Leaving Sunday --just wondering....

[panfan]

If any of you are like me and have no intention of cooking a meal in the villa??

I have been reading and studying these boards for months and it was a big part of my DVC 'education' and helped us make the decision to buy BCV!! Thanks to everyone!!

On the subject of meals--At first I had every intention of cooking some meals in our 1 bedroom for this upcoming trip. As I love to plan-I thought of meal and grocery situations like you all. As the trip got closer though I realized Who am I kiddin?? This is VACATION!!! Although I have thoroughly enjoyed all the cooking threads, and they were inspiring to me in the beginning , I just cant see doing it. Part of the Disney experience for us is the Dining!! There are still many places I would like to try and we have been there almost everyyear! I start to feel a little guilty everytime now reading about all the great meals you guys prepare utilizing crock pots etc. I just don't thing I could do it . Maybe its because my kids are still young or maybe its because We only can get away for 5 nights, I don't know. I love Disney World like the rest of you I'm sure and I can identify with a lot of stuff on these boards except this cooking thing!

Please--Is there anyone else out there like me ? I know some of you considered DVC because of the kitchen. We considered it mostly because we want to visit WDW 1 to 2 times a year forever!!( please tell me I am not the crazy one!)

 

[betslinc]

Why work on vacation? We were just down there for 5 nights (first trip!)and did not cook at all, but the full size kitchen is really handy for storing take-out, and it's nice to be able to eat with real utensils. The dishwasher and laundry are really handy too. It's a lot more convenient to be able to store healthy snacks so you don't have to always eat in a restaurant. Have fun!

 

[Lexxiefern]

I don't ever plan on cooking. Unless you consider making a frozen waffle cooking! I plan to use the kitchen for soda, juice, maybe some cereal or donuts in the morning and some snacks. That's all. Maybe I will change my mind when I get there, but I doubt it!

 

[panfan]

That's exactly what I see us doing. Utilizing the laundry and storing just drinks and snacks! thanks!

( I probably should have included in my first post that my husband and I run our family's restaurant and thats another reason we like to checkout the dining options and not cook. On sunday we have to go to work at 4 am to prepare for our busiest day of the week being sun breakfast and I have to do a catering job for 80 people! We will leave work around 12 to pick up the kids and be on the plane at 3:40!!)

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I love the dining experience also. California Grill sounds yummy right now.

But it is nice to give the kids a quick morning breakfast, or some evenings to pop a pizza in the oven for a late snack. It's nice DVC gives us this flexibility!

 

[MikeSquared]

I'll admit I like the idea of being able to cook better than actually doing it. It's mostly handy for breakfast. And during our October trips for the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, I can accurately predict there won't be any cooking going on!

 

[tiberius]

Remember, it's YOUR vacation. No cooking, no problem!!!

Some people's idea of using the kitchen is to open up a box of donuts or Pop-Tarts (and there is nothing wrong with that)--my thoughts on the subject are more for a big family breakfast: eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage made while everyone is getting up for the day; and then some light food availability like sandwiches or snacks for later in the day. Even with plans to use the kitchen, I still would not plan to cook more than a few meals there for a trip.

It is great that everyone can do what works for them!


Besides less use on the appliances means less frequent repairs and upgrades, thus holding down maintenance fees.

 

[todsue99]

We use the kitchen just like everyone else.....not very much. We use it in the morning and try and make a big breakfast. That way we can go to the parks and live on snacks for the most part. You have keep on the go while you are there..LOL. Then we will go some place for dinner and not worry about how much it is. We have used it for making Mac & Cheese, pizza and sandwiches when we come back to the pool for lunch. It is a luxury not a necessity to use the kitchen. Just go with the flow and enjoy yourself. Have a great time!

 

[mmmcq]

On our first trip home to BWV we did buy breakfast foods and some lunch supplies and I think we cooked at least one meal "in". But that's when we had a 6mo old and it was easier to eat "in" than "out". Last year we had to use points that had been put in holding post 9/11 so we stayed at the YC and didn't have a kitchen.

In July we'll be at the BCV in a 1BR and on a 5 night stay I doubt we'll cook dinner in. My husband has expressed an interest in doing so, but then he likes to cook when he's on vacation. I prefer to eat out. So I already have dinner reservations for 3 of the 5 nights that we're there (Cal Grille, Teppanyaki, Alfredo's). I suspect the other two dinners will be in Epcot on a spur of the moment basis and the other will be at B&C at the BC.

If we were to stay a full week in a 2BR (when the LR and kitchen area won't be quite as congested because there are 5 of us) , as we will next April, we would definitely cook in 1-3 meals other than breakfast or lunch.

 

[jmminarik]

Seems that for most people, being able to eat out is a vacation luxury...for me, having the time and a kitchen big enough to cook is a luxury. Being DINKS in one of the great restaurant cities of the country, we enjoy meals out a lot anyway.

ANYONE who runs a restaurant, regardless of the type or price range, probably deserves a week of someone waiting on them and cooking the meals once in a while.

