Picking a resort for your Walt Disney World Vacation can be both one of the most fun and most stressful parts of your planning. With so many choices available you want to make sure that you’re getting the most out of your vacation dollars; for some families that means the convenience of having all the amenities of an Orlando Condo with a Disney Villa.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers Studios, One, Two, and Three Bedroom Villas. Part of the Disney Vacation Club, the villas allow for families to stretch out a little and take their vacation at a different pace. With full kitchens in the 1 and 2 bedroom villas, it allows you to save some money by cooking and storing meals just like if you were at home.

I admit, I was a skeptic when it came to the thought of cooking on vacation. However after the kids and I had a last minute budget crunch, we discovered that making real use of your in room kitchen can actually be a pleasant way to spend some family time together. On our last vacation we made every breakfast in room, and even added a mid-day break to go back to the room for a couple of lunches. We saved money, relaxed more, got in some extra pool time, and enjoyed each other’s company while enjoying all the benefits of our villa.

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
• 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 glass
• beverage glass
• wine glass
• coffee mug

• 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

We did notice the lack of a couple of things like a pizza roller, and pair of scissors to help open packaged foods. Our advice is to get the dishes going in the dish washer right away after your meal, because it’s no fun to come back from the Park at midnight to a sink of dirty dishes.

Even if you don’t plan on having a car with you while you’re on vacation, having a villa to cook in can still be an option for you. You can order or pick up simple groceries from the mercantile in the main lodge. Or you can use the online ordering form from Garden Grocer and have them deliver your groceries straight to your room.

Cooking your own meals is a great way to save some money on vacation and with the Condo like facilities in Disney’s Villas it’s never been easier.