Would you cook to save $400 on vacation?

[Tiger926]

I absolutely would not cook on vacation - I'm on vacation! If I can't afford to eat out, I shouldn't be wasting money on a vacation.

At most, I would be okay with getting cereal, milk, paper plates, and plastic spoons for breakfast in the hotel/timeshare. I rarely eat breakfast in a restaurant, since breakfast food is so simple and cheap to make... it's a ripoff to pay for it in a restaurant! ($6-7 for $0.25 worth of food...)

Everyone gets to pick their own rationalizations for their expenses, thanks. It's The American Way

So, then I guess you musn't be able to afford a $4.00 Mickey waffle if you are making it in your villa? Just using your assumption that people who cook in their villas musn't be able to afford it. And, not sure what you being American has to do with anything? So, because you are American, you have the right to make baseless judgments about other people's finances based on them liking to cook in their villa. Huh?

Soooooo

If someone saw it as a rip off to pay Disney $9 for 1 serving of chicken nuggets, when they could come home and buy a bag (already cooked) that serves 4 for $6 to serve for dinner at their condo - they "can't afford it"? But if you pass on breakfast because its too expensive and "so easy to make" its ok and you can afford it?

Are you in an Exclusive Rup Off Club or something? Like the clubs where only YOUR rip offs matter? Because I'm just not getting your logic here. I'm scratching my head trying to figure out why if you do it, then its a rip off. If someone else does it, it's because they can't afford it.

I totally agree! I don't understand this either...it really is so presumptious and pretty rude to assume that people who choose to eat in their villas can't afford it. How ridiculous!

Tiger

 

[rtfelt]

I always cook when we vacation as a family (6 children) but not when just my husband and I go. When I cook, I make it simple. If we're driving, I do what many of the other posters do and prepare ahead of time or just cook something really simple (spaghetti...) but when we fly, we find the nearest Costco (we've always been close to one) and buy prepared food items that can be cooked easily. We do cook to save money. When you've already paid for airline tickets and theme park admission for 8 people, you need to save money any way you can We try to only eat out once a day at most.

 

[Beezle2]

I absolutely would not cook on vacation - I'm on vacation! If I can't afford to eat out, I shouldn't be wasting money on a vacation.>>>>

You must have missed the post where I listed the 15 resturants we are going to eat at on a 2 week trip. We are also having a "eat around World Showcase" day, we want to try lots of cupcakes, and we have some must do snacks like Dole Whips, caramel corn from Germany, Mickey Bars.

The more I read here the more convinced I am that eating dinner in our room will fit our touring plan and be more relaxing the money saving is just a bonus. We are going to eat out plenty.

 

[jsmla]

No way I would have forgone the Disney trips we took as our kids grew up just because I was unwilling to plug in a crockpot or wash a dish. We only took the vacations that we could pay for and saved and planned for all of them. Back then we were paying off our house, investing in our business and paying for all of the kids' activities as well as saving for college. We had a set amount that we felt we could responsibly spend on a vacation and that was it. I worked with our budget and prioritized. We could stay for four or five days off-site at a Days Inn and eat out every meal or we could camp at Ft. Wilderness for nine and do a bit of cooking and housekeeping. We just chose the second option.

If we had waited until a full-blown trip was in the budget my kids wouldn't have seen Disney World until they were well into their teens. Just looking at the pictures of all those great times when they were 5,6,7,8..... make it worth having done a very minimal bit of meal preparation.

We have since taken fairly lavish trips-the last really big one with one of the kids was Club Level at the Grand Floridian for a week in 2010-but we still like to haul our vintage 1964 camper down to the Fort and cook-out too. Both are a lot of fun for us and I wouldn't trade those years with our little ones for all the eating out in the World

 

[dizney chick]

I vote to get some take out if you have a car. The best of both worlds. No mess, cheaper then Disney food, more relaxing

 

[lisajl]

No way I would have forgone the Disney trips we took as our kids grew up just because I was unwilling to plug in a crockpot or wash a dish. We only took the vacations that we could pay for and saved and planned for all of them. Back then we were paying off our house, investing in our business and paying for all of the kids' activities as well as saving for college. We had a set amount that we felt we could responsibly spend on a vacation and that was it. I worked with our budget and prioritized. We could stay for four or five days off-site at a Days Inn and eat out every meal or we could camp at Ft. Wilderness for nine and do a bit of cooking and housekeeping. We just chose the second option.

If we had waited until a full-blown trip was in the budget my kids wouldn't have seen Disney World until they were well into their teens. Just looking at the pictures of all those great times when they were 5,6,7,8..... make it worth having done a very minimal bit of meal preparation.

We have since taken fairly lavish trips-the last really big one with one of the kids was Club Level at the Grand Floridian for a week in 2010-but we still like to haul our vintage 1964 camper down to the Fort and cook-out too. Both are a lot of fun for us and I wouldn't trade those years with our little ones for all the eating out in the World

Amen! Glad you could do all that with your kids! We have no issues with making food while we are there. Yes, we do eat at some restaraunts, but why spend $30 on breakfast when we can make it at home for $5.00?

