Electric skillet in Family Suite **UPDATED ON PAGE 2**

[Ashley Kees]

**Please don't flame me until you read the whole posting. I know this is a sensitive topic.**

I am booked into a Family Suite for the week leading up to Thanksgiving. DS1 needs to stay on his eating/sleeping schedule, and cannot handle too many restaurants (starts throwing tantrums, etc.). I have no wish to disrupt other people's vacations with a tantrum throwing hungry son, so I thought I would try to cook about half of our lunches and dinners in the room. I know we have a mini fridge and a microwave, but there's only so much you can do with that, you know? I know that cooking appliances are NOT allowed in regular rooms, BUT the family suite has a decent sized kitchen area, so is it ok for me to use an electric skillet or crock pot in there? I hope so, because I would really like to be able to properly cook.

As a side note, I realize that the cabins and villas/offsite have full kitchens, but the suites are what worked for my situation and budget. I planned and paid for this trip 13 months ago, and DS has developed this "restaurant hating" phase since that time. Moving now to a different resort is not an option.

 

[Elmo888]

I can't answer your questions, but I did want make a suggestions - one of you can go to the CS restaurant and bring the food back to the room. This might be something that you can do some of the time. (I often did it with breakfast, but you could easily do it at other meals and carry things to the room with trays. You can just leave the trays in the room or leave them outside the room, and mousekeeping will take care of them.)

Sandwiches are a good no-cook idea. Cereal, yogurt, fruit. DH made oatmeal in the microwave.

I know that doesn't answer your question, but I just wanted you to know your options!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you must, but for the sake of your neighbors, please avoid cooking really smelly stuff.

 

[helenk]

I would suspect that this is something that would be discouraged, and may not be allowed, but I can not be sure.
First of all you've got the odor of the cooking food going into adjoining rooms, or even rooms that my be in the same ventilation duct work. Secondly it really could pose a fire risk.
I am not flaming you or trying to give you a hard time, like one of the other posters has stated, if your child does not like restaruants then get food from the food court and take it back to the room.

 

[brergnat]

I would guess it's mostly a fire risk. I'm, like, close to 100% sure that as soon as the housekeeper sees an electric skillet or crock pot in the room, she'll report it, and you'll be asked to get rid of it.

I have to ask, and I am not flaming you or being disrespectful, but what kind of food does your 1 year old son eat that for a week, you can't make do with counter service and/or stuff like sandwiches? Like I said, I totally don't know your child, but I have two little ones myself (they're 2 and 4 now) and when they were between 1 and 2, I could have found a way to get by for a week at Disney and avoid TS meals completely, and still fed them good, healthy food. We went to Disneyland for a few nights (our first "trip" with our kids) and our youngest was in that "I hate the world" stage...he was 19 months...a complete negative Nancy about EVERYTHING, and eating out was torture. He managed just fine on baby oatmeal and fruit with milk in the room for breakfast, which we brought from home (along with muffins from the concierge lounge), and then we just went to restaurants with him for lunch and dinner, a mix of CS and TS places, because it was OUR vacation too, and he needed to learn to behave, and you know what, he was GREAT most of the time. He ate enough...he didn't starve. We kept yogurts and milk in the room fridge, and those were for snacks or for night time, if they were hungry. Worked out fine.

I think you have to just find the good CS places, that have good options, and use those. Keep sandwich fixings in the room and plan to have breakfast in there every morning. You can potentially pack lunch too and then you'll just have one meal to worry about. The All Stars have a great food court that has just about everything, and it's fast and crowded, so a little extra noise from your child won't even be heard.

And, I know you're worried about keeping him on the schedule and all that, and how he'll behave, but it's probably going to be VERY hard to do that, with all the stimulation of a new place, etc. You will see. Once you are there, he may totally change and might behave in the restaurants simply because it is a new place, and there is enough to keep his attention. The great thing about Disney is that the TS meals (as long as you avoid the signature dining experiences) are usually pretty rushed, and they know how to make it an in-out quick deal (they know you want to get back to the fun, and they want a quick turnaround) so service is fast, food is brought out quickly, and there is always something for the kids to do. AND, your kid won't be the only one being loud, crying, tantruming, etc. The best idea I have for you is to eat at the hotels. This way, if the kid acts up during mealtime, one of you can take him out for a little stroll around the lobby or grounds, which are usually beautiful and full of fun things for kids to see.

