Cooking in the Villas! Favorites?

[MegMoves]

Hey DVC families!

We're planning on using our kitchen a lot on our upcoming "Welcome Home" stay (Nov - BWV). What are some of your favorite things to prepare while at DVC full kitchen Villas? Do you have a favorite copycat recipe?

We're doing our first family vacation with both our oldest (23) and youngest (7).

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas!

 

[davper]

We don't do major cooking. We just enjoy the convenience of being able to prepare foods in a full kitchen.
For us, it is always quick prep meals. No one wants to spend time cooking on vacation.

I enjoy getting Costco prepared meals. Just cook in oven and serve. They have an awesome meatloaf and potatoes and their tacos are good. BJs does the same thing, but they taste poor and are of low quality. We make breakfast almost everyday. Then of course there are the cold cut sandwiches and salads. We always have a pasta and meat meal. That is pretty much it. With my assortment of spices and other additives, food is just blah. I bring a few basic spices.

 

[MegMoves]

Is the local Costco close to WDW? We're members, that sounds like a good option.

I enjoy getting Costco prepared meals. Just cook in oven and serve. They have an awesome meatloaf and potatoes and their tacos are good. BJs does the same thing, but they taste poor and are of low quality. We make breakfast almost everyday. Then of course there are the cold cut sandwiches and salads. We always have a pasta and meat meal. That is pretty much it. With my assortment of spices and other additives, food is just blah. I bring a few basic spices.

 

[CarolynFH]

Is the local Costco close to WDW? We're members, that sounds like a good option.

The closest Costco to WDW is at 4696 Gardens Park Blvd, Orlando, FL 32839. We've been there, and it's kind of a hike. However, there are several Publix groceries near WDW, and they carry some prepared dishes as well. Haven't tried those items ourselves, but we do shop at Publix when we're at WDW. We're more the "cook breakfast in the room, eat lunch and dinner out" kind of people, although we're starting to eat more sandwiches in the room as well, either lunch if we're getting a late start or supper after having a big table service lunch.

 

[LPnerd]

Hey DVC families!

We're planning on using our kitchen a lot on our upcoming "Welcome Home" stay (Nov - BWV). What are some of your favorite things to prepare while at DVC full kitchen Villas? Do you have a favorite copycat recipe?

We're doing our first family vacation with both our oldest (23) and youngest (7).

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas!

I make either mostacholli or spaghetti the first night, easy cheap and I make a lot, they eat it for lunch the next day, and just whenever.( I have one that eats cold pasta for breakfast if there is any.
I also get bags of salads at Publix, add deli meat and another good meal that leaves plenty of room for a treat or two( dole whip adult),at the parks.
also annies mac and cheese and Hebrew national hotdogs and a make in micro veg, or a veg and dip tray. we also have cereal and milk ,eggs and bacon, and if we are there more than 3 days, I take my crock-pot. pork shoulder in the pot plus 1cup of water, top on pot on low, see you in 8-9 hrs, break it up, add a whole bottle of your fav sauce, keep on low for 20 more min. hamburger buns,, veg and dip tray, fruit salad, this is around for two days and no one complains! LOL. I feed them healthy and plenty so they can have all the junk they want in the parks. ( Oh I also have green juice on hand for a serving of fruit and veg a day.

 

[LPnerd]

The closest Costco to WDW is at 4696 Gardens Park Blvd, Orlando, FL 32839. We've been there, and it's kind of a hike. However, there are several Publix groceries near WDW, and they carry some prepared dishes as well. Haven't tried those items ourselves, but we do shop at Publix when we're at WDW. We're more the "cook breakfast in the room, eat lunch and dinner out" kind of people, although we're starting to eat more sandwiches in the room as well, either lunch if we're getting a late start or supper after having a big table service lunch.

PUBLIX!

 

[sethschroeder]

I mean really you can cook about anything you want. Its really up to you with how much time you want to invest. The pans are not the best but they will do okay.

Easiest will be things like Chicken Tenders or other frozen goods. You can also do no cook things like salads and such. Microwave breakfast sandwiches as well.

Flip side bring your spices in your luggage and make a full Thanksgiving Dinner.

 

[Toolulu22]

We mostly reheat leftovers from the huge portions served at WDW dinners! We usually eat breakfast in the room (most days). Sometimes we’ll cook a frozen pizza. We pick up fruit and cold cuts for sandwiches. Otherwise, not so much actual dinner cooking. That’s the one meal we prefer to eat out on vacation. We like having a kitchen though- the refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, plates and actual silverware etc.

 

[cellomom]

Congratulations! How exciting your welcome home trip❤
we always eat breakfast in the room, anything from cereal, muffins, bagels, eggs and bacon. Dinner might be Chili, tacos, lasagna…we also picked up bagged salads kits, plenty of fruit and a box of “Mickey Ice Cream Bars” from Publix.

 

[Kitkatkatie]

Hey DVC families!

We're planning on using our kitchen a lot on our upcoming "Welcome Home" stay (Nov - BWV). What are some of your favorite things to prepare while at DVC full kitchen Villas? Do you have a favorite copycat recipe?

We're doing our first family vacation with both our oldest (23) and youngest (7).

Thanks in advance, I'm looking forward to hearing your ideas!

We did a lot of breakfast cooking. Bacon, eggs, sausage, bacon etc. my grandpa who’s as one the trip used it for a few other things. But for the most part we ate lunch and dinner in the parks.

we honestly like the convince of a real fridge. We stored a bunch of drinks and brought a cooler. Never really bought drinks at the park. The part we liked was having a freezer. Meaning we could freeze water to put in the cooler.

