Mobile Ordering - Groceries and Meals

I'm not a huge fan of grocery shopping or waiting in line for food of any kind.  I haven't met a person that wants to spend their vacation hours in line shopping for food or waiting for lunch.  Unless this is you, I have a couple options to avoid these distractions! I am not affiliated with any of these services and I am only reviewing ones I have used and like. 


I'm going to cover three types of mobile ordering, there are more but these are the three I use and can recommend.


I use Amazon Prime/Pantry and Wal-Mart Pickup at home as well as on vacation.  I use Walt Disney World mobile ordering only at Disney (obviously). 


Let's start with Amazon and Wal-Mart because you can use these on any vacation.


Wal-Mart offers mobile ordering that you can pickup at the store or have delivered.  I haven't used the delivery option because I haven't been in an area where that was available, yet.  Store pickup allows you to choose when you will be picking up your order and you just cruise up and they load it in your car. 

What you want to do is download the Wal-Mart grocery app on your phone and then when you arrive at your location search for the nearest Wal-Mart.  Start by reserving your pickup time and then shop for anything you need.  We get snacks, sunscreen, breakfast items, coffee, shampoo/conditioner, and anything we forgot to pack or was too big for our carry-on. 
I usually choose a pickup time that is in the evening and then I can just swing through and get back to the room/condo while everyone else showers and settles in for the night. 
The prices are the same as in the store and you pay when you order and then the app keeps you updated on the progress of your order.  Because you are picking up at the store feel free to order perishables like milk or eggs.  Eating breakfast before leaving for the day is a great way to save money and ensure your day starts off on the right foot.  I also am picky about my coffee and tea so making sure I have a cup or two before we leave saves us a ton of time in the Starbucks line.  DO NOT go to the Disney Starbucks within the first two hours of park opening unless you really enjoy hanging out in Starbucks for at least 30 minutes. 

Next up is Amazon.  Amazon offers a couple options, as well.  Amazon offers Prime, Prime Pantry, and Amazon Fresh.  I haven't used Amazon Fresh but heard it works well and they deliver perishables to your location, so I won't review that one yet. 

I have used Prime and Prime Pantry several times.  It is really the same service just one has groceries.  First thing you want to do is call your hotel/resort and ensure you can receive a package there ahead of time and ask how to have it addressed.  This is VERY common and I have never had a resort say no, some even put the package in your room.

You can't order perishables but you can order anything else Amazon sells.  I usually get snacks, glow-sticks, pool toys, sandwich bags, PONCHOS,  autograph books, personal items (shampoos, soaps, etc.)  I use my Prime account and set these up to arrive the day before we do so everything is ready to go before we get there, then a quick stop at the gas station or the little resort market to get milk and creamer and we are set.  This is a great alternative if you don't have a rental car.  I would recommend this even if you have a Disney Dining Plan because you can get extra snacks and save luggage room. 

The next service is Disney Mobile ordering.  This is a newer service they are offering in Walt Disney World, it is part of the MyDisney Experience app.  I recommend making at least one or more Advanced Dining Reservation before your trip but you can add some quick service meals in the mix.  You can use this with a Dining plan.  In order to make quick service meals quick, I recommend using the app in this way.  First, decide where you want to eat about 20 minutes before you want to eat.  I do this in the ride line before lunch.  Find the nearest quick service restaurant and bring up the menu.  In this example I am on Jungle Cruise and we want to grab a couple Dole Whips before we walk over to Fantasyland. 

As you can see the prices are the same.  I have my credit card pre-loaded into the app (this is a requirement). 

I order 3 Dole Whips and the app notifies me to check-in when I arrive.  I recommend that you check in as you are walking to the restaurant.  (The Dole Whips were super quick but lunch and dinner were not as quick.)  Once you check in and arrive at the restaurant have the rest of your party find a table, this can take some time.  Once you have scored a table, send members of the group up to get their condiments and napkins.  You don't need to go to the counter until the app says Your Order is Ready.  Make sure to take two people if you have meals for more than two people because it will be a couple trays. 

Mobile ordering has its own windows and you just walk up and give your name and order number, BOO!  food is ready and you didn't stand in line.  I'm not sure that it is faster than the normal lines all the time but it will allow you to "wait" in line without actually standing there so I think of it as multitasking.  It is great time for bathroom breaks, making sure you get a table before you have food, and sitting down in A/C rather than standing in another line. 

Another tip: 

If you pack lunches you can eat them inside most restaurants or resorts.  My sister's kids are picky so we pack extra food for them and it's like a picnic.  We also pack our lunch a couple days a week to save money and eat a character meal or at a fancy restaurant, so we just find a table and eat.  It is very important to eat and get some protein in while taking an A/C break or warming up when it's chilly outside.

I will have another post on what to pack or take with you on different trips later.