 

[bdcp]

Doesn't sound like a vacation to me if you have to cater to a 1 year old. Why do you want to be tied to fixing meals for him in your room? Feed him yogurt, instant oatmeal, prepackaged applesauce, toddler type foods that are easy to carry. I see a 1 year old who has control here. I have two grown sons who ate when we ate. We had snacks when needed, but otherwise, were perfectly content to stick to a flexible schedule by 1. We would eat earlier than normal, but that's part of having a 1 year old. Otherwise, they ate better at 1 than they did at 5.

There are fire codes for hotels and I doubt electric skillets are allowed on them. What do you make in an electric skillet for a 1 year old anyway? Feed him a snack before you get to the restaurant and take him out if necessary, but don't make the whole trip revolve around his tantrum throwing. That's a whole other topic that I'm not going into now, but let's just say, my boys threw exactly 1 tantrum each before they learned it wasn't going to get them what they wanted. And, yes, they are mature, responsible, independent adults now who have had the best restaurant manners since they were very, very young.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

I would call the hotel directly and ask if a skillet or crock pot is allowed. That way you will know for sure and can make plans accordingly. The worst they can say is no.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

I think that cooking in your room would be very inconsiderate to the guests staying near you because of the smell & the potential for fire hazard.

That said, I think it's time for you to take control away from your child. You are paying for this vacation, you should be able to eat where you want. Throw the idea of a rigid schedule out the window...the key to enjoying WDW is being flexible. Also, you will NOT be alone if your child has a meltdown in a restaurant; but if you don't break that habit now, you'll NEVER be able to eat out. Try character meals...you'd be surprised how well-behaved a kid can be when Mickey is around to entertain. Bring lots of things to do in the restaurant...we always have crayons, coloring books...better yet, ColorWonder because they can't make a mess.

If you still feel you must prepare meals, make do with the fridge & microwave. Cereal, yogurt, sandwiches, soups...round it out with fruits, granola bars, etc. Enough to keep him going...even healthy snacks throughout the day is fine.

Good luck!

 

[Ashley Kees]

I cannot believe how rude and inappropriate some of these posts are. I asked a simple question, whether or not an electric skillet is allowed, and have recieved nothing but criticism about my parenting skills and plans. This is ridiculous. So for all you nosy people who decided that even though they don't know the answer to the question posted you will chime in with your unsolicited advice, here's the details.

1. I refuse to be tied to awful counter service all week. I am an excellent cook and studying to be a chef, I ENJOY cooking. The All Stars food court is terrible, and I don't want to eat there, nor do any of the 7 other people I am going with.

2. I got a SUITE because it has a KITCHENETTE in it. The last I checked, a KITCHENETTE is for cooking in, and that is what I will be doing, because I LIKE TO and it's better for my family. If that means I will be using a microwave to do it, so be it.

3. My son is not "just 1". He is 21 months, which means he eats everything we do. I do not feed my children chicken nuggets and peanut butter sandwiches, they don't even like it. We DO go to restaurants, but eating out for EVERY meal for 7 days does NOT sound like fun to me or my family.

4. To the person who decided that my son is crazy and I am letting him run my life, you really shouldn't make comments on other people's lives unless you know them. I don't put up with it, that's why we get up and leave. What would you have me do, pray tell? Sit in the restaurant and pretend that it doesn't bother the other diners (it does), me, my husband, or my two older children that he is throwing a tantrum, or take him to the bathroom and spank him? He's 21 months old; reasoning does not work. If you are so much better of a mother, all the power to you.

5. Just because I decide not to overstimulate my children and instead plan to let them stay on their regular living schedule does not mean I will have a bad vacation. This isn't my first trip to DW, ok? I know exactly what I'm getting into here. Mind your own business.

To the person who suggested that I call the resort, thank you. I will do that. And thank you more just for staying on topic.

 

[tgropp]

Have you thought about renting DVC points from someone? They do allow cooking there, they have lots of space for seven people and the different resorts vary in the amount of points/cost wise.

 

[safetymom]

Just a reminder not to go off topic. The question was asked and answers and suggestions are being provided.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Wow...I'm really sorry that you took my post so badly. You're right...I don't know your family. I really was trying to be helpful given the information you provided...it sounded to me like you really wanted to eat out but couldn't because of your child's "restaurant hating phase" so I offered my advice for that situation. If you enjoy cooking & want to cook, then that's a different story all together. I reread my post and I don't think it was an attack, but rather some gentle advice from another mom. I have to say, though, that just because I don't adhere to my DD's home schedule at WDW I am by no means overstimulating her...we just like to be more flexible & let the Disney fun take us where it may.

