LONG studio stay!!

[Jonell]

We will be taking a 17 night trip this summer doing a split stay at SSR and AKV Jambo in studios! My DS will be participating in different golf camps and tournaments at WDW and nearby. This is the reason for such a long stay. There will be 3 of us..Myself, DH, and DS12. Any tips on how to survive a long stay like that in studios?.. Room organization..Some meal prep..laundry..any thoughts would be helpful. THANKS!

 

[MAO]

Even if you don't drive, you might consider a trip to a grocery store and/or Walmart to stock up on food that does not need to be refrigerated and possibly a crockpot. There comes a point when certain food, even if cooked early in your trip, just won't be much good if it's not been frozen and I personally don't feel that the freezer in the studio fridges are big enough or reliable enough to trust. But you could, I think, make a case for cooking some food early in the trip to save some money for eating out later in the trip.

I'm a big believer in Tupperware, though the Rubbermaid and Glad options available at a dollar store or Walmart might be a better choice in terms of both price and disposability. Something that can get knocked off onto the floor and not spill -- I travel alone and try to drink straight from a bottle because of the ability to 'put a lid on it'! Also, you might consider packing or purchasing some plastic plates and bowls that can be washed multiple times. Paper plates are convenient but can 'give' on you, not to mention the very real possibility of running out just when you're ready to eat. Note that no DVC room supplies you with salt and pepper, much less any other spice or condiment.

Assuming you're staying in DVC accommodations, the washers and dryers are free to use. Depending on how often and when the people in your party use the shower, you can also hand wash and hang up to dry small items of clothing. (Note that you will not be given any free detergent, so plan to bring some or purchase it once there.)

Good luck! I stayed by myself for 12 nights last year. I brought soap for hand laundry as well as machine laundry, a couple of Tupperware plates and bowls (with lids), and salt and garlic powder, as well as a tentative meal plan for the entire trip. You might check out the grocery order forms available on the DVC member website to get an idea of the kinds of food available onsite, or plan on making at least one grocery run early in each stay. (I *think* Bell Services would transfer food from one resort to another, but I wouldn't guarantee such service.) One thing I did that I really shouldn't have bothered with was purchase a box of aluminum foil -- couldn't use it in the microwave, so it usually made more sense to put leftovers in a bowl with a lid than to wrap it in foil for later. One thing I did that I was pleased I'd thought of was to move all of the stuff (like the coffee pot) that I knew I wouldn't use to a top shelf so I had more shelf space for the stuff (like the peanut butter and bread) I would use -- I did that pretty much as soon as I got into the room.

 

[Candlelady]

I've started using one of these to help with organization. Folds up almost flat and lives in our Owners Locker. They are quite useful. I like the organizers with the hangers instead of the Velcro. Just be sure to purchase one with (or make them) support panel in each compartment for strength. We keep all our t-shirts, underwear, and shorts in them. They hold quite a bit of clothing.

http://www.containerstore.com/shop/...49&green=3334C4A5-431A-5BB5-0545-A65387AC05F1

 

[butsy113]

I'm not sure of the age or height of your DS, but my DD10 actually prefers to sleep on the couch without pulling it out when we are at AKV. The couch is very deep when the cushions are taken off. This helps a lot with the available space. We drape the sheet from the pullout over the couch and she's good to go. By doing this we didn't haver to fold the bed in every day and had more walking room.

 

[cheryl.UK]

One of the things we miss when we stay in studios for long periods is healthy food! If you can get to Walmart they do all sorts of ready made meals, not the freezer kind but fresh ones like lasagna. We also get salad and things delivered by Garden Grocer then add cold meats for a change from Disney food which we find quite stodgy.

 

[abdgeek]

I spent two weeks in a studio at BLT last summer and can understand your concern. As the OP said, you will definitely want to get some groceries. It is pretty challenging to eat decent meals in a studio because everything you eat has to be cooked in the microwave. I would definitely recommend taking the WDW bus to DTD West Side and walking across the street to the Hess Station to get bottled water and soda. Each resort will have a mini grocery store, but you may find the prices a bit high compared to going to Walmart. I usually just pay the prices due to the convenience. They have everything from eggs to milk to ice cream.

 

[dwelty]

Whatever you do, rent a car. You want flexibility as your grocery storage will be limited in the fridge. You need to be able to stock up throughout the trip.

 

[bakerworld]

I would caution against stocking up - every time I've done that we've either ended up throwing or giving stuff away. I think concentrating on fresh fruits and salad options with simple proteins works. It will be summer - personally hot and gravy foods aren't ideal in warm weather. Think about the cost of throwing away $40 in food compared to 2 more taxi trips to the grocery.

