Eating in the villa

[weavemswee]

Hi,

From all the posts I've read about eating it seems that most of you eat out most of the time. And why not - after all you're on holiday and who wants to spend time in the kitchen after a tiring day ?
Not being a fan of eating in restaurants myself, I was planning to live off a pretty basic diet (eg. bowl of cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and then throw something in the microwave in the evening).
It's nothing to do with cost, hygeine or anything like that - I just prefer to cater for myself.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has done this.
I don't know how far the car parks are from the main attractions - is it practical to leave a cooler box in the car and return to it for lunch ?

[Daniel Snell]

Could be a bit of a treck to your car unless you are very lucky and you then have to have your hand stamped to leave the park then go back in. Much easier just to grab a bite in the parks you dont need to pay a fortune and it will save a lot of hassle.

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Or you could leave you cool box in the lockers as you enter the park and return for it at lunchtime [msnsmile]

[Madabouttigger]

We take small cooler bags and leave them in the lockers, its usually so hot all we want is water and fruit and then eat in the evenings when it has cooled down. [msnsmile2][msnsmile2]

[CarolAnn]

Hi,
My husband likes to eat similarto yourself, but in the 12 years + that we have been going, we find that breakfast(villa style) is perfect, and the rest of the time we eat out, generally quite simply :)We rarely do the big fancy dining, it is tempting, but not essential! Wouldn't be doing the cooler box n the car for lunch, nightmare and hassle that just isn't necessary to be honest[msneek]The parks cater well for all tastes and pockets really, would go with that to be honest[msnsmile2]Also, eating in the villa for dinner, is fine if you are there anyway, say a day by the pool[8D]But, I am guessing you will more than likely be out most of the time[?]
Make it work for you, what ever you decide when you get there[msnsmile][msnsmile2]
Happy Hols

[Kissyme]

There many good supermarkets dotted along most roads we like publics and Winn Dixie they sell cooked chickens and bags of ready prepared salads with some nice crusty bread also some pretty good looking ready meals for the microwave
We also eat a fair bit in the villa (fussy Kids and Hubby) but always have lunch out as I find it easier than lugging bags about during the day. If it don`t fit in the bum bag it don`t go:D

[eclipsed]

What we usually do is breakfast in the villa,prepare a few sandwiches,fruit and bottled water which has been in the freezer!!!! and off to the parks.By lunch time the icedwater has started to melt making a welcome cold drink,i think the price of bottled water is too high in the parks.I know there are water fountains, which we use to refill our bottles....cheeky....but its not always cool water .On the way back to the villa in the evening we usually call off somewhere for dinner.

[Lyn]

You sound a lot like us. We eat cereal for breakfast, put sandwiches, crisps and drink in a coldbox in the car, then in the middle of the day we find it rather peaceful to go back to the car have the engine running and the air conditioning going and eat lunch. You will however need a good supply of cold packs as the temprature in the car can get very high. For your evening meal why not try chicken tenders, potato wedges and a bag of salad, all from Wal Mart which we take back and have at the villa with a glass of wine, if we eat eat then hubby can't drink!

[traceya89]

There are lots of lovely things in the supermarkets to buy and I would love to do a big shop at Walmart, but the restaurants win every time. However, sometimes we do have a breakfast in the villa if we want to go to the parks early, have a snack for lunch and then a big steak for supper. We find it so hot that we are not bothered about eating round the parks, a tube of pringles is usually suffice to pick on, but we have plenty of drinks to take with us and like eclipsed we tend to put the water in the freezer, to stay cold when we require it. I always take a bottle of orange squash and dilute it and freeze it as a change to water. I think it has been mentioned in a previous forum that it might not really be allowed to take into the USA but I have been taking it for years and have had no problems so far.

[Liam_Sandie]

We normally eat breakfast in the villa and eat out out whilst we are at the parks. Although if we are having a day at the pool, its just sandwiches, salad, fruit etc. When we were at Blizzard beach we didn't pack a picnic, although having seen the people with their cool boxes on wheels!! We will definately do that next time. Enjoy you holiday..[8D]

Sandie

[jad]

We do a combination which works well for us with 2 young children. We eat breakfast in our villa ( and often treat ourselves to croissants- yum) and in the evening cook something simple for the children at the villa and then usually grab a takeaway or put something simple in the oven for us when they are in bed.
For lunch we usually take a few sandwiches and snacks and a bottle of water (which can easily be refilled in the parks) so not too heavy and goes in the mini ruck sack. Then of course we may treat ourselves to an ice cream in the parks.

