1st Trip Home- 7 mos pregnant!!

[bandjbaine]

Just wanted some advice from anyone who has been to Disney while pregnant. We just purchased BWV and will have our first trip home the first week in June. The rest of my family was going for my nephews first trip and wanted us to come along. I started looking into rental points and ended up buying DVC instead!!! I'll be 7 mos pregnant at that point with our first child. I'm fairly active anyway (exercise 3 hrs/ week) but am worried about the heat and the crowds. I suppose worst case scenario is relaxing by the pool and that doesn't sound too bad!! Looking for any suggestions. This group was so helpful as I read through the threads in making our decision to buy and I always see great tips!!!! This is my first actual post though- only a browser before now.

Also- curiousity question- what does DH? DS? etc stand for?

 

[dianeschlicht]

DH=Dear Husband
DS=Dear Son
DD=Dear Daughter etc, etc, etc,

The heat would have been a BIG issue for me when I was pregnant MANY years ago! I would say pace yourself by going to the parks VERY early and spending the hottest part of the day either in the air conditioned room or at some nice sit down air conditioned attraction. Take LOTS of breaks and get lots of rest.

 

[dsneygirl]

I did WDW at 12weeks and DL at 24weeks. I actually had more energy at 24 because I was still really sick at 12 weeks. I would drink lots of water and really take your time. I would also probably spend lots of time in the pool

 

[crazywig]

we went the first week of june in 2004 and i was about 24wks pregnant with #2. it was HOT! 95 and humid every day. i took it as slow as i could. we did the parks in the morning, and back to the room for a nap or a swim and didn't head back out until dinner, then hit the parks again.

water water water. you must drink TONS of it to keep dehydration at bay. buy a water bottle and have it in your hand at all times.

congrats on your pregnancy and welcome home!

 

[Disney Doll]

Drink lots of water, and go easy. If you start to feel tired, go back to your resort and relax in the room or at the pool.

Don't let anyone guilt you into keeping going if you don't feel up to it. Stop and relax!!!!!!!

 

[T.E. Yeary]

Congratulations & Welcome Home!!


HAPPY "MAGICAL" VACATIONING,
Tom & Staff

 

[Mickey527]

deleted double post

 

[Mickey527]

deleted double post

 

[Mickey527]

I took my family to WDW last year at the end of May and my DIL was alost 7 months pregnant with my wonderful, adorable grandson. We tried to make it as comfortable for her as we could. We also let her decide what she wanted to do each day because she was the one who would be the most uncomfortable. When she had enough of the heat or parks we all went to where she wanted to go either to the room or to the pool.
The most important thing you need to do is either plan to rent an ECV at the parks or rent one from an off property company. the company will deliver it to the resort Bell Service and you will have it your entire trip. I recommend an off property company because they are cheaper ($30 per day vs $37 per day at WDW), faster (the WDW ECV speed is slow) and you can take it anywhere you want to go including off property to the outlets.
They are easy to take apart and fit in most car trunks. You are also treated with the utmost respect by all CM's and will be given front of line privelidges on the busses. You won't get front of line for rides and attractions but you will be seated and that is most important.
The heat is intense so make sure you wear sunscreen and as others have said drink alot of water. You can bring a small cooler (I always bring a soft side cooler) and carry it by your feet on the ECV. They will allow you to bring your own drinks into the parks as long as there is no glass and no alcohol.
My son surprised my DIL with the mother's massage at SSR and my DIL still raves about how great it was. It is only for pregnant women and they take special care to massage and pamper all the places that get uncomfortable including your expanding waistline and your swollen and sore feet. DVC members get some great discounts on massages an spa treatments so take advantage of that too.
Enjoy your trip and your DVC, your lucky child will grow up loving Disney. I am making plans now for Nicholas's first trip to WDW in September. Peggie

 

[borgthe]

I went last year at 7 months. It was in February, so not as hot a time as June. I didn't have any problems walking around ALL day and ALL night with a 2 year old in a stroller. I really didn't notice much of a difference between being preg and not other than not being able to ride the thrill rides. Enjoy yourself!

