In Villa Dinner Ideas

[BWV Dreamin]

After doing the DDP, my husband is bummed out that we have to cook some meals in the villa for the next trip! Anyone have any quick dinner ideas that would be easy to make after a day at the park? I would be fixing for 5.

 

[Chuck S]

We've bought some pre-cooked pot roast, mashed potatoes etc at Walmart, I think they were Bob Evans brand, and added a packaged salad. We served 5 people in a studio, using only the microwave, and it was pretty tasty.

And before anyone says anything, we had 5 people between TWO studios, not all sleeping in one studio But the studios at OKW are large enough that we could all crowd around the table in one studio for meals, by dragging in the chairs from the patio.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Bumping because I have the same question. Here are a few thoughts I had on the same subject...

One of our quick meals is chili spaghetti (2 cans of chili over 1 pound of spaghetti).

Deli stuff (meats cheeses, rolls, toppings). Include potato salad and so forth as desired.

Maybe a Stouffer's lasagna (frozen), if we're going to be in the area to cook it (they take a while).

Some manner of cooked chicken over salad greens.

And a couple other thoughts I had: Spoodles has a walk-up pizza window. We may get pizza one night. Similarly, the Dolphin (I think--maybe the Swan) has a cafeteria where you can get a whole rotisserie chicken and sides for a family meal.

FTR, we are a family of 6 staying at BCV.

 

[rigsby25]

We are going next week with our daughter and her fiance. They just closed on their house so its really tight for them. We're providing the place to stay, MVMCP, and the air fare and lending her money for park tickets. So we intend to eat a lot in the villa this time out. We're stopping at super Target first. Since there is a dishwasher, I see no problem in cooking a quick dinner. Only wish they included a crock pot! Even chicken and rice is easy. Pasta salad with cut up chicken breasts or chicken salad for lunches. Grilled Cheese and soup or pre-made chili. Buy some rolls and a papa charlies italian beef and have beef sandwiches with deli macaroni or potato salad. Or heat fries in the oven. Or again - frozen entrees are good. Some frozen taquitas sound good. With spanish rice mix, and guacamole. Oh the possibilites for quick dinners are endless!

 

[Coloradomom]

We've done tacos in a studio (microwave the ground beef a little at a time). In the one bedroom with full kitchen we've done stuffed green peppers (DD's favorite meal) , and again tacos (very quick and easy). Spaghetti is easy, too. We bought a little spice container (it is actually meant for pills I think) and DH, who does all the cooking, brings enough of each type of spice with which to cook and it takes up no room.
We like having a couple of evenings where we get a DVD and eat dinner in the villa. Forces us to slow down a bit!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

bump...

 

[shellbelle1971]

We keep a crock pot in our Owner's Locker. I can throw in any slow-cooking crock pot meal in the morning before we leave, add a bagged salad and some pillsbury crescent rolls or biscuits, and dinner's ready about 10 minutes after we get home. Plus, when we walk in the door, it smells SOOO good!

Favorite WDW crock pot dinners:
Pork roast w/ cranberries
Pot roast w/ vegetables
ham & bean soup
enchilada casserole
minnestrone soup

 

[LIFERBABE]

We are heading down for 2 weeks for Christmas. The first week is all out concierge and DDP but the second week is chill out and cook meals in.

I like to make meals out of the appetizer meatballs from Sams Club.
1 bag and Ragu and we have spaghetti and meatballs. (i do not add anything else to it, not even salt. Simmer the meatballs in the Ragu and it adds all the flavor it needs. if I deviate even a little, my boys wont eat it, it really tastes like restaurant spaghetti but better)

The same Ragu sauce and meatballs, add mozzarella and French Bread make a great Cannonball sandwich almost as good as Earl's and my kids love theirs.

We grill steaks and Chicken at SSR, add a salad. We've done kabobs too.

Winn Dixie has nice cuts of beef and seafood. Our fancy meal I purchase 5lbs of King Krab legs already steamed, frozen Fettucine alfredo, aspargus steamed in the microwave and bread. Dh really enjoyed it and my boys love crab legs. This will most likely be our NYE meal if Dixie has the Crab legs.

Nachos with Ground Beef is easy

Quesadillas-Rotisserie Chicken or Ground Beef

Grapes are easy sides instead of fries

My boys enjoy a nice breakfast also. Pancakes, eggs and little smokies.

I actually enjoy cooking at DVC. The kitchen is well stocked and you can get to everything and its just small enough to be cozy and easy to work in. I also like the table being so close, for quick clean up. We like to chill out and watch movies or enjoy the balcony and a week on the DDP is enough for us.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Okay.. here's what I do and I timeshare a lot...

