Plan for our arrival

[Patrick61]

Dw and I taking kids in 38 days (Birthday present for me!). Plan to not use Magic express on arrival, rent car at airport for the day and go to Winn Dixie on 535 to fill up on food, snacks and liquids for our stay (AoA, micro and fridge in room). Plan on getting extra foam cooler, as unsure if fridge will be big enough. Will get their rewards card before, or when we're there. Anybody else do this? Thoughts, tips on what worked, didn'the work for you?

Cheers,
Patrick

 

[kjw42]

Happy Birthday! We did not stop at a grocery as we flew on SW and was able to take a fair bit of food in our extra luggage. We did stop at a gas station and got milk, juice etc. and just restocked on the way back to the resort from the parks as the fridge didn't hold a lot.If your planning on a lot of refrigerated good I would bring/buy a cooler.

Loved the freedom of the rental car. Getting out of and back into MCO was a bit of a hassle, but worth it.

 

[mousehockey37]

We get a car service to pick us up, and a grocery stop is included. We do the same thing.. supermarket sweep stuff... case of water, lunchmeat, bread, small bottles of ketchup, mustard, cookies, snacks, soda, tea, etc... It's a costs a little bit, but saves a ton when you can eat a sandwich in the room for lunch instead of paying at a QS... Also good for the later night snacks when you don't want to get hit hard for ordering room service or something.

 

[kymom99]

Id pack some paper products in my luggage rather than buy them at publix. The cooler is a good idea. We did that in California. Our fridge was the smallest I had ever seen.

 

[LovesTimone]

You could use garden grocer and have your items delivered to the resort. Then you could use DME, you just need to weigh the cost of each.

You could pack a collapsible cooler, to use for the over flow. They now have a lot of different size's. We have one that folds down to nothing, we use it all the time It holds quite a lot, I think like 24 or 30 cans is the measurement. I think I got it at Bass pro shop, or Cabelas. As far as the foam cooler, I don't trust them... which means if someone kicks it, sit on it, overfills it then try's to move it or whatever, you can have water issue real fast and then where do you put the stuff inside.... in other words been there done that.

Using a car service is another option, with one stop. Know where you want to stop, have your list, divided and conquer. We have some friends that go this route and stop where there is a Publix, a sub shop, either subway or Jimmy johns, and a Walgreens w/Liquor store in the parking lot. She shops the ad online the morning they leave to come see Mickey and the Gang, at Publix you can print a list by aisle for the store you are going... to make things quicker, she even brings coupons to use.

 

[kymom99]

Our foam cooler held up for a 10 day trip. We once packed a collapsible cooler and it leaked all over the carpet in our room.

I assume you have weighed out the car vs. DME. We have done it both ways. Having the freedom to get what you need is a good feeling. One trip I needed something from a drug store and was able to go to Walgreens without wasting any time figuring out how I was going to get there. We also made our reservation at boma that we otherwise would have had to cancel if we didn't have a vehicle.

 

[crisi]

We also made our reservation at boma that we otherwise would have had to cancel if we didn't have a vehicle.

We take cabs for things like that. A few cab rides and grocery delivery turn out to be cheaper than a rental for us - and FAR less hassle

 

[kymom99]

We take cabs for things like that. A few cab rides and grocery delivery turn out to be cheaper than a rental for us - and FAR less hassle

When we fly we don't rent. But sometimes we drive. They both have their advantages

 

[TwoMisfits]

Dw and I taking kids in 38 days (Birthday present for me!). Plan to not use Magic express on arrival, rent car at airport for the day and go to Winn Dixie on 535 to fill up on food, snacks and liquids for our stay (AoA, micro and fridge in room). Plan on getting extra foam cooler, as unsure if fridge will be big enough. Will get their rewards card before, or when we're there. Anybody else do this? Thoughts, tips on what worked, didn'the work for you?

Cheers,
Patrick

I always have a full kitchen when I stay, but since you won't, I'd suggest the following...

Plastic Utensils, Paper Plates, Ziplocs, and Paper Towels are a must (cups, too, unless you are doing all single serve drinks). Save the grocery bags you get when shopping for extra trash bags - you'll need them.

You can't go wrong with shelf-stable fruits - Apples/Oranges/Clementines/Bananas (get some really green and some yellow)/Pears/Dried raisins or craisins/Fruit cups - you won't have the fridge space to fit quickly degrading fruits (like berries, peaches, grapes, etc), so don't buy them.

For the kids, I'd buy peanut butter and nutella (not jelly, since jelly needs to be refrigerated once open and you won't want to use the space). A nice lunch option would be PB/Choco/banana (one side peanut butter, one side nutella, with 1/2 a sliced banana in between - very kid popular). I'd also buy single serve microwavable mac and cheese cups. If you don't use them, you can throw them in your luggage home, but if you do and need them, they are a lifesaver.

Heck, single serve lunch/dinner meals for you would also be a potential life saver (and again, if you don't use them, throw them in your luggage) - my favorites are campbell's chili (great with chips) and pasta barilla pasta ones, but pick what you like.

I'd also buy single serve and shelf-stable everything drinks. I'd get chocolate milk (for the kids), white milk for coffee or frappucinos/iced coffee (for adults), bottled water, iced tea or sodas, and juices. I'd assume each person would drink 3-4 12-16oz shelf-stable beverages a day plus cups of water in the parks, so that should help find an amount to get.

As for snacks, for park ones, I enjoy rice krispie treats, make my own trail mix (nuts, m&ms, dried fruits), cheez-its, etc. When it comes to snacks and desserts, focus on ones you can take with you or eat there or which stay fine at room temp.

