Going to the parks while pregnant?

[Beca]

Okay, I have a question for all of you "moms" out there. We just recently bought into DVC and are looking to go to WDW in early Dec.

God willing....I hope to be pg at that time So, I would appreciate anyone's advice on "going to the parks when pg" (other than, are you "nuts"? If you know me...you know the answer to that is "YES"!!!)

In addition to being pg, we will also have a three year old dd.

Oh, if all of our "plans" work out, I will be about 5-7 months pg.

Thanks so much!!
Beca

 

[ValerieK]

We went when I was about 4 or 5 months pregnant. Our Ds was 8 at the time. We had a great time. I could not go on very many rides, but took lots of stupid pictures! We went in the summer so I had to drink lots of water and rest every once in a while. The doctor also told me to eat lots of bananas for energy. It worked. Go and have fun, there is so much more to do then just rides. DH took DS out to the parks and I spent the whole afternoon at WS looking at all the shops. It was nice not having Ds around complaining that he was bored of shopping!

Good Luck on getting pregnant!

 

[tcfdick]

I have been to Disney when I was 5-6 months pregnant and still had a great time. You can still do most of the rides, just not those that have drops (that's most of the thrill rides). I would ask my doctor about rides that are fast but don't have drops, like TT and MS at EPCOT.

With a three year old, you probably would have to use baby swap anyway, so if your DH wants to go on a ride you can't, take your DD to another ride and then meet up when finished. That is exactly what we did when I was preg.

 

[maciec]

I went with my 3yo dd when I was 5 months pg. I found that drinking lots of water was a must and under the belly shorts. I had one pair of shorts with the panel that goes up to your ears and I was soooooo uncomfortably hot! I kept rolling them down so that they were under my belly. Oh, and of course make sure that you have a great pair of walking shoes and be smart about the rides you go on.

Have fun!

 

[Jaklackus]

I am sitting here 31 weeks pregnant wondering how the heck I managed going to Disney 31 weeks pregnant with my first child...lol..I can barely stand long enough to wash a sink full of dishes never mind stand in line for Haunted Mansion. Just be sure to drink lots of water and have lots of snacks on hand, don't be afraid to rent a wheelchair or ECV if need be. Take that afternoon break and utilize benches throughout the park. Make sure you discuss your trip with your OB well ahead of time....make sure your insurance will cover you away from home for pregnancy related complications, check your airline to see if you need a special note from the DR clearing you to fly.

 

[SamanthaL]

I did it 4 months pregnant with our second child. We went in Nov so heat was not as much of an issue. I think you will be very comfortable in Dec. I wore shorts that did reach my waist but no panel. They were just button fly. I found them far more comfortable than the panel kind and they didn't feel like they were falling down like the under belly kind.
I never felt tired or sick the whole time. I ate many little meals instead of 3 big meals and took the whole trip slowly. It turned out to be better because we strolled and relaxed. So enjoyable. i think you will be fine and I would do it again in a minute!

 

[justhat]

I went in October when I was 20 weeks and had a great time. I skipped all the rides that were restricted except for the safari in AK and got up later each morning since I was so exahausted after walking all day. Definitely bring more than one pair of good walking shoes since I found that alternating between 2 pairs helped my feet last longer each day. We took more breaks than we had in the past, but it was nice cause it was a new way to see things, rather than rushing from one attraction to the next like we used to do. Also, having been there in mid-December, the weather should be great, not too hot (I know that was rough for me since all those hormones made me very hot all the time). We also went to Naples, FL when I was about 30 weeks and since we were there to relax at the pool and beach the trip was much slower paced, but I did think to myself that Disney would have been much rougher then since I had to walk lots slower with the baby constantly bouncing on my bladder, plus I had lots of retained water at that point so my shoes were no longer comfortable. So I think if you can time it to be 'less pregnant' when you're there it will be easier for you. Of course, I'll be back in May with my then almost 3 month old daughter and the problems of aching feet and some sleepiness seem mild compared to what I think this trip will be like, unless she decides to start sleeping at night by then!

 

[Vanryan]

I did it! I was 32 weeks pregnant with a 4 and 6 yo. It was great and I have not regretted a moment. (Even when it got to withon 1 degree of breaking the high temp record of 96 degrees!)

 

[zippehsmom]

I did it too!

I was 6 months pregnant with second child and had 3 year old. We went in August so it was really hot, but I had my water bottle and just made sure I had plenty of water.

We took breaks everyday and just slowed down when I needed to (which wasn't often). I teach kindergarten so I was kind of use to chasing kids all over the place, but during the summer I walked everyday to make sure I would not be overwhelmed when we got there.

People thought I was crazy, but I had a wonderful time. It gave me an opportunity to slow down and enjoy things I missed the first time we went.

You'll do great! Enjoy your trip.

zippehsmom

 

[Beca]

Thanks to all for your advice!!! I know this may sound stupid, but I didn't know if I was allowed on ANY of the rides (insurance reasons)! I wasn't planning on riding the Rockin' Roller coaster or anything...but, it will be nice to get to do some of the "kiddie" rides with dd...but, I really didn't know if that was allowed.


Hmmm...now that I think about it....maybe pregnant people should get "reduced rates" on tickets since they can't ride much...you know, just like kids who are too short!! (Okay PLEASE don't flame me on that...I really am just kidding!!!)