I usually pick out a few meals from Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals. Just go to Foodnetworktv dot com. Look for recipes that you like then, I actually bring the dried spices that I need for that dish and sometimes I bring the dry goods like pasta, rice, cereal, etc... I also, look at Quick Meals with Robin Miller as well. She tends to make one main meal that takes 1 hour and then, 2 extra meals using leftovers that take like 15 minutes each meal.

I have a pampered chef rice cooker I bring with me plus, I bring usually 2 pampered chef knives with me because the ones at resorts are sooooo dull. Plus, I usually bring a bigger non-stick skillet because the ones at DVC places are useless. And, I'll bring a cookie sheet.

Some of my favorite things to eat are: Shepherd's Pie, Homemade Spaghetti & Meatballs, Marinated Sesame Chicken, Marinated flank steak, overnight french toast, deviled eggs, Quiche. I have to warn you that I LOVE to cook so, coming up with ideas is pretty easy.

Also, try and use things up like my Shepherd's Pie recipe uses bacon but only 3 slices so, then, I would save the bacon for breakfast.

Good luck with careful planning you can do it.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

These all look like great ideas. I have to get groceries delivered however from like Garden Grocer. So I will need to scan their form to see what kind of meats and such I can get. That is a great idea about the frying pan....I will have to try and get it in my suitcase!

 

[photobob]

Don't forget there are some quick meal items available at the resort. They aren't cheap but they're Disney crazy priced either, and it is very convenient.

 

[OlderMan]

...is cook like we do at home.

Granted, we live just over an hour from WDW and usually bring a cooler with us.

Still, you can have things delivered from Garden Grocer, et al, and cook like you normally would.

If we're at OKW for more than 2-3 days, we use one of the charcoal grills by the satellite pools for at least one dinner--steaks, chicken, burgers, etc.

We have wine/cocktails in our villa while dinner is cooking--chicken, pork chops pasta. Just be sure to bring garlic, ginger or whatever spices you usually cook with.

Remember, it is our "home away from home," so don't be afraid to cook like you do at home.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

...is cook like we do at home.

Granted, we live just over an hour from WDW and usually bring a cooler with us.

Still, you can have things delivered from Garden Grocer, et al, and cook like you normally would.

If we're at OKW for more than 2-3 days, we use one of the charcoal grills by the satellite pools for at least one dinner--steaks, chicken, burgers, etc.

We have wine/cocktails in our villa while dinner is cooking--chicken, pork chops pasta. Just be sure to bring garlic, ginger or whatever spices you usually cook with.

Remember, it is our "home away from home," so don't be afraid to cook like you do at home.

I forgot about the grill! We will be staying at BWV...I'm sure they have one!

 

[OlderMan]

...be sure to check the amenities first!

If I recall correctly--and I may not, being over 50!!--not all resorts have barbecue/charcoal grills.

You might want to ask on here, or check the member website.

Just so you're not disappointed........

 

[BWV Dreamin]

...be sure to check the amenities first!

If I recall correctly--and I may not, being over 50!!--not all resorts have barbecue/charcoal grills.

You might want to ask on here, or check the member website.

Just so you're not disappointed........

Thanks for your advice! Yes, one must not assume....... I will try and find that info out.

 

[OlderMan]

I actually said something that someone found useful!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

These all look like great ideas. I have to get groceries delivered however from like Garden Grocer. So I will need to scan their form to see what kind of meats and such I can get. That is a great idea about the frying pan....I will have to try and get it in my suitcase!

Are you flying and using ME (no rental car)?! That will make it harder. I find the stuff in the onsite stores WAY TOO expensive tho so I take whatever I can...but we fly so I try to pack LIGHT stuff! I pack our breakfasts to take with us (Honey Buns, Muffins, Pop Tarts, Doughnuts, cereal in those disposable cup things etc). I also pack snacks & crackers to take to the parks and those coffee filter pod things work awesome... We were just in a studio last summer so what I could prepare in the unit was more limited & we ate out everything except breakfast. I prefer not to cook on vacation - but so I would be looking for 1) QUICK and 2) EASY!