As for having the extra cooler, you can - if you did, I'd buy the lunch meat and cheese fixings you like and a tiny jar of mayo (and shelf stable tomatoes and onions with rolls/bagels). You could easily do sandwich/fruit/snack with drink all week for next-to-nothing compared to Disney prices (and you can bring it in the park if you buy the ziplocs and the rolls/bagels which don't squash).

And finally don't bring dinky toiletries - just buy a regular size one onsite (bring toothbrushes and razors and combs/brushes, but if it's liquid, leave it home) - have everyone use the same shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.

 

[kymom99]

I always have a full kitchen when I stay, but since you won't, I'd suggest the following...

Plastic Utensils, Paper Plates, Ziplocs, and Paper Towels are a must (cups, too, unless you are doing all single serve drinks). Save the grocery bags you get when shopping for extra trash bags - you'll need them.

You can't go wrong with shelf-stable fruits - Apples/Oranges/Clementines/Bananas (get some really green and some yellow)/Pears/Dried raisins or craisins/Fruit cups - you won't have the fridge space to fit quickly degrading fruits (like berries, peaches, grapes, etc), so don't buy them.

For the kids, I'd buy peanut butter and nutella (not jelly, since jelly needs to be refrigerated once open and you won't want to use the space). A nice lunch option with be PB/Choco/banana (one side peanut butter, one side nutella, with 1/2 a sliced banana in between - very kid popular). I'd also buy single serve microwavable mac and cheese cups. If you don't use them, you can throw them in your luggage home, but if you do and need them, they are a lifesaver.

Heck, single serve lunch/dinner meals for you would also be a potential life saver (and again, if you don't use them, throw them in your luggage) - my favorites are campbell's chili (great with chips) and pasta barilla pasta ones, but pick what you like.

I'd also buy single serve and shelf-stable everything drinks. I'd get chocolate milk (for the kids), white milk for coffee or frappucinos/iced coffee (for adults), bottled water, iced tea or sodas, and juices. I'd assume each person would drink 3-4 12-16oz shelf-stable beverages a day plus cups of water in the parks, so that should help find an amount to get.

As for snacks, for park ones, I enjoy rice krispie treats, make my own trail mix (nuts, m&ms, dried fruits), cheez-its, etc. When it comes to snacks and desserts, focus on ones you can take with you or eat there or which stay fine at room temp.

As for having the extra cooler, you can - if you did, I'd buy the lunch meat and cheese fixings you like and a tiny jar of mayo (and shelf stable tomatoes and onions with rolls/bagels). You could easily do sandwich/fruit/snack with drink all week for next-to-nothing compared to Disney prices (and you can bring it in the park if you buy the ziplocs and the rolls/bagels which don't squash).

And finally don't bring dinky toiletries - just buy a regular size one onsite (bring toothbrushes and razors and combs/brushes, but if it's liquid, leave it home) - have everyone use the same shampoo, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc.

Tortillas make a good bread substitute also. My son spent the summer with a conservation group and they used tortillas to pack lunch because they don't smash.
Also, a decent block of cheese and some crackers make a good snack or light meal if paired with some fruit. It also doesn't take up much space.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would line the foam cooler with a garbage bag just in case the cooler happens to leak.

 

[pearlieq]

Unless you have a particular affinity for Winn Dixie, I'd shop at the WalMart Supercenter on 535 instead. It's chaotic and lacking in ambiance, but you'll be able to find anything you'll need and much cheaper than regular Winn Dixie prices.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I enjoy Winn Dixie - it's closer and makes for a very convenient stop after a Sweet Tomatoes meal. I find you won't pay much more (and may pay less) depending how their specials line up to your needs...and it's SO much less crowded...and it's got a lovely liquor store across from it, where you might also want to stock up.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Oh, and since I skipped breakfast...
I always started my kids with juice or milk, 1/2 an apple, and the item of their choice. With no freezer or oven, that's a little limiting (no bacon, eggs, pancakes, etc), but I'd have a few boxes of cereal (or those single serve multipacks) - my kids eat it dry out of boxes so we never need bowls, a few boxes of muffin mini-packs, and some shelf-stable yogurts (GoGo Squeez has a new set) to go along with the bagels I already mentioned. I'd also buy a box of mini donuts as a treat for that morning where you have to bribe your kids to eat anything or when you want to feel like you're on vacation - it has the advantage of also being dessert possbility in the evenings.

 

[kydisneyfans]

My last Winn Dixie trip was a waste of time and I ended up at Walmart due to prices. Most things were in the same price range as the Disney gift shops. The last few trips we have done delivery service(wegoshop or dizzy dolphin). The last trip we just had drinks/snacks shipped via Amazon pantry. It depends on how long the trip is and how many are going to determine what we do. We are using DME this time but I may rent a car for a day onsite for groceries. If not, one of delivery services will be used.

As for refrigerator, it depends on resort. We are DVC and a full fridge in the condo. We stayed at Pop for a short weekend in April though, the fridge was a standard mini size.

 

[brockash]

Dw and I taking kids in 38 days (Birthday present for me!). Plan to not use Magic express on arrival, rent car at airport for the day and go to Winn Dixie on 535 to fill up on food, snacks and liquids for our stay (AoA, micro and fridge in room). Plan on getting extra foam cooler, as unsure if fridge will be big enough. Will get their rewards card before, or when we're there. Anybody else do this? Thoughts, tips on what worked, didn'the work for you?

Cheers,
Patrick

We just order from garden grocer and the groceries are there when we arrive. I'm guessing you'd save money since you wouldn't have to rent a car then (if that's the only thing you're renting a car for.)