Jackie

[flyrr100]

Take your lunch in with you! We do that all the time. As Florida residents who have annual passes it gets a little expensive to eat out all the time. So we usually pack a lunch. Disney security have no problems with us bringing it in. Of course being pass holders we usually don't spend all day there.
Have a great vacation........

[heathercobbett]

I actually prefer eating in most nights (I have got used to getting a meal in no time as our work means we do not get home til 8 p.m.)I do enjoy shopping in Publix for different food and we have ice cream and fruit for pud.The meat,fruit and veg. are all excellent quality (they worry more about taste than consistent size in American supermarkets.
When our children were smaller they much preferred eating by the pool to waiting in a restaurant anyway.
Of course we dont spend every day in the parks anymore preferring to spend some time in the wonderful National Parks.
I did hear that Disney no longer allow you to take cool boxes in with you;perhaps somebody knows for sure

Heather

[weavemswee]

Interesting replies - thanks.
I'm sure we'll be visiting some restaurants - nice to hear about the other options though.

[lisag]

We have breakfast in the villa - cereals/scrambled eggs for the kids, if we're in the parks we eat on the way, if we're in the house we'll buy lunch in from Subway or make or own and in the evenings it's a combination of eating out or doing a kerbside takeaway and eating at home.

Lisa

[Silver Dollar]

Well for me and my kids, I prefer to feed them out for a big breakfast before we hit the parks and just have a snack or ice creams etc when we are there because the prices are appalling. A good breakfast in FL usually sees you a long time anyway!

I don't think it's about NOT cooking on holiday but a villa affords you the opportunities a hotel doesnt. Like making your own food late at night etc. Trust me if you've been here a while, sometimes you get fed up of the local food and yearn for your own. The food here is very rich, sweet or salty and fatty. Sometimes I long for bland food. I've taken a couple of weeks out of eating out and sometimes just sitting outside with a lovely salad and Heinz salad cream is bliss.

[Cruella DeVilla]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Silver Dollar
Well for me and my kids, I prefer to feed them out for a big breakfast before we hit the parks and just have a snack or ice creams etc when we are there because the prices are appalling. A good breakfast in FL usually sees you a long time anyway!

I don't think it's about NOT cooking on holiday but a villa affords you the opportunities a hotel doesnt. Like making your own food late at night etc. Trust me if you've been here a while, sometimes you get fed up of the local food and yearn for your own. The food here is very rich, sweet or salty and fatty. Sometimes I long for bland food. I've taken a couple of weeks out of eating out and sometimes just sitting outside with a lovely salad and Heinz salad cream is bliss.
[/quote]

We get fed up with the sweet breakfast. We like something light like Croissants with ham and cheese and some OJ. I have never eaten so many waffles, pancakes and French toast, but even I get sick of it all. If you stay in a hotel, most have fridges so you can still get some things in for eating. A lot of the hotels have suites and have good basic facilities if you choose to cook. We always go for a suite as some nights you just want to chill. Have our own place now so no more hotel bills after this trip on Thursday!

[E. Cosgrove]

Just returned from the US (not Florida), first day I was so excited with my breakfast of Cinnamon french toast and fruit but must admit that by the time I came home 18 breakfasts later Iwas ready for cereal and toast and cup of english tea!!!
Thats the beauty of staying in a villa, had I been in Florida I could have had just that! (still had a great time though!)

[Cruella DeVilla]

Where were you Liz?

[Calamity Jane]

I personally prefer to eat in the villa, as most of the restaurants do the same foods ( nothing wrong with that, but sometimes you can have enough of steak, burgers and chicken,) its nice to stay in and do your own thing, breakfast is nicer as you can pick and choose what you want, you can even do your breakfast on the BBQ ( and this comes from someone who is NOT the worlds best cook :D)

I love to sit outside in the deck area for every meal, I know if you're on holiday its not always an option as you have to be out pretty early if you want to get to the parks before the queues get horrendous.