 

[DonnaL]

Didn't notice in your post if you are driving or not. If so, I would pack a tote container with some plastic plates, bowls, cups, utensils, etc. Also, add a small crockpot and some microwave cooking pieces. Also, the spices you usually use at home in meal preparation....for the spices..no need to take big bottles...I pack them in labeled snack size Ziplocs...take up way less room. I also pack any dry ingredients I need for specific meals (but we usually get a 1 bdrm..therefore, have a full kitchen). Also, keep in mind SSR does have grills available...not sure if all sections of the resort have the grills but I know the Congress Park pool area did have them several years ago. I believe grills are available at AKV also.....possibly only at Kidani, though....they are actually across the road from the resort...I believe there are picnic tables....maybe tennis courts, also?? I think they are all charcoal grills so you would need to get charcoal on your grocery run. Publix has a prepared foods section in their deli....we've had their rotissiere chicken on several occasions ....I've made chicken salad with it also. We have not had Publix prepared sandwiches, but, our son (who did the Disney College Program in 2011 and spent 5 months there) has said they are very good. I'm sure with a little advance planning...you'll be fine!! Have a good time!!

 

[RobynPrincess]

We frequently stay that long and longer in a studio.i would say hire a car and pop offsite to do a grocery stop, apart from anything else it will save you a fortune in food and drink cost.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Just a note that we're currently in a SSR studio. (Day 7 of 17) I'm not sure when it was changed, but the refrigerator in our studio does not have a freezer compartment. I don't know if they've changed this in all the rooms as part of the recent refurb, or if this is just one that was replaced due to a maintenance issue, and might, therefore, be somewhat unique.

The freezer in the old refrigerators was tiny, but it was at least large enough to hold a few small items, or to freeze a few bottles of water each night.

 

[LSchrow]

as PPs said, rent a car if you're not driving.

we've shopped at the publix, winn-dixie, and super-walmart nearby - all have decent prices and a nice selection (avoid goodings at the crossroads - very pricey). consider bringing a cooler (or buying a cheap styrofoam one), along with ice packs - to cool items such as drinks (you can add ice from ice machines). the local groceries have lots of prepared foods such as rotisserie chicken, wings, subs, etc. between the fridge, toaster and microwave, b'fast and lunch should be easy.
maybe barbecue at the pool a few nights.
if your villa is near a refillable mug station, it might pay to buy your son a LOS stay mug (LOS will be good at both resorts) - powerades can add up quickly.
check for restaurant groupons in the area (house of blues in DTD, giordanos, etc pop up there occasionally).
in crossroads:
- flippers pizza has pasta & fatbreads are excellent and they have special pricing 11a-4p 7 days a week
- TGIF has daily specials (love their thurs $3 huge appetizers & yummy margaritas)
and quite a few other eateries

use zip-locks (perfect to separate personal items), bag clips, and plastic containers to help organize. assign at least bathroom drawer/cabinet and one dresser drawer to each person. use the closet: hang as much as possible, shoes organized by person on floor, and the top shelf for purchases (or larger "stuff").
store carry-ons and anything you won't need in the suitcases, and put suitcases "out of the way" (we usually keep our OL and suitcases by the empty entry).

bring/buy laundry pods (and dryer sheets if you use them), and get to the laundry room before 8am - there can be a wait otherwise (we get ready, and time our returns to 5-10 minutes before our washer/dryer should be done). our dirty clothes go into a large, lightweight duffle each day, then we just carry it to the laundry room. it gets washed along with the clothes. delicates get hung on the laundry line in the bathroom. our laundry supplies are stored under the kitchen sink.

while we've never had more than 2 in a studio, i can honestly say we've never felt cramped or as if we're missing out on something (we've stayed in 1 and 2-bdrms with more ppl).

 

[houseofduck]

Just a note that we're currently in a SSR studio. (Day 7 of 17) I'm not sure when it was changed, but the refrigerator in our studio does not have a freezer compartment. I don't know if they've changed this in all the rooms as part of the recent refurb, or if this is just one that was replaced due to a maintenance issue, and might, therefore, be somewhat unique.

The freezer in the old refrigerators was tiny, but it was at least large enough to hold a few small items, or to freeze a few bottles of water each night.

I wonder if they are switching over to the "no freezer" refrigerators for all studios. The refrigerators in VGF studios don't have freezer compartments.

