Von's grocery ...any experience

[eeyore70]

Hello,
Will be staying at Disneyland Hotel and was wanting to get a few breakfast items sent to the hotel. Has anyone had any experiences or prefer someone else? Also does DLH charge anything to hold my food until I arrive??

TIA

 

[Denise0362]

We use Von's every time we stay at VGC. You can order online, pay and select a delivery time. It is so easy and we have always had a great experience. There was one time the delivery was going to be late and we received a call from the driver saying he would be late. Great service you won't be disappointed. However there is a minimum order amount for delivery. I can't speak for DLH but we have never been charged when items had to be held when our villa was not ready.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We've used Vons several times when staying at PPH. No issues and was a great service.

 

[Aladora]

We've used them a couple of times and they have been just ok however, there has always been at least 1 issue with either the delivery time or items. One time they missed an item (flat of water, the main reason for ordering groceries!) and they refused to send someone back with it.

 

[poptart90]

Just returned on Friday from the Grand Californian. Used Von's twice while there. So easy, we will be using them for every trip go forward. It was fabulous to have breakfast items, snacks, drinks, etc. in the room to pack to the park everyday. Can't say enough. Bell Service held the items (cold items in their fridge downstairs) and promptly delivered them when we were in our room. No charge ever. Such a great money saving choice!

 

[nikkislaght]

We usually stay at the World Mark in a suite and we drive to Vons and do a big shop for the week.. its very close to Disney..

 

[SplashMtn40inches]

Following this thread!

I plan on using Von's on our upcoming trip so it's good to hear that some hotels have no issues with holding items if you arrive later than anticipated.

 

[seacruise]

Only tried to use Von's once and they called and cancelled our order on us because they didn't have enough other deliveries to make the trip worthwhile. Fortunately our hotel on that trip (Residence Inn) has their own grocery service and bailed us out! They took our list over the phone and had everything in the room when we arrived.

 

[StarlitNight05]

I'd also be interested to hear more about Von's experiences. I may use them on our DVC trip in September when we will have a full kitchen to utilize.

Another option is to use Amazon Prime Now (https://primenow.amazon.com/, use the Anaheim zip, 92802 to browse ahead of time). If you're a Prime member already you can use this service for free. If not, you can sign up for a trial membership (I think it's about a month long, so don't sign up until right before your trip). Prime Now is done through pre-scheduled 2 hour windows, and they are VERY good about making sure they make it during that time frame. You'll even get a notification when your driver is on their way. The only down side is that food items are somewhat limited, it won't be as many options as Von's. Alcohol is also not available through Prime Now.

 

[Guy in Fargo]

Three times at three different hotels. Will again when we go later this month.

Excellent experience each time.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

Used the delivery service once in 2012 when we came by train and it worked out great.

 

[poptart90]

I should have added in my answer above that I placed my order with Von's about 3 weeks ahead of our trip. I figured doing that would ensure that any potential "substitutions" would be avoided as they would have plenty of time to get everything together that I requested...I have a toddler so diapers, wipes, waters, laundry soap (love the Grand Californian coin laundry), spray n wash,....along with sunscreen, drinks, snacks. We were able to pack so much less in our suitcases. No substitutions and nothing missing with the long lead time for our order.

We also used Von's for a wine delivery while there. Hubby and I like a nice glass of wine on the balcony after the kids go down. I picked the delivery window that worked best for us, as you must be there to accept the alcohol directly. We arrived back at the hotel and the guy was there with our order. Easy Peasy.

On previous trips we have made a stop from the airport to a local Von's and done our shopping at that time. Having everything delivered was way easier and we will be utilizing that service from now on. thumbs high!!

 

[StarlitNight05]

We also used Von's for a wine delivery while there. Hubby and I like a nice glass of wine on the balcony after the kids go down. I picked the delivery window that worked best for us, as you must be there to accept the alcohol directly. We arrived back at the hotel and the guy was there with our order. Easy Peasy.

Nice! I was wondering about this aspect exactly (I love wine!). Did they just come to your room, or meet you in the lobby?

 

[lcp9]

We've done it twice - Fairfield Inn on harbor and new Residence Inn on Katella. Both times we've gotten in around 11pm, and asked for delivery between 8-10pm...the front desk has taken it up to the room and put all refrigerated things in the fridge. It's been great! We have little kids - 5, 3, and 1 - and this is SO helpful ordering snack stuff/baby food/milk to take into the park.

 

[StayClassy]

I had an okay experience but I can't say I'd use this service again.

