"restaurant only" gal needs to learn the "joys" of cooking in the villa!

[panfan]

Hi y'all. A little background: We purchased the minimum 150 pts last year figuring we would continue our 5 night annual WDW trip in a one-bedroom. Our first stay was in a one-bedroom but quickly realized that for us a studio "would do" if it afforded us more trips per year. We actually stretched it out to include 3 trips this year! ( one two niter just DH and I) However with the added trips, comes added costs. Just because the "room" is taken care of doesn't mean the airfare and food go along with....LOL!

Anyway, as a rule....we love to eat out !! Especially in WDW. On our last trip, we did realize some of the meals were $$ out the window especially since our kids are still so young and don't really appreciate every meal out. I plan on doing some of the meals on our upcoming Dec trip in the villa to cut costs. Although I know us too well....when the time comes, we will probably splurge and eat out! I need help staying on track! Anyone else convert themselves from eating out at every meal to doing at least some in the villa?? I just love WDW and the restaurants so much and our trips are only for 5 days ( due to work restrictions) that I almost can't fathom "wasting" one of the days eating cereal in the villa....help!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

We are a family of 6 and used to eat every meal out back in the old Polynesian days. Now we eat every breakfast in (except for one day when we do a Character B-Fast) and some lunches. All dinners are still out. After all...we are on vacation.

Eating breakfast in has actually saved us time. No more waiting in line or waiting for something to come to our table. Everyone just has what they like and then we leave. Lunch at the room we do on pool days. Everone really enjoys going back to the room and going to the pool mid day. We often bring things right down to the pool but often eat in the room and then head down.

It again saves a lot of time, $$$$$ and can be fun.

HBC

 

[spiceycat]

I have allergies so eating out is not the joy for me that it is for both of you.

I do eat out - but it takes time......

Anyway are you driving? - can you take a ice chest? then make you some dinner - freeze them - then just micowave when you want them.

or you realize that there are many TV dinners that are for the mircowave.

will you have a car? how about a grocery stop?

go to the grocery store - get what you and your kids like - their favorite luncheon meat - hamburger and charcall - all DVC resorts have an outside grill - snack foods - fruits - bring with you your seasoning (and anything else that does not need refrigeration).

I have cooked green beans, bacon, eggs, potatoes -plus my frozen stuff in the mircowave.

 

[RumpleMom]

HappyBirthday Cat expressed my thoughts very well.

We hate to get moving in the morning, so eating breakfast in the villa while everyone gets dressed lessened the morning stress. We helped transition to this by bringing home breakfast goodies, like from the MK bakery, at the end of a park day.

We quickly learned how convenient it was to have cold cuts in the fridge and not have to go out in the afternoon rainstorm because everyone was hungry and starting to get cranky.

 

[geffric]

aside from the fruit and veggies for quick munching, we always have canned tuna/ crackers and pasta on hand for something quick.

Breakfast is a delight in the rooms, faster easier, and gets the kids out the door ready to start the day.. I bring along my crockpot and make a roast for one of the first nights, then we have the rest for sandwiches during the week.

 

[zurgswife]

We are villa diners....

Almost every breakfast, maybe one for a Character meal but not usually....

About 5 out of 7 lunches...we usually do early entry and are back between 12:30 and 1pm so we do sandwiches and such in the room.

And about 5 out of 7 dinners...most are quick and easy stuff the kids will eat....but sometimes we use the grill at BWV to grill a steak meal...

We save a ton of money. I didn't realize how much until this past Christmas we stayed 3 nights at the Dolphin and had to pay for meals...OUCH!!!!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

We love having simple things like sausage biscuits that we just have to heat in the microwave.

Also, there is a wonderful, wonderful pizza place that delivers to Disney resorts, Giordano's. Their pizza is just incredible and prices reasonable. We also go there to eat in addition to their delivery. They have a website, www.giordanos.com Check them out.

If you are flying, you can pre-cook chicken, freeze it and then make chicken salad when you get there to have something to make sandwiches, etc.

