Jenna SaxtonEating at Disney World is half the fun for many vacationers. But, what if you want a quick bite outside of the parks without having to face the restaurant crowds? Let us introduce you to grocery delivery at Walt Disney World!
While it may not compare to a Mickey Waffle or Minnie-shaped cupcake, there’s an easy and convenient way to get food delivered directly to your door and, it doesn’t involve paying the hefty price for room service — the Walt Disney World Resort hotels allow guests to have groceries delivered straight to their hotel room!
Not many guests take advantage of — or even know about — the perk so, we’re here to help you unlock one of the greatest Disney dining hacks with a complete guide to a seamless and stress-free grocery delivery experience at Disney World!
Why Have Groceries Delivered To Your Disney World Hotel?
Disney World is home to over 200+ restaurants. But, you may not always want to leave your Disney hotel room when you get the itch for some food. Plus, the dining locations in Disney World resorts aren’t open 24/7. So, what if you get back to your hotel late at night after all the restaurants have closed and you’re hungry? Or — even worse — what if your kiddos are up before the quick service location opens up for breakfast and you’re left to entertain hungry kids for what might be hours?
All situations that you DON’T want to be stuck in!
Of course, there are many other reasons that you might want to stock up on groceries during your Disney hotel stay. For example, relying on groceries that you had delivered for some (if not all) of your meals can save you a lot of money on food if you budget just right. Plus, the Disney Deluxe Villas feature rooms with kitchens so you can cook your favorite meals or snacks with ease!
You’ll also have access to some healthier options (like fresh produce) when you’re ordering from a grocery store. And, if you have any special dietary needs that Disney doesn’t accommodate all that well, you won’t have to stress about what you’re going to eat. Have the food you know you can (and want to) eat delivered to your room!
You may also find yourself needing to order groceries to your hotel room if you end up sick during your trip.
Regardless of the reason, knowing how to have groceries delivered to your Disney World hotel room before you need to know can save you a lot of hassle. So, let’s get into the gritty details!
Ordering Your Groceries
Who Delivers Groceries To Disney?
First things first, let’s talk about where to shop. There are a few different options for grocery delivery at Disney World. This includes all the ones that you’d use at home like:
- Amazon Fresh
- InstaCart
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
- Kroger
- Publix
Disney doesn’t have an official grocery delivery service that they partner with. So, you’ll need to go through a third-party app or website to place your order.
Most of these services (if not all) require a delivery fee or membership. So keep that in mind when you’re budgeting. For example, with a Walmart+ membership, you can get free same-day deliveries of groceries. However, the membership costs $12.95 per month after a free 30-day trial.
You might be wondering which grocery delivery service is the best at Disney World. Well, they all offer pretty similar services, so we suggest using the one that you like best. However, if you would like same-day delivery, that may limit your options a bit more as some delivery windows fill up days in advance.
Making Your Grocery List
Once you’ve decided where to shop, it’s time to start putting together your grocery list! Some things to consider packing include:
Snacks
Disney World is a magical place, but experiencing all that magic can make for a long and tiring day. Make sure you have plenty of snacks on hand to keep you fueled up and energized. Pack some granola bars, trail mix, and other portable snacks that are easy to grab when you’re on-the-go.
Drinks
Whether you prefer bottled water, soda, or something in between, it’s a good idea to have some beverages on hand in your hotel room. Disney charges a lot for bottled beverages, so having some on hand can save you some extra room in your budget.
Breakfast items
If you’re planning to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry at the Disney Parks, you’ll be getting up early. And, you may not have time to swing by the quick service restaurant to grab a bite to start your day. You won’t regret having some granola bars, cereal, or other on-the-go breakfast items.
Lunch and dinner items
Depending on your plans (and your budget), you might not want to eat all your meals at a Disney restaurant. So, you might want to order some easy-to-prepare entrees, like pasta and sauce or pre-packaged meal kits.
Placing Your Order
With your grocery list complete, it’s time to order! You can simply add items to your cart and check out as you would with any other online purchase. Just be sure to double-check that you’ve selected the correct delivery address. You’ll want to make sure your groceries are delivered to your Disney World hotel and not your home address. You’ll also need to be sure that your name is listed on the order to match your hotel reservation.
All of Disney’s resort addresses are available on the web page for each hotel.
When you place your order, you’ll also need to select a delivery window (if it’s not already given to you by the service). This is the time frame during which your groceries will be delivered. You’ll ideally want to choose a time that you’re available to receive them (though, we’ll explain what happens if you’re not in a bit). Delivery windows differ for every grocery delivery service but usually range between 1-2 hours after placing your order.
Now, all that’s left to do is wait for your groceries to be delivered!
Having Your Groceries Delivered To Your Disney World Hotel
Because Disney does not partner directly with any grocery delivery services, you won’t be able to have your items delivered directly to your door. Instead, the delivery service is only able to enter the hotel lobby to either drop off the groceries directly with you or at Bell Services according to Disney’s policy.
Most people find that it is easiest to schedule your grocery delivery for a time that you’re able to be at your Disney World hotel. It just makes keeping track of your items a bit simpler. And, it ensures that anything that needs refrigeration gets put away immediately. Plus, if you’re ordering any alcohol from the grocery store, you’ll need to be there when the driver arrives to provide your ID to verify your age.
What Happens if You Aren’t at Your Hotel When the Groceries Are Delivered?
If you’re not able to be present when your groceries are delivered, Bell Services may be able to accept the order for a small fee. This can vary based on where you’re staying. So, call your Disney hotel before you order to double-check that there won’t be a problem. And, remember, if any of your grocery items require ID verification, Bell Services will not be able to accept them for you.
What Happens if Your Room Isn’t Ready?
Now, what happens if you coordinate your grocery delivery for the time that you get to your hotel to check in but find that your room isn’t ready? Bell Services can usually help you out! In most Disney World hotels, Bell Services has refrigerators that can be used to store cold items for guests. But, you’ll need to separate the cold items out before handing them over to be stored behind the desk. This is another reason that it’s usually best to coordinate the grocery delivery for a time that you’re able to receive them. There’s no guarantee that Bell Services will sort the cold items and refrigerate them if you’re not present.
Once your room is ready and you’ve settled in, you’ll just need to call Bell Services and let them know that they can bring your groceries up to you. This is a complimentary service so you won’t be charged for the delivery. However, you’ll want to double-check with Cast Members to be sure that this is still the policy when you visit.
And, that’s it! All of Disney World’s hotel rooms come with a mini fridge. So, you can sort your groceries and get the ones that need to be kept cold put away. And, then you can carry on with your vacation hassle-free, knowing that you’ve got all your food and drink essentials within arms reach!
Comments
Do you like to have some extra food on hand during your vacation? What are the essentials you always bring along? Tell us about your experiences with grocery delivery at Walt Disney World in the comments!
