Saving $$- 'Cooking' in the hotel room

[kla]

Maybe the OP meant s/he'd like to hear ideas about meals that can be stored in the room fridge, not necessarily cooked there. We have an electric ice chest that plugs into the car and an outlet in our room and we're bringing:

cold cuts/cheese
green salad
boiled eggs
milk
grilled chicken strips
bread for the kids' pb&j sandwiches
salsa & chips
sausage & egg muffins (scrambled eggs baked in muffin tin)
pepperoni slices
cream cheese
jelly

The food courts have a microwave for guest use, so we're also bringing mac & cheese and noodle cups, and microwave popcorn for snacks. We might use the toaster at breakfast for toaster waffles or poptarts. We'll also bring a ton of fresh fruits/veggies and snack items like crackers, jerky, nuts, cereal bars, nut butters and chocolate bars. We plan to bring about 90% of our food for the week. If we need to replenish, there's a Wal-Mart pretty nearby.

Somewhere online I saw a video of a guy cooking a really yummy-looking burrito using a hotel room iron. I have used the irons at POP to make quesadillas with two tortillas and cheese between a sheet of foil. They turned out awesome and saved us at least $5 at a restaurant.

 

[dimimi]

I can see eating breakfast in the room and having snacks.

Maybe this idea would save you some money and give you enough for your dinner:
What if you purchased a styrofoam cooler and did not rent a refrigerator. Then,instead of having table service for every lunch, eat at a counter (it still would be cooler) and then you should have money for your dinner.

 

[elainesj]

we bring

hot dogs (precooked),
cold cut sandwiches,
bagels with cream cheese,
instant noodles (in a cup or bowl) - with this I just take it to the food court and fill with hot water. I've also asked the cashiers for a cup to fill with hot water that I'll bring back to my room for this.
mac and cheese

and I'll use the microwave and toasters in the food court if I want to heat things up.

Fruits and salads are also awesome.

 

[BabyTigger99]

Somewhere online I saw a video of a guy cooking a really yummy-looking burrito using a hotel room iron. I have used the irons at POP to make quesadillas with two tortillas and cheese between a sheet of foil. They turned out awesome and saved us at least $5 at a restaurant.

Note to self...check iron for cheese remnants before ironing something....

 

[budbeerlady]

I would join a fridge swap if there are any openings. We loved being able to do this with other Dis members.

I wouldnt try to cook anything, maybe do cold sandwiches, cereal with milk for breakfast, etc. We do pop tarts in the room before rope drop while we get ready, its a treat for Dd as its the only time she gets them. Besides a fire hazard it could leave smells for other guests or allergy issues.

 

[Disneyliscious]

For those who like to cook some of their meals, staying off site is the best option.....like a private home. Its cheaper than staying in a Disney hotel, you have the freedom to cook whatever you like, you have your own private swimming pool, and there is SO much more space.

I would recommend cancelling my reservation and renting a private home or condo. You'll save a TON of money as a bonus to getting to do everything else you are wanting to do (such as prepare meals each day).

This is one of the main reasons we have never stayed on Disney property. It just makes everything to "limited" for us. I like the freedom to eat out if I choose or stay in and cook a quick meal by the pool.....the pool that has no one else in it except our family...and then I can go off to my own private bedroom and relax.....and then I can take the extra money I save by staying off site and......well, you get the picture.

 

[prncess674]

I would buy those pre-cooked grilled chicken strips and then you could put those over a green salad.

 

[SaraJayne]

Maybe the OP meant s/he'd like to hear ideas about meals that can be stored in the room fridge, not necessarily cooked there. We have an electric ice chest that plugs into the car and an outlet in our room and we're bringing:

cold cuts/cheese
green salad
boiled eggs
milk
grilled chicken strips
bread for the kids' pb&j sandwiches
salsa & chips
sausage & egg muffins (scrambled eggs baked in muffin tin)
pepperoni slices
cream cheese
jelly

The food courts have a microwave for guest use, so we're also bringing mac & cheese and noodle cups, and microwave popcorn for snacks. We might use the toaster at breakfast for toaster waffles or poptarts. We'll also bring a ton of fresh fruits/veggies and snack items like crackers, jerky, nuts, cereal bars, nut butters and chocolate bars. We plan to bring about 90% of our food for the week. If we need to replenish, there's a Wal-Mart pretty nearby.

Somewhere online I saw a video of a guy cooking a really yummy-looking burrito using a hotel room iron. I have used the irons at POP to make quesadillas with two tortillas and cheese between a sheet of foil. They turned out awesome and saved us at least $5 at a restaurant.

With the money spent on the above groceries, you could have eaten 3-4 meals in a restaurant.

For the poster who said they made a quesadilla with an iron, please tell me you're joking.

 

[disneyfan67]

I love beef stew in a crockpot. Nothing says "stay cool" and "have fun at WDW" like beef stew.

I disagree slightly. My dad's favorite recipe of Hungarian cabbage rolls marinating all day with sauerkraut in a crock pot, is a wdw treat. Nothing beats a long, hot day in the parks, then coming back to the hotel room knowing you have cabbage roll delight waiting for you. As soon as you get to your floor where your room is on, the delightful aroma of cabbage, spices, and sauerkraut greets you and other guests on the floor as well. The guests stuck eating in the food court will be envious, trust me.

