Taxi to Grocery Store?

[DeerIsleDisney]

Has anyone tried taking a taxi to a grocery store, then calling another when you are done shopping to get back to the villa? How expensive would this be? Could you get a taxi to pick you up at the grocery store without waiting 30 minutes?

Here's our situation... We will be at WDW 11 nights with no car. First three days at the Swan, then moving to Old Key West 2 bedroom. I've used Garden Grocer before, but mainly for snacks and breakfast items. For this long trip I plan to cook at least 4 dinners in the villa. We'll range from 6-10 people (adding a studio for 3 nights) and will eat all breakfasts and probably 4 lunches in the villa.

With the amount of groceries we will need, I'm thinking the surcharges at Garden Grocer or the delivery fee at WeGo Shop might be even more than the two taxi rides. I'm willing to spend a little extra for the convenience of having them do the shopping for me.... but then I lose the ability to shift plans if the green beans look tired but the broccoli is beautiful, choose my own steaks, etc.

Anyone with experience or thoughts to share?

 

[DVCconvert]

Have you thought about just renting a car for a day?
You could move your own stuff from the Swan to OKW, then go shopping....honestly, I'd bet you'll have close to as much into taxi costs as a one day rental would be. You could rent from Alamo, they'll pick you up, take you to the Car Care Center and their shuttle will return you to OKW afterwards. Just a thought

Edited to add - DeerIsle - I just looked at alamo, picking up at Dolphin noon on 31st, returning Dolphin on 1st (noon) and it looks like alamo's "full price" is about $ 80. I'm 100% sure you can get it for less than that.

 

[ready123go]

I was thinking the same. We've rented from Alamo before & it was fine. I believe Costco has some coupons and discount codes. Or google "Alamo coupons".

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Have you thought about just renting a car for a day?
You could move your own stuff from the Swan to OKW, then go shopping....honestly, I'd bet you'll have close to as much into taxi costs as a one day rental would be. You could rent from Alamo, they'll pick you up, take you to the Car Care Center and their shuttle will return you to OKW afterwards. Just a thought

That's an idea... I'll check on rental car prices. We have had pretty good luck with bell services moving our luggage (on a last-minute trip we had to change resorts 3 times due to availability!). I just found a taxi fare estimator at Mears and they are saying $11 each way from Old Key West to Winn-Dixie.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Have you thought about just renting a car for a day?

Edited to add - DeerIsle - I just looked at alamo, picking up at Dolphin noon on 31st, returning Dolphin on 1st (noon) and it looks like alamo's "full price" is about $ 80. I'm 100% sure you can get it for less than that.

Thanks for checking for me I'll look for discount codes. Maybe I should also look at renting a car at the airport when we arrive Dec.29 and then turn it in at the car care center on Jan. 1.... we won't be able to take ME to the Swan. Then again, maybe they charge for parking at the Swan and that would eliminate any savings.

 

[bz8bls]

We just canceled our grocery order... I wanted the ability to choose my produce and meat. Plus it seems I am always needing something after the groceries have been delivered. So, we are renting from Budget, there is a coupon that you can get on Mousesaver for Florida rentals.

 

[DVCconvert]

Thanks for checking for me I'll look for discount codes. Maybe I should also look at renting a car at the airport when we arrive Dec.29 and then turn it in at the car care center on Jan. 1.... we won't be able to take ME to the Swan. Then again, maybe they charge for parking at the Swan and that would eliminate any savings.

I've never stayed at the S/D but I'd like to think they wouldn't charge hotel guests for parking!...I think that's a good idea - since ME won't be an inbound option for you!....you could still return the car to the alamo office at the Dolphin if you liked.

Edited to add:
Once (or if) you make your alamo ressie...keep checking the price...often times the night before I fly to florida I rebook my auto at a MUCH lower price even if I'd made the ressie months in advance.

 

[DVCconvert]

5. Is there a fee for parking at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin?
Yes. The daily fees for parking are listed below and subject to change.

Self Parking Fees Valet Parking Fees
Non-Registered Guest* $12.00 for each exit $15.00 for each exit
Registered Guest ** $11.00 + tax per day $18.00 + tax per day

*A non-registered guest is a guest who is visiting the hotel to use the facilities and services, but is not staying over night.

**A registered guest has a room reservation to spend one or more nights at the hotel.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

We just canceled our grocery order... I wanted the ability to choose my produce and meat. Plus it seems I am always needing something after the groceries have been delivered. So, we are renting from Budget, there is a coupon that you can get on Mousesaver for Florida rentals.

I'm leaning in this direction...I don't mind someone else picking out peanut butter, chips, drinks.... but I'm afraid I'll be disappointed with what they pick out for produce and meat.

 

[DeerIsleDisney]

Can't figure out how to quote your quote on the parking fees. Bummer, but I'm not too surprised. We're using my husband's Starwood Points for the first few nights... Dec 29-31 are really expensive point nights... but they still get you with parking, resort fees, etc.

I did check on a one-day rental - picking up Monday AM at the Swan, returning that afternoon at car care center - only $35 for a mid-size, before any discounts. I don't think we could fit all of us and the luggage, but maybe I could take the luggage and the kids and DH could head to the parks. Then again, a taxi means I don't have to worry about directions or returning the rental car.

