Pack food or shop upon arrival?

[mamahas5]

We're flying down and renting a minivan (family of 7) and I was planning on picking up groceries when we get there...what do you guys do? I'm worried that I will spend way more near Disney than I would at my local stores mainly because I will be unfamiliar with the pricing and layout. We're flying SW so we can check plenty but we'll have a stroller, car seats and a Pack N Play to manage along with our 5 kids!

 

[JAB59]

If you need soda and water plus other bulky items - who wants to carry those

Publix & Winn Dixie have on line adds

Bring the things that are inexpensive where you live and buy most of your items in Orlando

 

[sunnygurl]

We're flying down and renting a minivan (family of 7) and I was planning on picking up groceries when we get there...what do you guys do? I'm worried that I will spend way more near Disney than I would at my local stores mainly because I will be unfamiliar with the pricing and layout. We're flying SW so we can check plenty but we'll have a stroller, car seats and a Pack N Play to manage along with our 5 kids!

I like the Walmart near WDW.

 

[Tdubswife]

We are planning on bringing a few items from my stockpile. I am an avid coupon user and I sometimes buy multiple items when they go on sale and combine it with coupons. We are also staying offsite and plan on buying the bulkier items when we get there. We don't plan on bringing a lot of items with us on our flight down there, so we will have room in our luggage to pack more food items. I have also been checking the local grocery ads to prepare myself for the price difference (if any) in food costs compared to where we live. So far, not too much higher than what we normally pay.

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[mamahas5]

We are planning on bringing a few items from my stockpile. I am an avid coupon user and I sometimes buy multiple items when they go on sale and combine it with coupons. We are also staying offsite and plan on buying the bulkier items when we get there. We don't plan on bringing a lot of items with us on our flight down there, so we will have room in our luggage to pack more food items. I have also been checking the local grocery ads to prepare myself for the price difference (if any) in food costs compared to where we live. So far, not too much higher than what we normally pay.

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I coupon also and I think I'll follow your plan! One thought I had was for sandwiches we'll want mayo and mustard, and probably ketchup for some other things...is it weird to grab a few extra when we get fast food here so we can save some up for the trip? Can't think of any other way to not throw away partially used jars before we come home.

 

[Tdubswife]

I coupon also and I think I'll follow your plan! One thought I had was for sandwiches we'll want mayo and mustard, and probably ketchup for some other things...is it weird to grab a few extra when we get fast food here so we can save some up for the trip? Can't think of any other way to not throw away partially used jars before we come home.

We are not mayo on sandwiches people (I know it's weird). We like nothing, but sandwich meat! We thought about going to the Dollar Tree to pick up small containers of ketchup and mustard. Our Dollar Tree carries smaller versions of each, so it will be perfect to keep on hand at our condo. We will be there for two weeks, so the Dollar Tree sizes will be perfect for our trip.

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[FrugalFashionista]

We are planning on bringing a few items from my stockpile. I am an avid coupon user and I sometimes buy multiple items when they go on sale and combine it with coupons. We are also staying offsite and plan on buying the bulkier items when we get there. We don't plan on bringing a lot of items with us on our flight down there, so we will have room in our luggage to pack more food items. I have also been checking the local grocery ads to prepare myself for the price difference (if any) in food costs compared to where we live. So far, not too much higher than what we normally pay.

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Be careful with what you do pack. Very dense food (like peanut butter) will set off their sensors and get your luggage searched!

 

[PGHDisneyfan]

This year we packed some stuff for the baby and a few snack items for us. As soon as we landed we grabbed our rental car and phoned the hotel to make sure we could get in then off for the super Target. If you turn right coming down hotel plaza blvd that puts you on I4 I think just follow that as far as it goes then turn left the Target is on the left. They have a great deli and its only 15 minutes away. I found the pices to be no different. As far as condiments go we grabbed some extras from local fast food places to have with us but truth be told you can get mayo, mustard, ketchup, BBQ and ranch at just about every resturant in the park that offers sit down seating. Just my 2 cents

 

[mamahas5]

As far as condiments go we grabbed some extras from local fast food places to have with us but truth be told you can get mayo, mustard, ketchup, BBQ and ranch at just about every resturant in the park that offers sit down seating. Just my 2 cents

Good point! Didn't think of that...good way to avoid any explosions!