I was supposed to arrive around 2pm in Anaheim and the only time slots available were for 1-2pm and 4-5pm. I'm assuming the 3pm slot was already scheduled or just not offered for that day... couldn't choose the first because it'd be before I was even in Anaheim, and having ordered cold items I didn't want to trust them with my hotel so I chose the second time slot. I wrote in the tiny explanation that my flight landed around two and as close to 3 would be ideal.

Almost three months in advance, I had all my items in my cart and waited till the earliest time allowed to book, hoping that would be enough time for my order to be secured and all my items be prepared. Well the truck did not show up until literally 5pm which I understand they have other customers but to me an hour window would mean you come between those two times not at the end of it but again Disneyland is busy there's more customers than me, so forgivable. I really can't blame them again but it did suck to lose two hours of time I could have spent in the parks.

When he finally did show up they do call you to notify they are there. The driver was friendly enough and worked very fast and efficiently. He retrieved my items from the truck and brought them to me. He then notified me several of my items had sold out and were unavailable which to me was a huge disappointment as most of the items were crucial meals. Had me sign a receipt and was gone.

I was annoyed because to not receive any notification of this until the actual delivery is really rude. If I'd received some sort of call or email within at least a week I could have made other arrangements and been in the parks sooner and have all of the items I needed... So I would then have to waste even more time and money on trips to a store or eat less healthy more expensive options.

Also to schedule that far in advance I would have hoped they'd order and store my items or at least put things aside some part in advance. But again can't expect too much as they're super busy all the time I'm sure and may not have the resources to do that.

All in all despite everything it is a nice service but is unreliable and I am not likely to use it again. All items were great, produce was fresh... So this service may be better for you but I walked to CVS & Target later in my trip and really would have wished I just did a target run instead. It would have saved me so much stress.

My next trip this year I'm just going to stop on my way to my hotel or just uber to Target my first night.

 

[Guy in Fargo]

Expectations are important.

Your cart is filled as possible with substitutions made when you permit.

The store does not hold, special order, etc items. Ordering early sets you up for problems as sales and availability will change.

I've never gotten exactly what I ordered (we order a lot of various items) but I know what I'm signing up for.

 

[DisneyMommy403]

I used Vons Delivery last March at DLH. No issues at all. The bell desk held my items until I arrived. It was effortless.

 

[poptart90]

Nice! I was wondering about this aspect exactly (I love wine!). Did they just come to your room, or meet you in the lobby?

We met the guy in the lobby. We arrived at the beginning of the "two hour window" I selected and he was there. We planned it around nap time, so if we had to wait it wasn't a big deal to us. If he hadn't been there, I would've received a phone call (either from Von's delivery guy or Bell Service) to come to the lobby when he arrived.
Nothing like a balcony, wine, DTD live music, and fireworks! Mini adult vacay too! LOL

 

[StayClassy]

Also just to add, this was my very first time at Disneyland (21 y/o - first solo vacation from tx planned completely by myself) and my first time at a Disney park since 2012 (1st time at DW never been to parks before that) so for some of you spending the afternoon at your hotel waiting for a truck may not have been a big deal, but I only had limited time and didn't want to waste it stuck in my hotel room. I can see some of you go every year so it's less stressful for you to schedule things... But I had so much pressure and anxiety planning mine that to get to Anaheim and think something was gonna go great and have it go bad was a huge disappointment.

I also didn't travel with kids so I'm sure Von's is easier and more family friendly for those who don't want to tote tiny children around a store for twenty minutes, or can schedule more comfortably around nap times. But for me personally an uber to Target or other grocery stores and being able to pick the exact brand and prices and even have a wider variety of choices is more beneficial than waiting an hour in my hotel room for items that may or may not be what I ordered or even be available at all...

Again I don't hate the service it just isn't for me. I'm disorder level 'picky' on top of anxiety from planning, so the grocery service for me was supposed to be an easy stress free way to get a good mixture of healthy foods like fruit and vegetables that I could eat in the park.

I actually did Vons based on reviews from this forum and I wish someone had mentioned that it was so unreliable in terms of items being out of stock... Again it's Anaheim/Disneyland so it's expected. But I hope my experience helps someone else who isn't a Disney veteran and doesn't know what to expect.

 

[Guy in Fargo]

One note.

I've never been there when food was delivered. Sometimes in our rooms waiting. Other times with the concierge and brought up by them.

I would be cautious to use the term unreliable for the service. It is what it is. they have a shopper try to fill your list, if product is out, it's out, just like being there in person. I think the big challenge is with produce where you may identify a large navel orange in your order and if you don't allow substitutes and the only have medium or valencias you are out of luck.

I can see where it doesn't work for 'picky' people (and of course there is nothing wrong with being 'picky').

For them I would recommend uber or a taxi.