A new post since mine suggested renting points from a DVC member so that you could have a full kitchen (at a fraction of the cost of booking one through Disney direct). I've done that before & it worked out really well. If you have questions about that, please let me know. But I think you're leaving pretty soon, so that won't work for this trip. I would go ahead and call the hotel but prepare for them to say no. I wonder if the Disney reaturants could do take out that you could then heat up in your room? Some of the Disney dining is really good and I would hate for you to miss out.

I didn't mean to upset you or butt into your family business; I was just trying to help which is what we do here on the DIS.

 

[dis-happy]

You should do a search on the DVC boards...in the past people have posted many meals they were able to make using what was provided in the studio, a kitchen set-up similar to what you will have in your family suite. As a chef, I bet you can think up plenty of things to make using your creativity, you may just have to start with some of the short-cut items available at the grocery store (ie. pre-cooked chicken strips or a whole roasted chicken). Good luck.

 

[GoodFairies]

It's 22 days from her vacation and she has 7 people going. There is no way to switch to DVC at this time and a studio wouldn't work anyway. I agree, just call the resort. Then you will at least have an answer.

 

[disnut8]

I wouldn't advise the crock pot. That will need to be plugged in all day. With the electric skillet, you can plug it in when needed and then unplug when not in use. That is the biggest fire hazard - leaving things like that plugged in all the time. The skillet doesn't have an automatic turn off switch. Irons and coffee pots do. Hair dryers are turned off or they will be making noise. And you will be in the room the entire time while things are cooking in the skillet.

Yes, I learned all these things in college about why certain things weren't allowed in the rooms but other things were.

For the smell, I don't see anything different using an electric skillet over someone making popcorn in the microwave. Anyone in a work place environment can attest that smell lingers for quite some time all over the place. You obviously will have some travel space. Take a few odor removing candles for the room and use them while you are cooking. Although the smelliest thing I can think of on an electric skillet is bacon.

And I do thank you for not taking your child to a restaurant if you think he's going to misbehave. It's not something I would have done but then again, my son didn't have tantrums (honestly, he had one and that was it for the rest of his life) and would sit there and quietly draw or read. I have a granddaughter who will do that same but our grandson, well, he can be a handful.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Electric Skillets and Crock Pots are a TERRIBLE IDEA in a hotel room.
2) Even with a kitchenette.
3) The cooking space is very small and limited.
4) The food cooked in a skillet is usually a fire hazard due to grease & fat.
5) Crock pots are on unattended and can cause and electrical fire.
6) These can make a fire very quickly.
7) Just use the microwave in the suite kitchenette.
8) As mentioned above, renting DVC points could cost just about the same.
9) They are designed for cooking, so you would be fine in those rooms.

NOTE: No flame intended, but as a budding Chef, one would probably know the dangers of such equipment and use it in a safe environment. A hotel room is not a safe environment for these. Too much flammable, too close to the cooking area.

 

[Ashley Kees]

1. As I originally stated, it is too late to change resorts. I leave in 22 days.
2. Renting DVC points would NOT be the same price, even if I had enough time to change. I am going on this trip with a total of 8 people, including extended family. We would have to get a 2 bedroom suite, and that is too expensive, plus I would have to stay in the room with my in-laws. I did my research.
3. I just called the manager at ASMu. Electric skillets are not allowed in the family suites, but crock pots ARE. Neither are allowed in a regular room at the same resort.

 

[jax677]

I would be interested to hear what you will be making.

 

[Ashley Kees]

You should do a search on the DVC boards...in the past people have posted many meals they were able to make using what was provided in the studio, a kitchen set-up similar to what you will have in your family suite. As a chef, I bet you can think up plenty of things to make using your creativity, you may just have to start with some of the short-cut items available at the grocery store (ie. pre-cooked chicken strips or a whole roasted chicken). Good luck.

Thank you, I will do that. I *think* they get a bigger fridge, but we're bringing a cooler (we go through a lot of milk with three kids under 5) so I should be fine. I appreciate the idea!

 

[DisneyWisher]

One thing I would be concerned about is the odor. I know Disney will charge $500 if they think someone has smoked in a room due to the cigarette smell. I'd worry that they would do the same for cooking in the room. Make sure about this beforehand. Bad way to ruin a good trip.