What to bring for the kitchen if flying?

[disgirl]

I am not sure if I am posting this in the right DVC forum, sorry if not. I know this has been discussed before, but am sorry I can not find old threads or remember details.

We will be staying in a 1 bedroom for the first time in 1 week from today and I am planning on doing most of our breakfasts in the room and perhaps a lunch or two and I am thinking about the spices and condiments I might like to have. We will have a rental car and plan to go food shopping on arrival day, however I hate to buy sugar (for coffee), syrup, spices etc. when I have these things at home and know we would not use up a whole container in the 8 nights we are there. Just wondering what all of you who fly do about these things. Do you bring some of these from home or do without while you are there. I believe they will give us starter packs for sugar, but if we have coffee everyday (2adults), then I would think we would need more, no? Also, Could someone refresh my memory on what size and type coffee filters I need?

Thank you again for your help. I know I have been asking many questions in the last few days, but as the time approaches for packing and getting ready, I am starting to get a little nervous that I "planned" for months on these boards and now when it really counts I will forget to pack important stuff. THANKS!!

 

[jekjones1558]

We bring salt and pepper, coffee and filters. There are several packets of sugar and you can get more of these if you ask. The filters are the fluted basket type for 10/12 cup coffee maker. We sometimes bring individual jam and peanut butter for toast if we have them.

 

[J&J]

We tried one year to bring stuff with us too much work also needed room in the suitcase. Found out that if we went to the store when we arrived and bought smaller items. Enough just for that week it worked out better. The villas will give you filters for the coffee, sugas and dry creamer in the kitchen.
They will give you a small amout of soap for the dishes and washer & dryer.
Have a wonderul time.

 

[LIFERBABE]

We stayed 2 weeks in a 1 bedroom and the 2 items I could not live without, that I purchased in the gift shop, were a wire wisk and a pizza cutter. They have mickey on the handle and were $6 ea.
I will bring them for future trips. Cute souvenirs too.

We like pancake/waffles for breakfast and we had DiGiorno pizzas.

The coffee filters are the regular basket kind i.e. Mr Coffee.

The villa coffee is already in the filters. Before I purchased filters, I wanted my Starbucks, so I emptied out the Villa Coffee and put my Starbucks in it. It is easier to have your filters but this works in a pinch.

You will need more coffee than provided.

 

[SyrCinderella]

After reading the advice on these boards, we set up a special small carryon suitcase as our DVC case. We put in coffee, sugar, coffee filters, addl laundry deteregent, bounce sheets. We also had two plastic containers of our favorite snacks, along with crackers, bagels, etc. This bag was checked at the airport.

In the bag I took on the plane we put a lunchbox size soft sided cooler with a couple of dairy items that you cant get at the resort stores with one of those ice packs. Anything else we ordered from Disney grocery deliveries.

The little cooler worked fine, and the checked bag was empty giving us more room for souvenirs. This worked out great for us. No need to stop at the grocery store, just start the vacation.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks everyone.
Liferbabe: Do you buy syrup for the pancakes or waffles while there? Just curious.

SyrCinderella: That is great you bring all that stuff. Dh says no, we will just buy what we need when we get there, but I do think we could save some money and have less waste if I brought from home.

Thanks again everyone. Anyone else pack stuff from home like spices or condiments, etc.?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have bought a large box of "land of lakes" half and half creamers at Sam's, and I bring a supply of those for our morning coffee. We drink/use 1% milk in cereal and like something creamier in our coffee. I bring the creamers in a gladware storage container, which I would be bringing anyway to store things in in the refrigerator. I also have bought a box of sugar packets and I bring about 20 of these with us, I don't use lots of sugar, but I want some.

Bobbi

 

[thelobstershanty]

Since you are going to have a car, why lug all that stuff with you? There are quite a few grocery stores very close to WDW that have normal grocery store prices. You are going to the store for food anyway, just get everything you need at one time. We have taken spices, sugar etc with us; and for us it is not worth it. The cost to buy these things is less than $20.00, and in the grand scheme of what a WDW vacation cost, that is really just a drop in the bucket.
Have a great trip!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since you are going to have a car, why lug all that stuff with you? There are quite a few grocery stores very close to WDW that have normal grocery store prices. You are going to the store for food anyway, just get everything you need at one time. We have taken spices, sugar etc with us; and for us it is not worth it. The cost to buy these things is less than $20.00, and in the grand scheme of what a WDW vacation cost, that is really just a drop in the bucket.
Have a great trip!

I totally agree. We usually buy the little travel salt and pepper portables, and then leave them for the next occupant if the mousekeepers leave them there. I'm quite sure they do, because I have been the recipient of those as well. Housekeeping usually leaves a little basket of sugar packets along with some creamers, and a starter packet of coffee etc. I used to bag up a small amount of sugar, etc to take, but it was a pain, and I once had a plastic bag break leaving a terrible mess in my suitcase.