 

[diamondpixienc]

Yes, in a heart beat!

 

[bamgirl]

Yes, I cook when we go too Disney. We are at Fort Wilderness for 2 weeks and so we cook easy food for our meal in the camper. If we eat one meal at our camper we have more money to get other things like ice cream, a piece of cake from Main Street Bakery, or a Mickey rice crispy treat.

 

[furb & dez]

So, then I guess you musn't be able to afford a $4.00 Mickey waffle if you are making it in your villa? Just using your assumption that people who cook in their villas musn't be able to afford it. And, not sure what you being American has to do with anything? So, because you are American, you have the right to make baseless judgments about other people's finances based on them liking to cook in their villa. Huh?

I totally agree! I don't understand this either...it really is so presumptious and pretty rude to assume that people who choose to eat in their villas can't afford it. How ridiculous!

Tiger

It's ever so amusing that when people ask for opinions, they go out of their way to be offended by them (how dare you have an opinion that's not mine! ). Also, you have to love the ones who haven't a sense of proportion and have to put words in others' mouths. Sounds like a nerve was hit.

I would love to see how you get from:

If I can't afford to eat out, I shouldn't be wasting money on a vacation.

to:

...it really is so presumptious (sic) and pretty rude to assume that people who choose to eat in their villas can't afford it. How ridiculous!

Really? That's what you got from my statement? It would be so interesting to see how you got to that particular leap of logic. Do you really feel that because *I* feel a particular condition is right for me, that I must therefore think that *my* opinion is what everyone else should think as well? That's pretty childish and provincial, really (you may also have a future in government!).


All ears, dearie, do your best.

 

[Judique]

It's ever so amusing that when people ask for opinions, they go out of their way to be offended by them (how dare you have an opinion that's not mine! ). Also, you have to love the ones who haven't a sense of proportion and have to put words in others' mouths. Sounds like a nerve was hit.

I would love to see how you get from:

to:
Really? That's what you got from my statement? It would be so interesting to see how you got to that particular leap of logic. Do you really feel that because *I* feel a particular condition is right for me, that I must therefore think that *my* opinion is what everyone else should think as well? That's pretty childish and provincial, really (you may also have a future in government!).


All ears, dearie, do your best.

It's definitely the way you state your opinions and the way you say what's right for you.

You are coming across as extremely snobbish and patronizing.

At the same time, your posts make it 'all about you'.

I'm sure you are a fun person who can afford to go to WDW or wherever even if you do choose to eat in your hotel room for inexpensive breakfasts.

But perhaps you should take a step back and realize that you are in public view and stop throwing darts at other people?

But let's get back to the OP and the original question:
If I needed to save, I'd probably do a combination of things - eat in, find offsite places, do lunch at my favorites instead of dinner.

For my family, we just do what works best for us. So, we make a budget and go from there.

 

[verlee]

I absolutely would not cook on vacation - I'm on vacation! If I can't afford to eat out, I shouldn't be wasting money on a vacation.>>>>

You must have missed the post where I listed the 15 resturants we are going to eat at on a 2 week trip. We are also having a "eat around World Showcase" day, we want to try lots of cupcakes, and we have some must do snacks like Dole Whips, caramel corn from Germany, Mickey Bars.

The more I read here the more convinced I am that eating dinner in our room will fit our touring plan and be more relaxing the money saving is just a bonus. We are going to eat out plenty.

Don't let the comments of a few grumpys get you down. I got similar responses a couple of years ago when I asked for ideas for cheap meal ideas and food for in the room. I was suprised at the extreme emotions just because we did not want to eat all our meals out. All the sudden we were maxing out credit cards, taking out a second loan on our house and using the kids college funds just to go to Disney World! Not to mention we would be eating beans out of a can on main street. Whewwww, For minute there I thought we might have to sell the dog just to get a mickey bar.


We enjoy making some meals and it is relaxing. Have fun!

[Edited to add: Just to be clear....I do not mind those who eat out for all their meals. Whatever works best for you and your family! That is the beauty of people..... We are all unique!]

 

[Disneyliscious]

Don't let the comments of a few grumpys get you down. I got similar responces a couple of years ago when I asked for ideas for cheap meal ideas and food for in the room. I was suprised at the extreme emotions just because we did not want to eat all our meals out. All the sudden we were maxing out credit cards, taking out a second loan on our house and using the kids college funds just to go to Disney World! Not to mention we would be eating beans out of a can on main street. Whewwww, For minute there I thought we might have to sell the dog just to get a mickey bar.

One of the funniest posts I've seen on these boards lol Love it!

 

[powellrj]

We eat out at home more times than I like to admit, so when we are on vacation its nice to kick back and relax and eat in the condo. Yes I would cook, but its not always about saving money. For us its about not having to get cleaned up and sitting in a restaurant when we have been out all day. Some days we just like to go back and relax and not have to leave again.

We almost always do breakfast because DD and I are the only ones who eat breakfast. We usually eat lunch out, but many nights we will either pick something up on the way back to our room or just fix a quick meal in the room. I always try to get a place with a grill. Nothing like a salad, baked potato and a nice steak to come home to!

