Publix or Walmart for groceries?

[Jana49]

My family and I have rented a house near WDW, and plan to buy breakfast and dinner groceries, and paper goods, nearby. Which is closer to WDW, Publix or SuperWalmart? Which has the best prices?

TIA for any advice.

 

[sholey01]

We went to Walmart. I have never been to Publix so I can not comment on their prices. Walmart was real busy.

 

[f.chadw]

I stay as far away as possible from ANY Wal-Mart. Can't stand the stores. Would rather pay more somewhere else over giving that place a penny.

 

[Dax]

Do you have an exact location? Super Target is also an option...

 

[DisneyLoverUSA]

We went to the Walmart at 3250 Vineland Rd. It's just about 3 miles from WDW. We had a few other things besides groceries to get so we chose Walmart over just a plain old grocery store.

The prices we paid at Walmart were the same kind of prices we pay here at home. Nothing was expensive.

They actually have an entire section of Disney shirts, hats, souvenirs at half what you would pay for the stuff in the park.

 

[momm2four]

WalMart's everyday prices are lower than Publix any day. I shop at Publix much more here at home because I coupon pretty heavily and I get way better deals there, but for vacation shopping with no coupons, I would vote for Walmart (And if you are a couponer, remember that publix in Florida DON"T double coupons)

 

[swilshire]

WalMart's everyday prices are lower than Publix any day. I shop at Publix much more here at home because I coupon pretty heavily and I get way better deals there, but for vacation shopping with no coupons, I would vote for Walmart (And if you are a couponer, remember that publix in Florida DON"T double coupons)

Nor does Walmart, of course. You can shop from the Publix sale ad and avoid the crowds at Walmart. We stopped at a Walmart near Universal once and every open register was lined up with foreign nationals with a huge cart of small items. I guess our dollar against their currency was so low that they were stocking up before returning home. We were in line for 1 1/2 hours to pick up a few groceries. It was crazy!

Sheila

 

[mhsjax]

WalMart's everyday prices are lower than Publix any day. I shop at Publix much more here at home because I coupon pretty heavily and I get way better deals there, but for vacation shopping with no coupons, I would vote for Walmart (And if you are a couponer, remember that publix in Florida DON"T double coupons)

Not true on all items. There are plenty of items that I purchase that are in fact cheaper at Publix. I wold also never buy produce or meat at Walmart. Bad experiences with me and also friends of mine. Not to mention, Walmart doesn't carry some things I use and my time money and sanity is worth more than any savings I could ever accumulate at any Walmart.

And true, they don't double, but you can shop thier sales and match up coupons and get out fairly comparable to Wally world.

 

[prncess674]

Neither is definitively better on price on every item. You probably should plan on a basic menu for your vacation, but somehow people tend to get more lazy as vacation goes on, so maybe plan on two smaller trips. Also remember to pack little ziploc baggies of spices for any recipes since spices can be very expensive.

 

[wbeem]

I live between a Publix and Super Walmart. I go to Publix because I can't stand Walmart. That said, Publix prices can be absurd, but there's a way around it.

Let me give you an example. I like Post Cranberry Almond Crunch cereal. Publix sells it for $4.39 for a 13oz box. The Super Target near here sells it for a dollar less regularly. Walmart, I dunno.

However, Publix routinely does "Buy One, Get One" deals on products and this is one of them. So when those come around, I'll buy 10 boxes. That provides the lowest price for this product and lasts the roughly 6-8 weeks until the BOGO comes around again.

You can check the Publix weekly ad online to see what's available.

http://weeklyad.publix.com/publix/default.aspx?action=entryflash&CatTreeID=5117977

 

[racechick8293]

There are several Walmarts in the WDW area. There are many Publix and Winn Dixie stores. There are also two Targets in the area, at least one of which is a SuperTarget. It would be most helpful for you to go to each store's website and get an idea of the locations and prices via the sales flyers.

Walmarts in the area are extremely crowded. I dislike Walmarts in general and try to stay away from them unless absolutely necessary. Publix and Winn Dixie are more expensive than Walmart or Target. Of Publix and Winn Dixie, I prefer Publix. Their made to order deli subs are usually good, and reasonably priced. Publix has good sales, but their regular prices tend to be on the high side. IMHO, the best store in the WDW area for groceries and essentials is the SuperTarget on 192 near the 429 on/off ramp.

Also, you may already know this, but the Walmarts and Targets in the WDW area have fairly decent selections of Disney merchandise at pretty good prices.

 

[jodifla]

Publix all the way!

 

[Jana49]

Thank you all for the advice! It's very helpful.

 

[SamSam]

When we vacation at WDW we always shop at Publix and Target. Love Publix Deli!

 

[SandrA9810]

I prefer Publix. Less lines, less hassle. And it is cheaper, because there's not a million other things there to distract you... like Disney Tees and other stuff you don't really need.

It's easier to say no when you're at Disney and the prices are high. But when it's cheap, it's easy to go overboard.

 

[Marionnette]

I can only speak from experience with one Publix and that is the one on Vineland Ave. I found it to be well stocked and very clean. They had a helpful staff and short lines. The aisles were clearly marked and it was easy to find everything on my list.

Coming from PA, where wine and other alcohol can only be purchased at "State" stores, I was surprised to not only see those items available in a grocery store, but to see that they had an extensive selection of wine, beer, wine coolers and hard liquor.

I did not purchase a lot of fresh produce but the bananas and berries that I got were not any more pricey than they are at home. The berries were fresh and not bruised. The bananas were not green.

They had a good selection of rice, almond and soy milks for those who do not use cow's milk. Lots of refrigerated juices, bottled water and coffee choices.

Overall, I felt that the prices were not outrageous when you consider that they are located in a tourist area. And they even offered to help me take my bags to my car (not a service that you get often in the North).

 

[lakelandgal70]

I do not shop at Walmart cause of crowds and honestly I spent way more there than I do at Publix and Target combined. Super Targets are really nice too.

 

[amykay9377]

My family and I have rented a house near WDW, and plan to buy breakfast and dinner groceries, and paper goods, nearby. Which is closer to WDW, Publix or SuperWalmart? Which has the best prices?

TIA for any advice.

Don't let anyone's WalMart hate dissuade you from going to Walmart. People have preferences! I honestly LOVE both Walmart and Publix and shop at both weekly in my town. I find that when I'm on vacation or out of town with family and I need something, I'll still go to Publix or WM!

I think it depends on what you plan to cook for breakfast and dinner. SuperWalmart will have cereals, milk, eggs, breakfast meats (sausage, bacon). They'll have disposable paper goods (such as plates, cups and napkins). They have multipacks of bottled water (stock up and avoid buying at the parks!) All of it will be cheaper than Publix's every day prices. Publix will have all of this as well, but it will cost more.

IF you are planning to cook actual MEAT for dinner (pot roast, hamburgers, beef wellington ) - as in from the Meat Department - I will tell you to go to Publix. I've found the chicken at Walmart to be slimy, the chub ground beef made me sick, and (at my WM), the seafood dept always smelled funny. If you are going to nuke frozen dinners or heat up a Stouffer's lasagna, I see no reason you shouldn't go to Walmart.

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[formill]

We found Wal Mart had the cheapest prices. Super Target was pretty good too. Publix always seemed to cost that little bit more. Super Target even had whole fresh hot chickens for $2.99 one night! We always pay $8.99 here for them. I never found any grocery stores to have hard liquor- but wine and beer only and wine/beer based coolers. Wal Marts had a separate entrance outside for a little liquor store.

 

[Jana49]

Thank you all so much!