Disneyland and pregnant, any tips?

[travelingmom4]

I'll be almost in my third trimester and I'm not so worried about which rides I'll be able to ride. I'll love the parks either way, but I am worried about my stamina. I'll have 4 kids and a hubby who will want to be at parks from open to close. I'm off site so I can leave and come back. But wondering if there are napping places at the parks? Lol. Compfy stops to sit. Any other suggestions for pregnant mama's?? Thanks! This may be one time I'm A-OK sitting for 4 hours for a good spot for the parade!!

 

[AuntieKels]

I don't have any personal experience but I did find this:
http://www.examiner.com/article/a-guide-for-pregnant-women-at-the-disneyland-resort

You can probably utilize the baby care center or first aid station if you need it but I haven't heard of a place to go take a nap.... Other than great moments with Mr. Lincoln. jk

 

[calilou]

We like Mickey's train for a rest and to get from land to land to save out feet (longer but a good rest). Shows are wonderful for a rest too - Mr. Lincoln, Mickey & the Magical Map, Fantasy Faire theater (get a FP), Tiki Room, Golden Horseshoe. Also a ride on the Mark Twain.

If you're in DCA the Aladdin show is great to watch for itself, but also for a rest. You can also get a rest in the Animation building while kiddos explore. You can take a break in the Grand Californian - enjoy a seat in the lobby, hopefully while the pianist is playing. Have a drink/snack in the Hearthstone lounge.

 

[ADLFAN]

Love the idea of the GCH! I might have to poach that one!

I love the covered seating area at the beginning of the Paradise Pier area in DCA. It is seating for Boardwalk Pizza and the Paradise Garden Grill, and there is a nice usually empty restroom back there. The seating is on iron benches which may not be the most cozy for napping, but there is off and on live music, it is shady, and it might be a good place to hang out while you send the rest of the family to go on the Pier attractions. After you all hit the Little Mermaid of course, because I don't think it ever has a line!

New Orleans Square in DL is very pretty area with many of the same benefits, though it is noticeably more crowded.

 

[deli8788]

I went last September. I was 3 weeks from my due date. Water. Water. Water. Good shoes with gel inserts. And besides just sitting to rest I would prop my feet up to keep from swelling. If going back to your hotel for a break is an option I would do it. Also had a portable fan. I really didn't have any issues.

 

[Epek]

Compression socks! Saved my legs when I went at 33-34 weeks. Lots of water. All of the counter service restaurants will give you free iced water. I found that I didn't need as much rest as I thought. Probably because I was resting whenever the rest of my group went on the rides I couldn't, so rests were already built in. If you're still eating a lot, bringing snacks in so you don't break the bank isn't a bad idea.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

I went close to my due date late last year. I ended up renting a wheelchair, much to my displeasure. I would get SO tired suddenly and would have to often walk a good distance to find a place to sit, and feet would swell up to scary size every time I stood longer than 30 minutes, and my blood pressure would rise. I also disliked spending a good portion of the trip sitting and waiting for the fatigue to pass, keeping my family waiting as well (they didn't want to go anywhere without me). So wheelchair it was.

I have to say, aside from the dent in my pride, the wheelchair made the trip so much more enjoyable. I would walk when I felt like it, and would always have a place to sit when I needed it. And it was kind of nice sitting and relaxing and focus on looking around while being pushed. I really enjoyed sitting in the chair in the viewing area by BTMRR with my middle child while waiting for everyone else to ride it. Without it I would have had to combat people for the nearby bench spots, and if I could get one, would have to walk a ways to find another place.

Now that phase is over and I'm pushing a stroller around the park

Enjoy your trip!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

I managed to to go Disneyland while pregnant with twins. The biggest key is to listen to your body. Take frequent breaks, drink a lot of water, and enjoy shows and snacks when others are on rides. The shows at Disneyland are surprisingly good, which I didn't know because we didn't ever "do" shows until I was pregnant. As for rides, you can do IASM, HM (though you may want to sit slightly sideways because of the bar), most of the dark rides (though I'd avoid Toad since it shakes a lot, Roger Rabbit because it's a tight fit, and Midway Mania because it can feel jerky), Jungle Cruise, Dumbo, Casey Jr. (don't go in the cages though), Mark Twain...pretty much anything that isn't fast, jerky, or has a lot of drops. I would also recommend possibly getting a wheelchair. I forced myself to walk, but I had SPD and it was a huge mistake to force it as my pelvis felt like it was breaking if I overdid it even a little bit.

 

[hpfan100]

I went during my first trimester and agree with all the previous tips. The big thing for me was to bring water and snacks plus some minty gum. This way I was prepared at any moment. I did tons of sitting and people watching and had a great time doing that. Have you kiddos or hubs carry your bag when walking to help increase your stamina. You can guard them when they ride stuff you will be skipping.

There are some benches over by flos in carsland that offer great people watching and a nice view of the racers.

