Double Pregnant at Disney

[q21701]

My wife and I will be travelling to Disney with another couple, and both women are pregnant. We'd love any advice anyone has for visiting Disney while pregnant. We already know we'll need to take it pretty easy and take a lot of breaks.
One thing we're really curious about is what rides the women can and can't do. Obviously, roller coasters and other extreme rides are out. We've looked around on-line a bit, and browsed through the Passporter for Special Needs at our local bookstore, and found restrictions listed for a few rides we weren't expecting, like Kali River Rapids. We don't remember this being very bumpy: is our memory wrong? We also saw that the Pirates ride at DisneyQuest has an advisory on it, which I suppose is because of the moving floor. I thought there was either a handicapped room where the floor didn't move, or else there was an ability to turn off the movement. Is this right?
My wife had suspected that Mad Tea Party would be off-limits, but we didn't see a pregnancy restriction on it anywhere we looked. Does anyone remember seeing a warning for it at the ride?
We'll obviously be going over all of this with our doctor at our next appointment, to see what she says is and isn't allowed and if she has any extra restrictions on us, but it's always best to have plenty of info, especially from others who have been in the same situation. Thanks a lot!

 

[Stitch65]

I went on safari when I was 7 months pregnant...... I was fine. My doctor gave me permission, so I figured it was all good. LOL

Just check with your doc.... I didn't go on Kali thou, I wasn't fond of getting soaked.

 

[Ariel8676]

I have been to WDW pregnant many times..lol. I have gone on anything with no restrictions, i also did Soarin', safari..(i just asked to sit up front),POC, there is a lot you can do. Take it easy, drink LOTS of water..have fun!!

 

[cleo]

Some of the attractions that show cautions for pregnant women are due to reasons that may not be immediately obvious. For instance, the ride vehicle may put the guest in a postion that cuts off free-flowing oxygen to the baby (such as on Splash Mountain, which also has the obvious drop element). They don't put the warnings up without reason, though the reason may not be readily apparent. My own opinion is, believe them when they say it may not be the best choice. Better not to take the risk than to regret it later, god forbid.

That said, most of what's on offer will be perfectly fine for expecting Moms. I rode nearly everything at 2 1/2 months gone. My best advise beyond that is, make SURE they drink more water than they think they might need. That was my biggest mistake, and one I regretted through the long (LONG) 18 hour drive home. Water, rest breaks, and shade. They're a Mom's best friend.

And by the way....Congrats to all 4 of you. All the best for your vacation and for your 'new families'.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Any recent (last three or four years, anyway) edition of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World has a section written by a pregnant visitor to WDW; she points out what she could ride, and what she couldn't or chose not to and why. It's in the same chapter with seniors, solo visitors, disabled travelers and I think honeymooners.

 

[laluna]

Hello. I came back from a trip last month at 20 weeks during my second pregnancy. I love all of the rides but just relied on how I felt as to what I went on. I gave all of the big rides (eg splash, big thunder, space, EE, etc) a miss but enjoyed loads of the kiddie ones with my daughter. Whilst I'm sure that the majority of things would be ok I just dont think its worth the risk. On the advice of a cast member at Blizzard Beach I did go on the family raft ride but didn't really enjoy it.

I just resigned myself that I wouldn't be able to do much this trip and enjoyed a slower pace with lots of people watching!

Have fun.

 

[medicgirl_911]

I haven't yet been to the park, so I have no advice for the rides, but from a nurse's viepoint, drink more water than you are thirsty for (and map out all the pottys ha-ha) but also make sure to eat! Eat several light meals, snack on fruits, nuts, crackers, etc. (Carry some with you so you dont have to wait in lines in case you do get shaky) Your body is very sensitive to blood sugar changes at this time too. Kick those feet up whenever you sit anywhere so you don't swell up so much in your feet and ankles. Sounds like you have some good plans already and are getting some great advice already! I know you will have a great trip!

 

[Robo]

...The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World has a section written by a pregnant visitor to WDW; she points out what she could ride, and what she couldn't or chose not to and why. It's in the same chapter with seniors, solo visitors, disabled travelers and I think honeymooners.

HONEYMOONERS?

What can't THEY ride?
(And WHY?)

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Get the dining plan!

Lori

 

[dzorn]

I agree with the nurse. I worked on admission desk for L & D. Drink plenty of water. If you wait till you feel thirsty you are already dehydrated. Keep feet up as much as possible. Consider going back to the room during hottest part of day and resting with feet up or going swimming. Don't drink soda it does not have the same hydration value as water. The hospital I worked at was very close to a local park. When they had there street fair we would always and a lot of women come in for dehydration.