If you go to Florida for the first time, its great to go to all the different restaurants, but the supermarkets have a superb array of foods that we dont always get in the UK.

I prefer to stock up the fridge & freezer and go out occasionally for a meal, but thats just me. Each to their own :D

[Big Mack]

Hi folks,

going in less than three weeks time.:D I had planned to make up our own lunches for the parks but then eat our evening meal there if it is going to be a late night (MK, EPCOT and MGM)

There are seven of us going so a cool box would be ideal for sandwiches, fruit and water. Has anyone ever had any trouble from security when taking your own food into the parks? Also is it possible to get your evening meal in these parks without reserving first and without costing too much? [msnwink]


Cheers

Mack

[BlueDaze]

Big Mack,

Sit down/full service restaurant in the parks = expensive.
If you are going during september the parks should be quieter and so you could book up your restaurant during the day at guest services.
As parks shut between 7pm-9pm (ish) you could hang on and eat outside..??

[Rhosyn]

Call us mad but every Sunday even in Florida we have a roast beef dinner even with yorkshire pudding sitting around the pool.:):)

[Jo]

We breakfast in the villa and take sandwiches etc with us.

Sometimes we come out of the parks about 2 if we have been there since opening, then we will just nibble snacks in the morning, and have a buffet lunch out on the 192 (which is cheaper than a buffet tea and its less crowded).

Then it's back to the villa for a swim , and we take a packed tea back into the park which we eat when we have bagged a good spot for the fireworks.

Suits us[msnsmile2]

Jo

[E. Cosgrove]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
Where were you Liz?
[/quote]
Wyoming and Colorado, visited Yellowstone National Park....amazing, fantastic scenary, saw bears, bison( Walking down the middle of the road!!) loads of elk and moose. Then on to Grand Teton where the mountains are just like those spikey things a child would draw ( Signal Mountain Lodge was great Rob!!) Went rafting down the Snake River. Visited Dinosaur National monument for hubby (Boys and dinosaurs!!!) Finished off in Rockey Mountain National Park,2 nights at Grand Lake and then 3 nights in Estes Park where we stayed in an amazing B&B we spent the time making notes about all their little guest touches that we would like to include in our villa.
Less than 10 weeks now until our next holiday.......Florida of course!

[heathercobbett]

I believe that you have to reserve in the restaurants that have a good view of the fireworks.
We tried to book on entering Epcot last May and there was nothing.
Heather

[AngelaB]

if you dont mind me asking...but what are chicken tenders?[:I]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by AngelaB
if you dont mind me asking...but what are chicken tenders?[:I]
[/quote]

Mini chicken breast fillets in crispy batter or breaded Yummy!!

[AngelaB]

Thanks Lucy....they sound scrummy...thanks for all the info on Virgin planes by the way:)

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by AngelaB
Thanks Lucy....they sound scrummy...thanks for all the info on Virgin planes by the way:)
[/quote]

No problem you are very welcome!![msnsmile2]

[beer snob]

One of the biggest reasons I decides to go with a villa versus a couple hotel rooms was so I could cook dinner/supper at night.

I get so tired of eating out after a couple of days. I don't plan on making (or having my wife make) anything too elaborate, but burgers, chicken, tacos, just things that take a few minutes. For me, it is a hundred times better than eating out. And I don't mind saying, saving a few bucks doesn't bother me, either.

[Nostromo]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by beer snob
One of the biggest reasons I decides to go with a villa versus a couple hotel rooms was so I could cook dinner/supper at night.
[/quote]

I agree 100%. No matter how good restaurants are, one can get tired of eating out all the time on a long holiday. We cooked our own meals at the villa on rest days and the odd evening when we were back a bit early. Apart from saving money, it made a nice change and we were able to enjoy the next restaurant meal better too.

[LiesaAnna]

must admit theres only so many times i want to eat out, hubby would do it all the time dont think its my cooking just that he loves ponderosa with eat as much as he can....
hes a pig and loves his food
i get bored with it, we had a BBQ once in the 2 weeks we were at the villa and i thought i could do egg and bacon for brekkie at least but now he plans on brekkie at ponderosa,
we'll see.......:D:D

[UK Jane]

Does anyone else find that their appetite decreases with the heat ?

