eating in the room to save

[disykat]

I also agree the microwaves are there to heat food. People buying hot food don't need to use them.

I'm a budget traveler, so I've stayed other places that don't have microwaves in the rooms. Sometimes they have microwaves in their laundry rooms or front lobby for guests to use as a budget alternative to having them in each room.

Stealing sandwich fixings is not okay, but microwaves are there to heat food. I see no reason for people not to do so. Like others, I'm sort of aghast at people bringing appliances and cooking food in their rooms. But I don't see the issue with using appliances set out for guest use.

 

[MamaJessie]

I don't see the issue with using appliances set out for guest use.

It's true, the microwaves are there for disney guests to use. I agree that planning on using condiments is a little weird. Buy a jar of goober next time.

 

[aprilgail2]

Personally, when we vacation we would never consider some of what here is suggested. If money were that tight I would either wait or cut it short by a few days. Frugality is one thing, but some of these suggestions are just down right cheap and thieving. Of course JMHO


.

I feel the same way- if I had to make mac and cheese for my kid to eat I would put off the trip until I could really afford it- I don't care if someone else brings it from home and microwaves it though- just don't steal the jelly, milk, etc! If you are counting on stealing condiments in order to go to Disney and be able to eat you really should be rethinking vacationing at that time!

 

[LilyWDW]

Okay, I am as much of a stickler for the "rules" as just about anyone on these boards (just ask around). That being said, some of this is insane.

The microwaves are there for the use of ALL guests staying at the resort. Any guest can heat up food or drink in them.

As for seating in the dining area if you have not purchased food. I think most people would be logical about this. If it is packed, then seats should be saved for those who have purchased food. If it is not busy, then go ahead and take a seat.

And the jelly, creamer, ect is meant for those who have purchased their items from the CS. It is not meant to supplement those who bring their own food. If you buy toast from the CS, then you can use the jelly. If you bring your own bread, then you should bring your own jelly.

Personally, I go down and get my food and then eat in my room. However, I am staying at POFQ so it's not that long of a walk back. In the mornings I would get ready, grab our mugs, go order something to be shared, fill our mugs, and then head back to meet mom who is now ready as well. This saves a ton of time in the mornings!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I feel the same way- if I had to make mac and cheese for my kid to eat I would put off the trip until I could really afford it- I don't care if someone else brings it from home and microwaves it though- just don't steal the jelly, milk, etc! If you are counting on stealing condiments in order to go to Disney and be able to eat you really should be rethinking vacationing at that time!

There is no reason a family who has to count every penny and save every dime to take their kids on a "once in a lifetime trip" to DW shouldn't be able to do that. Their kids deserve it as much as anyone else.
For pity sakes! Who cares if they bring instant microwave mac 'n cheese to save money to make the trip extra special for their little ones.
I realize you are saying "if you had to do it...", but I read it as an insinuation that if you can't afford it, stay home.

 

[Suz D]

FYI - They also have jelly packets there, but no peanut butter. I brought a loaf of bread to make him sandwiches as needed, but there was no peanut butter. Luckily, he likes jelly sandwiches

You can buy small packages of peanut butter at the food court. I actually have put peanut butter in my checked bags without a problem.

 

[Suz D]

Just like making a salad from the topping stations.

My dad used to do this ALL the time. The trips were with my mom, me, my DH and our daughter so it wasn't like we were a young family struggling to make ends meet. Finances were not a problem for my dad, he was just into "beating the system". I was completely embarrassed!

Now that my dad is in the final stages of Alzheimer's, I'd personally go make him that salad from the condiment bar without batting an eye, just to have him with us on another trip. Sorry to hijack the thread.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I feel the same way- if I had to make mac and cheese for my kid to eat I would put off the trip until I could really afford it- I don't care if someone else brings it from home and microwaves it though- just don't steal the jelly, milk, etc! If you are counting on stealing condiments in order to go to Disney and be able to eat you really should be rethinking vacationing at that time!

I feel the opposite, I have no problem eating the mac and cheese on vacation and neither do my kids. For us the destination is more important than what we eat at the destination. We vacation A LOT (Last year, we spent 2 weeks in Ca. with 1 at DL, then we had 3 trips to WDW, 1 of them was for 1 week, the other 2 were for almsot 2 weeks) and one way we are able to travel so much is by eating some inexpensive meals. However, I know that this is not for everyone and can totally understand why people enjoy eating well on vacation. We do too, we just dont mind having some of our meals being something like a mac and cheese. As I always say, to each their own, what is important to one isnt to another. For us, eating some mac and cheese on vacation has nothing to do with "affording the vacation", it just affords us to be able to take another vacation sooner rather than later!

So back on topic, as I said before, I think it is fine to use the microwaves, I really feel that is what they are there for. I would have no problem, sitting on a chair in the food court even if I was not buying food at that exact moment. I wouldnt take the condiments, that is something totally different

 

[lisalis]

Obviously, no one is going to agree on what they think is appropriate use of the food court amenities. I don't feel bad using the condiments for my son's sandwich if I am buying myself a meal. If he doesn't want meat, but jelly instead, so be it. I hate paying $5 for a kid's meal that I know he won't finish. I was just sharing the information about what was at the food court. Other people may bring their own food to eat there and use a few condiments, but who cares. I'm not big into judging other people, since I'm sure I have enough faults of my own to be concerned about.

 

[budafam]

We're going in May and planning to bring a very mini fridge along for the room (we're driving so no biggie there). We're going to have milk, yogurt, cereal bars, fruit & oatmeal for easy breakfasts. Lunchmeat, bread, pb&j for lunches. I think we'll take that Pizza Hut tip for sure (is it cheaper than Pop's pizza delivery?)