Take it easy and have a good time!

 

[starshine514]

I would not recommend napping anywhere but your hotel room, but there are plenty of places for a nice break. The Animation Building in DCA is nice, as is Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Any of the shows should be good, Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe, Flo's (outside, where you can watch your family race by on RSR). Honestly, if the weather is nice, any bench is a great place, Disneyland is so beautiful!

 

[travelingmom4]

Thanks for all the great tips guys! I'm taking notes and plan to use them!!

 

[missycakes99]

I'll be almost in my third trimester and I'm not so worried about which rides I'll be able to ride. I'll love the parks either way, but I am worried about my stamina. I'll have 4 kids and a hubby who will want to be at parks from open to close. I'm off site so I can leave and come back. But wondering if there are napping places at the parks? Lol. Compfy stops to sit. Any other suggestions for pregnant mama's?? Thanks! This may be one time I'm A-OK sitting for 4 hours for a good spot for the parade!! [/QUOT

Congrats, mama! I have done Disneyland while pregnant and it's definitely a different experience and as an avid DL'er, it took some getting used to, but it was STILL fun. In fact, I actually had a unique experience in that I got to just watch my little guy enjoy the rides with his Dad while I sat and observed. I took notice of new things I hadn't seen in a while and I got to enjoy LOTS of park benches. I ate a lot, too, which is sort of the silver lining/negative aspect. I ate too much! A lot of sitting, after all.

As for tips there aren't really any unique ones per se. You'll find what works best for you all. We did our usual routine of trying to get to Fantasyland first in the morning (and I was able to ride some of those, which was awesome). I did DUMBO, Carousel, Casey Jr, Peter Pan, Small World, Pirates, Jungle Cruise and a few others. It was more than I had thought. I really only had to miss out on the ones my kiddo couldn't do anyway (he's under 41"). At DCA, I did park on a bench a lot more. The little gathering area/fresh fruit stand across from Mater's Yard was a good spot for me. It's shaded and has fresh fruit nearby. I also parked at Flo's for a while with our stuff while hubby and our friends all rode RSR (I hung back with the toddlers). So on the positive side, I sat with the too-short toddlers so adults could ride rides....something someone was going to have to do anyway. I just was less upset about it this time

I ran the Star Wars 10k while pregnant and should have returned to the room that afternoon and paid for it (sore sore feet and legs) the next day. So my biggest advice either way is: go back to the room for an afternoon break and don't be shy about needing to rest.

 

[missycakes99]

We like Mickey's train for a rest and to get from land to land to save out feet (longer but a good rest). Shows are wonderful for a rest too - Mr. Lincoln, Mickey & the Magical Map, Fantasy Faire theater (get a FP), Tiki Room, Golden Horseshoe. Also a ride on the Mark Twain.

If you're in DCA the Aladdin show is great to watch for itself, but also for a rest. You can also get a rest in the Animation building while kiddos explore. You can take a break in the Grand Californian - enjoy a seat in the lobby, hopefully while the pianist is playing. Have a drink/snack in the Hearthstone lounge.

Genius idea to take a break at GCH! Or while the group goes on rides you do all the slow stuff: the train, the monorail, etc.

And yes -- get yourself a 40 oz Hydroflask, fill it up and bring it. Crucial to enjoying yourself is hydration.

 

[miracledaughter]

I'm going to disneyworld at 7 months and considering bringing my hubby's backpacking stool with us (should store under daughters stroller) so that I have a guaranteed spot to sit if needed! I also like the suggestion of bringing some compression socks. Is there a specific brand you recommend?

 

[Christiaan]

Last year my wife was pregnant with our 2nd when we were at DL. Stopped often, lots of water. Train ride, small world, jungle cruise...anything that allowed sitting for extended periods.

 

[Epek]

I'm going to disneyworld at 7 months and considering bringing my hubby's backpacking stool with us (should store under daughters stroller) so that I have a guaranteed spot to sit if needed! I also like the suggestion of bringing some compression socks. Is there a specific brand you recommend?

No specific brand. I got some free from a baby event I had gone to a few weeks prior, and then picked up another pair at CVS or Walgreens. I cannot remember, but I know I looked up the basic pressure I'd need. What they sell at drug stores is good enough if your blood pressure is in the normal range for pregnancies. Plus, I only was going for two days, so I figured I didn't need to spend a ton of money on them!

 

[Drusilla99]

I've been pregnant, I've been not pregnant, I've taken brand new babies, I've tried to keep up with teenagers, & I've done the 24 hour day and my go to day or night for some shut eye is the village haus restaurant in fantasyland. You can go inside for the air conditioning if it's hot, or stay outside for fresh air & people watching. I can fall asleep easily, so I just get a table that backs up to the restaurant, put my feet up, and out I go! They also have a drinking fountain with cool water inside to refill any water bottles & there's a restroom right outside. Have fun.