Barnstormer while pregnant?

[labst60]

My DD (26 months) should be tall enough to ride this when we go to WDW in mid-May. She is quite adventuresome and I think would enjoy it - but I have never rode it before - so A) I'm not sure how rough it is and B) I'm not sure if I'd be able to ride (24-25 weeks pregnant). Obviously, I wouldn't ride BTMR or SM - or that "coaster" at AK that spins you around - I just didn't know how tame this one was - and I was thinking maybe pretty tame since the height requirement is only 35".

If it sounds like something she'd enjoy but I shouldn't go on - DH could take her - I guess I just hate to miss her first "roller coaster" experience and I know she'd feel more comfortable with me.

Can anyone give me any first hand experience? Ob

 

[Princess Roo]

I'd like to know, too. I heard it is really jerky, which is why we didn't let DS ride it our last visit, but now he'll also be 26 months and we're going to let him.

Also, is there is a list somewhere of rides that are pregnancy-restricted?

 

[labst60]

Princess Roo - It looks like we will be down there the same time - we'll be in WDW from 5/16 - 5/25 and our children are practically the same age (DD's bday is 3/16 - how about your son?)

As far as pregnancy restricted rides - I've read that they are the ones that are height restricted and also the Safari in AK. I have rode the Safari many times and only found it to be "bumpy" - we actually took DD on at 3 months - so it can't be that bad! - so I think I'm going to play that by ear depending on how I feel when we are down there that day (if I don't feel like being bumped around or I'm feeling dehydrated, I'll skip it.) I'd like to do it - to see DD's reaction - but if I miss it this year - I know we'll be back next year.

For the most part, I've rode everything else enough to know what I'll skip and what I won't. Not sure if the teacups are ok, but even if they are, I'll probably skip just b/c it would likely make me nauseous going in all those circles - same with the up/down AND spinning of Dumbo and Aladin's carpets. I don't think there would be anything wrong with them if you had a strong stomach - and NORMALLY I find them tame - but I have even been more prone to carsickness this pg - so I'm not going to risk ruining a day/park visit - plus this way, I can get better pictures of DH and DD

But since I've never rode the Barnstormer, I didn't know wht to expect and saw it was a VERY short ride (and with no spinning- at least I don't think!)

 

[Bibbidi]

Hi, We rode the barnstormer when our oldest was almost 3. I was not pregnant at the time, so I can't specifically reference that, but it was kind of a jerky ride. Not nearly as bad as BTMRR, but I'm not sure if I'd ride it while pregnant. It is very quick however, over in about 45 seconds.

 

[designermv]

I'm not 100% certain, but I think this is one of the rides not recommended for expectant mothers, due to the size of the car and the bumpiness of the ride. One of my books (The Unofficial Guide to WDW, I think) has a chapter dedicated to WDW for Expectant Moms, but I don't have it with me. I can check tonight.

 

[bzzymom]

I rode several rollercosters when I was pregnant with DD, I just didn't know I was pregnant. I was only about 6 weeks along when we were on vacation. I found out right after I got back.........I thought I was having gall bladder problems. I told my nurse mid-wife what I had been doing. She said it was no big deal. That early on the uterus is pretty small and still down low in the pelvis. However, if you will be over 20 weeks, your uterine fundus (top) will be up higher. I wouldn't risk it.

 

[tinaluis]

I don't think they'll let you ride even if you want to. When I was (visibly)pregnant with DD#3 we went to DL in CA. DH, our other two DDs and I were waiting in line for the Motor Speedway (not sure if that's the right name -- you know the little cars you drive in Tomorrowland?). A CM came over and told me it was "recommended" that I not ride because someone could bump my car. DH said he would be behind me in a car with our other DD but they still "recommended" against it. I think the only ride I got on all day was IASW. It's all for the safety of mother and baby, but I thought they overreacted a little. I suppose I could have "insisted" on riding, but it wasn't a big deal -- DH was able to squeeze into a car with both DDs so they both got to ride.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I would not ride it pregnant. Especially that far along. I did ride the Safari ride at AK while pregnant and that wasn't bad, but definetly not the barnstormer or any other coasters.

 

[jessica52877]

I didn't ride anything pregnant and I would not recommend barnstormer for sure. It is just like a coaster but for little ones. I do think that kids are supposed to be 3 to go on it, but it isn't enforced. I thought I read that somewhere, that along with the heights kids should be atleast 3. I'll try and find where I read that.

There are some things that would probably be okay, but I just wouldn't personally risk it.