 

[robinb]

The paper plates in the studio are not enough for more than a meal or two. Bring plastic plates, bowls and storage containers. We usually just end up buying some ziplock disposable sealed bowls that double as storage and bowls and can always snag cutlery and salt & pepper when you're out and about. Ziplock bags are great for storing washed grapes, etc. Studios have regular coffee cups but we also purchase a bunch of to-go cups so we can take coffee with us we leave the room.

Don't forget that there are grills available for your use! I'm not sure about the one at SSR, but the ones at AKV are near Kidani and they use charcoal. Bring aluminum foil and you can also cook veggies and potatoes on the grill too. Maybe you can look at campsite type recipes for more things to cook there.

For laundry we always bring a collapsible laundry basket and set it up in the closet.

 

[Bribrittmom]

Definitely rent a car for at least the first 24 hours to buy groceries. Publix has great food at good prices. I find their prepared foods fresher and tastier than Walmart. You can do ham and egg sandwiches on
English muffins easily. Bring some plastic dishes from Dollar tree in your luggage.

 

[granmanh603]

Definitely rent a car for at least the first 24 hours to buy groceries. Publix has great food at good prices. I find their prepared foods fresher and tastier than Walmart. You can do ham and egg sandwiches on
English muffins easily. Bring some plastic dishes from Dollar tree in your luggage.

I have been doing long stays for years in studio but just 2 of us. Initially we rented a car at beginning of trip for grocery stop, publix is excellent but others stores fine too with pre made meal ideas. And when at SSR we like to walk so if we wanted to eat out we walked down hotel plaza blvd to 535 lots of choices ,and millers ale house is reasonable to eat it is to the left at 535 junction maybe down a block left at light passed a gas station. The Hess gas stations also have foods etc . Oh we get bread butter, cheese crackers soups, canvas bags are good for toting them to room or even empty out a rolling suitcase. Less trips. Now we have car with us and easier. Eat of property more, cheaper and better choices.
Oh yes and Dollar tree for cheap stuff that you can leave or throw out I love that store. Everything is a dollar! I have gotten soup mug ,wine glasses I get the insulated cup with straw, plates ,I think they even have silverware? Oh an sharp knife I got a great one years ago with a protective sleeve anf keep in suitcase always. A few month Back they had little cutting boards with a knife.
Have fun!

 

[hill6]

Consider mailing yourself a box of stuff like plates, bowls, plastic silverware and ziploc bags and some other stuff using the one rate boxes from the post office. This way you are not bringing it with you and it will be there when you arrive.

 

[Jonell]

Thanks for your replies. We will have a vehicle so going back and forth to the store is not a problem.

 

[AudreyKThompson]

We have never stayed quite that long in a studio, but my family of 5 (one toddler) has made many meals in studio.
My tips-
DVB was very accommodating about keeping our "stocked up" food in their walk in fridge/freezer- we just stopped by otw to the room and got what we needed for that day for our mini fridge- so we meal planned and shopped once. I love the SSR folks and am sure they would be willing to do the same.
I didn't bother with plastic plates- just picked up more from QS or mouse keeping as needed- save on storage space! Same with commonly provided condiments- we'd pick up extra PB/Jelly/ketchup/mustard/salt/pepper with our paid for meals at QS and use them in later meals. I love SSR QS/market (Artist's Point? Palette? Art something--) and found it convenient and not way overpriced--
Must brings include a sharp knife and cutting board and a covered large microwave safe dish. I also brought a collapsible (to save space) colander for pasta, steamed veggies, etc.
Meal planning was important for us! As an example: we grilled burgers, veggies, and ordered fries to go with them. We grilled extra burgers and the next night when I cooked rotini pasta in the microwave, I heated bottled sauce with the crumbled burger/beef and grilled onions and peppers in the microwave. Toasted bread (toaster provided) and opened a salad in a bag kit- dinner that rivaled home, micro cooked in 15 minutes.
One night grilled chicken, added to microwaved steamed broccoli and brown rice. Next day, chopped leftover chicken and broccoli and added to microwave Mac n cheese.
You get the idea. . . PM if you want more meal ideas- don't want to bore everyone.
We also brought a waffle iron. You can scramble an egg in the bottom of a glass and microwave it for 45 sec/1 minute and have a round cooked egg perfect for a breakfast sandwich . . .
We did that when tired of toast and cream cheese, cereal, etc.
The refillable mug was a lifesaver(well, wallet saver)!
--
EBags were great to keep us organized and clothes contained. We did laundry to minimize the clothes we took. The over the door hanger hung on the outside of the bathroom door did wonders to contain the clutter. PP tips were all great, and we used many.

Enjoy your trip and good luck to DS!