Our last trip was a mix of meals..all breakfasts were in the room, lunches and dinners were split. We might have eaten more dinners out but you'd be hard pressed to find a couple of pounds of fresh morel mushrooms at most restaurants in the World. I don't even want to think what Disney would charge for any dish with a morel mushroom.

Our next to last trip was with my in-laws on a budget...we only had one meal out planned...we cooked the rest in our 2BR at OKW...I can't fathom trying to feed 13 people in a BW or BC or WL villa.
(GV's not included).

-Joe

 

[Simba's Mom]

No meals for us! Use the refrigerator, coffee maker, microwave occassionally to reheat or make microwave popcorn. But no cooking meals. We'll get to OKW Sunday, but wear your green!

 

[PamOKW]

I think the members who spend a lot of time cooking big meals are few and far between. We often joke here about the "oven decoration" that is provided in the units. I agree that part of my vacation is getting to enjoy the restaurants at WDW.

I do think it is enjoyable to be able to cook breakfast in the villas. Even if "cooking" means pouring a bowl of cereal. I'm not interested in spending money and wasting time in restaurants for breakfast unless it's a character meal. It's also nice to be able to relax in the evening with a cocktail or glass of wine and a nice cheese spread. To have the ability to "eat a little something" when you want without having to trek to a snack bar can be great.

So, don't want to cook? Don't have to! Enjoy your trip.

 

[DebbieB]

We don't actually cook. We get bagels & frozen waffles for breakfast. On our trip last week, we got a pizza from Uno's and decided to heat up the leftovers the next day in the oven. We never used a digital oven before! Thank goodness for the green card they leave on the island in the kitchen (OKW), we would have had no idea!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Panfan, it sounds like this is your first trip to your DVC "home"... you'll probably find that as years go by, you may do different things on different trips...

We have had a few trips in which we did nothing but snacks, drinks, quick breakfasts and storing & heating leftovers.

Another time we drove in a big van, had a large group at OKW for 8 days & 3 days at VB, and it was economically preferable to have 1-2 meals each day in the room. We did a little bit of "cooking", but more slapping together sandwiches, toasting bagels, heating up prepared food from Sam's club, etc. It really saved us enough that we could go to Boma, CG, R&C, Le Cellier, RFC and a couple of others and really splurge on our meals.

Enjoy your week of no cooking, and even more, it's really nice to know you have a choice, IMHO!

Have a great trip, and Welcome Home!

 

[natt]

We will only be going 5 nights also, and I am planning on at least 2 meals (EASY stuff), but those days, we will be having a big lunch in the parks, so if we aren't hungry, no big deal, we can get a snack later.

I am kind of looking forward to not always having to "make" a PS time. If I am making something in the room, the rest can be by the pool, and I can be getting myself ready to go out again while dinner's in the oven. I'm sure like most best laid plans, it won't turn out that way!

Anyway, have a great time NOT cooking in your kitchen!

 

[DISNEY QUEEN CPA]

Hi panfan it's me again ( a PA member)

We like having the 1 bedroom just for the space, the refrigerator/microwave/coffee maker and the washer & dryer.

We use the kitchen for snacks, drinks and sometimes a quick breakfast ( cereal) in the morning. We rarely ever cook a meal. If we do cook it is usually something quick and easy for breakfast or lunch.

We figure we're on vacation. Let's enjoy the dining experience throught WDW.

Have a wonderful vacation. We love the BWV.

 

[cheyita]

I see a lot of us are in the same boat. I use the kitchen for reheating leftovers, storing drinks in the fridge, and making quick and simple meals and snacks (cereal, sandwiches, etc.). The kitchen is great for helping us save some money on eating all meals and snacks out, as well as giving us some room to actually eat without taking up TV or bed space.

 

[Disney Doll]

Braekfast,snacks,and drinks are what we use the kitchen for. No cooking meals. We wander around and eat what we eat when we eat...we don't necessarily do breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Some days we do a late breakfast, and early dinner, and a late night snack. Some days we do early lunch, midafternoon snack, and late dinner. But we don't cook.

Welcome to The Non-Cookers Club

 

[panfan]

Just got home from a long day at work and am reading all of the reply's for the first time. Thanks for all of your great thoughts! I too am planning on a few things available--snacks, cereal and things but just no big ordeal meals. I can't wait to arrive--maybe once I finally see the kitchen, I just might be inspired to cook something after all!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I'm somewhere in between I guess. If it's a short stay (4 nights or less) we usually eat out mostly. But for longer stays I've been known to whip up spaghetti and meatballs for an early dinner before heading back to the parks in the evening. I don't get real gourmet with cooking or anything though. I usually keep mac and cheese or something similar for the kids to heat up as a late night snack too.
I know this might sound weird, but one of these years I'd love to spend Thanksgiving in Disney and cook the turkey dinner in the villa. I just think it would be neat to do one time. I know.....it's nuts