Stocking the Frig

[MtMinnie2]

We just returned from a 5 night stay at BLT. The next time we go I want to make sure that bottled water is available for us. Do most of you order your groceries in or do you have the limo service which will stop and let you pick up a few items? We are from Montana and will not have our own car. I was thinking of doing one of the limo services rather than riding the disney express bus. Also what types of items do you have besides bottled water? Thanks for any input.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have done both but we usually take DME ('cuz it's FREE) and place a small grocery order with Garden Grocer that includes a case or 2 of water, diet coke, milk, Gatorade & a case of beer. We use studios and I don't really want to cook on vacation so mostly we just order snacks & breakfast foods. (I have also ordered a case of water from Costco before.) We usually just do quick stuff like bagels with cream cheese and doughnuts.

 

[lovin'fl]

We usually have driven down from NC and now MD (moved to MD in 2007). We bring groceries and/or stop at the store near WDW. Our last trip, this past Dec, we flew for the very 1st time. We ordered from WeGoShop (they shop for you and you can ask for anything you want...you don't have to pick from a select list. The fee for us was @$15...I think and our food order bill came to about $45. We tipped the delivery gal on top of all that...I think too much cause I was in a hurry and didn't think...I gave her a $12 tip). We ordered danishes, variety pack cereal, bagels, cream cheese, oatmeal, grapes, nannas, coffee, sugar, milk, apple juice pouches and a case of water bottles. I did not get any snacks as we eat a ton at WDW and figured we'd find tons of treats out and about around WDW. We checked in (around 5:15 pm) and our order arrived 15 minutes later. We paid and put the food away and headed out for a late night at MK (including ADRs for Liberty Tree Tavern at 7:50). It worked out perfectly.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Coming from Minnesota, we usually fly, but I don't feel I can be without a car no matter where I go, so we always have one reserved at the airport. Depending on the price on a given trip, sometimes we turn it in the next day at Disney and re-rent as it gets toward the end of our trip, but usually we just rent a car for the week. That way we aren't held prisoner by Disney's food choices. We usually shop at Publix or Target and usually only make one grocery run. Well, except for bread and sometimes salad fixings that need to be replenished. We eat a lot of fresh food, so I like to have the option of going to the grocery when I want to. I also HATE relying on someone else to pick out my fresh produce, so grocery delivery isn't really an option for me.

Given the cost of the limos/town cars, I'd rent the car instead.

 

[disneynutz]

Several years ago we started renting a car for part of our stay or the entire stay depending on the rate. We stock the frig the same as if we were home and we also eat some meals off property.

Bill

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we use gardengrocer.com. we get a case of water, milk for the kids, snacks for the parks, and breaky items. that way we can eat and then go vs wait at any of the food courts for breaky. its reasonably priced compared to the grocery site dvc promotes and ive never had any issues over five trips using them. our 2nd time our milk went bad before we even opened it, called themup and they replaced it free of charge.

 

[Jenbabe411]

We got a van last trip and included in the price was a 30 minute stop at the grocery store. Worked well for us!

 

[SusieBea]

We just returned from a 5 night stay at BLT. The next time we go I want to make sure that bottled water is available for us. Do most of you order your groceries in or do you have the limo service which will stop and let you pick up a few items? We are from Montana and will not have our own car. I was thinking of doing one of the limo services rather than riding the disney express bus. Also what types of items do you have besides bottled water? Thanks for any input.

We always have a vehicle so usually make one grocery run for pop, beer, wine, bread, pbutter, cheese, salad, breakfast items, etc. One time we were there for a short trip, so I ordered from Garden Grocer. They did everything they said they would do - were there when they said they would be, the order was complete, and they called about 15 minutes after delivery to see if we were happy. I would use them again. I always take a Brita so we don't buy much water. That's probably not an option in your situation.

 

[psac]

We got a van last trip and included in the price was a 30 minute stop at the grocery store. Worked well for us!

We did the same thing, we used Tiffany town cars, and they include a 30 minute stop. That includes the check out, so you really have 20 minutes to shop, but we used about 5 because we felt like we were in one of those contests where you had to rush and we ran around the store. The car driver was shocked we were done so fast. Anyway, they take you to a large Publix supermarket, which was still higher priced than I expected, but cheaper than buying at disney. We got two cases (24-pk) of bottled water, cereal, snacks (chips, entenman's cookies, etc.), and coffee. Just getting those items saved us a lot on water and breakfasts on site. We also don't like having our luggage travel without us (bad incident somewhere else), so we'll never take DME.

 

[lgates63]

We always rent a car for the longer trips (more than 5 days) - more for convenience and flexibility. Tend to go to the Winn-Dixie store that is just north of Downtown Disney. It is in a small plaza with a liquor store, and I think there might be a pharmacy across the street.

