eating at the resort room

[KirstenB]

To the OP, we too are on a tight budget, but having said that, we are also budgeting for food for our trip because we want this to be a vacation for everyone, my wife and myself included. We've done the eating meals in-room thing before, and it does not make for an enjoyable trip for us. We too will be staying in one of the Value Resorts because we really want to stay on property and the Deluxe or even the Moderates are simply not in our price range. Wish they were, but that's just not going to happen for us right now. However, if we were having to stay in a Value Resort AND try to eat most of our meals in-room as well, that would just be too depressing. We have taken care of room cost and tickets and now we are taking an entire year to save for our meals while we're there (a little bit every month).

There are lots of things you can do to save money on eating that will not require trying to cook your own food in-room. On site, there is the Earl of Sandwich at DTD that has great food at low prices, and there is actually a McDonald's on site, not far from POP and AK. Also, the Orlando area McDonalds have incredible theming, not to mention an incredible gourmet menu! Go to http://www.mcfun.com to find out more about them! There is also the "extra bun" trick: order a double cheeseburger and order an extra bun: voila! Two cheeseburgers! (This happens so much the CS registers have an "extra bun" button on them.) And you can always order ice water with meals instead of soft drinks. It's free and much better for you anyway. The site mousesavers.com has lots of other ideas to cut down on expenses. If you cut some corners here and there, you can all have a more enjoyable vacation, and still get to eat out, which is the most fun part of a vacation as far as I'm concerned!

Thanks for posting about the McDonalds!! I had no idea anything other than the standard Mickey D's existed!! We're going to try to eat dinner offsite several of the nights we're there. The kids will love these, and I'll like getting something other than a hamburger.

 

[sandgrace]

Sorry but bringing a toaster and busting out a fryer, grill and crockpot are two different animals.

I don't think that they meant a fryer, they were referring to one of those electric pans that plug in, that can be used as kind of a portable cook top. I could be wrong but that's what I think that they meant.

Again, I think that the OP was just trying to see if anyone had ideas of easy ways to make some meals in their hotel room to save money.

 

[Dizneydaz]

OP, sorry you took such a pounding! Couple of quick questions-are you driving or flying? If you are driving then bringing the items you mentioned wouldn't be a problem but if flying it's going to take alot of space and also make your luggage heavy.

Personally, I wouldn't bring a crock pot-sounds like too much work to me. We've never stayed in one of the suites but having a kitchenette sounds cool to me! But I would only use it for quick meals. I would try to make most of my meals with the microwave and, maybe, the George grill. You can make alot of things in the mirco and it'll be great for heating up leftovers. I think the most adventurous thing I would make would be grilled chese. A few slices of buttered bread and Velveeta and you'll have a nice warm meal. Anything liquidy will heat up in the micro (soup, etc.). Breakfast is easy-we eat breakfast in our room using only a toaster and cold milk. It's easy and quick when you're trying to get out of the room in the a.m.

Back to my question about how you are getting there-if you are driving you can of course go off property for some cheaper meals and to get some quick to prepare grocieries. If you're flying, how are you planning on getting your food there? Again, if you pack it, your luggage will be heavy and if you are over the airlines allowed (free) luggage limit, it'll cost you alot to bring it.

In closing, I would do a quick breakfast in the room (you can even do things like oatmeal in the micro) and then I would either eat my CS for lunch (make it a late lunch if possible.) or bring along some sandwiches to eat in the parks. Then I would have an easy to prepare dinner in the room. Nothing fancy, soup, sandwiches, salad, fresh fruit etc. I do think the best plan is if they do offer free DDP again in Sept. take advantage of it. Until we started getting free DDP, we ate on a tight budget too. Only a few meals eaten on property, mostly off property. And if you are on the DDP you'll have so much food leftover that you'll have breakfast and/or snack to eat in the room.

Have a great trip-don't let some of the comments on here scare you off-

 

[Justsyd2]

From Mousesavers:

I strongly discourage using any appliance that produces high heat, such as a toaster or tabletop grill. Using such appliances is a serious fire hazard and can endanger you, your family and other guests in the hotel. It can also produce cooking smells that your neighbors (and the people who stay in the room after you) won't appreciate. Suites that include kitchens have the properly-rated electrical outlets, ventilation systems and most importantly, fire extinguishers! Regular hotel rooms do not. If the hotel catches you with unauthorized cooking equipment, you may be asked to leave.

http://www.mousesavers.com/meals.html

 

[disneyagogo]

Have you considered staying offsite? After a less than stellar off-site experience on our first trip, we vowed to only stay on-site. Fast forward a few years and some budget awareness , we decided to stay at the Sheraton Vistana using the Allears.net no houeskeeping rates. The reason for this long background is to offer you another option.

