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Post by DougUSMC on Jul 3, 2023 20:39:16 GMT -5
Hey everyone, I hope this is in the right place...
Out of the blue, we're doing a trip in August. Not my idea, but when 84 y/o Dad says that's what he wants, he gets it!!
We usually do a grocery delivery, but I'm not sure what's still available? We used the FB group Ear for Each Other the last couple of trips, but it's been a while. I tried to check it out today, but it looks like the format has changed. Does anyone have recommendations?
Thanks!!
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jul 3, 2023 22:10:17 GMT -5
We used Garden Grocer for many years and it always went great, as recent as a couple years ago; I know prices seem to have gone way up. However, seeing prices first-hand in the grocery stores down there made my eyes bug out so maybe Garden Grocer isn't a big deal.
I'm 87% sure that most people on here will say something along the lines of "we use Instacart now". What I didn't like about Instacart or Shipt or the ones I tried was texting with the person who was doing my shopping and having to meet them. Garden Grocer was always waiting for us at bell services which was awesome. I think people have said that Instacart drivers will leave stuff at bell services.
This last time, we had a car (because of the loss of DME) so we did our own shopping. Which was...nice, but also it was nice to just order the stuff while at home and say "bring it delivereth at such-and-such time before I land, and it will thus be waiting henceforth upon my arrival" and I gave the nice man at the resort five or ten bucks to schlep all my sodas and waters and juices and beers etc into my room, and I felt like a king for a little bit.
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Post by disney54us on Jul 3, 2023 22:30:13 GMT -5
Dizzy Dolphin, has an excellent reputation for grocery delivery. They are DVC owners and have been around for many years. They will shop at the stores you want and choose. I use Publix which is via Instacart. But I did that with a limo car that allowed a grocery stop.
Garden grocer I never used though many have, but when I checked them out years ago. I didn’t like illustrations for what I wanted to order. I rather go on Publix web and look and choose what’s available in the celebration store and place my order.
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Post by eegram on Jul 4, 2023 3:40:32 GMT -5
We used Instcart for our June trip. What shocked me was the extra fees that I do not remember from previous trips. There was a pretty hefty fee for “heavy “ items. We had bottled water, bulk wine, and sodas. The extra fees and tip added another $100 to the bill. It was quite a surprise.
I have also used Garden Grocer and they are good but you are limited to what is on their site.
Not sure what we will do next time. I just don’t like the thought of grocery shopping at the start of my vacation but with the extra fees I may have to.
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Post by reblzmom on Jul 4, 2023 8:28:24 GMT -5
We used Instacart in the past; the extra fees are something I hadn't heard before. Since we do rent a car we have just been stopping on the way at a Publix. I agree with the PP that I hate to shop on vacation (well, I hate to grocery shop at home) but I have found it really is better for getting what we want (along with things not on the list) and really doesn't take that long.
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Post by jflatto on Jul 4, 2023 9:08:28 GMT -5
We have typically used Garden Grocer. It is more expensive but we can pick what we want and we are typically looking for staples such as milk, soda, ice cream so can find something. It has worked well and everything is waiting for us at the resort. We tried Instacart the first time we went over the long COVID shutdown. It was a litter cheaper but there were so many substitutions that the person buying had to make that it didn't seem worth it. We were flying down so I had told the individual to make substitutions as needed since I could not be checking the app on the plane. Garden Grocer just seems the better choice for us.
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Post by stellabutterman on Jul 4, 2023 10:22:27 GMT -5
I used Garden Grocer for our next two trips, booking 120+ days out for a 25% discount. I looked at instacart, but the prices weren't that different for what we order: soda, water, yogurt, bananas, etc.
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Post by johnb on Jul 4, 2023 11:24:17 GMT -5
The last time we did a grocery order, we used Publix's curbside pickup. Loved it. Super easy and very efficient. As we were pulling into the designated parking spot they were already out the door and crossing the main driveway into the parking lot.
When we do small (water/iced tea/bagged snacks) we've been adding a stop at Speedway to our Uber/Lyft from MCO to our resort. Speedway has 24 packs of Dasani for $7.99 (maybe $8.99??), way cheaper than the individual bottle price in the parks.
