The Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide for Your Orlando Villa Stay

One of the biggest advantages of renting a vacation villa is having a full kitchen at your disposal. But where should you shop? What should you buy? And how do you navigate American supermarkets if you're visiting from the UK? This complete guide will help you stock your Solterra villa like a pro.

Best Supermarkets Near Solterra Resort

Publix (Our Top Recommendation)

Distance: Multiple locations within 5-10 minutes
Why we love it: Clean, well-organized, excellent deli and bakery, friendly staff
Best for: General grocery shopping, prepared foods, fresh produce

Publix is a Florida institution and most guests' favorite. The stores are immaculate, staff are genuinely helpful, and the deli makes fantastic subs (sandwiches). Their bakery offers free cookies for kids, and the prepared foods section is perfect when you don't feel like cooking.

Money-saving tip: Download the Publix app for digital coupons and weekly BOGO (buy one get one free) deals.

Walmart Supercenter

Distance: 10 minutes
Why we love it: Lowest prices, massive selection, one-stop shopping
Best for: Budget-conscious families, bulk buying, household items

Walmart offers the best prices and carries everything from groceries to beach toys to phone chargers. It's enormous and can feel overwhelming, but you'll save significantly compared to other stores. Perfect for your initial big shop.

Insider tip: Use the Walmart app to check prices and locate items in-store.

Target

Distance: 10-15 minutes
Why we love it: Clean, organized, good quality, pleasant shopping experience
Best for: Quick trips, quality products, household essentials

Target sits between Walmart (budget) and Publix (premium). It's a favorite for UK visitors who find Walmart overwhelming. The store layout is intuitive, and the quality is reliable.

Whole Foods Market

Distance: 20 minutes
Why we love it: Organic options, high quality, excellent prepared foods
Best for: Dietary restrictions, organic preferences, special ingredients

More expensive but worth it for families with dietary needs or those who prefer organic. The prepared food bar and salad bar are excellent for quick, healthy meals.

Trader Joe's

Distance: 20 minutes
Why we love it: Unique products, reasonable prices, fun shopping experience
Best for: Adventurous eaters, snacks, frozen meals

Trader Joe's is a cult favorite with unique products you won't find elsewhere. Great for interesting snacks, frozen appetizers, and affordable wine.

What to Buy on Your First Shop

Breakfast Essentials

• Eggs (huge cartons, very cheap)

• Bread or bagels

• Butter

• Milk (sold by the gallon—don't worry, it keeps!)

• Cereal (American cereals are sweeter than UK versions)

• Fresh fruit

• Yogurt

• Orange juice

• Breakfast meats (bacon, sausage)

• Pancake mix and syrup (when in America!)

Lunch & Snack Staples

• Sandwich bread and fillings

• Peanut butter and jelly (a must-try American classic)

• Cheese slices

• Deli meats

• Fresh vegetables for salads

• Hummus and crackers

• Fresh fruit

• Granola bars

• Chips and pretzels

• String cheese (kids love these)

Dinner Ingredients

• Pasta and sauce

• Rice

• Chicken breasts or thighs

• Ground beef (for tacos, burgers, spaghetti)

• Fresh or frozen vegetables

• Potatoes

• Taco shells and seasoning

• Pizza ingredients or frozen pizzas

• Salad fixings

Beverages

• Water (gallon jugs or cases of bottles)

• Soft drinks (much cheaper than UK!)

• Juice boxes for kids

• Coffee and tea (your villa is stocked with basics, but bring favorites)

• Beer and wine (available at most supermarkets in Florida)

Household Essentials

Your villa provides starter supplies, but for longer stays, you might need:

• Extra paper towels

• Additional toilet paper

• Dish soap

• Laundry detergent (pods provided, but extras for long stays)

• Sunscreen (buy in America—cheaper and better selection)

• Bug spray

• Ziploc bags for park snacks

UK vs US Shopping: What to Know

Portion Sizes Are HUGE

American packaging is significantly larger than UK equivalents. A "small" bag of crisps (chips) is massive. Milk comes in gallons. Don't overbuy on your first trip—you can always go back.

