Eating in-room at POP

[curseofcurves]

We (2 adults) are looking into staying at the POP on our next trip and I have a few questions. Last trip we stayed off-site with a fridge, microwave, and free breakfast so meals and our budget were easy to manage. If we go, it will be pretty last minute, so a fridge swap won't work for us.

We can bring a cooler since we are driving. What things keep well and what things don't in a cooler? I'm a little concerned about milk, mayo, and deli meats going bad. Also, how do you pack things in the cooler to prevent water from getting in the packages when the ice starts to melt? Is there someone close to POP to buy bags of ice at a reasonable price? Any general cooler-in-room experience would be great.

I read something about using the microwave in the POP food court. Can we just take anything we want down there and heat it up? Is there more than 1 microwave available to use? What have your experiences been with in-room food and the food court microwave, long lines, tiny microwaves, dirty looks from CMs, etc?

 

[lily28]

I just join a fridge swap less than 1 week before arrival for spring break stay. so you can still check for availability at Pop. there are quite a few microwaves at the food court. I did not get any dirty looks from CM. I also pick up a free fill mug at the food court which was great for coffee, hot chocolate and soda.

 

[Kay1]

I pack just about everything I put in the cooler in Ziplock bags and most of the things I take are almost shelf-stable. I also use frozen 1-liter bottles to add to the chill. The things I like that aren't so stable are: sushi, subs, salads and shrimp cocktail.

Have a whole lot of fun.

 

[indimom]

We took butter, ketchup, mustard, eggs (ours were raw for cooking over the fire, but you could bring hardboiled in the shell, they would hold a long time), deli meat, cheese, frozen veg, tons of things. I even pre-cooked chicken and made spaghetti and meatballs at home, then just warmed them up on our trip. (Packing raw meat sounded a little scary to me.)
I admit we didn't take milk and mayo, so I couldn't tell you if they worked. Could you get some of the single serve mayo (like fast food restaurants use) if you just need it for sandwiches? Ask for them at restaurants between now and then and save them up. Those wouldn't even need refridgeration. If you just want the milk for drinking/cereal, Pop sells it in the food court and you could probably split one between two people.

As far as keeping the cooler going for days:
This is easiest if you have a cooler with the twist-off drain spout near the bottom. Take it outside the room or up on the counter by the sink and let it drain until it stops, then repack with more ice. I would at least check this daily, but it may not need it if you have a good cooler. I think blocks of ice help as well, we usually put water in a couple 1/2 gallon milk jugs and freeze before the trip. We put our deli meat and such in ziploc bags to keep the water off.

On finding ice for the cooler, hopefully someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that Pop has an ice machine somewhere. We never used it when we were there, but I'm sure I've read that. FREE and easier than buying bags, assuming I'm right. If no one chimes in, call and ask at the resort before you leave.

I have not used the microwaves at Pop, but that would also allow you to bring some frozen dinners. Those would probably hold well in the cooler since they start out frozen solid. I'd put them in ziploc bags so the container doesn't get soggy. Should work out fine.

As long as you aren't leaving the cooler open for long periods of time, and restock the ice, this should work fine. And just about anything will hold in there: frozen pancakes and waffles, sandwich fixins, meat, veggies, fruit, eggs, you name it.

(DH just read my post and said "Why couldn't you keep milk and mayo? Just keep up the ice. You women worry too much" So there is a vote for keeping those things also... )

 

[dyna]

Refill ice from ice machines located near elevator on every floor if your ice machine happens to be down go up or down a floor or 2. DH usually double or triple bagged walmart style shopping bags to put ice in then carries it back to room dumps ice in cooler puts bags behind cooler for the next ice refilling.....the disney shopping bags are heavier an great for ice.

Cooler with a drain is almost a must that way don't got to empty cooler to drain it. DO NOT wait till the water is warm to drain it that is to late winter months we usually took care of cooler once a day an summer twice a day.

Since you are driving you might consider 2 coolers 1 for drinks that is opened frequently an another for food that is only opened at meal time.

Remember ketchep an mustard don't have to be kept cold.....grandma even left margarine set out all day most days I often do the same thing

Double an maybe triple bags of foods you don't want water logged an keep them on top of the ice if you can...

 

[tzolkin]

We used a cooler with wheels and a handle, so DH just took the cooler directly to the ice machine. He drained out whatever water had melted in the tub, but it actually stayed frozen for quite a long time. The cooler was always full of ice and we never worried about anything going bad.

We put a whole gallon of milk in it and also used it for cheese and yogurt. I used airtight containers with lids and some ziplock baggies.

Our first trip we used the cooler in the van for drinks and snacks during the drive, but last year I used it to pack other items (backpack, princess costumes, etc) and just put it in the trunk. The first year we also bought a styrofoam cooler to put soda and beer in so we weren't opening the "food" cooler as often. This is a convenient option if you don't have room for two coolers in your vehicle because you can throw it away when you leave.

 

[torinsmom]

If you're driving, maybe you could borrow a dorm size fridge from someone to bring with you?

