Disney while pregnant - should I go?

[elump1]

Hi all, first let me say that I am a Disney fanatic. I LOVE Disney World and NEVER want to pass up a chance to go. My family just went in Feb and then my husband told me not to ask to go again for at least 2 years. Imagine my surprise when he tells me last week, "I want to go to Disney World"! Our choices are to go this summer during June or July or the first week in October. I want to go in October because it will be less crowded and not quite as hot and we went at a very crowded time this past trip (Pres Day week). The thing is - we are planning on trying to extend our family soon so there is a decent chance, though not 100%, that I will be pregnant in October. My question is this - should I go ahead and go this summer or wait and go in October anyway? We will be taking our daughter who is 1 1/2, so going on the big rides it not really a consideration. The only ride that I really want to make sure I can ride is Soarin', the rest of the time we will be doing characters and kids rides. I had slight sickness during my early pregnancy last time, but nothing too terrible (though I know that can change!), but I do remember being very tired. I would like advice from others who have gone while pregnant. Would you choose to go in summer before you were pregnant or in October during early pregnancy? Thanks for your advice!

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

I guess the only variable that makes it hard for me to answer your question is how pregnant you are going to be during you trip. My wife was several weeks pregnant during our last trip and other than avoiding all of the more violent rides (i.e. Mission: Space/Test Track) she had a great time. I have seen very pregnant (at least 6 months) walking around the parks at several occasions. If you are very pregnant by your trip you could always rent an ECV and just try to enjoy as much magic as possible.

--Mr. DB

 

[Lisa Hale]

Hmmm....tough call. I've been when I was 6 months pregnant (and it was July). UGH! Won't do that again! The heat was typically hot and muggy, but I wasn't typically me. I swelled up horribly and had a tough time walking around. But, I also had some health issues that complicated my pregnancy. I have also been very, very early in a pregnancy and had no problems at all. I think it will depend on your overall health and the point you are in your pregnancy at that time.

Word of advice...water! Water, water, water and I'll throw in an agua or two just to stress the importance of it. Staying hydrated will most definitely help as will taking frequent breaks to put your feet up and relax.

Since you are not currently expecting, I would perhaps discuss with your doctor what possible precautions you should take if and when you are pregnant and want to go. Even with having been high risk, my OB had no problems with my going...as long as I followed his instructions and avoided certain things. Even being a disney fanatic, be sure to follow his/her advice for you and all should be well.

I'd say "happy conceiving" but that just sounds odd somehow,

 

[Flagondry]

We are planning to ttc starting in June and our trip is in Aug. I get very, very ill during pg, so worst case we will cancel. If I am pg and the meds allow me to feel well enough to go I plan to enjoy my trip. I will miss going on certain rides, but having a baby wins in my case. Good luck!

 

[TreslovesWDW]

Well I went at 3 months or so , and had a great time. It was in June and it was hot but it did not bither me except at AK. Since October shouldn't be that hot I would go if you are pregnant.

 

[daandcb]

I went when i was 5 months pregnant and never had an issue. We had gone in November with my two other sons so the rides were never a concern to me either. I just made sure to take my time, rest when possible and drink lots which of course made me find every single restroom. Wear comfy shoes and in the evening, put your feet up!!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

October is only 5 months away. If you were already pregnant as of today, you would be 5 months along, at most. If you're still in the planning stages, you'll be even "less pregnant".

Most of us moms would agree that the 2nd trimester is probably the easiest. If you're 4-6 months along during your trip to WDW, you should be okay. It would definitely be better to be 5 months along in cool October than to deal with the heat/humidity of July AND the queasiness/fatigue of early pregnancy.

 

[larkles]

I went one October when I was 8 months pregnant with DS #3 and we had a blast I could not ride many "exciting" rides but had so much fun watching the kids faces.

We would go back and nap midday and then relax at the pool and have a leisurely dinner. Just drink lots of H2O and listen to your body. So many new shows to see now and you can relax in the A/C.

This time the boys are 9,7 and 4 so I am ON the rides

 

[TheDisneyClan]

I went in June 2005 5 months+ pregnant with my DD19months. It was hot, but we took our time, drank lots of water and had a great time. I really cherished this special trip because it was our last WDW trip as a family of 3.
(I'm very sentimental)

You won't be able to do the thrill rides, but there are so many great, safe rides you can do. In fact, I got a special congatulations fast pass from a CM at the Teacups. Very sweet!

Hope you go and have fun with your family!

 

[elump1]

Thanks for all the great advice! I am glad to hear that Disney can be fun when pregnant also (I assumed it would be) but I wanted to get some advice from others who had been in that situation. I think we are going to tentatively plan to go in October and wait and see how things turn out closer to that time. I like the thought of going one more time as a family of 3 and I think we would have a great time, but we can decide then based on how I feel and definitely follow my doctor's advice if things have "happened" by that time! If we don't make it in October, we can always go later as a party of 4!

 

[naynay80]

The first time I went to disney I was pregnant and couldn't ride very much (due to previous misscariage) but still had a wonderful time - just looking at everything and people watching - I loved it. I would definitly go when pg, but make sure you take alot of sit down breaks and drink plenty of WATER - don't want to get dehydrated.

Go and have a great time!!!

 

[jpaulgor]

My wife and I are going in July, and we have been taking precautions to not get her pregnant before we go. We both like to ride the thrill rides and you really can't do that while pregnant. In fact, if she were to get pregnant, I would just cancel the trip and save the money. Hopefully this won't happen and we will get to go and have a great time just the two of us.

 

[HGD24]

We're going this weekend (hoping for a little souvenir of our own ) and we're planning on going again in October with my in-laws, a trip we've been planning since last Fall. If this isn't our month, we'll continue to TTC and will continue with our plans for our October trip. We went to Disney 10 months after I had major back surgery and although I couldn't do any of the big rides, which I really love, we still had a good time! Good luck with both your trip and TTC!

PS - do you think if we're TTC this weekend, I should avoid the big rides or should they not impact TTC?

 

[MinnieGi]

I was at WDW pregnant with DS at 12 weeks and constantly sick. I unfortunetly with DS had nausea 24 hours a day and smells really bothered me. I was very concerned and really thought about not going. But how could I disappoint DD!!! (BTW, I was not sick like this at all with DD) I found out I was much happier being sick at Disney than at home!!!! LOL! I had a great time!!! Slushy lemonades seemed to help the nausea the best. So I would just sip on one constantly and this of course helped keep me hydrated. Luckily we went in Feb. so it was not humid but we did have beautiful sunny weather.

Since you are not even pregnant yet, I would plan for Oct. as you will be less than the third tri. I'm not sure if WDW would be fun in the third tri or at least for me, just too big and unbalanced!

 

[disneygirl29]

I was a little over 12wks pg with #2 when we went back in Nov 2003... I was fine.. able to ride a few smaller rides (that had no jerking, upside downs , etc-- nothing like mission space, rockin-roller coaster etc...) and still had as much fun as ever. My DD at the time was 1-1/2yrs old, so I was able to do the things she did . Disney is fun at any time-- I say go for it! And good luck