Should I order groceries or eat out?

[ogorchock]

We're going for 7 nights 8 days, staying at the WL, and I'm trying to decide what to do about food. Should we order food from GardenGrocer or eat all of our meals at restaurants and CS. I want to eat somewhat healthy but I don't want to buy food and not eat it (or pay the $17 delivery fee if we're not going to have time to eat the food). Do any of you have a quick breakfast in your room before venturing out for the day? Do you ever eat a sandwich when you come back to the resort for a swim/rest in the middle of the day? I was thinking about buying staples like milk, Diet Coke, water, pretzels/snacks, cereal, fruit, bread and pnut butter---but will we eat it? Do you get tired of Disney food?

And, don't get me wrong. I have some ADRs (CRT, LeCellier, Artist's Point) and have gotten great suggestions for CS from this Board. I'm looking forward to some good meals in the parks and resorts.

 

[Harambe]

We've done concierge the last few trips, and have really enjoyed having that continental-type breakfast before heading out to the parks. Prior to that, one of us would schlep down to the food court in our resort to pick up something for our breakfast, or we'd pick up something sweet before leaving the parks at night to munch in our room in the morning.

LOVE having something quick and healthy before heading to the ol' bus stop! This year we are at OKW, and I plan on doing a grocery delivery to have breakfast items available. Cost isn't a reason at all - it's having a somewhat normal breakfast to get us going, rather than eating a greasy bagel sandwich (too big) or pastry bought the evening before (too sweet).

So - fruit, cereal and milk, toast and peanut butter, bran muffins and yogurt, plus OJ and coffee stuff - we'll have that delivered along with our soda/water and laundry supplies.

 

[Dorisk3]

I would get a few breakfast things to have a nice light breakfast before heading out and also a few snacks and fruit to have around the room when you get back. Also nice would be water and drinks. That should see you through I think. Everyone is different- but for me part of the fun of the vacation is for once not having to coordinate everyone's 3 meals a day. Easy breakfast is no problem- cereal can be eaten out of a mug- and rinsed easy enough. I personally wouldn't go too heavy on the sandwich stuff- they are not cheap- but they have a nice selection of sandwiches at Roaring Forks (see allearsnet.com for the menu).

 

[Pumbaa_]

Are you staying in the villas or the hotel at WL?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I would skip ordering grocery's.

I rent a car for one day which may cost about $30.So if you are pay someone $17 to do the shopping for you why not spend another $13 and do it yourself.

Here is what I have done in the past. You can rent a car from Avis or Dollar. They both have a pick up location at 2 different hotels very close to Downtown Disney. One is a 5 minute walk from the Downtown Disney bus stop which is the Dollar rental & Avis is a 10 minute walk.

While you have a car take the family off property to eat. A short 5 minute car ride from Downtown Disney is a Ci Ci pizza. If you are not familiar with the pizza place it is an all you can eat pizza buffet. They have many different pizza, pasta and a salad bar. The best thing is that the cost is less than $5 a person. Bet you can't find a deal like this at Disney.

So if you eat just one meal off property rather than at Disney while you have the rental car, the amount of money you just saved to eat off property will pay for the rental car and you also were able to grocery shop. You also have the freedom to go anywhere else while you have a car.

Just remember when checking in at Disney to tell them you have a car and they will give you a free parking pass for the entire length of your stay.

Just some food for thought!

 

[ogorchock]

We are not staying at the Villas. Just a regular Courtyard view room.

 

[B-Ride]

We always get enough groceries to eat breakfast in our room. It is convenient to have a light breakfast while you are getting organized for the day. If you don't want to go shopping the resorts have things like breakfast cereal, milk and some baked goods that are worth the small premium you pay.

Beyond that we eat all of our meals and snacks at the parks. It is easy and to be honest with you, all part of the Disney experience.

 

[debbiepump]

Even though we stay in the Villas on our trips, we've learned not to take or buy a bunch of food (no kids, just adults, though). We'll bring breakfast food and maybe some cheese/crackers, etc. Have found out through the years we 'graze' so much while at the parks, we just don't need much more to eat.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We bring a box of cereal, jar of peanut butter, plastic bowls and spoons in our carry on luggage. Then we buy milk and a loaf of bread in the giftshop of the hotel. There's actually a lot of grocery items for sale in the Wilderness Lodge giftshop.

 

[tndisneyfan]

We drive down so we take our snacks with us to WDW, we prefer to do that than try to find a grocery store. We usually end up takiing a lot of our snacks and drinks back with us. I would be careful about how much you buy since you won't be able to take it back home with you. It isn't much of a savings if you end up throwing away half of what you bought.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I like having snacks and breakfast stuff in the room, but would go crazy if I had to eat meals in the room. For one, we don't want to stop our park time and trek to teh hotel to eat PB&J in the room. You miss a couple hours of park time so it's not worth saving the $.

I have always found plenty of variety at WDW, even at CS spots. They do a good job of serving diff stuff - check out the CS menus ahead of time so you can get a feel for what serves what.

Your fridge won't be that large so don't plan on buying much refrigerated stuff.

 

[pooch]

on our trip several years ago and nobody ate ANY of it!! Didn't want food out of Mom's suitcase on vacation. If you want to save $, there are many CS places that serve good food in huge portions. Split these. We were able to get 2 CS meals & have more than enough for 4 people.