My DVC trips have certainly changed since my son was born. I mentioned in an episode of the DVC Show that one of my new favorite tricks for using our points is to do split stays that mix a studio with a One Bedroom Villa for the last day of the trip. This gives us the convenience of having the full kitchen and washer/dryer at the end of the trip but still helps me save on points. However, that means that most of the trip is spent in a studio.
Here are a few things that have helped our DVC studio stays with a baby.
Which Studios May Work Better?
Space
While One Bedroom Villas are clearly more convenient for trips with little ones, the studios are still a step up from a regular hotel room. Even the smaller Deluxe Studios, like the one we stayed in at Bay Lake Tower, had plenty of room for my son’s stroller and pack and play. The unusually large kitchenette at Bay Lake Tower had lots of storage for extra diapers and wipes and lots of counter space for washing and drying bottles.
Larger studios, such as the ones at the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and Riviera, have split bathrooms that can make it easier to store the pack and play. You can designate one side for the pack and play, so your baby can nap or sleep undisturbed, and there’s more space to walk around in the main area of the studio.
Mini Fridges
The studio mini fridges are perfect for storing milk, and the ones with a small freezer section keep ice packs cold. (I always bring ice packs and a small cooler bag for milk whenever we are out and about.) However, it can be hit or miss whether the studio mini fridges have a freezer or not. From recent stays, I have seen the freezer in studios at Bay Lake Tower, BoardWalk, Grand Floridian, and Riviera. PlanDisney stated that the mini fridges at the Polynesian do not have the small freezer section.
One studio that may not work as well for trips with a baby are the Resort Studios at the Grand Floridian. These studios have beverage coolers in place of the mini fridges and may not stay cold enough to store milk. They also lack the freezer section.
What Should I Pack for a Studio?
Since studios lack a full kitchen and washer and dryer, there are some items you can pack that help with workarounds or are simply handy for the room:
- Laundry detergent and dryer sheets: Although you don’t have a washer/dryer in the studios, you still have access to the free DVC laundry rooms.
- Travel bottle brush and drying rack: Without a dishwasher, you’ll have to wash bottles by hand. I got a travel bottle brush and drying rack that fold up together. They’re small enough to pack but helpful since you can’t wash bottles well by hand with just the sponge that comes in the studio. You don’t have to worry about dishwashing liquid since that is provided.
- Microwaveable steam bags: If you need to sterilize your baby’s bottles or pump parts, you can steam them in the microwave. This way you don’t need to rely on a pot and stove.
- Disposable diaper pail or roll of disposable diaper bags: These are good for any size accommodation to keep your room from smelling like a dirty diaper. The bags are also great for temporarily holding any soiled clothes if you are on the go.
You can always request things like a pack and play, mini crib, or high chair from the resort by calling housekeeping. I’ve learned from experience that even if you request a pack and play, you may receive a mini crib and vice versa. It apparently depends on what is available. The resort provides a fitted sheet for the crib or pack and play, but you can always bring your own if you think it will be more comfortable for your baby.
What studios have worked best for your little ones, and do you pack anything specific for those studio stays?
