Disney Vacation Club Villa Kitchens Help Families Slow Down

Choosing what resort to stay at on your Walt Disney World Vacation is often one of the most exciting and yet most stressful parts of planning a trip. There are so many choices available of course each guest wants to make sure that they are getting the most out of those vacation dollar. For larger families this can mean having all the amenities of condo with the convenience and quality of a Disney Resort.





Disney Vacation Club properties offer One, Two, and Three Bedroom Villas, that can be rented to cash paying guests as well as DVC Members staying on points. The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas allow for families to stretch out a little and take their vacation at a different pace. Add the fact that they feature full kitchens and it gives Guests the chance to save some money by cooking and storing meals just like they would at home.

I was a bit skeptical when the suggestion was first made that I cook on vacation. After all, that didn't sound very relaxing to me! However on a trip that had some serious budget crunch, I discovered it can actually help us slow down, and enjoy family time together. Making simple breakfasts in room, allowed us to have a slower morning pace and even sleep in a bit later on a few days. On some days we added a mid-day break to go back to the room for lunches, this often turned into a little extra pool time or a nap!


Wilderness Lodge 2 Bedroom Villa Kitchen


The one and two bedroom Villas have kitchens include the contents below, three bedroom Villas have the contents below plus enough utensils, serving, and glassware for 12-13 people.

• Refrigerator/Freezer
• 4-burner electric range
• Microwave
• Dishwasher
• 10 cup coffee maker
• 2-sided sink with garbage disposal
• Toaster

Utensils and dishware for 8-9 guests including:

• Dinner fork, salad fork, teaspoon, butter knife, steak knife
• Dinner plate
• Salad plate
• Cereal bowl
• Juice glasses
• Beverage glasses
• Wine glasses
• Coffee mugs
• 2 plastic juice cups
• 8-piece cookware set with frying pan(s), saucepan(s), stockpot
• 2 qt casserole with lid
• Cookie sheet
• Broiler pan
• Colander
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Various knives (carving, paring)
• Serving spoons
• Serving bowls
• Vegetable peeler
• Wire whisk
• Corkscrew
• Can opener
• Cutting board
• Plastic storage containers with lids
• Mixing bowl
• Tongs
• Cheese grater
• Pitcher
• Ice bucket
• Dish rack
• Dishwasher detergent, dishwashing liquid, sponge, towels
• Paper towels

There are a few things missing from the kitchens that I wish we had, namely a pizza roller to make cutting easier, and pair of scissors to help when opening packaged foods.


Saratoga Springs Resort 2 Bedroom Villa Kitchen


Don't plan on having a car during your trip, no worries! There are several ways to pick up your groceries. The gift shops of all Disney Vacation Club Resorts all have small grocery sections in them where you can pick up everything from pop tarts to frozen pizza. You can also use a third party Grocer and have your cart delivered right to your room. I'm fond of the Garden Grocer service, and have used it without issue on several trips. I order my groceries online before we leave and they arrive at my hotel room door at a pre-scheduled delivery time.

I've got one last tip for you if you do plan on cooking in your villa. Make sure you get all the dishes into the dishwasher before you head back out for the Park. It's just no fun coming "home" to a room full of dirty dishes. But aside from those tiny hiccups, I absolutely love having a full kitchen to use while we travel.


ADA Kitchen at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House


Aside from the full kitchens, villas guests also have access to the DVC BBQ Grills and Picnic Pavilions. Cooking your own meals is a great way to save some money on vacation and eek out a little more family time, with the condo like facilities in Disney's Villas it's never been easier. Have you ever used the villa kitchens on vacation? Leave a comment and let us know why you choose to cook!