If I had a "real" kitchen I could pack a bag of that dry tortolini (by Bertolli I think?) or a box of spag. and plastic jar of spag. sauce - but then you have to watch the weight limits on your luggage so I might skip packing the sauce and get it delivered - and you could always just pack a thing of "Italian Seasoning" rather than a BUNCH of diff. spices. OH! But you could take a small jar of that Classico Pesto Sauce if you like pesto...and some grated parm. of course - that doesn't HAVE to be refrigerated (I keep mine in the pantry ALWAYS and I'm still alive)! You could also pack microwavable soups...or take a large box of Mac & Cheese & a can or pouch of tuna & you have tuna casserole, maybe some of those Ramen Noodles (I always spice 'em up with other stuff). Actually, have you tried any of the flavored StarKist "tuna creation" pouch things? With a little mayo, the "sweet & spicy" one makes great tuna salad / sandwiches (on toast of course)! If you like wrap sandwiches there are some wraps that you can buy that aren't refrigerated until you open them so you could take those easily (u could make tuna wraps or get lunchmeat & cheeses delivered). You could take a bag of "Success" rice for a side dish - that boils in 10 min and would not take up a lot of room or weight - or some of those Lipton Noodle sides - those would be EASY! You could do grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup! Or BLT's would be super easy! (Yummm) You could even take a box of that pre-cooked bacon with you that goes into the microwave! It also doesn't have to refrigerated until it's opened and again, it would be small & lightweight & would help make for a quick meal! Then you would just need bread, tomato & lettuce (& mayo) delivered... And of course finally, there's always PB&J sandwiches! We bought some frozen microwavable hot pocket type things at the store at OKW one nite....we were eating late & didn't need anything heavy.

Good luck!!

 

[JsMom2]

I have a pampered chef rice cooker I bring with me plus, I bring usually 2 pampered chef knives with me because the ones at resorts are sooooo dull. Plus, I usually bring a bigger non-stick skillet because the ones at DVC places are useless. And, I'll bring a cookie sheet.

That is a great idea about the frying pan....I will have to try and get it in my suitcase!

Y'all might want to take a look at using Owners Locker to store some items in Florida if you travel to WDW frequently.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I forgot about the grill! We will be staying at BWV...I'm sure they have one!

I've seen pictures of it on the DVC resort pictures thread. (I'm thinking its close to community hall, but am not sure.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Are you flying and using ME (no rental car)?! That will make it harder. I find the stuff in the onsite stores WAY TOO expensive tho so I take whatever I can...but we fly so I try to pack LIGHT stuff! I pack our breakfasts to take with us (Honey Buns, Muffins, Pop Tarts, Doughnuts, cereal in those disposable cup things etc). I also pack snacks & crackers to take to the parks and those coffee filter pod things work awesome... We were just in a studio last summer so what I could prepare in the unit was more limited & we ate out everything except breakfast. I prefer not to cook on vacation - but so I would be looking for 1) QUICK and 2) EASY!

If I had a "real" kitchen I could pack a bag of that dry tortolini (by Bertolli I think?) or a box of spag. and plastic jar of spag. sauce - but then you have to watch the weight limits on your luggage so I might skip packing the sauce and get it delivered - and you could always just pack a thing of "Italian Seasoning" rather than a BUNCH of diff. spices. OH! But you could take a small jar of that Classico Pesto Sauce if you like pesto...and some grated parm. of course - that doesn't HAVE to be refrigerated (I keep mine in the pantry ALWAYS and I'm still alive)! You could also pack microwavable soups...or take a large box of Mac & Cheese & a can or pouch of tuna & you have tuna casserole, maybe some of those Ramen Noodles (I always spice 'em up with other stuff). Actually, have you tried any of the flavored StarKist "tuna creation" pouch things? With a little mayo, the "sweet & spicy" one makes great tuna salad / sandwiches (on toast of course)! If you like wrap sandwiches there are some wraps that you can buy that aren't refrigerated until you open them so you could take those easily (u could make tuna wraps or get lunchmeat & cheeses delivered). You could take a bag of "Success" rice for a side dish - that boils in 10 min and would not take up a lot of room or weight - or some of those Lipton Noodle sides - those would be EASY! You could do grilled cheese sandwiches & tomato soup! Or BLT's would be super easy! (Yummm) You could even take a box of that pre-cooked bacon with you that goes into the microwave! It also doesn't have to refrigerated until it's opened and again, it would be small & lightweight & would help make for a quick meal! Then you would just need bread, tomato & lettuce (& mayo) delivered... And of course finally, there's always PB&J sandwiches! We bought some frozen microwavable hot pocket type things at the store at OKW one nite....we were eating late & didn't need anything heavy.

Good luck!!

Yes we are flying and taking ME, no rental car. You have some great ideas there! One thing everyone has said is take your own spices....definitely can do that. So much info on this thread, I am making a list!! I hope it keeps coming!