What meals to make offsite

[angelat]

We are going to WDW at the end of August this year and will be staying offsite at a condo. We stayed offsite last year at the same resort, but didn’t really utilize the kitchen facilities much except for breakfast a couple times. This time around we would like to save a little money by eating in the room a few times while we are there. Because we are driving, we’ll arrive mid-day on a Sat and just hang out at the pool and room that night probably. The rest of the week we will definitely eat breakfast in our condo, most lunches will be offsite I think as I am trying to convince DH to break mid-day for a swim/nap for us all.
I don’t want to eat EVERY lunch at McDonald’s or the like, so my question is, what do those of you who stay offsite make for lunch on the days that you eat at your room? Or if you eat out most days, but not in the parks, where do you eat?
I’m thinking that a pizza one day for lunch or dinner will be good because for 4 of us (2 adults, an 11 yr old boy and 10 yr old girl) that will be about a $20 meal (including drinks)! Then maybe mac ‘n cheese and hot dogs another day, but after that, I’m kind of stumped. It will be hot, so I’m not sure if we’ll all be wanting big meals anyway. But I gained 4lbs last year eating only WDW food! I don’t want to do that again.
Thanks for your help everyone!!!

 

[mombare]

I think you will enjoy the luxury of utilizing the kitchen more this year! We did things like sloppy joes/barbecues, roast in the crock pot, spaghetti, tacos, mac and cheese, sandwiches...that may have been all. We had a couple of strollers to haul our bags around, so we packed a cooler with sandwiches and beverages to take into the park every day. We only ended up eating a couple of meals in the parks, and those were the character meals we had planned. I guess we did get Outback take out one night also. I don't know about you, but we got sick of eating out so much so it was nice to have the kitchen!

 

[prncess674]

What do you typically eat at home on weekends for lunch? This is a good indication of what your family enjoys.

Tacos
Salads
Hoagies
Baked Potato Bar
Moonlight Breakfast - aka pancakes and waffles for dinner.

If you stop at a grocery pick up a pre cooked rotisserie chicken with a side of potato salad

Does your condo complex have a grill. I could cook for a month using only a grill. Also the ziploc zip n steam bags are wonderful. Just cut up veggies (squash, zucchini, etc) throw in some spices and pop in the micro for 6 minutes and they are a healthy side item.

Another fave of my family is to line a cookie sheet with tin foil, heat oven to 400, spread asparagus in a single layer, lightly drizzle with olive oil, black pepper and salt. Let cook for 15 minutes.

If you are driving bring your crockpot and you can simmer things all day.

 

[shoney]

The Publix supermarkets have a nice deli counter with BoarsHead products, so we usually pick up some cold cuts. They also have prepared salads..potato, pasta, etc that were pretty good.

I like getting the rotesserie chicken as well. You can use the leftovers for chicken salad or chicken quesadillas.

Supermarkets have so much in the way of prepared, convenience foods that it is quite easy to put something together for alot less than going out.

If they have a grill, pick up your favorite meat or seafood, grill some veggies (asparagus, peppers, onions, squash) and microwave few potatoes then throw them on the grill to crisp up that skin and you will have a simple dinner.

 

[java]

I just looked to see if there was a trader joes nearby and there isn't one in florida- because their premade meals are DELICIOUS! I went for the first time and was blown away by the mandarin orange chicken- and my kids loved it. Along with just some Jamine rice- that they sold in a microwave pouch.

So the meal took all of 3 minutes to cook and the kids loved it.

Are you salad eaters? Or quesadilla eaters- a rotiserie chicken one night can be picked apart to do chicken quesadillas another.

Chicken wings? So easy- just buy the wingettes from the grocery store- salt and pepper them. bake at 400 until lightly browned. Nuke 1 cupe of Franks hot sauce with a tbsp of Margarine-(gross I know but it has to be margarine not butter - it makes the sauce stick to the wings) just dump the wings in the sauce- Hot wings.

How about one spaghetti night? with a simple jarred sauce (we love Rao's in a jar when I'm desperate it's pricey at $6 on sale but it's a lot cheaper than going out. )

Have fun and really I think we are going to try a condo next time just to see how much we can save eating in more. Remember too that even just eating off property can save you money- check out the Orlando board they have offsite dining suggestions. With places that kids eat free. Or special somethings. we're going to try Joe's Crab shack and Bonefish Grill when we go down.

 

[angelat]

Thanks for all of the replies so far! They are good ideas. I'm really looking for lunch ideas more than dinner ideas. We plan to be back out to the parks most nights before dinner.

