Town car with grocery stop vs. Disney Express

[erbeaman]

Hi all! Less than 2 months until I surprise my DH with a 40th birthday trip with 3 other couples !! I am debating on renting a town car from the airport (cost would be split 4 ways) vs. taking the DE. That way we could stop at the grocery store instead of having groceries delivered. We usually use Garden Grocer. What are your thoughts? Would it be more cost effective? Are there good deals out there for town cars/limos?

 

[verleniahall]

delievery fee is only $14.00 under $200. How much are you planning ot spend at the store? Can you all combine into one GG order to get no delievery fee?

*Personally* I would be upset at my DH for spending the extra on a town car

 

[Alesia]

Spending $200 to save a $15 delivery fee is not cost effective. Spending $50 to save a $15 delivery fee is not cost effective, either.

Taking a town car and having a grocery stop is going to take longer than taking DME.

You cannot fit 8 people in a town car.

 

[erbeaman]

Thanks for your replies. I meant the term "town car" loosely. I know we will need something larger, and SUV or van of some kind. I am a big couponer also, so I thought that might offset the cost some. I know that GG prices are jacked up some. So there are no awesome deals out there? I also thought it might be fun to arrive in style. Maybe pop a bottle of champagne on the way to celebrate. Good idea about combining orders. That could work!

 

[maxiesmom]

Remember if you book a town car you will need to stop and get your checked bags.

Btw, round trip with a town car will run you $140, tips not included. I have a town car booked for my next trip (we are flying in late, and I have no use for DME late, or returning to the airport at all) and I have Garden Grocer booked. For me, the convenience is worth the cost.

 

[barb969]

Since you are celebrating your DH's birthday, live it up and use the car service. Getting to the baggage claim and having someone meet you there, take over getting your luggage and having the car parked a short away is a luxury. Also you don't have to wait for the car or make stops at other resorts. You could use the car service one way and DE the other.

We use Tiffany Town Car and have always had excellent service with them.

 

[Pesky]

Lots of folks on the Universal threads recommend Tony Hinds. I think it would depend on whether you all want to be particular about what you are picking up, etc.. Tony's service includes one grocery stop on the way and is round trip.

 

[Happy_Haunt999]

We've used FLTours on several trips now and love them. You're going to need a van with them and it's about 160 for rt.
I would totally do that over DME any day.

 

[Green Tea]

Have you ever looked at Shipt? It is like Uber, but for groceries from Publix. You order and the food is bought and brought to you immediately. 15% surcharge on Publix price for the delivery.

 

[Sagginit]

With that many people a grocery stop can be a project. I honestly would just pay the fee and have some groceries delivered. Some stores and services offer a discount on your first purchase with them which might offset the fees or extra money of not being able to coupon. I also think that since you are on vacation you are going to have a set list of items you want and not want just whatever is on sale. You are still saving money with groceries vs all your food being bought in parks.

On that note though I would still get car service. This is one thing we always do and its worth the money as it can save so much time. I never had a huge wait getting my luggage and the car is very close to luggage pickup. Doing this we have been off the plane, checked in to our hotel, and on Main St in about an hour 30 minutes. On your way back to the airport if you use a car service you can in fact check your bags with DME and they arrive separate from you. This is really helpful when you have half a park day, we check our main luggage in the morning and only have our carry on with bell services to take with us in the car.

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi all! Less than 2 months until I surprise my DH with a 40th birthday trip with 3 other couples !! I am debating on renting a town car from the airport (cost would be split 4 ways) vs. taking the DE. That way we could stop at the grocery store instead of having groceries delivered. We usually use Garden Grocer. What are your thoughts? Would it be more cost effective? Are there good deals out there for town cars/limos?

You're going to need a really big vehicle for 8 people, all their luggage and the groceries. I'd take ME and have the groceries delivered.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

Magical express is part of the fun! No luggage, no shopping, straight to the magic. Order some groceries and relax with your husband and friends!

 

[mjkacmom]

I just reserved a 10 passenger van from Tiffany, $110 one with tip, with z grocery stop. We are staying off property. The last time we were onsite, we took ME and Garden Grocer. I'd rather not shop.

 

[Shanti]

Hi all! Less than 2 months until I surprise my DH with a 40th birthday trip with 3 other couples !! I am debating on renting a town car from the airport (cost would be split 4 ways) vs. taking the DE. That way we could stop at the grocery store instead of having groceries delivered. We usually use Garden Grocer. What are your thoughts? Would it be more cost effective? Are there good deals out there for town cars/limos?

We've used both town cars and Magical Express, and enjoyed Magical Express more. No need to wait for checked bags, or make small talk with the driver, or deal with the scheduling/confirmation texts prior to the incoming and outgoing trips.

Magical Express keeps us in the bubble. There is a video welcome to WDW, combined with Disney cartoons. Helps to get us in the mood on the way there, & ease the "Disney withdrawal" on the way back. In contrast, during one town car trip to WDW, a driver wanted to play rap music while we entered WDW (I asked him to turn it off, but annoying to have to ask). During another town car trip to WDW (only), the driver kept telling my young son about how great the rides at Universal were. No such occurances with ME.