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Help, my Disney World trip is booked and yep, another mouseketeer is on the way!
First off, congrats on adding a new Disney fan! A new bundle on the way always brings lots of questions and nervousness... especially if a much anticipated Disney World trip is already planned. Don't panic; Disney can not only be done while pregnant, but can absolutely still be enjoyed. I can say this authoritatively, as I recently spent nine days in WDW while 28 weeks pregnant.
There are some simple steps to follow to make sure your dream Disney trip is just as magical a memory as you had planned.
Before you leave on vacation, you should get two pairs of nice, sturdy shoes - at least one of which should be tennis shoes. If possible, wear them for four to six weeks prior to your trip to ensure that they are broken in - new shoes tend to rub blisters during extended wear. Don't wear the same pair of shoes every day; instead, try to swap out shoes at least every third day to avoid wear soreness.
Next, be sure to stay hydrated. If you are driving to WDW, pack a case or two of bottled water. If flying, be prepared to buy lots of water while in the parks (or make a supply run outside of the parks to pick up bottled water in bulk). No matter the season, you need to drink a bottle of water every two to three hours while in the parks. Otherwise, you will find yourself dehydrated and miserable.
Pro tip: all counter service restaurants in WDW will give you a cup of ice water for free; all you have to do is ask for it.
Snack alert! Take packs of nuts, peanut butter crackers, or similar snacks into the park. Do not go more than three hours without eating something. This will keep your blood sugar stable, and will also give you a reason to sit and take a break. Disney has no problem with you bringing in outside food, so take advantage of this.
Plan your days ahead of time. Look at the maps and sketch out all of your must hits. If you have dining reservations, plan to do the attractions around the restaurant at times coordinating with your reservation (allow a solid hour and a half for table service meals) to avoid unnecessary walking across the parks. This is also a huge time saver.
Many families have their days eaten up by trekking from one end of the park to the other and back. Whenever possible, do everything you want to do in a given section and then move on. Keep in mind that "headliner" type attractions and those aimed specifically at younger children are both busiest in the middle of the day. If any of these are on your "must do" list, try to hit them early in the morning or late in the evening; this will cut down on the total amount of time you spend in line.
Time out! Any bathroom break or snack stop needs to be accompanied by a bench break. Sit for ten to fifteen minutes every other hour. This time will be made up as you will be less fatigued. If you are less fatigued, you will get more enjoyment out of the trip, and will be able to do more than you would have, had you not taken those breaks.
Every park has a baby care center. You might think that their use is limited to those who have babies or small children, but pregnant women are absolutely welcomed to come and have a seat in one of their soft chairs in the air conditioning. If you need more of a "heavy duty" break than a park bench can provide, consider taking time out at a baby care center.
Take bus breaks. When park hopping or riding to a park or back to your resort, be sure to get a seat on the bus. If you have to wait for next bus to ensure a seat, know that the wait will be well worth it. Don't cram in and stand for the ride; those fifteen to twenty minute rides off your feet in the air conditioning will really help to rejuvenate you.
This wraps up our tips to help keep Mom up and moving throughout the day. Now, we head on to what you can do at Disney World with your bump.
A lot of women really worry that they will be bored while their families enjoy all of the fun attractions. Take heart! You can do all rides that do not have a height restriction, which opens up a lot. If you have younger kids that aren't yet big enough for the thrill rides, this becomes a perfect opportunity for you to share some special moments with them while Dad or grandma takes the older kids on Big Thunder Mountain or Tower of Terror. You can of course still do all of the shows and parades.
Almost any doctor would advise you to avoid any rides with sudden drops, major g forces, or hard turns. As a result, you should probably avoid Tower of Terror, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Test Track, or Mission: Space.
As for the more questionable entries...
Kilimanjaro Safaris: I personally rode this and had no issues. I rode in the middle rows - and against the side of the truck - so as to avoid excess jostling. I had no problems, but this is a personal call.
Dinosaur: I declined to ride this (despite is being one of my very favorite rides in all of WDW), as I felt that this ride was too bumpy and jerky. It is on most lists of rides to avoid.
Astro Orbiter: I rode once, but I declined to ride again as the motion made me quite nauseous. This is one that I would say is a personal choice.
Soarin': while this ride does technically have a height restriction, the motion is very gentle and limited. I rode it without a second thought.
There are many magical memories to be made at Disney World, whether you are pregnant or not. So, just be smart, take your time, follow the simple guidelines, and enjoy a wonderful trip!
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By Author. All Rights Reserved. Date
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April 30, 2014
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