Rather be six months pregnant at WDW or have a six month old baby at WDW?

[Desnik]

I went to WDW at 3mo pregnant and took my DD when she was 9mo old. I don't think I would ever go while I was pregnant again. For my first pregnancy I was sick for 6mo straight and at WDW that was not pretty!! My second pregnancy I miscarried at 6wks. I am 6wks pregnant now and we were planning a trip in Nov before we found out we were expecting. Now we are going to go in Oct.2003. You just never know what is going to happen so I would say wait till your baby is here and then plan accordingly. I do have to say I loved taking my daughter when she was 9mo, she was looking at everything with wide eyes and big smiles. It was so magical watching her(and still is at 41/2yr.old!!) She slept alot and it was easy feeding her. It did slow us down, but we go often so it didn't bother us. Do what you think is best for you and your family and good luck baby making!!!

 

[madge]

I went to WDW when I was 3 months pregnant, 6 months pregnant, and when our daughter was 8 months old and 10 months old. they were all different trips. I was able to enjoy things more when I was 3 months pregnant than when I was 6 months pregnat, simply becuase the weather wasn't as hot and I wasn't as uncomfortable. the trip when my daughter was younger was easier becuase she wasn't as mobile...none was better than the other, just different.

I think the idea of going in January it a good one, but so is waiting. either way is definitely doable. good luck!

 

[Susanne]

I'll be about 6 months along when I go in September. I travelled at 5 months during my first pregnancy (to Las Vegas, in JUNE, if you can believe how hot that was!) and had a great time. I think I had more energy than DH!

So, I'm not worried at all about travelling this time. But, I do have easy pregnancies, and feel great now, even after chasing my almost 2-yr old around all day. I'm also not all wound up about going to the parks every day. I'm planning to spend a lot of time hanging out at the Poly pool, seeing Cirque du Soleil, and maybe hitting the parks on 2 of our 6 days. Let's not forget a bit of shopping too!

Good luck!

Susanne

p.s. I guess I should conclude by saying that I'd rather go when pregnant rather than with an infant. I travelled extensively with my DS from the age of 4 months; he was pretty fussy and didn't like his stroller at all. Made for some very long days of lugging him around. Perhaps #2 will be different?

 

[Bobrow]

Eight years ago I planned and planned our trip to WDW,couldn't wait to bring my then 3 and 5 yr old boys. Aweek before the trip,(I was 5 months pregnant),I almost miscarried. I was more upset about not being able to go to Disney than almost losing the baby. The following year we all went when he was about 6 months old. I couldn't imagine ever considering going without him! He was the final part to our family. Even though he has no memories of the trip,it wouldn't have been the same without him. He was so easy and loved all the lights and activities and some of the rides. Now he's 7 and we leave tomorrow. Can't wait to see his face when he sees Disney this time! Good Luck with what ever you do

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Not a happy post to think about but my DS was born at 24 weeks. We were at home, but if he had been born two weeks latter we would have been on vacation. I was a long terrible hospital stay but I can't imagine it if we had been a 1000 miles away. Before DS was born I would never have hesitated to go anywhere pregnant. Also something to check is to be sure your insurance will cover you and the baby if it would be born out of your service area. Most do not! I think I would vote for when the baby is 6mo old though I think a last trip alone with DD would be lovely.

 

[jfranklyn]

Well, thanks everyone for scaring me to death! We're going to WDW next month when I will be 26 weeks pg. The trip was planned in advance of the pregnancy, but honestly I never thought of cancelling. We are driving, so I don't worry about the flying thing. We are also pretty much regulars down there, so the thought of not going on the thrill rides doesn't bother me at all. I had certainly planned on taking it really easy and slow, as we have a 4 year old anyway and don't move too fast. I guess I figure if I can take sleeping in a tent for a week last week, I can stand a week at WDW - at least there will always be a bed and a bathroom!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Sorry jfranklyn,

I didn't mean to scare you or anyone else. 99% of the time everything goes fine. Just wanted to offer my experence so one could make in informed choice. Before DS I would have gone in a heartbeat. BTW. DS though, tiny for a very long time, grew into healthy wonderful kid and taking him on his first trip to WDW was like a dream come true. Enjoy your trip and don't worry!!

Jordan's mom

 

[Callahanjen]

If it were me (I've been through 2 pregnancies but never traveled during..........) I'd go once I had the baby. You really never know how you're going to feel pregnant. You could have one really easy pregnancy and another difficult one. I guess it really depends on the person. I definitely wouldn't want to be away from home if I wasn't feeling well. You probably won't know how you'll feel until you're right in the midst of it! Good luck with your decision.

 

[kileybeth]

isn't everyone here great? all of these responses are so encouraging and helpful!

I've never been with anyone under 2yr. old but have been at 6 months pregnant on one trip. it was nice to actual slow down and enjoy some of the shows and magic that you can miss when you are racing around grabbing fast passes and trying to hit every good ride available. I will say though, heat does wipe you out, we've always gone in the cool weather months and still been able to relax in the pool at the end of day.

but what you might actually do. . . hehehe is buy AP's and go both times and not worry about fitting it all in either time! you are so right about needing a nice vacation after those first 6 months with a newborn! all of my little ones were super geat travelers as infants and toddlers though, I think we demanded it of them though! and no, I don't have a tv/vcr combo in the car and yes, we travel 20 hours in a car to get there!

enjoy whatever you decide! 5 years old has been our favorite age to take ours.. . who are now 20, 15, 10, 7 and I'm expecting on Valentines Day 2003! what a suprise!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

and for me, if I knew then what I know now, I'd have skipped the trip when I was 2 mos pregnant. The all day morning sickness kicked in just as we were going on the trip and it really wasn't a lot of fun for me. I was tired and sick a lot of the time.

