Ship items or buy there?

[mom2clr]

We are planning on a trip to Orlando in May for the first time as a family since Sept ’09. (Previous trips to Disney were just oldest DD and I and we stayed onsite). We plan on staying at Windsor Hills. We stayed at a friend’s condo in Windsor Palms in ’09 and I know we went grocery shopping, but I can’t recall if we packed our toiletries and baby items.

My question is: for those of you that fly in and stay offsite, do you buy toiletries/baby items in Orlando or pack them? I’m curious if the prices are higher in the local Target/grocery store.

We are planning on flying JetBlue so we get to check 3 bags. I was thinking of just using the 3rd suitcase for baby items/snacks and only worry about breakfast/perishable items when we get there.

Any suggestions or thoughts?

Thanks

 

[sympatico]

We fly from Canada and I usually buy most stuff there. I bring my own shampoo, soap and small stuff like dryer sheets, dishwasher tabs, a few garbage bags, salt/pepper and any spices that I think I'd use (we eat out most of the time except breakfast). Prices aren't too bad between Target and Publix. If you've got the suitcase room then bring stuff with you. You can use it up and fill it with new clothes to take home.

 

[Brian Noble]

Things that I only use a little of (like shampoo) and aren't too big, I tend to bring with. Things that I am likely to use most/all of (snacks) or are bulky (water) I buy there.

 

[swilshire]

I drive, so that makes a difference, but I still only bring things that I've purchased at home on sale and/or with coupons at a big discount. I don't find the prices much different in Orlando than at home.

When I do fly, usually for work, I tend to bring a few things along if I check a bag just to avoid going to the store immediately.

Sheila

 

[Detailor]

We tend to take our individual toiletries, in small quantities, in our 3-1-1 ziplock bags and buy anything else that we need when we get there. But, then, we also tend to travel fairly light and have only packed carry-on luggage for the past five or six trips.

I agree with sympatico. I think that the prices at Target and Publix are pretty reasonable. We like that new Target store on SR-192 that's down the road from the Windsor Hills area, near Orange Lake Resort, and the Publix store that's on Vineland Avenue up by the Premium Outlets, just off International Drive. The Winn Dixie that's over in Lake Buena Vista area (nearish to Downtown Disney) is also pretty reasonably priced if you have (or get) one of their customer loyalty cards to get their weekly specials pricing.

Dick Taylor

 

[mom2clr]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I buy a lot of the baby items (wipes, diapers, etc) and our snacks at BJs so if I could save us a few bucks by just taking them with us as opposed to buying it, I feel like it makes more sense.

I'm sure we will get some souvenirs while there and can split up the clothing for the return home. Or I may just find an inexpensive suitcase that we can leave there.

Thanks again!

 

[Detailor]

I buy a lot of the baby items (wipes, diapers, etc) and our snacks at BJs...

Just a thought, there's a BJs in Orlando near the Mall at Millenia, Exit 78 of I-4. It's northeast of the Disney area - maybe 12 miles or so. That might save you the cost of another piece of luggage.

Dick Taylor

 

[disneynp]

i would bring my formula for sure. I packed the powder formula in cheked luggage and baby food but bought the plastic containers instead of glass. It was hard to find it when i realized i only packed one can.

 

[mom2clr]

Just a thought, there's a BJs in Orlando near the Mall at Millenia, Exit 78 of I-4. It's northeast of the Disney area - maybe 12 miles or so. That might save you the cost of another piece of luggage.

Dick Taylor

If I bought items at BJs there, I would have ALOT leftover so I would probably need the extra suitcase anyway. We each get a free bag with Jetblue and there are 3 of us with seats so 3 bags is plenty for clothes and everything else. Thanks for the heads up though. We can probably pick up water and coldcuts there.

 

[mom2clr]

i would bring my formula for sure. I packed the powder formula in cheked luggage and baby food but bought the plastic containers instead of glass. It was hard to find it when i realized i only packed one can.

We don't need formula this time around. Baby will be 14months at time of travel so either she will still be nursing or drinking regular milk. And unlike my older DD, she loves table food. By far the cheaper child of the 2.