9 Nights in a studio-Do able?

[FreeTime]

We will have to borrow points for our trip for next December and usually stay in a 1 or 2 br. This time though we would like to stay longer. It will just be DH and 2 DD's ages 3 & 4. Are we crazy to consider staying 9 nights in studio? We don't like to eat out a lot and I can't think of many things I can make in the microwave (and not much storage room in the little fridge). Should we forgo the trip?

 

[ducklite]

That's a tough question.

If you are used to the space in a one or two BR, you might feel cramped in a studio for a nine day trip.

Also, although there is a microwave, there isn't really anything to use to cook in the microwave with. Of course you could bring yours from home, but...as you said, there's not a huge amount of space in the fridge either.

There are some non-perishables that you can pretty easily make in a microwave, Kraft Easy Mac, canned chili, Lipton Fetticini Alfredo, soup with cold sandwiches all come to mind.

In all honesty though, you sound as if you aren't really sure you want to make this trip.

if I were in your shoes, I think I'd not borrow the points and just wait a year.

Anne

 

[tjkraz]

With there being 4 of you, and you not wanting to eat out for the entire trip, I wouldn't do it personally.

But before you throw out the idea altogether, I would personally look at some other creative ways to make it happen. For example, how about spending part of your trip in a 1B and the rest in a studio? If you started your stay in the 1B, you could make a couple of large dishes that could later be reheated in the studio microwave.

For 9 consecutive nights, you should have a high point weekend included. How about staying Fri/Sat off-site, or stay at a WDW value resort for cash.

Both of these scenarios would entail some moving around, but for a 10-day, 9-night stay, hopefully the disruption will be minimal.

 

[westjones]

Are you driving or flying? We went to WDW and the 4 of us stayed in a studio (two DDs age 10--twins), and I brought along stuff to make in the microwave and to use the fridge. We don't like to eat out all the time.

I guess we had such a great time that 'food' and 'space' (in the room) were not all that important to us. We did eat out once a day at least, but sandwiches and quick breakfasts in the room saved us a lot or money and time.

Only you know if you really want to go. I wouldn't hesitate if we had the money and time. Before buying into DVC we even tent camped at Fort Wilderness---so the studios at the DVC resorts are wonderful to us!

Good Luck in your decision!
DJ

 

[pmcpmc]

are you thinking of staying at.

 

[spiceycat]

are you driving - then make alot of your meals - pack them in a collapsability ice chest - you can get one at Walmart - put the food in mircowave containers - those little things - freeze them solid before you put them in the ice chest.

then when you arrive - take the ice trays out of the little refrigerator then pack it full - the rest you can kept in your ice chest - all WDW have ice machines - (at the bus stops or the quiet pool at OKW).

at the grocery store - get some lettuce or what vegetable you like plus fruits, milk

if you want eggs and bacon for breakfast - cook the bacon on paper towels in the mircowave - scamble the eggs in one of the mugs and then cook in that in the mircowave.

there are several things in the grocery store that you can cook in the mircowave oven that don't need refrigeration - but they generally have a high salt content - so I won't suggest them.

 

[July]

If your driving you would have room for a crock pot and a George Forman grill. That would give you alot of other things to cook in a studio. I have done it. I actually enjoyed it. And I did it at OKW studio and they have a smaller kitchen area for their studios. But the room it self is larger. I just made use of the Table for the crock pot and the George Forman grill. Of course you have to pack some dishes for the studios do not have much for the microwave. And no plates except the paper kind. But if you plan your meals I think you could do it. The BWV studio had more counter space in there kitchen area but then you have to make the couch into a bed. I wouldn't like that but others have said it was great to watch tv from.

July

 

[msdis]