 

[LSchrow]

taco salad - ground beef, taco seasoning, shredded cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion
steak & salad - we prefer a butter & garlic sauce cut with a bit of Worcestershire sauce for the steak, don't forget the salad dressing & croutons if desired
creamy chicken breast with spinach - spray oil, garlic, frozen small pieces chicken breast, heavy cream, frozen spinach
omelets - mushroom & swiss, or feta & fresh spinach, oil spray
pasta with sun-dried tomato pesto, frozen garlic bread, grated cheese
If we have the time, corned beef & cabbage is great for a meal, as well as leftovers.

We keep Tupperware style storage containers (great for leftovers), zip-lock bags, & good knives in our Owner's Locker.

We also have raisin bread for toast, frozen pancakes & syrup, bacon.
Lots of Chianti
We make dinners that use the ingredients with the shortest shelf life first, then the frozen & non-perishables. Over a two week stay, we eat in room less than half the time, but actually enjoy the cooking nights

 

[com_op_2000]

DW usually makes a one pot meal:
Stew
Soup
Lasagna
As we usually stay in studios, these work out great for reheating in the microwave. We sometimes will eat breakfast out and then depending on what we are doing that day either lunch or dinner in the room every day.

 

[bianca]

We focus on a big breakfast and basically have a charcuterie tray out the rest of the day. I also put out 3 tiny crockpots with 2 kinds of meatballs and queso dip. Everyone is free to grab whatever snack they want then during the day, but we aren't "3 meals a day" kind of people. Our crew is also known to have many adult beverages on vacation, which also eliminates the need for huge meals. We've made a pact that during our next trip, we won't even go to any restaurants. We travel with 9 and 3 are kids, so restaurants get kinda limited. In addition, we just won't pay for mediocre food anymore. It's so much easier to navigate your own DVC kitchen than trying to get to and from the restaurants.

 

[LPnerd]

We focus on a big breakfast and basically have a charcuterie tray out the rest of the day. I also put out 3 tiny crockpots with 2 kinds of meatballs and queso dip. Everyone is free to grab whatever snack they want then during the day, but we aren't "3 meals a day" kind of people. Our crew is also known to have many adult beverages on vacation, which also eliminates the need for huge meals. We've made a pact that during our next trip, we won't even go to any restaurants. We travel with 9 and 3 are kids, so restaurants get kinda' limited. In addition, we just won't pay for mediocre food anymore. It's so much easier to navigate your own DVC kitchen than trying to get to and from the restaurants.

I know, all these people raving about food at Disney; I don't get it. WTH are they eating at home? LOL. Prices for just edible food... no TY. However there are a few exceptions. I will not share publicly because every time I do that, prices go up within the year. maybe I'm a jinx?

 

[LPnerd]

DW usually makes a one pot meal:
Stew
Soup
Lasagna
As we usually stay in studios, these work out great for reheating in the microwave. We sometimes will eat breakfast out and then depending on what we are doing that day either lunch or dinner in the room every day.

do you have a couple fav places for breakfast?

 

[MegMoves]

I take my crock-pot. pork shoulder in the pot plus 1cup of water, top on pot on low, see you in 8-9 hrs, break it up, add a whole bottle of your fav sauce, keep on low for 20 more min. hamburger buns,, veg and dip tray, fruit salad, this is around for two days and no one complains! LOL. I feed them healthy and plenty so they can have all the junk they want in the parks. ( Oh I also have green juice on hand for a serving of fruit and veg a day.

I've been debating bringing my instant pot or air fryer for a similar reason. Have healthy stuff in the resort and keep a snack budget for in the parks.

 

[davper]

do you have a couple fav places for breakfast?

Perkins Restaurant. Yes, i know it is dated and the carpet is probably alive, but the food is decent and it is my namesake.

Is the local Costco close to WDW? We're members, that sounds like a good option.

Not really. But I rent a car and stop there from the airport or from Universal.

 

[MegMoves]

Perkins Restaurant. Yes, i know it is dated and the carpet is probably alive, but the food is decent and it is my namesake.


Not really. But I rent a car and stop there from the airport or from Universal.

We'll be driving down. Wow, all of our Perkins' closed ages ago.

 

[bianca]

do you have a couple fav places for breakfast?

Our favorite restaurant breakfast is Boma. Since we own at AK, we stay there quite a bit. That being said, we usually MAKE breakfast in our room, as it’s everyone’s favorite. I break out all the kids’ favorite breakfast foods, including Overnight French Toast Casserole and Baked Ham and cheese Omelette. Sounds like a lot of work, but I’ve got it down to a science and it is seamless. My 2 daughters help, too.

in the evening, I throw together the omelette and put in the refrigerator. I do the same with the overNight casserole. I buy 9x13 foil pans so that I don’t have to do dishes. In the morning, I just throw the bacon in the oven on a baking sheet and mix up the kids their Mickey waffles (made with legit Golden Malted mix AND Mickey waffler). Everybody gets what they want and nobody eats again until mid afternoon.

it sounds like a lot of work, but it isn’t. We enjoy our time together drinking Mimosas and coffee while breakfast cooks. I even get my curlers in my hair and get ready for the day! It takes MUCH less time than wrangling a party of 9 out the door.

 

[com_op_2000]

do you have a couple fav places for breakfast?

Normally we do outside the parks quick service places.
At AKL - it is quick to get to 192 and pick up something before starting the day off.
At OKW, SSR - same going over to 535.
Any other location normally pick up something in the park or resort before going out.