrong with our choices just as there is nothing wrong if DME is YOUR choice. However, it you prefer the pampering of a town car and convenience of a few things in your room......take the town car and stop at the grocery. You will not regret it!

Our next trip we will try out a 1 BR villa at BWV and we will have food delivered. We will STILL stop at a grocery on the way in because I am a diabetic and the grocery delivery services don't always have the items I prefer....low carb yogurt, low cal. juices - etc.

We choose convenience for our first day!

 

[goofy4tink]

My husband and I rent cars because we prefer the convenience. If we didn't have the car rental coupons, we would take a Town Car because we do NOT prefer the MOO of the DME bus.

We do stop at the grocery store - sodas, water, beer, snacks, breakfast supplies. We are "nesters". We move in and make ourselves at home with room decorations, etc.

For us, DME is simply not an option and the convenience of a grocery stop is a must.

There is nothing wrong with our choices just as there is nothing wrong if DME is YOUR choice. However, it you prefer the pampering of a town car and convenience of a few things in your room......take the town car and stop at the grocery. You will not regret it!

Our next trip we will try out a 1 BR villa at BWV and we will have food delivered. We will STILL stop at a grocery on the way in because I am a diabetic and the grocery delivery services don't always have the items I prefer....low carb yogurt, low cal. juices - etc.

We choose convenience for our first day!

The 'moo of the DME bus'?? Sorry but that kinda offends me. I'm in DisneyWorld, there are going to be a ton of people everywhere...in the restaurants, the attractions, in lines, on the buses to the parks. I've used a towncar service many, many times..and enjoyed it. But, sometimes it's nice to save that $130 and spend it elsewhere. It's somewhat demeaning to have someone come here and use that phrase...moo of the bus. Are you referring to it as a cattle car? Or to us that ride it as cattle? Either way, it's demeaning. I don't see anyone saying that those who prefer to use a private towncar are spoiled and entitled or snobs or some other such thing.
Every family must decide what works for them. I like the comradary of the DME bus...it's fun to see the little kids getting all excited. It's nice to sometimes share some knowledge with those who are a bit less knowledgable.
Just needed to vent a bit.

 

[Bete]

I will bring canned nuts, breakfast bars, and some other items with me in my luggage. I've never had a problem. Anything that could have a problem put in storage bags.

Use the delivery service for groceries if you want to save money. Magical Express is fabulous for free.

I know there's a mark-up but some of the resort gift stores carry beer and such.

You can opt for the refill mug for sodas, etc. Everyone doesn't have to get a mug.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

www.gardengrocer.com

It is a great company, I've dealt with them the last few trips. I would recommend Magical Express and ordering from them, it's so easy!

Ditto!

 

[bgirl29]

I just wanted to add that on gardengrocer's site you can add any special requests you have. If you need a certain type of yogurt or only like one brand of something just make a note and they will try to find it for you!

 

[WaltD4Me]

I know it would be cheaper to get groceries delivered, but I still prefer using a town car service. In fact, I LOVE it. We use Murray Hill Transportation. It is $95 round trip, but I think it's worth it IMHO. In addition to the free grocery stop, our driver meets us in baggage claim and as soon as the bags come off the conveyor we are off. I have timed it each time and it has never taken us longer than 45 minutes to get to our hotel and that is with the grocery stop. No offense to ME lovers, but I just have no desire to take an ME bus, wait for everyone to get on, stop at other hotels, wait for people to get off, go to next hotel, ect...I want to GET THERE. I just love my town car service. it's almost become as much a part of a Disney trip as seeing the castle.

 

[mouseman41]

Another heads up for Garden Grocer. We used them last month for the second time. The price for the groceries is higher than you would pay at your local store but the delivery fee was only $10.00. They deliver it to bell services and they will deliver it to your room even if you are not there. We always order water and sodas and an ice chest and a few snacks. They have a large variety of products as well. As far as the dining plan, I find it to be a great deal. my DD(12) is not much of an eater so we will share our food with her and use the extra meal we save and use it at a different time. Sometimes we will hace 2 Table service meals in one day or use it on a signature meal or dinner show. It just takes a little planning. This does not work on the buffets but it works on your regular table service meals and your counter service meals as well. We always have plenty to eat.

 

[goofy4tink]

I know it would be cheaper to get groceries delivered, but I still prefer using a town car service. In fact, I LOVE it. We use Murray Hill Transportation. It is $95 round trip, but I think it's worth it IMHO. In addition to the free grocery stop, our driver meets us in baggage claim and as soon as the bags come off the conveyor we are off. I have timed it each time and it has never taken us longer than 45 minutes to get to our hotel and that is with the grocery stop. No offense to ME lovers, but I just have no desire to take an ME bus, wait for everyone to get on, stop at other hotels, wait for people to get off, go to next hotel, ect...I want to GET THERE. I just love my town car service. it's almost become as much a part of a Disney trip as seeing the castle.

