Need help re: pregnancy and walking around Disney

[TeresaG]

Hi all!


My family (DH, myself and my 2yr old DS) are going to Disney with our good friends and their two daughters next month. We booked the trip knowing I was pregnant but at the time I wasn't having any issues. I've been put on pelvic rest (might be lifted by then, might not) which means I'm not allowed to do any exercising at all.


I plan to talk to my doctor about the upcoming trip and what they recommend. I'm worried they may say I'll need a wheelchair for park days to keep me from walking too much but I'm going to stay hopeful that the whole thing might be lifted by then.


In the meantime, does Disney even rent wheelchairs to pregnant woman? I'll be 17wks when we go. I really don't want to have to cancel our trip.


Thanks for any help!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I would say get a note from your Dr.
But I don't believe they need any kind of "proof" for you to rent a wheel chair.
Congratulations by the way!!!

 

[nessz79]

I would say get a note from your Dr.
But I don't believe they need any kind of "proof" for you to rent a wheel chair.
Congratulations by the way!!!

Make sure you take it easy. It's Disney and wonderful and magic, but concentrate on soaking in the magic. Nothing is worth having something bad happen away from your doctor.

 

[nicki.momof3]

Congratulation on your soon to be baby. Do what the doctor says. You can get a wheelchair if needed. Better to be in a wheelchair regret it later. Rest and enjoy the ride.

Have a great trip

 

[TeresaG]

Thanks everyone! I'll do whatever the doctor says is necessary so long as I don't have to cancel my trip


Is there a place to park the wheelchair while we wait in lines and stuff? (I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, I've never had to deal with this before)

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

You will probably want an ECV(electric cart), that way DH will be free to push DS's stroller and you will drive yourself. ECVs can park just like a stroller, but can actually go through many lines(check a park guide when you arrive). You should check out the Disabilities board for more info on renting an ECV offsite, that makes sure one is available to you and it is also cheaper than day rentals from the parks.

 

[Principessa1284]

Anyone who needs it can rent a wheelchair. I'd also recommend renting an ECV (motorscooter type of thing) if you're worried about someone having to push you, but those can get pricey ($60 a day and you get $20 back when you return it). If you do get a wheelchair, almost all the queues are wheelchair acessable, with the exception of a few at the magic kingdom. They also have a seperate wheelchair entrance if the wheelchairs don't fit in the queue. But mostly if you do have to get a wheelchair, don't worry about it!

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

I had a similar issue when I was 7 months pregnant with our daughter. All was well until about 4 weeks from our trip. I thought we were going to have to cancel (I love Disney but nothing is more important than the health of our baby). My Doc said to just take it easy and get a wheelchair, which we did (poor husband pushed it all over MK). Just take it easy, rest more on the side of caution and drink alot of water..a little more than usual, traveling can make you dehydrated.

Take care..

P.S. We are taking our sweet little girl to Disney for the first time in Sept. of 09

 

[bumbershoot]

Definitely get the ECV instead of the chair. That way you are in charge of moving your own body, and you're not making someone else push you.

When I get pg again, if I have the same problems with my joints that I did with DS and if I decide to go to Disney, I'm just throwing the cost of the ECV rental into the budget, getting it, and not looking back. I never went to Disney while pg, but I was utterly miserable and in awful pain and in danger of falling whenever I walked, and I look back at how ridiculous it was that I didn't get some sort of wheeled transport for daily life during that time.

 

[SueM in MN]

Follow the link in my signature to get to the disABILITIES FAQs thread. In post #2 of that thread, you will find everything you need to know about renting wheelchairs and ECVs, either at the parks or off-site.
You don't need anything to rent one, but if your doctor writes a prescription, it might possibly be partially covered by insurance if you rent from one of the actual medical equipment rental companies listed in the FAQs. This is VERY variable, would depend on your insurance and what they cover under what circumstances and may not be allowed by insurance since you would not need it for 'everyday' activities. It might be worth checking out ahead of time though.

 

[Tinkerbellandfamily]

I wish I had thought about renting an ECV while I was in Disney and pregnant. I kept waking up at night with terrible leg cramps caused by all the walking I was doing. If I am ever pregnant again that is something I will be doing.

 

[Crisgw]

You should be still very comfortable at 17w to walk as you regularly would as long as you are off pelvic rest by the time you go. I was on total bedrest until 19w with my second (history of m/c and had bleeding) and pelvic rest the ENTIRE time ( ) and after I got off bedrest, I did activities as normal.

I plan on being 4-6m pregnant in Sept when we go again and I hope to be doing things as normal

Good luck and have fun!

 

[tinker&belle]

It depends on your health. I went to disneyland at the very end of my 2nd trimester last pregnancy and just ended up needing more potty breaks. I talked to my doctor and their advice to pregnant women was to WALK, WALK, WALK. They said you should take breaks and sit down.

FWIW, I'm a little over 15 weeks now (my ticker is off from my new due date) and I would be perfectly comfortable walking at disney (I'm not in super shape either.) The second trimester is probably the best time to go because you feel the best and have the most energy.

 

[Love Pooh Bear]

I went to Disney a few years ago and needed a wheelchair. Not for being pregnant but I had back surgery 5 wks before we went (honeymoon trip no less). If you decide on getting a regular wheelchair and you are staying on property check with your resort to see if they have any you can use. We stayed at POR and they gave us one to use for our entire trip for free. I don't know if they still do this but it might be worth looking into.
Congrats on the baby and have fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

The second trimester is probably the best time to go because you feel the best and have the most energy.

Oh how I wish that had been true for me.