Denise

 

[Nikel]

Bring lots of sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply very frequently. Whenever I'm pregnant, I burn so easily. A maternity support belt might be a good idea with all the walking. Drink lots of water and carry some small snacks with you.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I also went at 6 1/2 mths along. I was not really that big, all belly. I rode the Safari ride but sat up front. I avoided the obvious rides but also the MTP (inertia factor) and Speedway (size factor, and roughness). On POTC the CM stopped me in line and advised me that there was a drop. I did ride it b/c I knew the drop was not to much. If my 2 yr old was going on it with out a seatbelt I figured it was relatively safe. This was the only time anyone said anything to me about a ride.
Congrats and enjoy the trip!

 

[q21701]

bumped

 

[ppony]

In addition to what others have said, I was hmm, 6-7 weeks PG when I went and my dr. said that I would okay to go on whatever I wanted that early though I could use mym own judgement if something just looked too "wild" and I felt iffy about it which there were some that I did choose not to do like ToT. But my one kind word of advice is if it is hot...PLEASE have an extra dose of compassion for their possible crabbiness. OMG, I was a VERY difficult person when I was hot and tired. my DH was a saint putting up with my attitude! I apologized for months afterwards and still do every now and again. I was a bear! Me PG+heat=BEAR! I also had MUCH less tolerence for stupid and rude people. LOL Definitely make sure they are hydrated and take rests. Have a great time! If all goes according to plan, I'll probably be PG when we go in Dec.

 

[Reese]

I just went on the rides that my 18 months old went on. I did go on the safari ride.
Make sure that she drinks plenty of water also carrying some light quick snacks (granola bars, cheese and crackers) are a very good idea. I know my blood sugar has a tendency to drop rather quick

 

[q21701]

I've been wondering if we should rent a wheelchair for each of them or at least one to take turns in if/when they get tired. Any suggestions on where to go to rent one?

 

[Brave teacher]

I am leaving for WDW next Friday. I had a gr. appt. on Tuesday. My dr. said that if it says that pg women should not ride to use my best jusgement. However, I specifically asked about Kilimanjaro Safaris and Soarin and both were approved rides by my dr. SHe gave the normal guidelines - drink lots of water, take a lot of breaks throughout the day. SHe pretty much said to make sure it was a relaxing vacation and that we were not going to be park commandos. SHe reminded me that whatever I don't get to do, I would be able to do the next time we visit with the new baby. Just go and have a good time!

Megan

 

[SueM in MN]

I've been wondering if we should rent a wheelchair for each of them or at least one to take turns in if/when they get tired. Any suggestions on where to go to rent one?

How pregnant are they? And how active are they normally?
If they are normally very energetic, athletic women they may have no trouble walking around the parks as long as you take it slow and have rest periods.
If they are normally not very active, they may have more trouble and need to rest more.
If they do choose to use a wheelchair, be aware that there are "hazards" associated with sitting in a wheelchair (minor things like leg cramps from sitting in the same position up to major things like blood clots from sitting in one place). If you do choose to use a wheelchair, it would be best to alternate standing/walking and sitting. Some people have used the wheelchair to get from one general area to the next and then walked around to the attractions in that area.

There are wheelchair rental spots in each park (marked on the park maps; the same place you rent strollers). If you decide later in the day that one or both of them need a wheelchair, it should not be a problem to get one.

The official WDW website has Guidebooks for Guest with Disabilities for each park. They do list the rides that WDW feels are not recommended for pregnant women. The rides with precautions are also marked with a red triangle icon on the park maps and with signs when you enter the queue and before boarding.

As was already mentioned, some have really obvious reasons (like Mission Space or Big Thunder Mountain RR). Others, like Splash Mountain, are not so obvious - the ride car is very tight to get into and requires quite a step to get over the side, puts you into an awkward position and from what I have read, the sudden, steep, high speed drop has a potential risk of detatching the placenta from the uterus.
I agree with cleo:

They don't put the warnings up without reason, though the reason may not be readily apparent. My own opinion is, believe them when they say it may not be the best choice. Better not to take the risk than to regret it later, god forbid.

I have a child with a disability and even though I know there was nothing I did that caused her disability, I would feel much worse if I had done things like going on rides that had cautions for pregnancy.

 

[Stitch65]

I've been wondering if we should rent a wheelchair for each of them or at least one to take turns in if/when they get tired. Any suggestions on where to go to rent one?

Geez, wish you were on my trip. I walked and walked and walked. 7 months prego. And I was watching all the little kids when the other adults went to ride the big rides. I will say this though, I think I hit every ice cream cart there was!

 

[Ariel8676]

I personally don't think a wheelchair is necessary. I have been to WDW 8 weeks, 5 mos, and 7 mos pregnant(and i have 2 other children..lol) and never needed or would have even thought to get one. Just drink lots of water and rest.