 

[MAO]

I tend to bring salt (I don't use pepper) and garlic and onion powder in the Tupperware midgets. (Put them in a zipper-type bag just in case the handling of your suitcase would jostle the lid.) I also usually bring some bubble bath and the pressed disks of laundry detergent. I try to decide ahead of time, based on how long I'm going to be there, if I'm going to be mostly eating food I've prepared at the hotel or eating out as well as just how I'm going to be buying any food I'm eating in. I'm considering using gardengrocer.com next time, since I don't drive to WDW, and may try to figure out a way to bring small bottles of ketchup and/or mustard depending on what kinds of meat I purchase. If I'm buying food at the hotel and not at a full grocery store, then I'm less likely to need most condiments as I believe most of those foods are prepackaged convenience type foods. (I.e., not hamburgers or steaks)

 

[byoung]

We eat out.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks everyone. I probably will just buy the smallest containers of what we need there since we will grocery shop on the first day. However, just out of curiousity, do any other people who fly bring stuff from home or do you just buy spices and condiments there. Just curious. Thanks!!

byoung: We really mostly eat out too, but since this is the first time we will have a full kitchen, I thought we would do some breakfasts in the room, maybe an occasional eggs and bacon.

 

[LIFERBABE]

disgirl, this last time we drove, so I pretty much brought what I wanted.

We are pretty lax on vacay, and I did have some nice ADR's setup, but after about Day 3, we scrapped all dining plans and just went with the flow. We liked having the kitchen, BBQ, and breakfast in our 1 bedroom or on the patio.

I dont knock people who dine out all the time, but it seems that those that use the kitchen are poo pooed! I like spending meal times with my family, and if that means I have to flip a couple of pancakes in my pj's and toast a bagel there is no shame in my game.

Dining out takes time and preparation also and not all of it is the restaurants job. Especially when you have children whose lives dont revolve around the dining experience.

It is funny when we all make fun of that "white thing with the knobs on it", but we should be supportive of families that choose not to have an ADR for each night of the week also.

We really enjoyed our 1 bedroom and it was nice to sit in the tub after dinner instead of in the car or on the bus.

Where's the soapbox smilie? Im stepping down

 

[bobbiwoz]

Oh yes, someone mentioned bubble baths! I did buy some Bath Salts at Kroger here and brought the package down, and what's left will do for our upcoming trip which will see us in a 2 bedroom. I did find time to relax in the whirlpool and it was wonderful.

I personally would love to barbecue and eat out on picnic tables, but that does seem to require too many condiments/tools for me to gather, Liferbabe, more power to you! DH doesn't want me to be bothered, translated I think that means I would be completely on my own for all that, and well, I'll pass for now. If we ever stay for 2 weeks, I will have a barbecue!

Bobbi

 

[disgirl]

Liferbabe: I totally see your point expecially when young children are involved. When my ds, now 13.5, was young, he would have loved to stay in a room with a kitchen and tv and he would be very content. Now, I think he likes both, staying in sometimes and trying new restaurants other times. This trip we only have one late breakfast ADR planned and that is on a sleep in day. I also have 2 days with no ADR's at all so we will play those by ear.

Unfortunately, we only joined DVC in late 2003. I also agree that again expecially if younger children are involved, getting refreshed, changed, and traveling on a bus to every meal can be exhausting. Please do not get me wrong, I see nothing wrong with having meals in the room. I, personally, do enjoy not having to cook much while on vacation, but I am all for quality and quiet time relaxing in the room with our small family (just dh, me, and DS). If we drove, I would def. bring some more things with us so that we could have a couple of meals in, but since we always fly, dh really discourages me from packing too much. He says if we really need something extra, we will pick it up while there.

Thanks again everyone for sharing!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

disgirl, I wasnt referring to any of your posts, and I apologize if I came off a little strong, I just want everyone to feel comfortable asking their questions, even if it does include the C-word. I guess we are here to share our experiences and to be fair, dining out all the time is some people's experience and then some people cook. As you said, some things work better at different stages of life.

Bobbi, I agree, take bath salts and bubbles!! I took a small bottle and then I won the SSR Spa prize at the Member Update. It was the Mystical Forest Therapies Shower Gel and Bath and I LOVE it!! It smells just like the Spa! I used it almost daily. I will probably have to buy more on my next trip.

Funny story about our first BBQ and tools. I went out early on Memorial Day to get started and didnt have tool the first. I even forgot the matches!! LOL!! This nice guy came off his patio and gave me his spatula and lighter (they do have BBQ tools free at Comm. Hall) He said they really enjoyed BBQ'ing and they were checking out that day and did I want need these!

 

[disnutt]

I always take a small bottle of vegetable oil or a pump spray bottle of Pam. We like to bake brownie mixes for desserts and it helps keep them from sticking.

 

[juju]

I always bring my small microwave rice cooker (can't live 2 weeks without short grain rice and buy the rice in the store in Japan); small packets of soy sauce, mustard, mayo, and catsup; salt and pepper; lots of zip lock bags; half used roll of plastic wrap; small bags of add water seasonings (teriyaki etc); a disposable cutting board; tea bags; furikake; and a couple cans of Spam

 

[rbuzzotta]

I bring my favorite pound of local Honey Dew coffee, some hot cocoa packets for the girls and some splenda packets!!

We usually buy breakfast items and some fast food items at Publix. We buy plenty of bottled water, soda and ice tea. We also buy some fruit for snacks!! My DH got a portable fold up cooler for Fathers day that we plan to bring wit us. My oldest DD wants me to bring some french toast bagels from our local Bagel World when we go at the end of July!!

I buy a small laundry detergent there and a spot stain stick remover!!
I have to come home with clean laundry!!! That is one thing (of the many)that since owning DVC has spoiled me!!!

 

[thelobstershanty]

I always bring a couple cans of Spam

What do you do with the cans of Spam?
I have attempted to use Spam, only once for a ham & cheese omelette. Could not see the appeal. We would rather buy deli ham for use in omlettes, ham salad, etc. Are we missing something?