 

[pb4ugo]

i believe each park has a guest services office near the entrance where you can stop and get a 'guest accomodation card' - it is a privilege card that will enable you to receive special assistance from the cms at each attraction - if you need to get out of the sun or you can't stand/walk for extended periods of time, you will be assisted to a shady spot, an air conditioned area, to a seat, etc so that you can wait for the rest of your party to reach the head of the line where you can join them. i think you just get one at the first park you go to and that card is good on all property.

the ecv is, of course, a great idea. and if you decide to use it, go for the off-site rental; if using one from the parks and you are hopping among parks in a day, one may not be available for you when you get to the next park.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

We went last May when I was 6.5 months pregnant. Drink lots of water, catch some time in the shade, and take time for sit-down TS meals. My DH and I had a great time trying lots of new restuarants, and it allowed me to get breaks out of the heat. If others in your group are riding an attraction you can't ride, use that time to use the restroom or rest....or what I did sometimes was walk through the queue and pre-show so i got the "feel" of the attraction, then i took the "chicken" exit. I did this for TT, MS, RnR, ToT. I love those attractions, so it was nice to see part of them and feel like I was experiencing it...and I didn't mind skipping the actual ride one bit. Oh--request lots of extra pillows at your resort and/or bring a favorite pillow from home if it packs well. I had a tough time sleeping on the BCV beds/pillows while pregnant. Have fun!!!

 

[bandjbaine]

Everyone has been so helpful.....I've had so many people tell me I'll be miserable and I just refuse to believe that. It has got to be nearly impossible to be miserable at Disney!!!! All of your posts are greatly appreciated!!!

 

[Cindi0511]

Everyone has been so helpful.....I've had so many people tell me I'll be miserable and I just refuse to believe that. It has got to be nearly impossible to be miserable at Disney!!!! All of your posts are greatly appreciated!!!

I surely hope you won't be miserable!! We went in March in 2004 and my daughter was born early May. By all means, take a nap every day, especially if you're legs are swelling. I was overly tired for a variety of reasons, and that nap made a world of difference. My evenings were as wonderful as the mornings were. It will certainly be hot, so drink, drink, drink. They are now offering fresh fruit and other healthy snacks/foods, so eat what will make you feel the best.

At Epcot, right before Illuminations, my family decided we all wanted desserts from France for during the show. My DH, baby sister and her husband literally all ran from the wheelchair viewing area right inside the world showcase to France and back. Don't recommend running, though. The desserts were awesome, but my poor legs paid for that one!

You will have a fabulous time. Enjoy, and let us know how your trip went and let us know when your precious child enters this world!

 

[justaskjul]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents while I can actually contribute to a thread. I am also a lurker more than a poster.

The last time I was in DWD, I was 6 months pregnant with my first child (November 2004) June is obviously considerably hotter -- I've been there in June a few times for anniversary trips -- but here are a few preggo tips to add.

1.) I know many people mentioned scheduling so you're not out in the parks midday, which is excellent advice. Outside of the "heat" I found my ankles were so swollen by midday that I needed those few hours to recover before I could go out and about again. Also, later in pregnancy, as your uterus starts to hinder your diaphram, it becomes a bit harder to breathe in general. I found the midday heat especially hard to breathe in. I really enjoyed my midday nap in the AC!

2.) Eat Right!: You said you are a fit person, so this may not be an issue, but I figured I'd mention it anyway. I was very dilligent about being healthful during my pregnancy (no hair dye, no soft drinks etc...) However Disney, with all kinds of sweets and tempations, set me off course foodwise. I gained the most weight of my whole pregnancy during that month I went to Disney.

3.) You didn't mention transportation, whether you were flying or driving, but if you are flying in and not renting a car... I would skip the MARS transportation and spring the extra money for a cab. I say this because when you wait for the MARS shuttles, you are forced to wait in an outside corridor filled with heat, people and horrific BUS fumes. I experienced this in June, not pregnant, and it was unbearable for me then, I could only imagine if I were PG.