How many days can I keep one of the rotisserie chickens in the fridge? I'd imagine about 2 days before it won't be too good, right?

I've heard that there is a Publix pretty close to Windsor Hills. Does anyone know if this is correct? We ended up going to Walmart last year which took about a 1/2 hour. We just used our Navigation on our phone and that's what came up. But we weren't in WH when we used it, so maybe that's why it didn't bring up the Publix.

Quesadillas sound good, as does spaghetti as well as the cold cuts for subs or sandwiches.

If anyone else has ideas, I'd be glad to hear them as well.

Thanks again everyone! I knew I could count on you all.

 

[Darcy03231]

We were in the Orlando area in August 2007 for two weeks. We found what worked best for us was getting up early and getting to the parks when they opened. We'd have a big breakfast every day. By 1 pm everyone was getting really hot/tired. We'd go back to the house for a swim/rest and have a late lunch/early dinner and then head back to the parks in the early evening (around 5 pm) and stay until close. We found that it was too hot to eat much in the parks and we stuck mostly to ice cream, slushies, snack type things.

Our house had a grill that we used a lot. On the first night there I made a couple of casseroles (lasagne, chicken casserolle & mexican shepard's pie) and froze them in disposable pans. We also made a big macaroni salad, potato salad and tossed salad. That way we could throw some meat on the grill and the sides were all made. I bought a crockpot and made pulled pork, spaghetti and meatballs, and mexican chicken. We found that the kids could get in the pool for little bit and we could have a meal on the table in less time than it would take to get seated and have a meal in a restaurant. We also did pizza one night, chinese take out one night, and rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. We kept it pretty simple and found that we ate well, and it really didn't take a lot of time. We bought paper and plastic so there was very little clean-up.

 

[ShootingStarMom2]

DHs family rented a house a few times before we were married and we made pizzas, soup with rice, and chipped beef with mashed potatoes.

Knorr makes those great rice and noodle packages that you make like mac-n-cheese so that would be a quick side dish. We love the mushroom, Spanish, broccoli cheese, and creamy chicken. What about scalloped potatoes with ham cubes. That's super easy and always goes over good for lunch and dinner.

 

[shoney]

One thing to keep in mind is trying to overlap some ingredients. This way you won't wind up with too much left over food, that you will wind up throwing away.

For instance, english muffins or bagels for breakfast can be used the following day for lunch....pizzas...the sauce you use on the pizza can be from the day before's pasta lunch.

If you are making eggs and bacon for breakfast, another day could be BLT's or egg salad. This way you use the whole dozen eggs or whole pound of bacon. And maybe even that whole loaf of bread! Toast in the morning, sandwiches in the afternoon.

If you buy chop meat for burgers, buy the 2lb package. Then you will have 4 quarter pounders and enough meat left over to make tacos.

The same thing with the chicken...whole roasted one day...chicken quesadillas the next. The left over wraps can be used for wrap sandwiches if you purchase cold cuts.

I have found we have had a lot of wasted food. Planning ahead can save time and money!

 

[ChrisinNJ]

There is definately a Publix nearby, we went to it too. I can't remember where though. If it dies not come up in your nav. system, ask one of the gate guards, or office people.

Actually, ask on the orlando hotels board, I think someone there will know.

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Yup, just plan ahead and figure out what you will and won't do. We like to rent condos just for that reason.

For lunches, we do frozen pizzas, hot dogs or cold cuts.

For dinners, spaghetti; burgers on the grill (if we have one); tacos; hamburger helper.

If you want to spend a bit more time, you can get more appetizing - baked chicken with a veggie and pasta for sides; pork chops with stuffing (got a great crockpot recipe for this one) and a veggie; all the kinds of things you cook at home.

Now I just need to decide if I want to take my crockpot or not...

 

[pjlla]

Since you are driving, this REALLY opens things up for you. I would plan on spending a few days cooking and freezing things before you leave... then pack the cooler, load it in the car and away you go!

Like another poster mentioned, I would definitely bring a crockpot.

Make up a batch of sloppy joe at home... freeze it in a ziploc bag (flat). When you arrive in FL, put it in the fridge to defrost... then in the morning put it in the crock pot on HIGH... it should be hot and ready to eat for lunch (with some rolls and bagged salad you are ready to go!)

Meatballs and sauce... same idea... meatballs subs for lunch (or swedish meatballs and rice)

Try to make lunch something different and fun... don't forget that you are on VACATION!

YOu could also make and freeze casseroles in disposable pans. The problem would be getting them to heat through fast enough if you were only at the condo for a quick lunch stop.