 

[summerrluvv]

I really don't get some of the condescending responses in this thread. I highly doubt the OP meant actual cooking with appliances.

We always bring breakfast items.....granola bars, cereal cups, cereal bars, etc. I tend to bring some items that can be heated up using the food court microwave for my children that are particular. Mac n cheese, ravioli, soups, etc., and also popcorn and other things to snack on.

My son does not like jelly at all, and their sandwiches there come with them. They sell bread slices at the food court for less than a buck, and the peanut butter is free when you buy bread, so he will eat that a couple of times.

 

[SaraJayne]

I disagree slightly. My dad's favorite recipe of Hungarian cabbage rolls marinating all day with sauerkraut in a crock pot, is a wdw treat. Nothing beats a long, hot day in the parks, then coming back to the hotel room knowing you have cabbage roll delight waiting for you. As soon as you get to your floor where your room is on, the delightful aroma of cabbage, spices, and sauerkraut greets you and other guests on the floor as well. The guests stuck eating in the food court will be envious, trust me.

I don't even allow saurerkraut in MY fridge, so no way in he double hockeysticks would I keep my mouth shut if I smelled that coming from a hotel room!

 

[kla]

With the money spent on the above groceries, you could have eaten 3-4 meals in a restaurant.

Not at Disney. Even counter service meals run almost $40/meal for four of us. The groceries we bring will cost around $100 and will feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner for the whole week we're there.

Oh, and you can roll your eyes all you want, but I'm sure that's not the worst thing that's been done with an iron at a value...

 

[SaraJayne]

Not at Disney. Even counter service meals run almost $40/meal for four of us. The groceries we bring will cost around $100 and will feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner for the whole week we're there.

Oh, and you can roll your eyes all you want, but I'm sure that's not the worst thing that's been done with an iron at a value...

I would choose to stay off-site instead of at a value, for that very reason.

Sometimes having a car at Disney pays for itself in food savings.

 

[punkin]

I would choose to stay off-site instead of at a value, for that very reason.

Sometimes having a car at Disney pays for itself in food savings.

Yes, for the same price as a value (maybe lower) I can stay in a condo with a kitchen and a bedroom door that locks. I can then cook to my heart's content (if I want to) with real pots pans, and toasters, rather than coffee pots and irons. Just my opinion.

 

[disneyfan67]

I don't even allow saurerkraut in MY fridge, so no way in he double hockeysticks would I keep my mouth shut if I smelled that coming from a hotel room!

Sara, you say no now, but after tasting my father's recipe, all the while sitting on your double bed with a Herbie the Love bug theme, watching Stacey's top 7 Must Sees, you will asking for more. Whatever objections you may have had to the delicious aroma coming from next door, one taste will win you over.


I never understood the prejudice that comes with Sauerkraut. When properly cooked with the right foods, it's the proverbial "Nectar of the Gods".

 

[SaraJayne]

Sara, you say no now, but after tasting my father's recipe, all the while sitting on your double bed with a Herbie the Love bug theme, watching Stacey's top 7 Must Sees, you will asking for more. Whatever objections you may have had to the delicious aroma coming from next door, one taste will win you over.


I never understood the prejudice that comes with Sauerkraut. When properly cooked with the right foods, it's the proverbial "Nectar of the Gods".

I think once you've made homemade sauerkraut, you won't ever want to eat it.

 

[wide awake]

Okay, I LOVE the quesadilla idea. I will be doing that on our next trip. And I really, really like saurekraut...can you post your dad's recipe? I won't be making that in the room, because I'm lazy, but I'd like to try it at home. I don't get some of the snotty comments either. I think cooking/eating in the room shows creativity and financial smarts. I'd be tempted to do the same if we didn't have free dining. But we don't use free dining for breakfast, hence the quesadillas. I'll have salsa and guacamole in the fridge...it will be great.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I've seen several people who had a toaster in their fridge swap so I know people use toasters there. Toasted bagels? Toasted cheese sandwiches? I'm not sure what else you could make with a toaster.

I have also seen people taking in small microwaves and we were joking about it once and asked the employees at POP if it was allowed and they said YES! I was shocked. They said as long as you don't leave it plugged in all the time, they don't care.

But I think the most I can help with is suggesting cold sandwich makings in your frig.

Have a fun trip!

Edited to add: I know the food court makes some awesome pizza and I realize that is not making it yourself, but we have fed four on one pizza and I think it was $13. And it was good. And we got it to go and took it to our room so some people could be eating while others showered etc -- to save time.

 

[MissUndastood]

I vote "other"

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Not sure what you are paying per night at Pop Century, but you may be able to get a 1 or 2 bedroom at Bonnet Creek for about the same price. That way you'd have a kitchen with a full-sized fridge, a stove, gas grills, etc. If you have a rental car, it wouldn't matter if you were staying at Bonnet Creek or Pop Century...both are w/in the Disney gates.