Currently, the rack rate for the All Star Family Suite is $184 for September. If you decided to stay at a 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen at the Sheraton Vistana, your rate would be $99 for September (Dreams Unlimited Rate). I am making the assumption that you are driving if you are planning on bringing so many appliances. You would have to pay for parking ($12/day), but you would still save $73/day over staying on property. You would have a full kitchen and could cook whatever you like. There are other great offsite options that will save you enough to allow you funds for dining. The Orlando Hotels and Attractions sub-forum is my other home on the Dis and has a wealth of information.

Good luck!

disneyagogo

 

[nunzia]

I'm sorry if you are offended. That is certainly not my intent. I just want to make sure that you know that those items are not allowed, even in the family suites, and that the resort might ask you to leave, as they are a fire hazard.

As someone else suggested, I would do sandwiches, and use the microwave that is supplied in the suite.

This is the budget board, and I have received a lot of helpful advice here. I am trying to pass that on.

I do hope that you have a wonderful, and safe, vacation.

Where is this info located? Not being snarky, but I'm a DVC member and staying in a studio in January (not much different than a hotel room after all) and bought a teeny tiny frypan for eggs..so..if this is not allowed, please show me where I can find the info. I know alot of DVCers cook stuff in their studios, so had no clue there was anything wrong with it.

 

[Justsyd2]

From WDW Website:

Can food be brought into Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Theme Parks?

Guests are allowed to bring food items - such as snacks or foods that do not require heating - into any Walt Disney World Resort hotel. If you have food items that need to be refrigerated, please ask the front desk at your hotel to have a refrigerator placed in your room. Refrigerator may require an additional charge. Guests are allowed to bring food items-such as snacks or foods that do not require heating-into any Walt Disney World Theme Park. Inform a Security Cast Member of any food items when you enter the Theme Park.

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining/#subCategory9

I really am not trying to hurt anyone's feelings. I am just trying to make people aware that in-room cooking (without a full kitchen) is not allowed, and that you could possibly be asked to end your vacation early.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

I'm sorry if you are offended. That is certainly not my intent. I just want to make sure that you know that those items are not allowed, even in the family suites, and that the resort might ask you to leave, as they are a fire hazard.

As someone else suggested, I would do sandwiches, and use the microwave that is supplied in the suite.

This is the budget board, and I have received a lot of helpful advice here. I am trying to pass that on.

I do hope that you have a wonderful, and safe, vacation.

Please reference where you get that info from. It is not on the Disney site. Your later quote from Mousesavers says "I strongly dicourage..." I would think that if Disney did not allow the appiances, then by golly the good ladies over at Mousesavers would know that, and say "Disney does not allow..." But instead says "I strongly discourage..."

Me? I wouldn't bring all of those appliances on vacation, but to each his own. I suppose those who are offended by the smell of cooked food make the appropriate room requests so they are not too close to a food court or restaurant?!

 

[Justsyd2]

The link is in the post above yours.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you! I suppose it is a reasonable assumption that if you are not to bring food that needs to be heated into a hotel room, then you are not to bring appliances used to heat them... Strange that it would prohibit the food, but not the appliance! I think it would be much easier to determine what an appliance is, vs what foods require heating!! Why not just say you can't bring those items? And, I guess the suites and cabins are a different story...

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Please reference where you get that info from. It is not on the Disney site. Your later quote from Mousesavers says "I strongly dicourage..." I would think that if Disney did not allow the appiances, then by golly the good ladies over at Mousesavers would know that, and say "Disney does not allow..." But instead says "I strongly discourage..."

Me? I wouldn't bring all of those appliances on vacation, but to each his own. I suppose those who are offended by the smell of cooked food make the appropriate room requests so they are not too close to a food court or restaurant?!

There is a huge difference between being in the building next door to a ventilated restaurant/food court and being in the adjacent room of someone who is cooking sausage and onions on a George Foreman grill, or making corned beef and cabbage in a crock pot all day. I can't believe that you would be ok with being in the room next to someone who was cooking this? If the room is set up for cooking (VILLA), there is proper electrical wiring for that, and also adequate ventilation for odor/smoke removal. I don't think we even need to go to the actual "Rules of Disney", let's just use our common sense.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Sorry, Queen, I couldn't resist!

I hear you on the "cooking aromas"... and reminded me of the apartment I had in college. The until below was occupied by 3 nuns. I am not sure what they did with the fish on Friday...but let me tell you, it was no Narcoosse's ! Had not thought about whether someone elses cooking smells would bother me on vacation...

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Sorry, Queen, I couldn't resist!

I hear you on the "cooking aromas"... and reminded me of the apartment I had in college. The until below was occupied by 3 nuns. I am not sure what they did with the fish on Friday...but let me tell you, it was no Narcoosse's ! Had not thought about whether someone elses cooking smells would bother me on vacation...

You ain't heard whining if you think that's what I was doing up there. I can out whine the best of em!! I wonder where my kids have learned this from?