Prices Don't Include Tax

Shelf prices don't include sales tax (6.5% in Florida). Your final bill will be about 6-7% higher than shelf prices indicate. This catches UK visitors off guard!

Different Brands, Same Products

• Crisps = Chips

• Biscuits = Cookies

• Jelly = Jello (what Americans call jelly is what you call jam!)

• Squash = Not available (buy juice or cordial at World Market)

• Proper tea = Bring from home or buy PG Tips at Publix

Meat Cuts Are Different

Ask the butcher for help if you're confused. American cuts and names differ from UK standards.

Money-Saving Strategies

Shop the Sales

Check weekly ads online before shopping. Publix BOGO deals are legendary—genuinely buy one, get one free, not half price.

Use Store Apps

Download Publix, Walmart, and Target apps for digital coupons and deals. They stack with sale prices!

Buy Store Brands

Publix brand, Great Value (Walmart), and Good & Gather (Target) are excellent quality and significantly cheaper.

Stock Up on Breakfast and Lunch

Eating breakfast and lunch at your villa saves £50-100 daily for a family of four. That's £700-1,400 over two weeks!

Prepare Park Snacks

Fill reusable water bottles (free water at parks) and pack granola bars, fruit, and sandwiches. Theme park food is expensive and often disappointing.

Special Dietary Needs

American supermarkets excel at accommodating dietary restrictions:

• Gluten-free: Huge selection at all major stores

• Dairy-free: Multiple milk alternatives (oat, almond, soy, coconut)

• Vegan: Growing selection, especially at Whole Foods and Target

• Allergies: Clear labeling and dedicated free-from sections

Shopping Timeline

Arrival Day

Stop at Publix or Walmart on your way from the airport for essentials: breakfast items, snacks, drinks, and dinner ingredients for the first night. Most guests are too tired to cook, so grab rotisserie chicken, sides, and salad.

Day Two

Do your big shop when you're rested and can properly assess what you need for the week.

Mid-Stay Top-Up

Quick trip for fresh produce, milk, and anything you've run out of.

Before Departure

Use up perishables or donate unopened items to the villa for the next guests (many do this!).

British Favorites You Can Find in Orlando

Missing home comforts? Try these stores:

• Publix: PG Tips tea, Cadbury chocolate, HP Sauce, Branston Pickle

• World Market: British section with Ribena, squash, biscuits, sweets

• British specialty shops: The British Emporium (International Drive) stocks everything from Marmite to proper bacon

Grocery Delivery Options

Don't fancy shopping at all? These services deliver to your villa:

• Instacart: Delivers from multiple stores including Publix and Costco

• Walmart Delivery: Low fees, reliable service

• Amazon Fresh: If you have Amazon Prime

• Shipt: Target and other stores

Tip: Order delivery for after your 4 PM check-in so groceries arrive when you do.

Final Tips

• Bring reusable shopping bags or buy them at checkout (Florida charges for plastic bags at some stores)

• Don't be afraid to ask staff for help—Americans are genuinely friendly

• Try American products you can't get at home—it's part of the experience!

• Take photos of products you love so you can find them on your next trip

• Check expiration dates on dairy—American milk often lasts longer than UK milk

Sample Two-Week Shopping Budget

For a family of four eating breakfast and lunch at the villa, plus 3-4 dinners per week:

• Initial big shop: $200-250

• Mid-week top-up: $80-100

• Second week shop: $150-180

• Total: $430-530 (£320-400)

Compare that to eating every meal out at £240-360 daily (£3,360-5,040 for two weeks), and you'll see why villa kitchens are such brilliant value.

Ready to enjoy the freedom and savings of villa living? Book your Solterra villa today and start planning your perfect Orlando grocery strategy!