We are all quite big eaters, back in the UK, but when in Florida, we quite often skip lunch ... possibly just a piece of fruit, or some chips and dips ... and then just a steak, or fresh fish, cooked on the gas grill, with some salad.

For breakfast, what better than a glass of fresh orange juice, a lightly toasted bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon, and a cup of strong black coffee.

Now, how many weeks is it until we are back there again ..???

[pieman790]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk
Or you could leave you cool box in the lockers as you enter the park and return for it at lunchtime [msnsmile]
[/quote]

Didnt know they still had lockers in Disney but i cant rememmber looking for them whilst we were over in May. I do know that Disneyland Paris took all of there lockers out of use after the 11 Sept tragedy.

[daxon]

I think a lot of this probably has to do with your own families body clocks!! We tend to be later risers so we have a cooked breakfast at home, fruit or crisps for lunch whether we're in or out & then if we're out for the day we eat out, but we also eat in around 3 out of 4 days. Luckily theres two of us to cook & everyone mucks in with the clearing up, for us shopping for different foods & even cooking in a different country is part of the fun!!!!

[Madabouttigger]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by pieman790
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by floridadreamvilla.co.uk
Or you could leave you cool box in the lockers as you enter the park and return for it at lunchtime [msnsmile]
[/quote]

Didnt know they still had lockers in Disney but i cant rememmber looking for them whilst we were over in May. I do know that Disneyland Paris took all of there lockers out of use after the 11 Sept tragedy.
[/quote]

Disney Land Paris Stoped you using there lockers long before Sept 11th, In fact the ony time we have used them was the 1st year it opened and they have all been closed up ever since. However, we were last in Orlando in 2002 and all the theme parks had lockers that you can use, for a small fee and deposit of course.[msnwink]

[lisi]

We used to find that we were too full up to eat much in the evening if we had eaten out at lunch time. Can remember just "making do" with that lovely key lime pie! The joy of a villa is that you can please yourself as to what you eat. I do get fed up of restaurant meals after the initial excitement has worn off and am so glad to be able to have vegetables and salad - or whatever you fancy. I would hate to have to eat out every night. [:o)]

Lisi

[Harmony]

We always went out to eat but recently find we can't eat as much. When we go to an all you eat I would go up 5 or 6 times and bring back a real plate full. Now I struggle will just 3 visits to food tables. [drinkpepsi] It's then back to the villa to fall asleep [zzz] in front of the TV. Must be getting old [msntongue]

Jeff

[Lynnes]

We can't manage to eat out all the time, the portions are too big. A nice mix for us is to eat lunch out and the rest breakfast English style, in the villa and maybe a BBQ in the evening again in the villa. The US supermarkets are a treat and have so many different things from England. We have also found the meat, for the barby, is very good value.

[gromit]

We really do a bit of both. A couple of days we will go out for breakfast but mostly eat at the villa in the mornings. If we are shopping during the day we will get lunch out, but if we are lazing by the pool we have lunch a sandwhich or eggs etc at the villa. We have our favourite restaurants which we visit each holiday such as Olive garden, Chilli's, Cheesecake Factory.....but we do have a couple of nights where we BBQ or have salad etc at the villa. Since having our 8 month old baby we have been to Florida 3 times and have discovered how good take-out is! All the major restaurants offer this including those i've just mentioned. If you want tp spend more time at the villa then give take-out a try!

[thistle1314]

If we're having a day at the parks we normally eat cereal and toast in the villa. Take (frozen) bottled water with us for the parks but normally have a hot-dog / sandwich at the parks. In the evening on the way home if we're not too tired we just go to a restaurant on the drive back. If not we stop at sub-way or the Chinese / Pizza place and get a take away and go back to the villa and eat by the pool after a shower. I actually prefer to do the latter as i'm normally too tired to go to a restaurant after a trip to the parks.

[Ray&Sarah]

We also do a mixture, eat most breakfasts at the villa, skip lunch as not really hungry and then either eat out at tea time or cook at the villa.[msnsmile2]

[Elaine62]

I've doen a search on cereal but can't find the thread I'm looking for. i remember reading that you get lots of different cereals in florida that you don't get here. we don't eat a lot of cereal and so large packets area waste of money. do you know if you can buy small variety packs of cereal like kellogs do here, or if not a pack of 8 tehn be able to buy them individually?

