We are definitely going to Disney for Spring Break!

[Local_Girl]

We'll be doing a similar trip in Nov. We'll be there for 10 nights and these are my plans:

1) Dinner in the condo at least 5 times

2) Must be in and out in 1 hour or less, so no more than 1/2 hour prep time and 1/2 hour to eat, though we could take longer if we just want to relax. (We like to go back out in the evenings)

3) I won't be feeding my family the dinners I'm planning for the trip at home for at least a month so they won't be saying "we just had that" and "I'd rather go out...". I try to plan on serving family favorites. Usually, after eating out a few times everyone is happy to have something familiar (and hopefully delicious too! lol)

4) I will pre-cook as much as possible at home and freeze stuff for ease of preparation. I'll also buy pre-made when I can (shredded cheese, alfredo sauce, etc.).

I'm looking at meals such as meatballs w/mushroom gravy over rice; chicken taco soup; chicken enchiladas; Stouffer's lasagna; chicken broccoli alfredo; maybe pulled bbq pork sandwiches. All can be served with a veggie and/or a side salad.

Also, I'm pretty meticulous about planning the meals out so I know exactly what I have to bring down and what I'll have to buy there. It's a bummer having to buy spices or pantry staples because you forgot them. And I agree with buying a few special things that your family doesn't get often...makes it more like a treat on vacation.

I think your turkey sounds like a great idea! Good luck in your planning...Spring break is right around the corner. Have a great trip!

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

We are staying at fpountains and doing the same thing. Our breakfasts will be donuts and cereal. We plan on bring soem snacks into the park. We have a toddler so we plan to leave at lunch time and get something fast food out of the park and rest. I am bringing my crockpot. We plan on one chicken, one roast, and then one stouffers lasagna. We have 3 big ADR's planned for the other nights. We decided that was the best way to maximize our food budget and still get to do the ADR's.

 

[lifenthetropics]

I was thinking of making a turkey and using leftovers for sandwiches and maybe a carcass soup. We will be there for 8 days

Nothing says VACATION like a big ole pot of carcass soup.

 

[happymommy]

I don't know if your condo has gas grills available, but when we go to Hawaii and stay in a condo, we visit Costco and get their frozen sirloin burgers and buns (plus fresh veggies, salad, fruits, and other stuff). We'll grill some nice burgers a couple of times, and the burgers are also great if you thaw a couple out and cook them like regular ground beef. I made that one night for my DD and me, adding it to the deluxe mac and cheese. It was yummy (okay, high in fat, but tasted good). We'll also stop and get fresh fish and grill that some nights. Add a salad and something like rice, and it's little mess in the kitchen.

14 hours in a cooler won't even come close to thawing out the turkey, so I think that is pretty safe. Then you can put it in the fridge to finish thawing.

You could also bring cookie dough, pop that in the oven for fresh cookies for dessert!

I'd remember to bring a little broth and flour for gravy. Yum.

 

[debbi801]

When are you going? I would think things like Matzoh wouldn't pack well (if you're going during Pesach). So you'd probably want to locate a store near the hotel to buy Pesach foods.

Have a fun trip!

 

[punkin]

When are you going? I would think things like Matzoh wouldn't pack well (if you're going during Pesach). So you'd probably want to locate a store near the hotel to buy Pesach foods.

Have a fun trip!

Why would Matzoh travel badly? Isn't it packed in a box?

 

[moongirl]

Two thoughts:

1) When we camp, cooking equipment is limited so I cook at least four meals the week before we leave that I then freeze in ziploc bags. The last one thaws out about 4 or 5 days later. I make: beef stew, Italian sausages in tomato sauce, chicken in curry sauce, and sloppy joes. This requires only heating to cook. We usually take canned veggies to compliment and buy bread when we arrive.

2) How about a pre-made roast with gravy, some refrigerated mashed potatoes and some frozen corn all from the grocery store? It is more expensive that I'd pay at home but, for $10-$15 a heck of a lot cheaper than eating out. Just microwave and you're done!

 

[Tink9295]

Nothing says VACATION like a big ole pot of carcass soup.

LOL

 

[blanq]

I do not want food poisoning, but a fully frozen turkey in a cooler with ice should make it for 14 hours, no?

Yes, it will, Punkin. Do it! I think it is a great idea. When I do turkey's at home, I make the first meal a traditional Thanksgiving meal. For leftovers I love to make one meal of club sandwiches (triple decker with bacon, lettuce and tomato and I like to serve it with tomato soup) and another meal consisting of a Chef's salad (lettuce, turkey, ham, cheese, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, croutons and dressing) served with a baguette.

Editing to add another meal I sometimes make with leftover turkey: I stiryfry some vegetables in a pan (carrots, onion, snow peas, broccoli, etc), cut up the cooked turkey into bite-size pieces, cook a few packages of Ramen Noodles (I throw away the flavor packets) and then mix everything together with bottled spicy peanut sauce. Yum and super easy.

 

[Tink9295]

Just be sure you can check in when you get there. We traded our timeshare for there and had to wait until 4pm to get a unit. Wouldn't want you're food going bad. Ice in a cooler in your truck melts fast in Florida.

 

[punkin]

Just be sure you can check in when you get there. We traded our timeshare for there and had to wait until 4pm to get a unit. Wouldn't want you're food going bad. Ice in a cooler in your truck melts fast in Florida.

That's a good point, but I am not even planning to arrive until after 4. I hope it will not be a problem.

 

[mom2threecuties]

Do you have a Foodsaver? Before we went to HHI last summer, I made a brisket, mac 'n cheese, ribs, and meatballs in tomato sauce. I put each dinner in a Foodsaver bag and froze them. I packed them in a cooler with ice, and they were still frozen solid when we got to Hilton Head. At night, I would simmer the unopened Foodsaver bag in a big pot of water - voila - homemade dinner on vacation with none of the work (and very little cleanup, except for the side dishes).