Prices of Garden Grocer vs. FW stores vs. having to go to walmart

[lklasing]

We're booked for our Thanksgiving trip!!! Having just been there (and clearly having been hooked on all things Fort Wilderness) in May, it's still surprising to me that we're going back already, but that's the draw that the Fort had on us!

Anyway, on to my question of the moment:

We are traveling to the Fort on Thanksgiving Day. We will take a towncar service to get to WDW, which includes a 30 minute trip to Publix, but alas, Publix is closed on Thanksgiving. The towncar service we use will take us to the Walmart, but I really hate to go there. So, I'm wondering whether either Garden Grocer or the trading posts at FW are a good alternative for us. I know they both will be more expensive, but how much more expensive would they be than walmart? Also, if you had to choose one over the other, which would you choose?

The towncar service will take us to walmart on Thanksgiving, since Publix is closed, but I hate to spend too much time on arrival day at walmart....

Thanks for any replies!

Leslie

 

[DznyRulz]

We usually shop at the Super Wally World in Kissimmee and may use Publix if needed. I don't really pay attention to the prices at The Fort since we don't shop for those items but this may give you some idea as to the cost over the alternatives.

 

[DisCamper]

We found that the produce at the trading post was about the same price as Wal-mart on 535 the trading post was better quality.

 

[ntsammy5]

Some things at the trading post are very, very expensive. Never bought any produce there -- never even saw any for that matter but I've never even looked. I can tell you that a beer is about 6 times as expensive there as it is at Wallyworld.

Never used Garden Grocer but people on the Dis generally rave about it.

 

[2goofycampers]

If money is a concern I would choose WM, if not Garden Grocer, if your a millionaire The Fort stores. With a few people all armed with different lists at WM you could be in and out quickly.

 

[Pirate-Jeff]

How about the super Target

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Some items at the Trading Post really aren't that bad. Bread and baked goods are the going rate - you pay what Enteman's stamps on the box. Alcohol and soda are outrageous.

 

[Mary2e]

I just placed an order with Garden Grocer and the prices were about the same as my local supermarket in NJ.

Some items were slightly more expensive, but I also put a value on my vacation time. I would rather not spend a few hours going to an unfamiliar grocery store, and having to spend time just looking for what I want.

 

[clkelley]

I don't see a big problem with the Wal-Mart. I've never been able to get a towncar driver to take me to even Publix. They've always wanted to go to Goodings or a convenience store. Never would go to Wal-Mart.

Of course I always go to Wal-Mart at home, so I'm familiar with the layout.

 

[PixieDust32]

Wal Mart! Way better.

 

[jeeperwy]

We used Garden Grocer, bought about $60 worth of groceries that would have probably cost $50 at home. I felt the $10 plus the tip was well worth my time. We also had NO problems with them. They were right on time, brought the food to our cabin, unloaded it, and left. It was GREAT. I would highly recommend them.

HTH!
Kari

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We used Garden Grocer, bought about $60 worth of groceries that would have probably cost $50 at home. I felt the $10 plus the tip was well worth my time. We also had NO problems with them. They were right on time, brought the food to our cabin, unloaded it, and left. It was GREAT. I would highly recommend them.

HTH!
Kari

Yeah, I've heard some good things about Garden Grocer. I think if I didn't have the means to do my Publix run, I'd use them.

 

[Skyw]

I would do Walmart. If you are a good planner I hear Garden Grocer is great. I did Publix last year and LOVED it. I am sorry to hear that it is closed. Here is my 2 cents on WM. I don't usually find good steaks there. I like Filets. I don't find good deli stuff there. And the seafood is not great. But if you are looking for regular food it should be fine. I shop there at home but make an extra stop to Marsh's for my meat.

 

[Escape Artist]

I shop like the previous poster...basics at Wal-Mart, any "special" stuff--like good steaks--from somewhere else. So if you just want cereal, milk, granola bars, that kind of stuff, WM is fine.