Elaine

[blott]

Yes, you can get variety packs of Kelloggs but I don't think you can buy them individually, at least not that I've seen.

[Magical Dreams]

We love the Cereals in Florida!

What a great selection!

Far too many to try them all in one holiday!
[sick]

[emm]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
Yes, you can get variety packs of Kelloggs but I don't think you can buy them individually, at least not that I've seen.
[/quote]

There's another variety pack you can get, but can't remember who makes them. The selection includes Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Coco Puffs, Trix, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Grahams and two more I can't recall the names of.

[Snapper]

As well as just throwing something into the microwave there are heaps of ways to cook something way nicer with only a smidge more effort. Grab some pasta, a jar of spaghetti sauce and a bag of frozen meatballs. You can thaw the meatballs in the microwave while the pasta cooks, bung them into a pan with the sauce and cooked and drained pasta, a two minute stir and you're sorted. Sprinkle over a bit of grated cheese (bought ready grated) and a twist of black pepper and it's a great meal. Highly recommended out by the pool with a glass or three of Napa Valley Chardonnay. Another one of our favourites is to get the cooked chicken strips, chop 'em up into smaller chunks and throw them in with a bag of ready to eat salad. A bit of honey and mustard salad dressing goes great. It's ready in about 3 minutes. Try barbecue sauce too instead of honey and mustard dressing. Mmmmmmm [msntongue][msntongue][msntongue]

[Chloe]

We love the Caesar Salad Kits they sell in WalMart. We have them with BBQ steak or chicken, or you can put them with a jacket potato and about anything else you fancy. Chloe

[Steviek]

Publix do a great range of ready meals quite a wide variety & nice deli for stuff to go with it. Also there are good takeaways near us with free delivery. We order when we get home take a dip & they are knocking at the door. There are so many options in Orlando you will be sure to find something to suit everyone!

[E. Cosgrove]

Last time I was there I discovered the cinnamon and apple cheerios they were yummy[msntongue]<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Magical Dreams
We love the Cereals in Florida!

What a great selection!

Far too many to try them all in one holiday!
[sick]
[/quote]

[Magical Dreams]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by emm
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
Yes, you can get variety packs of Kelloggs but I don't think you can buy them individually, at least not that I've seen.
[/quote]

There's another variety pack you can get, but can't remember who makes them. The selection includes Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Coco Puffs, Trix, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Grahams and two more I can't recall the names of.
[/quote]

Think that one is "NESTLE"

[Magical Dreams]

I don't like the Corn Dogs! [msnsad]

But the kids do!

The Microwave popcorn is superb! Nearly every kernel pops, not like the stuff you buy here! [msnoo]

Such a bigger and better variety than we have here!

[msnsmile2]

[steph_goodrum]

"do you know if you can buy small variety packs of cereal like kellogs do here, or if not a pack of 8 tehn be able to buy them individually?"

Publix have a few of the boxes individually , we usually buy a couple of boxes of rice krispies and a couple of others for variety if anyone wants them. I must confess both at home and in Florida I often have a glass of cereal and ice cold milk for supper.

We tend to find its not always the cost of eating out or the food itself it's sitting waiting for it and wasting or so it seems much of our holiday time, we can usually think of a hundred and one other things we'd rather do. Now an again is fine but every day doesnt appeal.

Cracker Barrel do take out food and you can preorder it which is handy, keep a menu in the car and phone on the way back from the park and nip in on the way home. If its not quite ready the shop is great for browsing.

[Steviek]

What a great idea, thanks for that Steph. Will def call & get a menu for the Takeaway, the kids love Crackerbarrel. as ours are all teens now they like to have a pizza & some salad that they can pick at at the side of the pool & we then go out & have a civilised meal together its fabulous. We had a wonderful time at Xmas, parks and shopping together and some time on our own in the evening. We do like to go to places like JTs as a family though early evening. If we dont do the parks we eat early (there are so many deals around) then have a wander round Celebration or Old Town with an ice cream.
Ooh cant wait now only 21 days to go!