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Post by bakerworld on Jul 4, 2023 11:39:57 GMT -5
We've tried WeGoShop, Garden Grocer and Instacart. Instacart is fantastic for Insta-delivery and is great if you are ordering with expected delivery in an hour/90 minutes. It's great if you have a sudden need for hot wings. Instacart does allow for ordering a week out but they still shop about an hour before the delivery time. We've found Garden Grocer to be very user friendly. I do allow for substitutions. If you order now I think it would be a 10% discount. The closer you order the less of a discount given. Both Garden Grocer and Instacart have delivery/convenience fees and tipping. The discounts or coupons usually cover the fees.
Really, if there is no alcohol involved shopping at the Villa store with the 20% DVC discount is practically the same but there's minimal selection. If we're going for 3 nights, I just shop the Villa store and bite the bullet for the $17 Coors 6-pack. For our 5N stay in October, I placed my Garden Grocer order in April to get the 20% discount because for 5N DH needs the 12-pack Coors, which Garden has for $24. If we're cruising I hit the Villa store for the Coors 6-pack because the cruise 5 bottle bucket is around $30. LOL
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jul 4, 2023 17:16:50 GMT -5
(along with things not on the list) Speaking of, I will say that shopping in person (first time this last trip) vs ordering ahead, is finding unique things. I will not call myself a "foodie" but when I'm wandering around the store (we settled on Publix in Celebration, wife liked it) I was all like "look at this hot sauce!" and "I'm going to try this butter we don't have at home" (turned out to be fantastic) and "look at this southern dip, we have to get this" etc. So I have to try to overlook the fact that while I'm shopping a crowded grocery store and driving in traffic, I COULD (should) be at MK or EC or Trail's End or Gurgling Suitcase But the driving and shopping is unique enough that I can still consider it "part of the vacation" but that might have something to do with we go for two weeks, so I have a little time to burn usually. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jul 4, 2023 17:19:45 GMT -5
Really, if there is no alcohol involved shopping at the Villa store with the 20% DVC discount is practically the same but there's minimal selection. Good point, we will hit the store up front for a few things every trip. One time we were there during Super Bowl and she told me to go up there and get chips and salsa. But I won't buy soda there unless it's an emergency, and I refuse to buy beer there. I'm too cheap. But I'll spend that money and then some to get a mixed drink from the hotel bar  |
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Post by bakerworld on Jul 5, 2023 6:35:51 GMT -5
Really, if there is no alcohol involved shopping at the Villa store with the 20% DVC discount is practically the same but there's minimal selection. Good point, we will hit the store up front for a few things every trip. One time we were there during Super Bowl and she told me to go up there and get chips and salsa. But I won't buy soda there unless it's an emergency, and I refuse to buy beer there. I'm too cheap. But I'll spend that money and then some to get a mixed drink from the hotel bar In October, as a surprise for DH, I bought a 'bucket of beer' for the cooler of our stateroom but I hesitated when I saw the total was $40!! For 6 cans of Coors Light!! At our March cruise, as soon as we got to the stateroom he checked the cooler for his beer. Nope - Nada - couldn't do it twice - one splurge was all he gets - LOL. |
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Post by tomandrobin on Jul 5, 2023 9:46:19 GMT -5
We have used Garden Grocery for many years. We experimented with many others over time, but always came back to Garden Grocery. Lately, we have been using Instacart for groceries. The cost difference was really big and the service is extremely quick, most of the time within an hour of placing the order.
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Post by mcd on Jul 5, 2023 13:57:01 GMT -5
I just used Instacart in mid-June for a delivery to Bay Lake. It was quick, and I think the cost was as reasonable as any other grocery service I have used. I got mostly fruit and bottled water for my family of 6 as we pack a lot of snacks/food that can survive a plane ride. I have used Instacart a half dozen times or so at Disney and have always been happy.
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Post by helenabear on Jul 6, 2023 7:38:17 GMT -5
Unless we need a lot, we use the DVC store (no alcohol purchases for us due to health issues and a non drinker). We do same cost that way than most in terms of cost and they put it away for us. If we need a lot, we do Instacart or Amazon Fresh. Both good service and prices. I know there are Garden Grocer fans and such but their prices are way out of line now. Might as well buy at Disney Stores without a discount
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