Let’s Discuss Grocery Delivery at Disney World
So, you want to save on your food budget during a Walt Disney World vacation.
I can assure you that’s easy to do, as long as you don’t mind eating in your hotel room.
We live in a glorious era where Central Florida businesses will happily bring the food to you.
Let’s discuss grocery delivery at Walt Disney World.
How Grocery Delivery Works


Photo: Instacart/Juststock/Getty Images
I was recently trapped in a snowstorm until, well, today. If not for the kindness of Shipt and Instacart, I would have been in trouble.
Over the past few years, at-home delivery services have disrupted the grocery industry.


Instacart
The pandemic magnified the appeal of such services, and many consumers will never go back to in-store grocery shopping. I’m one of them.
Notably, this option is also available when you stay at a Disney resort. It requires a couple of caveats, but they’re minor.
Disney will require the grocery store to leave your order at Bell Services.
Then, you must pick up the order when you are ready or pay a small fee for delivery to your room.
If you choose room delivery, you MUST be present. Disney won’t leave anything, even if you ask.
You have a third option of meeting the delivery person somewhere if that’s your preference.


Photo: Instacart
In my experience, most delivery people are happy to satisfy your needs, as long as you remember they’re on the clock.
Otherwise, grocery delivery works the same at Walt Disney World as it does at your home.
You’ll choose a store, fill your cart with groceries, fill out your hotel information (including room number), select a delivery time, and pay.


Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Afterward, a delivery person will arrive within the stated window.
This individual will either drop off your food at Bell Services or, if it’s your preference, meet you.


Photo: Disney
The process is straightforward and convenient.
What You Should Know about Grocery Delivery

I presume you’ve used grocery delivery at some point. So, you should know the drill.
Your arrival time is a theoretical rather than a guarantee, as things happen. That’s doubly true at Disney.
Your delivery person cannot help it if traffic forces delays.
Similarly, you may face stocking issues, particularly during busy times on the vacation calendar.
I’m saying this as a word of caution. I’d hate for you to plan your lunch/dinner, only for the driver to be late or not bring the needed foods.
Still, as long as you remember to allow substitutes on your order, everything should work out fine.


Photo: Washington Post
Even better, you’re likely to save a lot of money compared to dining at Disney restaurants.
After all, when you use Shipt, Instacart, or a similar service, you can shop from inexpensive stores like Target.
Similarly, those of you who subscribe to Amazon Prime or Walmart+ will discover that an in-room meal costs the same as it would at home!


Photo: Reuters
So, even if you don’t currently subscribe to one of those services, you should consider it before a Disney trip!
You can order ahead of time and have your goodies waiting for you when you reach your hotel!


Disney’s Beach Club Resort
I’ve done this before, and it definitely sets the right tone for the start of the trip.
What’s Available in Orlando?
At this point, most major grocery vendors participate in some sort of delivery service.
Still, I’ve highlighted two of the best options already. My first grocery delivery experience came through Amazon Prime.
At the time, Disney would deliver to the hotel room for free. We had a case of bottled water awaiting us when we arrived.
Thanks to the magic of grocery delivery, we saved ourselves money throughout our trip.
Nowadays, Amazon Prime offers same-day delivery to Walt Disney World, which means you don’t even need to plan ahead.
Similarly, Walmart+, Instacart, Shipt, and even DoorDash will perform various grocery deliveries, depending on your shopping list.


Photo: DizzyDolphinDelivery.com
Locally, you’ll find a couple of exceptional options as well.
Dizzy Dolphin Delivery, Garden Grocer, and Magical Vacation Grocers will all bring your foodstuffs to your hotel!
In most instances, especially the local ones, you must reach a certain order threshold for the delivery, though.
The minimum order hovers in the $35-$75 range, depending on the service you choose.
Also, please be aware that you will pay tourist prices on many items, especially if you use one of the local delivery services.
Some of my Disney Vacation Club friends vent frequently about the mark-up prices for the local companies.


Disney Vacation Club
Credit: Disney
So, as usual, your decision comes down to supporting local businesses by paying more or saving money with a big-box chain.
Among the listed options, I have the least experience with Magical Vacation Grocers, but they have easily the best reviews.
Personally, I subscribe to Amazon Prime, Walmart+, Instacart, AND Shipt.
Understandably, we go with these options since they’re so familiar.
Like, in my real life at home, I’d die without Shipt and Amazon Prime.
Important Caveats


Photo: Playbuzz.com
You probably have questions and concerns about the delivery process.
I’ll answer a few here, and you can always ask your MickeyTravels agent if you have more.
Specifically, you’re probably wondering about perishables. You certainly want your grocery story order to spoil.


Photo: GETTY IMAGES.
Thankfully, Disney will refrigerate/freeze your order until you’re ready to pick it up.
Then, we have the alcohol issue. Will the delivery person bring you alcoholic beverages?
This answer depends on the vendor, but the answer is almost always yes.


Photo: https://www.craftbeerkings.com/
Often, the business will require verification that you’re of legal age to order adult beverages.
For this reason, you may need to be present for the grocery delivery.
You can usually find specifics on the grocery store’s official website/app.


Photo: Garden Grocer
Finally, you’re probably wondering about food preparation.
Most Disney resort hotel rooms feature some sort of mini-fridge or possibly even a kitchenette.
Since this amenity matters, you should verify first. Also, you should consider booking specific Studios and Villas at Disney.


Photo: Disney
These rooms include either kitchenettes or full-sized kitchens, allowing you to cook during your hotel stay.
The money you’re saving by eating in your room might be more than enough to offset the higher room cost as well.


Photo: Wikimedia
Then again, when you’re cooking in your room, that’s time you’re not spending at a Disney theme park.
These are the sorts of things you should consider when debating the viability of grocery delivery.


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Feature Photo: Amazon