Planning Christmas dinner in a vacation rental is easier than most families expect, as long as you keep the menu short and shop smart. A full kitchen means you can cook a real holiday meal, skip the crowded restaurants and still have time for the parks. Here is a simple menu and grocery plan.
Choose an easy Christmas dinner menu
Pick one main, two or three sides and one dessert. Anything you can mostly prepare ahead wins.
- Main: a roast chicken, a spiral ham or a pan of baked pasta, depending on your group size and tastes.
- Sides: mashed potatoes, a green vegetable and rolls or cornbread.
- Dessert: a store-bought pie or cookies, or a simple tray of brownies the kids can help with.
- Drinks: hot chocolate, cider and plenty of water.
Your Christmas dinner grocery plan
- Check the kitchen first. Ask the owner what pots, pans, baking dishes and serving pieces are provided, and what the oven size is.
- Write the list by meal. Dinner, breakfast and snacks on separate lists keeps you from overbuying.
- Shop a day or two ahead. The stores are packed on Christmas Eve, so do the main run earlier in the week.
- Buy staples last. Pick up butter, milk and fresh bread the day before.
Our Disney World grocery strategy and grocery store comparison can help you decide where to shop, and grocery delivery in Kissimmee is handy if you'd rather not leave the house.
Make Christmas dinner low-stress
- Cook the main dish the day before and reheat, or use the slow cooker if your rental has one.
- Give everyone a job. Kids can set the table, stir and fetch.
- Use disposable pans for sides so cleanup takes minutes.
- Keep the park day light. Plan Christmas dinner for an evening after a short morning or a rest day.
Easy meals for the rest of the week
A big dinner works best when the other meals are simple. Breakfasts like eggs, cereal and fruit and quick sandwich lunches keep the budget in check. See our ideas for easy vacation rental meals to fill in the rest.
A Windsor Hills home for the holidays
Windsor Hills is a gated resort where Disney property is usually about 5 to 10 minutes away by car, so you can enjoy a park morning and still be home to start dinner. Private-pool homes, condos and townhouses offer full kitchens and room for big families, and after the meal kids can burn energy at the clubhouse, games room, courts or the heated lagoon resort pool. Holiday weeks fill up early, so read our guide to booking a vacation home for Christmas week and browse Windsor Hills rentals to book direct with owners.