 

[polly p]

Don't let the comments of a few grumpys get you down. I got similar responces a couple of years ago when I asked for ideas for cheap meal ideas and food for in the room. I was suprised at the extreme emotions just because we did not want to eat all our meals out. All the sudden we were maxing out credit cards, taking out a second loan on our house and using the kids college funds just to go to Disney World! Not to mention we would be eating beans out of a can on main street. Whewwww, For minute there I thought we might have to sell the dog just to get a mickey bar.
QUOTE]

Laughed so hard I started crying while reading this to my husband!

Not only do we cook in our room I have ordered one adult meal and shared with two of my kids, when they were little, and still didn't finish all of it. I hate wasting food and money. Anyone who has small kids knows they eat two bites out of a meal then are hungry an hour later.

I have never been one to keep up with the Jones's. Bottom line-Do what is right for your family!

 

[jodifla]

Don't let the comments of a few grumpys get you down. I got similar responces a couple of years ago when I asked for ideas for cheap meal ideas and food for in the room. I was suprised at the extreme emotions just because we did not want to eat all our meals out. All the sudden we were maxing out credit cards, taking out a second loan on our house and using the kids college funds just to go to Disney World! Not to mention we would be eating beans out of a can on main street. Whewwww, For minute there I thought we might have to sell the dog just to get a mickey bar.


We enjoy making some meals and it is relaxing. Have fun!

 

[ConnieB]

I am looking over my December plans and I see I could pretty easily save about $400 if I decided to cook a few dinners instead of going out. We are staying in a 1 bed at OKW and so have a full kitchen, I'm kind of tempted, it's not that we can't afford to eat out I have the money. I just think of how nice it is to grab a drink, cook something and chill without fighting more crowds at resturants. We are there Dec 17-27th and we will eat out 6 nights Ts, 1 lunch TS, and 1 Breakfast TS, and lots of CS lunches.

We are a group of 5 so cutting 3 meals would be save money and just be more relaxing which sounds good.

If you would cook, what would you cook? I'm thinking pizza, tacos... and something

Yep...I would...I do. BUT...I LIKE to cook. We travel a lot and always try to get a hotel with a kitchen. My biggest hint would be to call ahead and ask them specifically what is included in the kitchen....we've been to some where a single frying pan is considered "cookware" and makes it tough to do something like tacos or spaghetti. When we travel with our car I usually bring along the crockpot....makes it easy to have a meal ready when we get home instead of coming in from a long day sightseeing and having to cook.

You are also going to be at Disney at one of the busiest times of the years.....so being able to get away from the crowds and still have a good meal sounds like heaven to me, lol.

If cooking doesn't bother you and you'll have the facilities then go for it. It's nice to have some home cooked meals on vacation, at least for my family.

 

[Marionnette]

I respect the right of others to vacation as they please but there is no way that I would cook on vacation in Disney. We rarely eat out when we're at home. I cook every night. Cooking is not part of what I consider to be a vacation.

I don't like to cook in a kitchen that is not mine. I hate having to sort thru cabinets and drawers in search of a kitchen gadget or tool that may or may not be there. I dislike not having all of my spices within ready reach.

I don't want to eat frozen lasagnas or crockpot chili. I refuse to survive on cold cuts and cheese sandwiches for a week. While others find it relaxing to return to their condo and have a meal there, it wouldn't be for me.

To each their own. The OP asked. I answered. Doesn't make my choices right or wrong for anyone else. It's how I prefer to vacation.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I totally would. Like PP have said, easy stuff, nothing fancy. Not just to save the money (thought that's nice) but it's such a time saver. And time is at a premium while at WDW. I do enjoy cooking and we do eat out, occasionally at home. (okay, more than occasionally ). Last year we had the free QSDP for the first time and it was really nice to not to have to make ADRs. We didn't do one sit down meal and it was a nice break. Don't get me wrong, I did miss some of my favs but it was so much more relaxing this way. Oh, and we usually eat our breakfast in the room. Something quick and light and then we are on our way.

I only read the first few pages and the last page so sorry if someone else posted something similar.

 

[marcemc]

I don't cook while on vacations at Disney but we have breakfast at the hotel. Easy stuff, cereal, fruit, pastries & coffee. I'm a coffee snob so no matter where we go I always bring my coffee.

Just by having the breakfast at the hotel & bringing snacks to the parks we save a small fortune.

 

[ToddyLu]

DVC has certainly changed this aspect of our vacation to WDW. We have always eaten TS and had plenty of selections around the parks. DH and I are getting older (no kids)and with DVC we know we will be going back. The last trip in May (5 months after Dec trip) we had a grocery stop. Picked up cheese and crackers, fruit, water, snacks, soda. Now don't get me wrong we still ate at Cali Grill and Brown Derby but there were a couple of mornings that we slept later and I ate a snack while DH checked email on his Ipad. It was nice not having to get to Boma for a 9am reservation.

We were right above bell serives in a standard studio on the third floor at Kidani. DH and I would sit up there and watch the humans on the concrete savanna enjoying our snacks.