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

We have done this many times. A cooler in the room, keep it filled with ice from the ice machine. I get a white styrofoam one when I shop. Keep it filled with whatever foods we buy and then get bagels, bread, muffins, etc. to heat up in the food court. They have nice toasters there next to the microwave. There was never a wait to use these things. We saved alot of money this way.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

When we need ice to last in a cooler, we freeze one or two gallon milk jugs of water. They will last a few days, and after you can just pour out the water and toss the jug.

You could buy those boxed milk cartons that are not refrigerated and just cool them as needed.

 

[Dizneydaz]

You can also freeze milk. Use it as it melts. It's really nice and cold that way. And it'll keep the rest of your foods cold as well.

I have one of those ice chests that keeps food cold for 5 days (I think). If I was able to drive, that's the one I would take. And another smaller one for keeping beverages cold (except for milk)

You can do it without a fridge. But I like the idea of borrowing a fridge. Ask around, maybe one of our friends (or friend of a friend). Doesn't hurt to ask.

When are you going? As a PP stated sometimes you can still get in a fridge swap. I'm been running one for about 3-1/2 years and just recently I had a swapper drop out just before the swapper before them arrived at POP. I got a new swapper just about a week before her trip. So, it doesn't hurt to check to see if you can get in one. Even if you can only have one for 2-3 days, it may be worth it. You'd be able to freeze water bottles.

 

[momof1princess]

we always take a cooler to wdw and refill it with ice as needed. our milk and all other items stay nice and cold. we use the kind with a spout on the side for draining out melted ice. we take milk, natural pb, pre-cooked bacon, juice boxes, etc., and usually only eat breakfast in our room (pop tarts, apple & pb, toast & bacon, blueberry muffins). the pop food court has a great toaster, but i'll admit, i have brought my own.

 

[kchughes]

Freeze water in Gallon or 1/2 gallon milk containers. as it melts you have fresh water from home and then you can throw them away. refill the cooler from the ice machines on each floor. Double bag any lunch meats or cheeses. Put the cooler in the bathtub during the day. that way if it sweats, you don't have a big wet spot on the carpet.

 

[daisax]

Please bring the frozen container things from home and try to use as little resort ice as possible. Not only will you save a lot of mess and fuss, but you won't be forcing people who want a couple of glasses of ice to search the resort for an ice machine that hasn't been cleared out by people filling their coolers.

 

[dd50]

I brought two smaller coolers with me but only used them for soda, water, and juice boxes.

 

[pampam]

We (2 adults) are looking into staying at the POP on our next trip and I have a few questions. Last trip we stayed off-site with a fridge, microwave, and free breakfast so meals and our budget were easy to manage. If we go, it will be pretty last minute, so a fridge swap won't work for us.

We can bring a cooler since we are driving. What things keep well and what things don't in a cooler? I'm a little concerned about milk, mayo, and deli meats going bad. Also, how do you pack things in the cooler to prevent water from getting in the packages when the ice starts to melt? Is there someone close to POP to buy bags of ice at a reasonable price? Any general cooler-in-room experience would be great.

I read something about using the microwave in the POP food court. Can we just take anything we want down there and heat it up? Is there more than 1 microwave available to use? What have your experiences been with in-room food and the food court microwave, long lines, tiny microwaves, dirty looks from CMs, etc?

We have always gotten a fridge, so I can't help you out with that. However, at Pop I have cooked bacon, scrambled eggs, canned beans, chili, hotdogs, and popcorn in the microwave oven. Just remember to do your preparation in the room first. I usually got a tray from the food court and opened my cans, or laid the bacon on a paper plate or scramble the eggs in our room before taking them to the food court. I tried to be a little discreet, because I didn't want attention drawn to myself. Please remember to clean up afterward so the microwave oven is clean for the next person.

As a side note, I was in the lineup for the cashier at the food court and a man ahead of me had quite a few baggies of bread he was buying. The cashier told him if he was buying a lot of bread just to go to the pizza stand in the foodcourt and ask for a loaf of bread. So, a few days later when I was out of bread I went to the pizza place and asked for a loaf of bread. The girl serving me didn't know what I was talking about, but the other girl there asked me if I wanted white or wheat. I told her what I wanted and got a loaf. I paid only about 10 cents more than I did at Publix. I thought that was good to know.

 

[billybobblockhead]

If you're gonna take a cooler, especially one of the 5 day jobs, you may want to "pre-cool" it first. Yeah, I know it sounds weird, but putting some ice in the cooler a day or 2 ahead of time will already have the inside at a cooler temp when you put stuff in it, thus less melt and cooler temps in the first few hours after packing. Reason I'm saying this is that I learned the hard way on an extended trip about pre-cooling....

 

[Bellastumbles]

OP: Completely off topic but I noticed your screen name, are you a Cute is What We Aim For fan??

 

[cruislovin]

I just join a fridge swap less than 1 week before arrival for spring break stay. so you can still check for availability at Pop. there are quite a few microwaves at the food court. I did not get any dirty looks from CM. I also pick up a free fill mug at the food court which was great for coffee, hot chocolate and soda.

Where can I find fridge swap availabilities at POP?

 

[Dizneydaz]

Where can I find fridge swap availabilities at POP?

Check on the budget boards for swaps.

What are your dates? I have some openings (nothing from 8/15 to 10/14)

 

[pweyl36]

Coleman has a plug in cooler for about $80. We love ours we camp alot and hold drinks it.