A bit of clarification....it takes about 10 mins to get to baggage claim, then up to 15+ mins for baggage to come out. Another 5-10 mins to get to the car and load up. Then on to the grocery store...about 15 mins, plus the time in the store, another 20 mins. Then, on to WDW, about 15+ mins depending on where you stopped for groceries. So, a total of 80 mins. The only time I have gotten from my plane to my resort in 45, or so, mins was when I had carryon baggage only and used a towncar. 10 mins from the plane, 5 mins for the car, and then 30 mins to the resort.
If you use DME, it's 10 mins to DME counter, 5 mins in line, then 10 mins in bus line, maybe 10 mins on the bus and then off to WDW...if you are the first stop, you've used about an hour, give or take. If you are the second stop, add about 7 mins, the third stop and you're up to about 75-80 mins. Just wanted to clarify the difference in timing.

 

[Mouseaholic!!!]

The 'moo of the DME bus'?? Sorry but that kinda offends me. I'm in DisneyWorld, there are going to be a ton of people everywhere...in the restaurants, the attractions, in lines, on the buses to the parks. I've used a towncar service many, many times..and enjoyed it. But, sometimes it's nice to save that $130 and spend it elsewhere. It's somewhat demeaning to have someone come here and use that phrase...moo of the bus. Are you referring to it as a cattle car? Or to us that ride it as cattle? Either way, it's demeaning. I don't see anyone saying that those who prefer to use a private towncar are spoiled and entitled or snobs or some other such thing.
Every family must decide what works for them. I like the comradary of the DME bus...it's fun to see the little kids getting all excited. It's nice to sometimes share some knowledge with those who are a bit less knowledgable.
Just needed to vent a bit.

So sorry you were offended...but it is just another line on a travel day.....try flying Southwest Airlines!

We actually do very few lines while at WDW.....if there's a line....we just wait until another time. We make dining reservations for the restaurants when we want something special and will stop at a counter service restaurant when fewer people are present. It really is easy - there is so much to do at WDW and we travel there so often - but it may be easier for us because we now frequent WDW at the slowest of times.....but with fast passes and a little planning, we just don't have to wait in many lines.

We obviously travel differently than you - which is no insult to either of us....just our indivual prefrerences. We just avoid one of the lines by bypassing DME. Since our rental cars are fee, the "free" aspect of DME doesn't work for us.

I have passed the DME lines on the way to our cars......there are always people standing around....waiting or standing in line boarding the bus....there is certainly a "herding" aspect watching the process.

Hertz 5-star gold service....the car is waiting for me with the keys and contract inside....I only wait long enough to put on my tink on the antenea and Disney CD in the stereo ("Now is the time" playing as we arrive at WDW).

I travel for work - some times during the year I'm away from home more than I'm sleeping in my own bed. The perks we use for free flights and free car rentals make our vacations more enjoyable.

I'm happy you enjoy DME - just not for us at all. The GREAT news for you....that means there are two fewer people standing in line with you!!

 

[goofy4tink]

So sorry you were offended...but it is just another line on a travel day.....try flying Southwest Airlines!

We actually do very few lines while at WDW.....if there's a line....we just wait until another time. We make dining reservations for the restaurants when we want something special and will stop at a counter service restaurant when fewer people are present. It really is easy - there is so much to do at WDW and we travel there so often - but it may be easier for us because we now frequent WDW at the slowest of times.....but with fast passes and a little planning, we just don't have to wait in many lines.

We obviously travel differently than you - which is no insult to either of us....just our indivual prefrerences. We just avoid one of the lines by bypassing DME. Since our rental cars are fee, the "free" aspect of DME doesn't work for us.

I have passed the DME lines on the way to our cars......there are always people standing around....waiting or standing in line boarding the bus....there is certainly a "herding" aspect watching the process.

Hertz 5-star gold service....the car is waiting for me with the keys and contract inside....I only wait long enough to put on my tink on the antenea and Disney CD in the stereo ("Now is the time" playing as we arrive at WDW).

I travel for work - some times during the year I'm away from home more than I'm sleeping in my own bed. The perks we use for free flights and free car rentals make our vacations more enjoyable.

I'm happy you enjoy DME - just not for us at all. The GREAT news for you....that means there are two fewer people standing in line with you!!

I hear ya!! No problem..just that moo rubbed a nerve. I realize we all travel differently. I travel to WDW several times a year so I'm with you on those line avoidance thoughts.