Good luck.........................P

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Loving this post! I was going to ask the same question! We're staying in a house in Windsor Hills and will be doing breakfast and most dinners at the house.

Love the idea of a BIG breakfast and then a late lunch/early dinner. More time for fun at the parks, and a great way to stay on budget! We'll be trying that.

And then we can have some yummy treats for a snack at the park!

 

[anewmac]

spagettii is always quick.

lazagna... get a frezzer on and pull it out of the freezer the night before into the frige. by the time you get "home" for dinner it will take half the amount of time to cook then if frozen. I do this at home a lot of time after the gym/practices etc

 

[An_Island_Girl]

We usually make a large crust-less quiche/ frittata. It keeps well in the fridge, and can be great for breakfast or lunch. The protein really helps keep you going throughout the day too.

If you have a grill available, then sausages, chicken, or the usual grill fair always seem to please a crowd (and less mess in the kitchen).

Have a great vacation!

 

[crusoe2]

Great thread - we're doing the same thing on our next trip so it's nice to get some fresh ideas for quick meals. One thing I like to have on hand is the boil in the bag rice. It cooks pretty quickly and you can drain it, pour it back into the same pot you boiled it in, and dump other stuff on top for a one-dish meal. I usually add canned roast beef and gravy or cream of chicken soup and some canned or rotisserie chicken. Depending on the meat you put in, you can also throw in some canned or steamed veggies. Add a bagged salad and some rolls and you've got a pretty decent meal without making a huge mess. We've found that it's nice to have some simple comfort foods like this at some point during the week - gives the tummy a break from all that restaurant food that can be rich or spicy or just plain greasy.

 

[Straitlover]

IIRC, Windsor Hills is on the south side of Hwy 192 either off Old Lake Wilson Rd or Entry Point Blvd? If it is, then you just head up to 192 and take a left. There is a Publix right down the road on the right (couple of miles?), right before you get to Orange Lake Resort. Walgreens is on the left, Orange Lake main entrance is on the right. If you get to that, you went too far.

 

[angelat]

Yup, just plan ahead and figure out what you will and won't do. We like to rent condos just for that reason.

For lunches, we do frozen pizzas, hot dogs or cold cuts.

For dinners, spaghetti; burgers on the grill (if we have one); tacos; hamburger helper.

If you want to spend a bit more time, you can get more appetizing - baked chicken with a veggie and pasta for sides; pork chops with stuffing (got a great crockpot recipe for this one) and a veggie; all the kinds of things you cook at home.

Now I just need to decide if I want to take my crockpot or not...

Ooohhh! Hamburger Helper! I totally forgot about that. My whole family LOVES Hamburger Helper.
Thanks!

 

[3mickeymom]

That require only a few ingredients and are quick so that we can get back to having FUN!!

- Thanksgiving Day Sandwich- 1 lb of sliced deli turkey, jar of gravy, stove top stuffing, bread, can of cranberry sauce
- Rotisserie chicken, betty crocker garlic mashed potatoes, steamed green beans
- Hot open faced roast beef sandwiches, 1 lb. of sliced deli roast beef, bread, jar of au ju gravy, left over mashed potatoes, vegetable
- Chicken Enchiladas - Rotisserie chicken shredded then cooked with a jar of salsa, then rolled in tortillas,placed in a pan with a can of enchilada sauce and sprinkled with cheese, served with a side of microwave rice or can of refried beans.
-if a grill is available, you have the option of easy grilled marinated meat, salad in a bag and a vegetable.
- if you are driving, a pan of frozen lasagna or baked ziti tucked into the bottom of your cooler will be easy to reheat,add a jar of sauce. Serve with a side salad.

I plan my meals and ingredients ahead of time so that my shopping list is easy to follow. Shopping in a new store always takes longer so I like to be organized.

 

[angelat]

Such great ideas!! I love that I posted this question.

The only issue that I have is that my DS11 is a VERY picky eater. With the exception of the Hamburger Helper, nothing can be mixed. No casaroles or anything like that. Everything has to be separate on the plate or he won't eat it. (I think it's a mild form of OCD, honestly) DD10 will eat almost anything though.

We won't have a grill, so that isn't an option. That would be great though. We WILL have a dishwasher though. That was great last year. Throw the dishes in at night and wash them for the next day and just put em away in the morning.

I think I'll sit down with DH this week and go over some meal options, then pass them by the kids and make a plan now. I'm the kind of person who has to have things set up and ready as soon as possible. No last minute stuff for me. Too stressful.

Thanks again everyone! I'll keep checking back for more ideas.