 

[Sandisw]

Can't figure out how to quote your quote on the parking fees. Bummer, but I'm not too surprised. We're using my husband's Starwood Points for the first few nights... Dec 29-31 are really expensive point nights... but they still get you with parking, resort fees, etc.

I did check on a one-day rental - picking up Monday AM at the Swan, returning that afternoon at car care center - only $35 for a mid-size, before any discounts. I don't think we could fit all of us and the luggage, but maybe I could take the luggage and the kids and DH could head to the parks. Then again, a taxi means I don't have to worry about directions or returning the rental car.

Why not send DH and the luggage to the new resort in the taxi and you head to the grocery store in the car?

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you couple renting a car with grocery shopping and eating off site you will save a lot of money. In fact the amt you save just eating off site will pay for the car rental.
There is a Winnie Dixie on 535 just a short trip from OKW and there are many restaraunts close to the grocery store.

 

[ready123go]

I did check on a one-day rental - picking up Monday AM at the Swan, returning that afternoon at car care center - only $35 for a mid-size, before any discounts. I don't think we could fit all of us and the luggage, but maybe I could take the luggage and the kids and DH could head to the parks. Then again, a taxi means I don't have to worry about directions or returning the rental car.

You could rent a GPS from the car rental company ($12). And don't forget taxes, they add another $10 or so to the total.

The upside would be - 1) you would be able to use the car for 24 hours for that price (just book it for that long and return it on time) & 2) you would be able to shop at a Sam's Club, Costco, Walmart, Target, Whole Foods etc., if you saw fit. (Not trying to make more work for you, just some ideas...)

Maybe bell services could take the luggage while you go shopping?

 

[deedisneydream97]

DeerIsle....how do you plan on getting from the Swan to OKW? I don't think the Swan moves luggage to Disney resorts, but I could be mistaken. I also looked at the Alamo site (keep looking for cheaper car rental that what I have for our fall trip)....with taxes a ford fusion would run you about $108 for a 24 hr. period if you pick up at Dolphin (although they shuttle you to car care center) and return to car care center. Maybe you can make a couple of trips with family and luggage to OKW (it is a VERY easy drive from Swan/Dolphin) let them hang at pool or whatever until room is ready and then in the meantime, drive over to the Winn Dixie (maybe 10 minute drive). DH and I always pack those soft sided coolers in our suitcases (that you can get with a case of coors lite) and put the cold stuff in them. We found those styrofoam coolers are a little pricey at the WinnDixie. You can also apply for an instant winndixie savings card at the courtesy counter (believe me, you will save ALOT). We always buy swim noodles for the pool (and give them to another family when we leave), lots of bottled water, beer and wine. Rotisserie chicken. Cold cuts, salads, frozen pizza. Milk, o.j., butter, eggs, cereal. You can also look at their sale flyer on-line before you get down there (I think they post a new one on Wednesdays). There is also a Florida ABC liquor store in the WinnDixie parking lot.

Plan on what park you will be going to in the a.m., and either drop off the family at the park and return the car to the car care center and take the shuttle back to the park or have the whole family drop off the car and you all take the shuttle.

Also, $11 for a taxi (each way, plus tip) is not too bad if you just need to pick up a few things again part way thru your trip....or even just pick that stuff up at the OKW grocery.

You will just love the christmas decorations at WDW!! They usually stay up a couple of days after New Years.

 

[castleri]

For your time frame if you can find a car at a price you can live with don't hesitate too long as we have found a couple of times that Christmas week and the following week can get very high priced very fast. The sooner you get your reservation the better. Then if something better comes along you can change it
You could arrange to pick it up the day you check out of the Swan thus eliminating the need to pay the parking fee. When I rented from Alamo at the Swan I picked the car up right there. Have the luggage ready to put in it and away you go to OKW and the rest of the family (if they don't fit in the car) can take bus or boat to a park or to DTD and then to OKW to meet you. Then you can do your shopping when you please and parking is free at OKW.
I have rented from Dollar at the Regal Sun Resort on Hotel Plaza Blvd. before using coupons and that worked out well also. Just took the bus to DTD and then walked across the street to the hotel. Sometimes they are cheaper than Alamo.
In the long run unless you need the car for something else it will probably be most economical to take a taxi even when you add in a tip.

 

[BabsBunny]

I'm struggling with this myself right now. We have six of us going in 12 days. Right now we have a midsize car rented for the whole five days. DH was going to take two of the kids to OKW in the car, and the rest of us take ME. Going back to the airport, I guess I would have to take the four teens on ME while DH returns the car on his own as his flight is booked separate on FF miles, and I have the kids on my flight reservation. This sounds like a pain and a waste of money. (Forget renting a minivan. Prices are outrageous.)

Do we really need a rental car for five days? Probably not if he's doing business down there.

1. We could rent the car for one day, I guess. But all the shuttling around sounds like a time waster. And can we even do that with Budget? It has to be Alamo?

2. Then there is the taxi idea. DH and I could call a taxi after we check in and get the shopping done while the kids are at the park. If room isn't ready then just have OKW hold the food for us.

3. And of course there is the food delivery option. I've never done that. With two adults and four teens, we are talking a lot of eggs, milk, juice, bagels, hot pockets, soda, etc., etc. And will they deliver wine?

Help.

 

[BabsBunny]

Well, just cancelled car reservation. I'm glad I booked all of us on ME just in case.