[resorthomerentals]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Magical Dreams
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by emm
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
Yes, you can get variety packs of Kelloggs but I don't think you can buy them individually, at least not that I've seen.
[/quote]

There's another variety pack you can get, but can't remember who makes them. The selection includes Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Coco Puffs, Trix, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Grahams and two more I can't recall the names of.
[/quote]

Think that one is "NESTLE"
[/quote]

Actually - it's General Mills that makes these cereals. You can usually find 8 packs with a variety of the cereals (either Kelloggs or General Mills) in stores like Publix, Winn Dixie, or Walmart! I have also found the individual serving containers of cereal at the mini-marts attached to some of the local gas stations (I think you guys call them garages[msnsmile2]).

[orlandobabe]

if you fancy a change from the main florida fare-Tradewinds restaurant just down the 27 at Bahama Bay does a great cottage pie.

Yum!

[nicklangdon]

We cooked a couple of meals at the villa and had breakfast too.Its bad enough in our local supermarket with the kids trying to choose cereal but when i saw the isle in walmarts i left them to it! i couldn't believe the choice you have there!Hubby and i found this little breakfast burgers that you microwave for 10 seconds that we liked oh and we got free blow up ball for the pool with them (great for the kids)We do enjoy eating out when you've had a busy day at the parks,just stop on the way home although sometimes it got late and our daughter ended up asleep with her face resting on the table!!!![msneek]

[steph_goodrum]

"if you fancy a change from the main florida fare-Tradewinds restaurant just down the 27 at Bahama Bay does a great cottage pie."

Orlandobabe, not sure if they still do them but Winn Dixie used to have a good range of family size ready meals, that you can just pop in the oven, which included shepherds pie. No washing up either just throw the foil tray away.

[Ray&Sarah]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by steph_goodrum
"if you fancy a change from the main florida fare-Tradewinds restaurant just down the 27 at Bahama Bay does a great cottage pie."

Orlandobabe, not sure if they still do them but Winn Dixie used to have a good range of family size ready meals, that you can just pop in the oven, which included shepherds pie. No washing up either just throw the foil tray away.

[/quote]

Now thats my kind of cooking Steph, just pop it in the oven and then go sit by the pool and wait until done.[msnsmile2]

[Magical Dreams]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by nicklangdon
We cooked a couple of meals at the villa and had breakfast too.Its bad enough in our local supermarket with the kids trying to choose cereal but when i saw the isle in walmarts i left them to it! i couldn't believe the choice you have there!Hubby and i found this little breakfast burgers that you microwave for 10 seconds that we liked oh and we got free blow up ball for the pool with them (great for the kids)We do enjoy eating out when you've had a busy day at the parks,just stop on the way home although sometimes it got late and our daughter ended up asleep with her face resting on the table!!!![msneek]
[/quote]

Bless her!
It can be a tiring day for them![angel]

[steph_goodrum]

It's my second favourite kind, Ray and Sarah, favourite is when someone else pops it in the oven and I don't have to move from beside the pool to check it's done.:D

[orlandodaze]

Each time we go we tend to eat more meals at home. The kids prefer to eat by the pool. The selection of food in the supermarkets is terrific. I love the steak in Florida afterall what was Kissimmee famous for before Disney . I find its so easy to put together a meal plenty of salads steak or fish and lots of potatoes. Last year we had a smoothie maker in the villa and that was a great hit with my daughter Aisling.

[steph_goodrum]

Olive
My blender and waffle maker go into overdrive when we are over there. I haven't bought a smoothie maker as I've got one here and found that my blender in the US is better than the smoothie maker so we use that to make our smoothies.

It's a good way of getting children to eat/drink more fruit if they are reluctant as you can always add something to take away the sharpness. Same with milk shakes, they're much nicer made with fresh fruit than Nesquik.

[daxon]

I love to cook when I'm in the villa - it's a great opportunity to try different things while you have the time to! Love the different types of fresh veg you can get in Publix!But if you don't want to spend ages preparing it's also great fun to try some of the different ready meals over there - we like to try at least one thing we've never heard of before!

[Thorogoods]

We tend to do both in equal measures, through in January we got a George Foreman BBQ Grill, brilliant the Chicken was out of this world, going to experiment in July and eat by the pool.:D

[AngelaB]

For me, personally, the whole holiday thing is about going out and trying different restaurants. And lets be honest, you are on vacation after all, let someone else run around after you....chilllllllllll[msnwink]