Anything in a can heats in the micro. We bring canned meats(tuna, chicken, crab), spaghettios, soups, ravioli, pasta anytime(really good),beef stew, sandwich meats in a soft cooler, still frozen so they act as ice too, cheese, sandwich and snacking veggies stored in a big tupperware container in the suitcase to prevent squishing or leakage, pb and jelly or fluff, micro popcorn, cookies(homemade and store bought) dried and/or fresh fruit, granola bars, crackers, bread, mayo, mustard, hot cocoa, coffee and filters, 1/2 & 1/2, pop tarts, bagels and cream cheese. For anyone who has ever bought Healthy choice products, those "plates"(not the compartment ones) and "bowls" are terrific to reuse and they stack and pack wonderful because they are so thin. There are never enough paper plates and the bowls aren't real good for real watery stuff. The HC containers are made for the micro and work real well. I wonder what the TSA people think about my luggage but I'm sure I'm not alone. Last week I told the guy that I heard they were serving a 4 course meal on the plane but just in case............he got a chuckle out of it. More like a yeah, right...........those days are long gone. There are 2 of us and we bring 2 suitcases(med. pullmans) of food and 1 of clothes. Works every time in a studio for us. This is not for everyone and we don't mind the small quarters as we spend little time in the room, but if you really want to go there are ways to make it work.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'm not sure about 9 days in the same studio. Not sure what you are doing but I think I'd start out staying somewhere on or just off site for cash on a Friday and Saturday night. That might bail you out of the need to borrow. I find if I'm staying longer I will be taking it slower...spending time at the pool or in the room.

There are a lot of dishes you can prepare in the microwave if you think about it and plan ahead. You will need to bring microwaveable dishes...I bring along ziploc ware...it comes in dark blue with snap on tops. Fairly heavyweight. I'd probably bring along either a hotpot of some type or a deep square or round corning ware dish that I could make casseroles in.

I try to bring foods (canned, instant or otherwise) I can combine together to make new dishes. Maximize the number of foods that don't require refrigeration as well as ones that can be combined with food you can get from the food court.

My suggestion...take up the suggestion about hotpots, foreman grills and/or electric skillet. But if all that is too much work for you (although I wonder if you haven't been eating out previously) then I would ALSO do some internet research on using the microwave to cook.

 

[jaysue]

DW and I discussed this, our opinion is that we (DW/DH, and DS#1 4yrs old and DS#2 6 mos old) could do a studio for 3 or 4 nights but that would be our limit in terms of disrupted sleep, meal constraints etc.

You would also have to consider in case you were not aware that OKW has 2 Queen beds whilst the other DVC resorts have 1 Queen and a couch that converts to a double

thanks
jaysue

 

[pmcpmc]

We have regularly had 21days in a studio at BWV
Eat breakfast in the room or at the Boardwalk Bakery
On a pool day eat lunch at the pool bar .
Eat out at one of a thousand places for dinner, very often off site.
The microwave can be used to make as many dinners as they have choices at Walmart

 

[Lexxiefern]

Wow, everyone is so creative!!

As I was reading this I thought how spoiled we have become having DVC I bet nobody thinks twice (non-DVC members of course) about staying in a regular hotel room for 9 nights!! And a studio is better IMHO.

Yes, I absolutely think it is doable. Good luck to you - there are a ton of wonderful suggestions here!

 

[Lisa F]

I always love these sorts of discussions as I am reminded that DVC members are just about the biggest spoiled bunch out there (myself included!) If you read the budget board you will see people who do a lot more with a lot less than a DVC studio! In fact, all over the world, people take vacations and stay in *gasp* regular hotel rooms. While I LOVE my 1 bedroom and we try to stay in one whenever we can (and yes, I even find myself turning my nose up at hotels I previously thought were nice enough!), we find that a little perspective about how much better being at disney is than being at work, sitting in rush hour traffic, cleaning the house and running errands goes a long way to ease the "suffering" of staying at a studio.

Anyway, there are a lot of great ideas here. If I were concerned with preparing meals in the studio, I would likely prepare all of my meals ahead at home, package individually, freeze them solid for transport, and heat up one meal a night. In fact, We do this all the time at home as I don't have time in the evenings to cook so I spend an afternoon on the weekend preparing meals for the whole week that can just be heated up. Sandwiches for lunch, cold cereal or oatmeal or something for breakfast and it will be fine.

 

[poj7]

Crock pots and George Foreman grills? Where is the ventilation in a studio? This is ok?

 

[CarolynFH]

Crock pots and George Foreman grills are designed to be used indoors. Normal ventilation, even what you'd have in a studio, is fine.

I too am impressed at the ideas here. We're talking about driving instead of flying next time we go for a week, and I mentioned to DH that we could take the crockpot so we could have some really good inexpensive meals. He said, we'd save so much money driving, we could afford to eat out, and furthermore, if he had to drive (it's 20 hours each way), he refused to cook!

 

[FreeTime]

Thanks for the advice everyone! We will actually be staying at BWV. I never thought about some of the great ideas that you have. Thanks again!