We also went when my DD was 9 mos old and it was EASY. She was content to ride or sleep in her stroller. It was easier than last trip as a toddler!

Good luck whatever you decide!

 

[doggy]

Here is just some more thoughts..

If you go when you are PG and have had no trouble with it before the trip, things should go very well...On the flip side wait until after your baby comes and leave your baby with grandparents and everyone will have fun...The grandparents will enjoy their time and you and your family will have fun too...

Please really give long consideration before you go to Disney with any child smaller than 3 years old...I know this has been debated long and hard before, but I have never regreted waiting to take our kids for their first trip to Disney until they were at the very least 3 years or even better 4 years old....The kids simply need their rest before those ages and will only end up getting everyone tired and cranky...I the child simply does not remember anything about the trip. Remember the trip is for all of the family not just one of them to remember....

 

[doggy]

Here is just some more thoughts..

If you go when you are PG and have had no trouble with it before the trip, things should go very well...On the flip side wait until after your baby comes and leave your baby with grandparents and everyone will have fun...The grandparents will enjoy their time and you and your family will have fun too...

Please really give long consideration before you go to Disney with any child smaller than 3 years old...I know this has been debated long and hard before, but I have never regreted waiting to take our kids for their first trip to Disney until they were at the very least 3 years or even better 4 years old....The kids simply need their rest before those ages and will only end up getting everyone tired and cranky...I the child simply does not remember anything about the trip. Remember the trip is for all of the family not just for one of them to remember it....

 

[Jen D]

isn't everyone here great? all of these responses are so encouraging and helpful!

You said it for me! Everyone has been great!

Doggy-- thanks for the input, and I know this is an old debate. To me, it goes without saying that the Disney trip when the baby is six months old is not for the baby at all, but for the parents and in our case, the older sibling. However, I guess I just don't feel a Disney trip is that much of a hardship on an infant. I traveled quite a bit with my last infant, and most of her favorite activities at that age-- nursing, sleeping, and filling her diaper-- could be done as easily as one place as another. It's not really about Disney so much as it is taking a hard-earned vacation for the family. For us, leaving the baby with someone else is not really an option, and we're not going to put off vacations until every member of the family is guaranteed to remember it. (OT but I've never understood the thing about vacations being about "building memories" anyway-- for me they are about being in the moment. )

As for young kids needing their rest-- I hear ya-- I need mine too, and think Disney, like everything-- should be taken in moderation.

 

[Katiebug]

I vote to go with the baby!

We thought about going when I was pregnant with our 2nd dd but there is no way I could have handled it. All that walking would have killed my feet and I was just soooo tired. Plus you can't go on hardly any of the rides.

At least with the baby, you can do a baby swap for most of the rides. Six months is a good age for traveling too.

Your other option is to go now before you get pregnant!!!

And then go again after the baby is born!!!

Good Luck,

Katiebug

 

[jwfla422]

If it were me I would go with the being 6 months pregnant. We did go when I was 6 months pregnant with my now 4 yr old dd. Couldn't imagine bringing her when she was 6 months, she was high maintenance when she was a baby. Couldn't imagine bringing her and a 6 month old (if we were to have another) unless the baby was very "easy" going.

We went in May when I was 6 months pregnant when it's much warmer. December or January is a much more comfortable time of year (even if it's cold).

 

[The Disney Bunch]

Anyway as long as I was at Disney!!!!

Actually I will get the pleasure of experiencing both sort of- I was there with my twins who were not quite 10 months in November, 2001 & we will be there in October when I will be 4 months pregnant. That trip I am more apprehensive about - mainly because I don't know how I will be handling this pregnancy. Hopefully I will be fine and not visiting all the bathrooms!!

 

[AimeeM]

I went to Myrtle Beach and Charleston when I was 6 months pregnant last year. My pregancy was 'easy', but I was miserable most of the time. I was huge ( the baby was 10.9 at birth!!!) and I was sooo swollen. I cant imagine walking through Disney at that stage in a pregnancy. I was uncomfortable SITTING on the beach with my feet up. We go to Disney off season, and it can still get hot in January!! It was in the 80's when we were there this year. I took the baby to Disney this past January and he was a perfect angel!! He was 3.5 months old then. He didnt slow us down at all. When he needed changed or fed, I went and did that at the baby centers, while the other 2 kids went on the rides with grandma and daddy! The baby slept a lot in the stroller and went on many of the rides too! IT was great having him there. No, he wont remember being there, but "I" will remember it. He was perfect. I cant imagine ever leaving my baby at home while I went vacationing!

 

[Aly]

You should go with the baby! it is easier then going with the baby when they can walk. Then it just gets harder. You have to keep track of him/her cause now they can walk off. And when I was 2 i got lost in an elevator. SO it is really harder if he/she can walk. Besides when they are little they pretty much sleep and eat.Besides you can dress them up in little costumes and everyone will awwwwwwwwwww.

 

[zurgswife]

Never went pregnant but did take a 3month old and the family had a great time....younger infants I think are easier to manage because they stay in the stroller .....

 

[disvaclub92]

I did both. I was pregnant (six months) during the summer <never do that>. DH and I would go to the park in the morning, return around 1:00 and both of us would pass out till at least 5:00. Best part about sleeping was that it would thunderstorm during that time.

The next year, we brought DD - 7 months along, and it was great she had a blast. Meeting the characters with costume faces, was not her thing, but princesses were.

The following year, pregnant again (six months), with a 1 1/2 year old. Not a good idea, she was in severe terrible twos. It is funny now when we look at the video, but boy was she miserable.