4.) I agree with the other poster about pillows. I also had trouble sleeping at BCV when I was PG. I would've had trouble sleeping regardless, but my back was really bothering me from the bed, and I was side sleeping, lol.

I loved being PG at WDW. There's no way you could be miserable, even with the heat. It feels even more magical to share what you are experiencing with your baby. My DD was kicking me during the fireworks in Epcot, MK, while I was in Mickey's Philharmagic and other places. Now I get to take her next month as a 14 month old and not only see her face light up at everything, but also reminisce (sp) about our in-utero bonding moments.

Have fun and congrats on your baby.

 

[nucpharm29]

I also have been to WDW pregnant w/no problems! It was actually kind of nice b/c if DH wanted to ride the thrill rides I just took a break with DD, got something to drink, and got off my feet. Oh, and make sure you map out where all the restrooms are---all that water you're going to be drinking is going to find it's way out sooner or later--and at seven months along I would guess sooner! Congratulations and have a great trip!

 

[SueM in MN]

i believe each park has a guest services office near the entrance where you can stop and get a 'guest accomodation card' - it is a privilege card that will enable you to receive special assistance from the cms at each attraction - if you need to get out of the sun or you can't stand/walk for extended periods of time, you will be assisted to a shady spot, an air conditioned area, to a seat, etc so that you can wait for the rest of your party to reach the head of the line where you can join them. i think you just get one at the first park you go to and that card is good on all property.

the ecv is, of course, a great idea. and if you decide to use it, go for the off-site rental; if using one from the parks and you are hopping among parks in a day, one may not be available for you when you get to the next park.

The Guest Assistance Card (GAC) is not a priviledge card - it is a tool to let CMs know what sorts of accomidation is needed by someone with a disability (which can be a permanent or temporary disability).
Even if you have a GAC, not all accomidations are available at each attraction - for example, you may need a spot to sit and wait, but there may not be any at that attraction. Or, for some attractions, like the Hall of Presidents, there are some seats in the waiting area, but they are first come, first serve and if people are already sitting in them when you get there, having a GAC won't get you a seat.

If you can't stand/walk for prolonged periods of time, it will be suggested that you rent an ECV or wheelchair because the time you spend walking and standing not in line is a lot more than the time you will spend in line. That way, you will always have a seat with you. If you do use one, make sure to get up and walk around periodically. Sitting all day will make you stiff anf can make you more prone to blood clots.

If you follow the link in my signature to the disABILITIES Board, you can find a lot of information about renting ECVs/wheelchairs and about the GAC in the disABILITIES FAQs thread enar the top of the board.

 

[las3888]

I went when I was 4.5 mos pregnant. I really had no troubles - I had no morning sickness, and if you did you would most likely be over it by then. We didn't do any commando type touring.

My best advice is to look around you at all times and notice the other families with kids. What kind of strollers look nice? How are others handling feeding their kids. This is all assuming you will be going when your tot is still a little one. I just really took it all in in an effort to prepare for our upcoming trips with our DS. I learned alot just observing others, plus it was alot of fun. It was a very magical visit...we were just so excited that we knew the next time we came we would have our little guy with us (God willing).

Congratulations!

 

[drakethib]

My wife and went we she was about 6 months.

We just took it easy and were not "park warriors".

Relax, eat healthy, and enjoy yourself.

You will be fine.

 

[shantay1008]

Everyone has been so helpful.....I've had so many people tell me I'll be miserable and I just refuse to believe that. It has got to be nearly impossible to be miserable at Disney!!!! All of your posts are greatly appreciated!!!

Isn't it nice of people to tell you that you'll be miserable? We spent a day at EPCOT when I was 10 weeks pregnant with my second child. I was sick as a dog, but it's better to have morning sickness at WDW than anywhere else!

You'll probably feel great and have lots of energy...you'll have fun and then return home ready to start nesting.

Good luck!
Shannon