 

[rocketriter]

You'll actually prefer eating breakfast in the villa. It's quick and easy, there's no standing in line, and there's no $50 tab for a few plates of bacon and eggs! Just start with breakfast on the next visit (maybe treating yourself to 1 character breakfast if you just can't resist). You can add other meals on future trips if you feel like it.

Oh, do be sure to bring home those left-overs after meals. With your own kitchen, they make very practical snacks and pick-me-ups.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

We have breakfast in the villa every day. of course my kids are not big breakfast eaters so it is very easy. Cheerios, bagels and frresh fruit. I always eat lunch out. If it is a pool day, we will not go back to the villa but will get somthing from the poolside offerings.
For dinners, I generally do not eat a dinner usually a salad. So it's just accomadating the kids. And they are easy frozen pizza, spaghetti and sauce. Maybe some steamed broccoli. I would say of 5 nights we do dinner in 3 times. And do a ps the other 2.
One thing though when I go to the grocery I have have intentions of eating more in the villa. and end up throwing an awful lot away. I have got to curb that impulse, Because I end up wasting a ton of money.

 

[ripleysmom]

We usually eat breakfast in the room. I also bought sandwich meats and bread as well as snack items for the kids. I stocked up on water and soda. I also bought a frozen pizza to keep around for dinner, just in case we were tired.

I honestly don't think I could go back to WDW with my family and stay in a regular room anymore.

 

[Muushka]

Good questions. Made me think.

Well, for breakfast we usually have bagels, grapefruit and eggs of some type. Oh, and bacon, pre-cooked. It does not take a lot of effort to prepare these things and it saves a bit of $$ and time. Sometimes we also get some toaster strudels. We don't have those at home so it is a treat.

Then we usually eat 1 meal out a day-either lunch or dinner. So for the meals we do eat at home I usually get some type of cold cuts and some nice rolls and cheese. That is a treat to me! I love sandwiches. We pick up some frozen meals like eggplant parmagian(sp?) or fettuccini Alfredo. Another treat. Sometimes we will make a pizza or bagel bites. I guess if we get stuff that we don't usually get at home (except for the pizza), and it is fairly easy, it becomes doable.

I figure the money we save in food alone almost makes DVC justifiable!

 

[SheriB]

We always eat breakfast in(except for one character breakfast). It could be frozen microwave pancakes, already cooked sausage or bacon that can be microwaved, microwave breakfast sandwiches, bagels, cereal, fruit, o.j., etc. We like not having to wake up our kids as early (they're 13 and 17-do you realize how difficult it is to get them up before 7 a.m.?).

I also found that my kids loved the turkey wraps from Beaches and Cream. We bought our own ingredients, including the secret sauce, which is actually Thousand Island dressing, and we make our own. That saves about $5 a piece(x4 sandwiches x7 days = $140.00!).

We make a few dinners in, and eat a few out. It's nice to eat in, because it gives us a chance to relax, even if we are preparing dinner. The atmosphere is laid back enough in the room, unlike in a restaurant, when you're under a microscope. And sometimes, you can prepare a meal in less time than you sit and wait for one in a restaurant. Dinners in are easy, like sandwiches, pasta & salad, nothing fancy (we order fancy in the restaurants).

Eating in the room is not only a way to save money, it's an opportunity to spend time with each other without being crammed at a table or booth. We can spread out, and relax, and joke around. It's a different kind of quality time.

Sheri

 

[MinnieGi]

With a little one, villa dining is wonderful! It is quick and easy and always right on hand. We too eat most breakfasts in our villa. We do however do a few character breakfasts. We usually eat lunch in the parks and then head back for swim & nap. We usually do several dinners in our villa too. After all DD's swimming she is hungry and waiting for a table somewhere is not her or our idea of a great time. Most dinners are easy: tacos, sandwiches, quesidillas, salad. On one night however my DH and I prepare a really nice meal and invite whoever else is vacationing with us over to our villa. We usually always have family or friends vacationing at the same time we are down there. Its great b/c everyone can really relax and have a great time without feeling rushed and the kids can play afterwards in the room without having to sit still at a restaurant table. We really enjoy using our villa for entertaining and love the convenience of preparing our own meals there.

