Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner in an OKW villa

[Disney1fan2002]

opinions...do you think a frozen Turkey will survive a 24 hour drive? If we put it in a cooler, and refridgerate it as soon as we check in? Then it can thaw out over the 5 days in the fridge...ready to cook Thursday.

I don't know why I am thinking it would be better to buy the turkey here, and bring it with us, I do have to make a grocery stop down there anyway.....I am weird..ok?

 

[kweaver]

Buy a turkey down there...and buy a fresh one. It will taste better and work out much better. Do you really want a turkey taking up fridge space for 5 days?

 

[robinb]

Have you considered buying a complete thanksgiving dinner from Goodings or Publix? You would probably get a turkey and some sides for a reasonable cost and you don't really have to cook, just warm stuff up.

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by robinb
Have you considered buying a complete thanksgiving dinner from Goodings or Publix? You would probably get a turkey and some sides for a reasonable cost and you don't really have to cook, just warm stuff up.

That is exactly what we did one year and we are planning on doing the same thing this Thanksgiving. The food tasted great and the time to prepare the meal was dramatically reduced.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by robinb
Have you considered buying a complete thanksgiving dinner from Goodings or Publix? You would probably get a turkey and some sides for a reasonable cost and you don't really have to cook, just warm stuff up.

Its just not the same though. You can't whine for hours asking how much longer until the turkey's done when you know you can just heat it up. Plus the women folk actually can relax instead of slaving the day away and the ones who would never otherwise watch football ask why you hate the Cowboys and why that ref threw down his hat or what is illegal procedure or what the heck is an ineligble receiver and we then have to pretend to know all of these answers instead of just enjoying the 'Boys lose.

Of course, your experiences may differ.



-Joe

 

[Disneyaholic]

I've cooked Thanksgiving dinners in a HH villa many times, and plan to do it again this year.

Our drive is not as long as yours, but I do the same thing you asked about: throw a small turkey in a cooler and then in the fridge. You should be fine, as long as you keep the cooler closed until you're able to get the bird into the fridge!!

I agree, that there's nothing like the smell of roasting turkey! (Although at HH, the smell of the turkeys that they're deep frying for member dinners is pretty awesome ) I do the rest of the dinner in shortcuts -- I make the mashed potatoes at home and bring them with (the refrigerated or frozen ones that are available would probably be pretty good, too, LOL!!), prepared cranberry sauce, Stovetop stuffing, etc. It works well for us!

Last year, we met up with a few other families and had a HUGE Thanksgiving dinner that didn't use all those shortcuts... It rivaled any turkey dinner I've ever had!!!

 

[Nanajo1]

We've done the Publix dinner three times now it is great. I do bring fixings for our family favorites. You still get the turkey aroma. Remember to bring/buy aluminin foil and storage bags for the left overs.

 

[Par8hed]

A frozen turkey in a cooler is essentially a big block of ice. You will be just fine. If you happen to drive a Volkswagon you can keep the gravy warm in the glove compartment at the same time. A potato, held at the perfect angle, can be peeled on the cars fan belt and mashed beneath the tire.

 

[lovewdwdvc]

Anyone have any ideas for Christmas Dinner in one of the DVC's thanks.

 

[Niagara2]

We always have the big dinner at OKW at Thanksgiving. Last few years for 12 in a GV or when just us in a one bedroom. THis is the only meal that I find that the kitchen supplies need some help. Bring extra serving bowls for all the special holiday add on's. I have bought the disposable bowls, less to clean up.

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by Par8hed
A frozen turkey in a cooler is essentially a big block of ice. You will be just fine. If you happen to drive a Volkswagon you can keep the gravy warm in the glove compartment at the same time. A potato, held at the perfect angle, can be peeled on the cars fan belt and mashed beneath the tire.

What a great idea! I happen to drive a VW, so I'll have to try this. BTW, the trunk is so tiny, you've got the perfect built-in cooler!

 

[Peddler]

We are staying at OKW and planning to cook a turkey there, however we are concerned about buying a frozen one and having time to thaw it out since we arrive on tuesday by plane.
Do you have to order fresh turkeys or can you just pick them up somplace close by?