 

[MELSMICE]

Don't be offended. BUT I think some of the responses here are right on when they say you don't want to spend your precious park time cooking, and getting back to the room for meals is more time consuming then it sounds. Breakfast in the room is great. You'll have a fridge so get milk and cereal, pb&j, and instant oatmeal packets. If you still want things for lunch or dinner. . .keep it simple! I have brought those Easy Mac mac and cheeses, cup of soups, even hot dogs and buns. Keep some fruit and granola bars. . .maybe some chips and salsa. But really you don't want to be cooking anything that is more than just heating up some water or popping something in the microwave. You won't have a proper sink to wash dishes in or anything. Bring some paper plates, paper towels and plastic silverware. Sometimes we would take out leftovers from a meal back to the room and stick it in the fridge in case anybody felt like popping it in the microwave later. . . mostly the husband is a midnight snacker. In truth, I always planned to take too much food and ended up leaving alot for the maids. The one thing we never have enough of is bottled water. . .make sure you have lots of that. HTH

Agree 100%.

You will still save a bunch of money if you eat breakfast in the room, take snacks in to the parks, eat sandwiches on days you are at the pool & have snacks in the room for later.

You can save on CS meals by splitting meals, getting some meals without fries, bringing drink packets from home, etc.

When my DD's were younger they each carried their own fanny pack filled with ziploc baggies full of snacks (goldfish, pretzels, licorice, etc) & a water bottle holder.

Plus, imagine being at the parks one evening & it runs in to the dinner hour......do you really want to worry about heading back to your room for dinner?

I would consider trying to save money somewhere else, instead of worrying about making dinner in my hotel room. JMO!

 

[debsays]

We use to bring a toaster with us for breakfast in the room. That's about the only electric appliance I would think of brining.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

OMG STOP!!!!!!! Look . My original post was not meant to cause a uproar on how people can save money. I work at a hotel up here in Michigan and yes I have seen meople bringin small appliances to use in thier hotel room and i have even unplugged them my question to all what was some quick meals other than sandwiches we can make utilizing what we have. Microwave and maybe a small taoster. I am not planning on bringing a full kitchen and I am not planning on do full fledge cooking. I will be making alot of things pre travel since we are drving to WDW. I will be leaving the frypan at home due to the unassurance of whether you can or cant bring them we took a toaster oven to WDW on 07 and nothing was said. I am not that much of an idot to fully cook on my vacation.... And to the person who said why dont i stay offsite???? Why should I why should i and my family not stay at DISney? I was asking if people had any ideas of things that i can heat up in the microwave since THEY (DISNEY) ARE PROVIDING ME WITHA MICROWAVEi can cook ... And to the aromas being smelt through other rooms ever smelled burnt popcorn. it lingers through more than room... So i will leave everything behind but maybe next time when someone asks for help they can be helped in a more constructive way than making them feel like they are not worthy to go to WDW and try to save money.. And to all the people that have been so nice to me and given me some really good ideas I say THANK YOU form the bottom of my heart... I still love this place and i will still ask questions and maybe just maybe we can learn to make a point without hurting peoples feelings.

 

[powellrj]

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Dont know whether this is in the right place but can anybody tell me some meal ideas to have in the room we have the all star suite at Music and I am limiting our dinners (eating at CS reasturants) to when we are at the parks and the rest of the meals in our room. I am planning on bringing my crockpot, george formen grill and electric fry pan but I am looking for simple meal ideas. we are planning to hit the grocery store before check in so if anybody has any ideas i would really appreciate them

OMG STOP!!!!!!! Look . My original post was not meant to cause a uproar on how people can save money. I work at a hotel up here in Michigan and yes I have seen meople bringin small appliances to use in thier hotel room and i have even unplugged them my question to all what was some quick meals other than sandwiches we can make utilizing what we have. Microwave and maybe a small taoster. I am not planning on bringing a full kitchen and I am not planning on do full fledge cooking. I will be making alot of things pre travel since we are drving to WDW. I will be leaving the frypan at home due to the unassurance of whether you can or cant bring them we took a toaster oven to WDW on 07 and nothing was said. I am not that much of an idot to fully cook on my vacation.... And to the person who said why dont i stay offsite???? Why should I why should i and my family not stay at DISney? I was asking if people had any ideas of things that i can heat up in the microwave since THEY (DISNEY) ARE PROVIDING ME WITHA MICROWAVEi can cook ... And to the aromas being smelt through other rooms ever smelled burnt popcorn. it lingers through more than room... So i will leave everything behind but maybe next time when someone asks for help they can be helped in a more constructive way than making them feel like they are not worthy to go to WDW and try to save money.. And to all the people that have been so nice to me and given me some really good ideas I say THANK YOU form the bottom of my heart... I still love this place and i will still ask questions and maybe just maybe we can learn to make a point without hurting peoples feelings.

The last post is totally different than your first post. You said you planned on bringing your George Foreman grill, electric fry pan and crock-pot. You would have gotten totally different answers if you hadn't asked about bringing those items and just asked about the microwave. Sorry you felt picked on. I don't know why you were offended by the suggestion to stay off-site. The poster had some really good suggestions and for the record, many of us like to stay off-site.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I think that this discussion has run its course. Time to close this thread.