Thanks again...I really do appreciate all the advice!! The people on this board are just SO amazing!!!

Beca

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Also did WDW at about 32 weeks pregnant.

Did all of my normal rides that don't have big drops. Did ride POTC, HM, all of the kiddie rides with DS who was 4 1/2 at the time. Passed on the coasters, TOT, Body Wars, Star Tours, etc., anything too bouncy. I also rode the Safari, just braced my feet and lifted my bottom off of the seat when it got bouncy. I figured it couldn't be any worse that the potholes in my town!

One suggestion, if you aren't currently exercising, start walking now. It will make it much easier then! I walked all of WDW in 5 days (including travel). It was a busy trip, but glad I did it when I did.

Two weeks later I told DH that I was glad we had done it before, because in two weeks it had made a huge difference and I could not have done it then.

Good Luck (and have fun) with making that baby!

 

[jlima]

Went to WDW in Nov 99; was 23 weeks. Rented wheelchair in Epcot & ECV in IOA, MK, MGM & AK parks. Tried my best to take it easy and do as little as possible. The most intense ride I did all week was Buzz Lightyear in MK. The week was the best family vacation we had ever taken (until the last morning). We were there Sat - Sat and the last morning when I woke up I thought I was having contractions. I took a Mears shuttle to the Florida Hospital in Celebration, and after the OB on call examined me they gave me 2 injections to stop the contractions and a prescription that we had to find a pharmacy & fill the thing. The Dolphin was sold out & we couldn't get a late checkout, but they gave us a room at the Swan and I sat there all day as our flight wasn't until 8p (while DH & DS went to one of the water parks). This was after trying to get our stuff packed up by 11a while I was supposed to rest all day. It was a nightmare of a day that I'd rather forget. Total charges from the hospital was about $700 and if I recall my insurance covered 60% of it plus I had to pay for the taxi and the prescription + an extra visit to my own OB when I got back home.

I wouldn't do it again. If I'm ever pregnant again I'm not leaving the county I live in.

The worst case would be deliving a premature baby miles away from home in a hospital that may or may not accept your insurance. Do you want to take that risk?

5 - 7 months is 20 - 30 weeks along. I wouldn't do it . . . just my 2 cents.

 

[debm]

I was about 4 months pregnant with our 4th when we went 2 years ago. The only thing the doctor told me was not to go on ANY rides. He said that I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened while getting on and off a ride. (ie the ride car moves and I trip and fall) Of course the obvious rides were forbidden with drops and bumps and centrifigual force. But I was surprised he didn't even want me riding Dumbo. BUT I am only telling you this because of what your doctor MIGHT say. I did NOT do as he said because I could step off a curb in the MK while someone was walking by with their stroller and trip and knock someone over and land in a garbage can. You get the picture. I really quizzed him on what was safe as far as normal activity so I knew what made sense to ride and what not to. I rode all the kiddy type rides and had a great time. You will too! There is never a best time to go to WDW. Just go when you can and have lots of fun!

 

[Alexandra]

Hi I went to the parks when I was 5 months pregnant and was fine I ended up finding all the park bathrooms! Anyway I enjoyed myself my husband and I wanted to have a nice vacation just the 2 of us before our first child. I did space mountain and had no trouble, I didn't do any other rides you're not supposed to when you're pregnant but I had to do space mountain and it's not a rough ride so my hubby and I thought it was safe enough. Hope you enjoy yourself.
Alexandra

 

[karemore]

The Unofficial Guide to Disney had a pretty good section about pregnancy.

It explained why some of the rides are not safe, which was great.

The bars that hold you in place on some of the rides are the danger, not the motion of the ride.

The guide also pointed out that you can use any of the baby stations to rest if you need to.

There aren't that many rides you can't go on, maybe one or two at AK, two or three at EPCOT, 3 at MK, and 3 at MGM......compared to the number of rides and attractions that are available....I'd say there is plenty of fun to be had!!

I wouldn't let the rides be the deciding factor, I'd consider the overall exertion the trip requires.

Karen

 

[Beca]

Thanks...once again...I appreciate all of your advice!!

Karen...I will have to go look for that book!!


Beca

 

[daisylove]

Hi there
I went when we were 3 months and 7 months.We just took it easy. I was great especially for the 7 mo trip. It was the last trip with just my husband and me and I actually just relaxed and saw a lot of the parks that I had not noticed when we were going full commando. Now that DD is almost 5 and we have the stroller and extra bags etc I appreciate the slow pace we took that trip. (even though nothing beats the look on Dd face everytime we go of pure joy) Just be careful and sensible. Sit when you need to, eat when you need to and don't stress. Let DH take care of you on the trip. You will appreciate it when life gets wonderfully crazy after the baby is born. Good Luck!

 

[jaysue]

We went in Mar03 with DW being 6 months pregnant. The trip was a great one for all of us. DW just took it easy as required - had lots of fruit, water and other food as well. She used the pool complex a lot and often I took DS#1 off to the parks and she had some down time.

When she got tired, we would stop and grab something to eat or hang on a bench, and even grab a round trip ride on the resort launches or monorail or steam train to get a breather

thanks
jaysue

 

[llane]

I've done it twice, never rode a restricted ride and didn't feel cheated out of a vacation either time. Put your feet up if you can, drink lots of water, and follow your doctors advice.

Have a fun vacation.