Lunch On the Cheap with fridge(cooler) in the rooms

[Greenfield1984]

Trying to do disney on the cheap but have a few limitations. Was wondering what yalls strategies are for bringing food into the parks.

Obviously snacks are easy enough. We will be getting groceries delivered to our all star music resort.

But what about meals? The fridge is now a beverage cooler. This limits our options. I suppose i could get a styrophome cooler and fill it with ice.

Does anyone else try to do Disney on the super cheap by preparing as many meals as possible?

I will be doing one counter service meal a day. But am looking at any food thst we could prepare in the room and bring into the parks.

Any suggestions?

 

[NotUrsula]

If you're flying in, you can use a good hardside cooler as a checked bag as long as it's less than 62" total measure. Just put a luggage strap around it for security. That way you would have a quality way to keep food cold in your room.

You can bring solid-frozen casserole-type meals (drier foods, not saucy things) if you carry them in your carry-on bag. (Checked coolers should not contain perishable foods; they don't want to chance it getting delayed in the system and having the food rot.) You can wrap them to be waterproof and they will act as supplemental ice in your cooler while they thaw. Take such foods to the food court to heat them by microwave.

The best meats to use in sandwiches to be carried in the parks are smoked ones; they don't spoil as easily. Don't put condiments on sandwiches ahead of time, so that your bread won't get soggy; just get the condiments from counter-service restaurants and resort food courts.

Also remember to bring paper plates, bowls, plastic cutlery, paper towels, & plenty of ziploc bags, both large and small. Also tupperware-type containers if you want salads. You can bring a small backpack cooler into the parks, and either carry it or stash it in a locker.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Trying to do disney on the cheap but have a few limitations. Was wondering what yalls strategies are for bringing food into the parks.

Obviously snacks are easy enough. We will be getting groceries delivered to our all star music resort.

But what about meals? The fridge is now a beverage cooler. This limits our options. I suppose i could get a styrophome cooler and fill it with ice.

Does anyone else try to do Disney on the super cheap by preparing as many meals as possible?

I will be doing one counter service meal a day. But am looking at any food thst we could prepare in the room and bring into the parks.

Any suggestions?

Our last trip to WDW was over the December holidays and lasted for 2 weeks. Rented a one b/r DVC to retain a full kitchen. Brought a hard sided cooler that held 3 meals per day for 10 days for 3 persons. Precooked entrees and one pot meals, froze and popped into the cooler. Couldn’t get any info on the cubic feet the in room fridge held so ensured that if all my goods didn’t fit in the unit, the cooler could retain the overflow.
Plan worked well and the cooler worked like a champ. Possibly doing this again for Thanksgiving when more family will be in attendance.

I do see some problems for your current plan. Yes to a secondary cooler for bevs but it shouldn’t be made of Styrofoam; too flimsy (prone to leaking) and doesn’t retain cool well.”Styros” are great for one day trips and that’s about it. We took Amtrak down to Fl and used a smaller soft sided cooler for our train meals. Got it at a reasonable price and had great cold retention.If interested here is the link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPSDJ4KT?
ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1


On the plane ride back, once emptied, it fit in the luggage with ease.

Where are you planning to cook your meals? Microwave in food court?