 

[Kies99]

I just rode it two days ago. My wife and I both agreed that it was a little more "jerky" than we thought it would be.

 

[SnowWhite12]

http://allearsnet.com/tp/rr.htm

That is a link to list of rides and restrictions on allearsnet.com.
I didn't ride anything that WDW had "expectant mothers should not ride" on the sign. They recommend it for a reason. My MD was in agreement with that as well.

 

[twinspluscade]

I've ridden it just once. It is kind of jerky. Also it's a bit of a squeeze into the cars, and I think with a pregnant belly it'd be uncomfortable. I personally would opt out of riding it.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

However, if you will be over 20 weeks, your uterine fundus (top) will be up higher. I wouldn't risk it.

YUP! this is what my OB said! i've ridden it and it's not that bad! i will be 17.5 weeks pregnant when we go next week

 

[write2caro]

I thought I read that somewhere, that along with the heights kids should be atleast 3. I'll try and find where I read that.

I read this too, but was assured by many here on DIS and a CM I spoke with that it's basically not enforced.

I did the safari ride with no problems 5mo and again at 7mo pregnant. My OB said it's no worse than a slightly bumpy car ride, and he wasn't at all concerned. He did advise against any roller coasters, so I stayed away from all of them including Barnstormer.

 

[traci]

I rode it 13 times in October with my son (he was 2 months shy of 3). It's a fun little coaster, but it is a bit jerky. I would also vote no to riding it pregnant. btw, congrats!!

 

[all4fun]

I didn't ride anything pregnant and I would not recommend barnstormer for sure. It is just like a coaster but for little ones. I do think that kids are supposed to be 3 to go on it, but it isn't enforced. I thought I read that somewhere, that along with the heights kids should be atleast 3. I'll try and find where I read that.

I've seen that under the "tips and fun facts" in the right column on the barnstormer page at the official wdw site. I agree w/the pp though that it isn't enforced. My ds went on it when he was 23mos old, if I remember correctly. I know he wasn't three yet. They checked his height and that was it.

OP the cars on this ride are pretty small (I'm "avg" size and I find it difficult to get in and out of them even though I'm not pg). The ride is short but bumpy as others have mentioned. IMO the ride will still be there the next time you go so if it were me, I wouldn't risk it...but then again I tend to be very cautious given I had a preemie myself.

 

[labst60]

Thanks for the advice everyone - I've seen some "kiddie coasters" that were nearly as tame as the Wdw railroad - but clearly this doesn't seem like one of them - so I will be skipping it.

I had never heard the "3 years old" requirement too - so I'll have to take a look into that - maybe DD will wait until our trip in may 2008 - when she will be 38 months - or she can just ride with her dad!

Thanks again everyone!!!!

 

[Princess Roo]

Princess Roo - It looks like we will be down there the same time - we'll be in WDW from 5/16 - 5/25 and our children are practically the same age (DD's bday is 3/16 - how about your son?)

How funny! We'll be there 5/17-22 and DS was born 3/30. I'll only be 12 weeks along when we visit. I plan on riding the safari for sure - I don't find it any bumpier than Atlanta potholes. I'm avoiding all the 40"+ height-restricted rides, but I didn't know about Barnstormer...looks like I'll skip that, too. I hate teacups when I'm not pg, so I'll skip that...and the speedway for the fumes.

It used to say on the official WDW site that Barnstormer is for three and up, but I went back to what I think is the right page and it doesn't say it anymore. We kept DS off at 21 months, but we're going to let him ride this time. He's actually >40" in shoes, but we're not going to let him ride the 40" rides...funny that those don't have age restrictions, too!

 

[all4fun]

It used to say on the official WDW site that Barnstormer is for three and up, but I went back to what I think is the right page and it doesn't say it anymore. We kept DS off at 21 months, but we're going to let him ride this time. He's actually >40" in shoes, but we're not going to let him ride the 40" rides...funny that those don't have age restrictions, too!

from WDW.com

TIPS & FUN FACTS
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm is designed for adults and children to be able to ride together. Children must be at least three years old to ride

Not that it matters because they don't enforce it.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I can't remember if Barnstormer had the lap bars that come down (like on Big Thunder) or not but if they do then definitely avoid it. Those lap bars put pressure where you don't WANT pressure when you are pregnant. We went to Universal in January and I rode E.T. even though it wasn't recommended for expectant mothers - I realized WHY as soon as I sat down and pulled the lap bar back. With the hills and dips on even a tame ride like that you are VERY uncomfortable with the bar on your middle.