 

[Jonathan Swift]

You can also have items shipped to the hotel. I plan on doing that for bottled water and soft drinks.

 

[chartle]

this site may not apply here but at this site you can get single serve pack of almost anything. also shampoo, meds, the works

even Terroirs D'antan Oil flavored (with) Black Truffles

http://www.minimus.biz/Terroirs-Dantan-Oiled-with-Black-Truffles-F01-0865801-8200.aspx

 

[wiigirl]

I like the Walmart near WDW.

 

[Wild about Walt]

We do this as well. We normally stay for 2 weeks offsite at a condo. We bring the lighter easier items to pack that I can't live without like tea and sugar etc. Where I am from I can't get certain brands that I prefer so I'll bring them with me as well.

As soon as we arrive we will head directly to either the Super Target or the Walmart to grab enough water and groceries to get us through a day or two until we get settled. We will pick up the little packets of things from restaurants like peanut butter/jam packs, salt and ketchup on our journey there.

It just takes a little meal planning and a couple of hours to get things organized. This way you can still do your couponing, you don't over buy and you waste less.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You can also have items shipped to the hotel. I plan on doing that for bottled water and soft drinks.

Just keep in mind if you are shipping stuff to a Disney convention resort there is an additional handling fee of $10 for shipped packages. this includes CSR, BC, CR, GF.

 

[Princess32]

The Publix and Walmart along International drive are really helpful! My family and I always go there for our groceries/things we forgot to pack haha

 

[disbelle]

I normally just order from Garden Grocer. Prices seem decent and they can hold it all bell services if you aren't in your room. You can also order in advance from them.

 

[jadelane1]

We've shipped stuff but really prefer to use the Garden Grocer since they deliver. It's less time spent at the store and more time with the family. You can always pick up anything little that you forgot in one of the stores in the park. I just like the fact that it saves me time.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I wouldn't bring anything extra with you since you are flying OR pay for a delivery service since you will have a car NO NEED

There is an AWESOME 24 hour Super Wal-Mart on SR 535 and Polynesian Isle Road just a few miles from DTD I shop there myself once a week for MAJOR food shopping ! The prices and selections are terrific

They also have about 4 aisles of authorized Disney stuff, shirts, towels, other souveniers to save more money

For buying gas for your rental vehicle there are 3 Hess stations on WDW property and the prices average 10 - 20 cents lower per gallon than "outside" the world you wouldn't think so but true

and this my friend is how the locals do it

 

[mamahas5]

I wouldn't bring anything extra with you since you are flying OR pay for a delivery service since you will have a car NO NEED

There is an AWESOME 24 hour Super Wal-Mart on SR 535 and Polynesian Isle Road just a few miles from DTD I shop there myself once a week for MAJOR food shopping ! The prices and selections are terrific

They also have about 4 aisles of authorized Disney stuff, shirts, towels, other souveniers to save more money

For buying gas for your rental vehicle there are 3 Hess stations on WDW property and the prices average 10 - 20 cents lower per gallon than "outside" the world you wouldn't think so but true

and this my friend is how the locals do it

You are awesome. Love me some insider tips!

 

[chartle]

I thought I had already posted this but as per the posts above. Its not like you are going to some isolated vacation spot that only has some little corner store to shop for food.

The area is a major metropolitan center with everything you would expect in your home town. Though there is one place you shouldn't shop at is Goodings in the Crossroads. I have heard its very expensive.

But anyway lets say it was 20% more for groceries. Think of it this way, what is your alternative? Eating every meal in a restaurant which would cost a lot more.

Now for us two trips ago, both driving, we took water and some groceries but still had to go to Walmart to get perishables that we needed for a lunch we took into TL. This last trip we took just what we needed for the trip down and then stopped at the Turkey Lake Walmart just north of WDW. In hindsight I would have just packed stuff. It was at the end of a 11+ hour drive at 10PM and we were just too wiped out for shopping.