To me, the key to efficient shopping at Wal-Mart is to know where almost everything is before you get there. Since almost every Wal-Mart is laid out basically the same way, if you know where things are in the one at home, you won't have too much trouble in ones away from home. (My kids can tell as soon as we get in the door if it's a "regular" Wal-Mart--i.e. what we're used to, vs. a "backwards" Wal-Mart--the mirror image layout. We shop there alot!)

If you want to buy groceries, make sure you stop at a "Wal-Mart Super Center" and that your one at home is a Super Center too, or you'll take a lot longer and be disappointed. The grocery selection at a regular Wal-Mart is pretty lame if you're used to shopping at a Super Center.

We make picking up the "vacation" groceries part of the adventure...my kids get to buy lots of things--like marshmallows and those little cereals in individual boxes--that they never get at home. Their excitement is part of my fun, as are paying Wal-Mart prices for sodas and wine! But if you've got little kids (or mega-shoppers) you might be better off leaving them in the towncar with your sweetie while you powershop.

I'd also check your airplane schedule...if you think you'd be going to Wal-Mart at a really busy time of the day or day of the week, I'd use Garden Grocer for sure. I hate dealing with crowds, whether for shopping or for theme park attractions!

If you only pick up a few things at the trading post during your stay, it doesn't feel so exorbitant!

Sue in Texas
...who tries to never wait more than about 20 minutes for checkout lines or rides...

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I would do Walmart. If you are a good planner I hear Garden Grocer is great. I did Publix last year and LOVED it. I am sorry to hear that it is closed. Here is my 2 cents on WM. I don't usually find good steaks there. I like Filets. I don't find good deli stuff there. And the seafood is not great. But if you are looking for regular food it should be fine. I shop there at home but make an extra stop to Marsh's for my meat.

I think it's only closed Thanksgiving day. Not sure if you thought Publix was closed permanently or not.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We make picking up the "vacation" groceries part of the adventure.....

The grocery shopping has become a tradition for us too. It makes packing for the trip less hectic, since you don't have to shop prior to leaving and load up the camper with food. So we have enough food to get to WDW and get through the first day when we check in. Then our first full day we hit Publix and the Big Giant Orange for the weeks provisions. I realize this might be hard with little kids, but since we are now a couple of old farts and if we bring the kids, they are adults, it really doesn't cut into our vacation at all.

 

[ammie98]

We stopped at Winn Dixie right on 535 north of the entrance to Disney before we checked in at the Fort. The prices were pretty reasonable. It was nice not to have to leave the grounds for the week since we bought just enough to last us. We also signed up on line for the discount card and got it in the mail before we left. Hope this helps! only 10 months and 21 days til our next trip to the Fort!

 

[Mr Man]

Walmart is generally going to be the best deal IMO. This is usually where we go....... however, I have done Publix a few times down there and really like their selection (their Deli kicks some serious butt). You pay a bit more from Walmart, but it was worth is to us.

Nowadays we order our groceries online from wegoshop and have them delivered to where we are staying. Marge has done an excellent job for us each time we have used their service. She will go wherever you ask and simply charges a fee on top of whatever the receipt says. We then tip 15% on top of this (just cuz, have no idea what is considered appropriate for this kind of service).

Last time we were at WDW, we ordered groceries for 16 people & Marge "nailed" the order. Even called us twice to see about substitutions.

I haven't tried Garden Grocer yet but have heard good things about it also.

Regards,

 

[jimlin]

Forget buying at the trading post if at all possible. Prices are sooo high it's crazy. If you don't like walmart go elsewhere. Winn Dixie will be open thanksgiving day, if there is one near. Walmart didn't run our mom's and pop's out,,,,, they were long gone when wallyworld showed up.

Jim

 

[ftwildernessguy]

In all fairness to the trading post, you can't beat it for an item you may have forgotten or ran out of, like milk or eggs. With gas at 4 bucks a gallon, I'll get this stuff at the Meadows rather than run off post for it. But if I run out of booze, I'll stop by Gatordad's or Stacktester's and stock up.