 

[panfan]

It got me thinking that "Dining Out" is not our only option. ( even if I already knew it!) It helps to hear what you guys all do !! It would be real easy for us to bring a few frozen entrees (homemade) as we have a restaurant. That is why such short trips. We always have to work on Sunday ( our busiest morning!) and usually leave on a 3 pm flight out of Philadelphia. Would be really easy to bring precooked bacon, sausage, etc. as we would have access to it that very day!

As far as having lunch in the villa, I was a little confused what y'all do on park days but the EE and back to the villa for lunch is a good idea. I guess we just end up having a burger or whatever in the park and head back for nap/pool time anyway. We will definately try lunches "in" this year. Maybe I can do a few dinners too with the nightly "treat" being dessert or an ice cream out!

Thanks again for the ideas and keep them coming!!

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by ripleysmom
We usually eat breakfast in the room. I also bought sandwich meats and bread as well as snack items for the kids. I stocked up on water and soda. I also bought a frozen pizza to keep around for dinner, just in case we were tired.

I honestly don't think I could go back to WDW with my family and stay in a regular room anymore.

Ya, great sandwiches, chips dip and some salads can be a nice, very easy meal, help with $$, and can be seasier than going out and fighting the restaraunt crowrds for every meal. Then there's the snacking, drinks, and general munching. The blender can make some great drinks, some sherbert, juice, a little crushed ice and your favorite mixer, and your set.

 

[leanne2255]

Originally posted by panfan

Anyway, as a rule....we love to eat out !! Especially in WDW.

I know where you're coming from. We were the same way, but then as others have posted, breakfast in the room is wonderful. After spending $75 for breakfast (2 adults, 2 teens) at Kona Cafe, we have learned the joys of eating in. Much more convenient. We still enjoy meals out, just not as often. At least one night will be in-room dining, as well as a few lunches/snacks.

I don't mind the cooking at all. I just remember how much money I'm saving, and that makes it all worthwhile.

 

[idratherbeinwdw]

Originally posted by leanne2255
I know where you're coming from. We were the same way, but then as others have posted, breakfast in the room is wonderful. After spending $75 for breakfast (2 adults, 2 teens) at Kona Cafe, we have learned the joys of eating in. Much more convenient. We still enjoy meals out, just not as often. At least one night will be in-room dining, as well as a few lunches/snacks.

I don't mind the cooking at all. I just remember how much money I'm saving, and that makes it all worthwhile.

ITA regarding cooking in the Villa and saving $$--but $75 for 4 at the Kona Cafe? Most items on Kona's breakfast menu are under $10. What did you guys eat?!?

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I've found mixing in some of the take out food from places like Roaring Forks with some food I bring from home or buy from the market works well. Example...taco salad...all you need is some taco chips, chili and a salad. I got the salad from roaring forks & the chili was canned. If you like cheddar on your salad you can add that too. The salad portions were fairly generous so if you are adding something to it you could split each salad in two.

On another thread I saw someone planning on bringing a foreman grille. I intend to do that next time because it could work wonders! The only problem is the weight.

 

[Boo]

We usually do 1 or 2 character breakfasts and one nice dinner out and the rest in the room- usual fare as everyone else... yogurt, eggs, waffles, etc.
Lunches usually consist of frozen pizzas, lunch meat.
For dinner we do taco kits, pasta, those "viola" frozen dinner bags where the pasta and meat are all together- you just warm them up in a skillet- very easy.
We pack lots of our own self stable snacks like fruit rolls ups, krispie treats, individual bags of crackers/cookies etc, the kind of things you get from Costco. They room they take up in the suitcase leaves room for souvenirs on the way back.

 

[panfan]

All of this talk of eating in the villa is getting me excited to try it this time !! What great ideas!! Now the only thing I have to do is call MS and see if I can change my studio to a one-bedroom to have the full kitchen!! ( we do have enough pts this time but was just trying to be conservative!) It almost feels like "I'm on a mission now" to eat in the villa. Too bad my trip is still 6 months away !! I better be sure to re-read this one often or I'll stray off course!

Thanks!