As your typical Disney Adults we were travelling to Disney World long before having kids. When our first son was born, we waited until he was 2 1/2 years old before we braved a family Disney World vacation. In hindsight (and after taking our second son at 5 months old) we realise we didn’t need to wait this long. At the time though, the thought of travelling with a small baby was intimidating. How could we all sleep in a hotel room together? How would we manage feeding? What would we do in the evening when he needed to go to bed? Staying in a regular hotel room I think we might have struggled, but then we discovered DVC and our opinion quickly changed.
DVC Helped us Feel Confident to Travel With a Baby
Between having our first and second babies, we experienced a DVC resort stay for the first time. Renting points to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge opened up a whole new world of possibilities for us. It gave us the confidence to plan a future trip with a young baby. When our second son was born we already had our family vacation booked, ready for when he turned 5 months old. After a lot of research we decided to book a one-bedroom villa at Saratoga Springs Resort. It was the perfect choice for us, as I’ll explain below.
Extra Space
A one-bedroom villa has so much more space than a standard hotel room. It not only has a separate bedroom, but a full kitchen and even a bath tub. When travelling with a baby this extra space is invaluable. All DVC rooms come with a Pack N Play or you can request a crib and a high chair when you check in. In a normal hotel room it would be difficult to fit these both in. In a one-bedroom villa the crib can be set up in the bedroom or living room, whilst the highchair can fit by the kitchen table.
With extra space also comes extra storage. Babies might be small, but they come with a lot of stuff! Multiple outfits per day, diapers, toys, blankets, you name it – it’s probably coming with you and you’re going to need a lot of space to store it. In a one-bedroom villa you’ll likely have a wardrobe, a cupboard and a couple of dressers to store your belongs. This means there’s a place for everything and you won’t end up tripping over baby toys all day long.
Separate Bedroom
Having the bedroom away from the main living space is perfect. If you need to put your baby down for a nap or an early night, you can do so without the rest of the family having to sit quietly in a dark hotel room. Everyone else can stay in the living room whilst the youngest member of the family gets some well earned rest.
Full Kitchen
Having a full kitchen is so helpful with a baby (or child) of any age. From washing up bottles, to preparing food for weaning, it makes a family vacation so much easier. Even once you get into the toddler years and older, having the option to make some home cooked meals, or just putting a pizza in the oven, can make all the difference after a long, hot day in the parks.
Laundry Facilities
I think one of the most under-rated benefits is having your own laundry facilities in the room. In DVC one-bedroom villas and above you get a full washer and dryer. Babies and toddlers get through a lot of outfits. Being able to wash them in the comfort of your own room definitely takes some of the stress away from travelling with a baby. Not only that, but you can pack half as much as you would for a hotel stay. Staying for 8 days, pack for 4 and wash everything half way through. I know doing laundry on vacation isn’t for everyone, but through those baby and toddler years it really is a game changer!
A Deluxe Studio Also Offers Benefits When Travelling With a Baby
Whilst a one-bedroom villa was the perfect choice for our vacation, if you’d prefer a more affordable option, then a DVC Deluxe Studio still has some great benefits for families. While you won’t get the separate bedroom, you will still get more space than the average hotel room. These studios even come with a kitchenette, including a sink (great for washing up those bottles), microwave, toaster, and best of all, a fridge. Staying in a DVC resort also means you’ll have access to a laundry room, completely free of charge. So, while you will have to leave your room to do the laundry, those dirty clothes won’t have to wait until you get home. If you’re looking for some more tips for a studio stay, we have a helpful blog here.
What About the Parks?
DVC makes your resort stay easy with a baby, but of course you’ll want to visit the parks too! Rest assured that Disney have thought of everything to make your vacation as easy as possible. They have Baby Care Centers located in each of the parks. You can go here for a diaper change, to stock up on supplies, or just for a quiet place to feed and rest. For the rides your baby can’t join you on, you can use Rider Switch. This is a totally free service which allows both parents to ride without having to stand in line twice. Not to forget the smaller touches, such as high chairs in all the restaurants around the parks and the ample stroller parking available everywhere you go.
Our Experience
I’m so glad that DVC gave us the confidence to vacation with our young family. That first vacation as a family of four was one of our most relaxing trips to see the mouse. Travelling with a baby made us take things slower and see a different side of the parks. And it was all made possible by the flexibility of DVC accommodation. I’d recommend anyone contemplating travelling with a young family to consider a DVC stay. Whilst your baby might not remember the trip, you most definitely will!
Have you ever taken your baby to Disney World? Or are you planning an upcoming trip? Let me know how you’ve made your baby vacation work for you in the comments below.