We're also bringing soda, maybe a few beers, waters & juice boxes.

 

[GinnyEmma]

it is amazing how someone can justify taking something unpaid for.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

it is amazing how someone can justify taking something unpaid for.

Good grief. What about the people who take 10 jelly packets, use 2, and throw 8 in the trash?

I think if Disney was really concerned about jelly, they would have a CM handing out jelly packets to people only after they showed a receipt.

When I am at WDW I don't have time to worry about who is using jelly for their own bread versus those who just bought a bagel. I don't recall any signs above the jelly stating "this jelly is only for those who have purchased bagels or toast in the food court." I would rather the jelly get used than tossed in trash.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Good grief. What about the people who take 10 jelly packets, use 2, and throw 8 in the trash?

I think if Disney was really concerned about jelly, they would have a CM handing out jelly packets to people only after they showed a receipt.

When I am at WDW I don't have time to worry about who is using jelly for their own bread versus those who just bought a bagel. I don't recall any signs above the jelly stating "this jelly is only for those who have purchased bagels or toast in the food court." I would rather the jelly get used than tossed in trash.

As I said, people can justify whatever they like. If I can grab something in a store, and they don't specifically guard it, does that mean they aren't concerned about it? No wonder places nail down the decorations.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

You call justification, that's your opinion.

 

[Marionnette]

As I said, people can justify whatever they like. If I can grab something in a store, and they don't specifically guard it, does that mean they aren't concerned about it? No wonder places nail down the decorations.

Making a bit of leap there, aren't you? In one case, the items are placed out in the open to be used by the food court patrons without additional cost. In the other case, you have items that are out in the open for the purpose of being purchased by patrons. Not exactly comparing apples to apples.

Seriously, why do people get their shorts in a knot over jelly packets? If Disney cared half as much as some of you people do, they would move those packets inside the food service area so that they could monitor who is taking them better. And why stop at jelly? Why not move the lemons for the tea, the coffee creamers and the Sweet 'n Low as well? I'll tell you why, it's because the loss prevention measures would be more costly than the actual losses.

I'm not saying that helping yourself to those things is morally right. But I'm sure not going to let someone doing that get me all upset and righteous on an internet message board.

 

[GinnyEmma]

If Disney cared they would lock them up. Because they should know that you can't count on people being honest. Sad way to look at the world.

As for my shorts, they are dandy. Thanks for the concern. Thinking that taking stuff unpaid for is wrong is logical rather than emotional for me. Just because you van do something doesn't make it right. I tell my kids not to take stuff they haven't paid for, and choose to be the example of that.

Why do you feel it is ok? What do you tell your kids when you take something that you could go to the gift shop and buy? Laziness or cheapness or lack of character?

 

[Marionnette]

If Disney cared they would lock them up. Because they should know that you can't count on people being honest. Sad way to look at the world.

As for my shorts, they are dandy. Thanks for the concern. Thinking that taking stuff unpaid for is wrong is logical rather than emotional for me. Just because you van do something doesn't make it right. I tell my kids not to take stuff they haven't paid for, and choose to be the example of that.

Why do you feel it is ok? What do you tell your kids when you take something that you could go to the gift shop and buy? Laziness or cheapness or lack of character?

I didn't say that I feel it is okay. I was trying to say that it isn't something that I get overly concerned about. I cannot control the actions of other people. I can only control the way I react to them.

And I don't need to lecture my kids. They're adults and they are capable of making their own moral decisions.

 

[seals]

Yes, I'm surprised that it is "ok" to use the microwaves, hot water, condiments, in the food court at all. And to take up seats that would be used by paying customers. I have seen the food courts full and would hate for a family to be left standing with their "paid for" food while free loaders are taking up the seats! Just saying. If you want to eat in your room, that's great. I have done this myself for breakfast but I wouldn't expect to use a restaurant for my own food.

Unless you consider the food court amenities to be part of the resort that one paid for when renting a room. Sort of like "using" the bathrooms in the main building if you aren't actually stopping at the main desk, the pool, chairs by the pool (can you sit by the pool, then, if you don't actually swim in the pool -- I'd hate for someone to sit in a chair by the pool that might be needed by someone who is actually planning to go back into the water after sitting for a while??) etc. Are the food court amenities (tables, microwave, hot water, etc. -- I'm not talking condiments here) some separate entity that one only "gets" if one buys food there not just if one is staying at the resort? I always thought the food court space was for the guests of the resort, not specifically the guests of the food court.

 

[JENOS]

Disney is never going to become the “jelly police”; they will not embarrass anyone for the sake of saving a dollar or two. But that does not make it right for you to stuff your pockets with condiments because you think you are entitled to. Disney is an expensive place and if you think you’re affording your vacation by saving a couple bucks on food then you’re kidding yourself. Have a little class people, your kids are watching what you are doing and are probably a bit embarrassed (if they are old enough to understand).

 

[budafam]

Why can't everyone just get along? Why must there be big drama over jelly packets? Is that the title to this whole discussion? Because I'm pretty sure said nothing of the sort in the original post. You criticizing people need to get a life. I am sorry but wow... ridiculous that you can sit on here and bash someone for being creative. This is something I would do and proudly. My kids wouldn't hide in shame. I wouldn't stuff my pockets or purse with the jelly but maybe make a sandwich. I'm sure Disney will not go bankrupt thanks to a few or even a few thousand missing jelly packets. Good grief.