Several years ago, I applied for a Winn-Dixie Customer Reward card - it allows me to get the "sale" prices on the advertised products. Go to their website for info.....

I start collecting coupons that would be useful ahead of time and keep them in an envelope just for this trip.

I KNOW we save a bundle .... and it really doesn't take long if you plan in advance.

Lori

 

[Sandy321]

We used wegoshop - I like the personal service we have received from Amy. I always check the weekly ad at Publix.com to compile my shopping list. We get coffee (one year forgot to bring coffee filters, called Amy, and she took care of it for us!) This time we got the bottled water (I always ask for best price, not brand) chocolate milk, coconut water (all for the Marathon, replinish electrolytes) bananas, cereal, milk, frozen breakfast sandwiches (Jimmy Dean carries them) I noticed on publix.com they had the Rosa Regale Champagne (in Italy, the red stuff! Not sure the price per glass now at least $10) for $16! That was a score for us!! Then we got a Belgium Beer (again it was in the ad!) that we hadnt tried before, but was delicious...

not sure what else we ordered, but we have also called Publix and ordered a specialty cake, and one time ordered one of their platters! Just put it in the order to pick up the specialty items!

Our items were delivered to bell services - again, we call when we arrive and discuss delivery options!

(PS - we take Magical Express so we dont have to drive around, esp Marathon weekend, its crazy out there! BUT we do NOT tag our luggage, we bring it from the airport to the ME and then to our room)

 

[Anal Annie]

We did the same thing, we used Tiffany town cars, and they include a 30 minute stop. That includes the check out, so you really have 20 minutes to shop, but we used about 5 because we felt like we were in one of those contests where you had to rush and we ran around the store. The car driver was shocked we were done so fast. Anyway, they take you to a large Publix supermarket, which was still higher priced than I expected, but cheaper than buying at disney. We got two cases (24-pk) of bottled water, cereal, snacks (chips, entenman's cookies, etc.), and coffee. Just getting those items saved us a lot on water and breakfasts on site. We also don't like having our luggage travel without us (bad incident somewhere else), so we'll never take DME.

The one time we used a car service (Happy Limo) we also had a 30 min. stop & they recommended we shop at Albertson's & they gave me their phone & fax number. The day before our trip I was able to fax in a list I had typed up with the exact items & sizes that we wanted (including our beer & water). I just told them approx. what time frame we should be arriving. When we went in to get it we just asked the first person we saw who worked there about our order and they already had it pulled & loaded into a grocery cart sitting inside a walk-in frig!! The whole cart was in the firg. with our stuff! It was great! We then had time to go up & down a couple other aisles & saw a couple other things on sale that we threw in - and we saw a better sale on a diff. size case of beer so we put our orig. back & bought the better priced size!! But this worked out great for us!! (There was also a liquor store next door so we had time to run in & grab a couple extra items over there before our 30 min. were up!)

 

[LindaBabe]

My core Publix order is always the same - only the quantities change with the number of people staying - veggie tray with dip, bowl of cut fruit, Boar's Head Ham, Alpine lace Swiss, a rotisserie chicken (or box of fried if dh is there), dozen eggs, pkg of whole wheat bagel thins. Mustard, mayo, precooked bacon.

 

[seelyt2]

We use DME to get back and forth to the airport, and use Garden Grocer to deliver our groceries. I prepare 80-90% of the meals while we're there (usually around 7 nights) so I place a $200 order so as not to have a delivery fee.

 

[momof2disprincesses]

When we don't have a car and we fly and use DME, we just grab a taxi and head to Wal-Mart to stock up.

You can easily get a taxi at any resort and there are about 5-10 waiting at Wal-Mart when you leave. I believe it's about $10 for the taxi but we figure what we save in groceries at Wal-Mart prices makes up for it and I like picking my own stuff.

We used an online grocery delivery service once and they messed up several things on our order and we had to wait for them to come back an hour later with the correct items (garden grocer). We were not pleased!

 

[raykit98]

You could use DME, then rent a car for the 1st day stock your frig at the local stores and turn the car in the next day. It would cost less than taken a car service and you will be able to take your time. Enterprise will pick you up. LOL

 

[wdwchamp]

You could use DME, then rent a car for the 1st day stock your frig at the local stores and turn the car in the next day. It would cost less than taken a car service and you will be able to take your time. Enterprise will pick you up. LOL

That is what we are doing for our first trip. We have a rental from Avis that we picking up at the Hilton at Disney for the first day. We will be going to Walmart to pick up groceries and a few other items to stock for our studio stay.