Sept trip while heavily pregnant- am I crazy?

[BriannaRuth]

Not speaking to the COVID issue here, because that is a choice everyone has to make for themselves. However, if you do decide to go, you might think about getting an ECV. I had to use one a couple years ago when I sprained my ankle right before our trip. It was great. They are super easy to use and would help keep you from getting overly tired.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

So. First and foremost, talk to your OB and your son’s pediatrician regarding the covid risks/concerns/etc.

Taking covid completely out of the picture, I visited the parks quite frequently with my almost 4 year old son while pregnant with my second son. We were annual passholders and lived about 45 minutes away. It was definitely harder, especially as my pregnancy progressed, and especially because my pregnancy was high risk and somewhat physically difficult. (Side note: I visited the parks with my OB’s blessing!)

That said, I loved all my visits! It was very special “final alone time” with my firstborn. I cried on many occasions toward the end. I had to take things VERY slow and do DL differently. Neither my son nor I minded. We ate tons of treats and snacks, rode the train and IASW and watched lots of shows (too bad those aren’t happening now). We loved it all! Our last visit was 12/9 and baby brother was born on 12/29 (three weeks early!).

If you’re local you will know it will probably be very hot. That is rough when in you’re third trimester. Personally for me, there was no way could do more than one full day in my third tri. And it was actually not a full day. More like 6-8 hours max. But I did do a DLH stay in November when I was 8 months pregnant. We did two short days and pool time. But as I said, I had a physically difficult pregnancy the second time. You might consider only two days, with DL one day, and rest/pool then OBB the next day.

Anyway, only you will know if it’s right for you and your family. I loved it, but then again there was no covid. I definitely don’t think it’s an automatic “you’re crazy, you will be miserable” because I didn’t feel that way physically, covid aside, of course. I loved our visits while I was pregnant.

Last visit before baby was born:


First visit for baby brother at 4 weeks old:

 

[WishUponAStar3]

I still think you are cray-cray for #1, being well along in a pregnancy, and #2, wanting to take unvaccinated children to Disneyland, but you do you. That is gonna be both a MISERABLE and dangerous situation.

To be fair though, we booked this weeks ago, before the Delta variant was a thing and case numbers were so out of control. We would not have booked it if things were what they are now. And pregnancy-wise, I'm fine with taking it slow and letting my husband and son run ahead and do a lot more rides, plus we live close enough to home if we needed to get back for some reason. But as it stands now, with case numbers so bad, we will likely end up canceling. Does anyone know if the dollar value of unused OBB tix can be used towards park tickets later on?

 

[smartlabelprint]

To be fair though, we booked this weeks ago, before the Delta variant was a thing and case numbers were so out of control. We would not have booked it if things were what they are now. And pregnancy-wise, I'm fine with taking it slow and letting my husband and son run ahead and do a lot more rides, plus we live close enough to home if we needed to get back for some reason. But as it stands now, with case numbers so bad, we will likely end up canceling. Does anyone know if the dollar value of unused OBB tix can be used towards park tickets later on?

I read they cannot. Read your tickets.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

We had APs when I was pregnant with my youngest and went frequently, probably until I was 8 months along (I was due in Sept, so it was summer). My older daughters were 6 and 3 and enjoyed these visits a lot. We were less than an hour from the park, so knew we could get back relatively quickly if needed.

Take a big water bottle and refill frequently, take lots of breaks. We did lots of snack breaks and restaurant meals, and I was able to enjoy most of the rides my 3YO was interested in - and would send my 6YO off with dad for the “big kid” rides.

I’m only weighing in on the “while pregnant” side, because you’ll need to decide on the covid side on your own based on your comfort level and how things evolve. You could also talk to your OB/GYN if that would help with your decision.

I like that you are not telling your son yet- this gives you time to see how you are feeling and see how the situation evolves.

Thank you so much for this great feedback! We are leaning toward canceling because of the rising COVID numbers, but I will definitely talk to my OBGYN and pediatrician first- if things miraculously get better before September and/or if they are ok with it, I would be thrilled to go!

How did you do with the summer heat at 8 months pregnant? I'm good with heat in general, being from LA, but wasn't sure if it's that much harder to deal with while pregnant? (My son was born in May, so I missed the whole summer-pregnancy thing last time!)

 

[WishUponAStar3]

So. First and foremost, talk to your OB and your son’s pediatrician regarding the covid risks/concerns/etc.

Taking covid completely out of the picture, I visited the parks quite frequently with my almost 4 year old son while pregnant with my second son. We were annual passholders and lived about 45 minutes away. It was definitely harder, especially as my pregnancy progressed, and especially because my pregnancy was high risk and somewhat physically difficult. (Side note: I visited the parks with my OB’s blessing!)

That said, I loved all my visits! It was very special “final alone time” with my firstborn. I cried on many occasions toward the end. I had to take things VERY slow and do DL differently. Neither my son nor I minded. We ate tons of treats and snacks, rode the train and IASW and watched lots of shows (too bad those aren’t happening now). We loved it all! Our last visit was 12/9 and baby brother was born on 12/29 (three weeks early!).

If you’re local you will know it will probably be very hot. That is rough when in you’re third trimester. Personally for me, there was no way could do more than one full day in my third tri. And it was actually not a full day. More like 6-8 hours max. But I did do a DLH stay in November when I was 8 months pregnant. We did two short days and pool time. But as I said, I had a physically difficult pregnancy the second time. You might consider only two days, with DL one day, and rest/pool then OBB the next day.

Anyway, only you will know if it’s right for you and your family. I loved it, but then again there was no covid. I definitely don’t think it’s an automatic “you’re crazy, you will be miserable” because I didn’t feel that way physically, covid aside, of course. I loved our visits while I was pregnant.

Last visit before baby was born:

View attachment 595319
First visit for baby brother at 4 weeks old:

View attachment 595320

Omg these are the most beautiful pix!! Side-note, you looked amazing for being just a few weeks away from delivery. I am currently 26 weeks and look like I'm 9 months! Really hoping I go back to normal soon after I deliver!

This is such great advice, and yes, the thing I was really looking forward to was the special final alone time with my son before his baby sister joins the family. That's also why I'd planned on 3 park days (even though we live in LA and usually come for just a day) so we could take things really slow or do more like half-days without feeling like we're missing out. The Covid of it all is just really throwing everything off!! However, I think before officially canceling I will keep waiting to see if numbers get any better + talk to my OBGYN and pediatrician.

Thanks again for the super helpful advice!!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Omg these are the most beautiful pix!! Side-note, you looked amazing for being just a few weeks away from delivery. I am currently 26 weeks and look like I'm 9 months! Really hoping I go back to normal soon after I deliver!

This is such great advice, and yes, the thing I was really looking forward to was the special final alone time with my son before his baby sister joins the family. That's also why I'd planned on 3 park days (even though we live in LA and usually come for just a day) so we could take things really slow or do more like half-days without feeling like we're missing out. The Covid of it all is just really throwing everything off!! However, I think before officially canceling I will keep waiting to see if numbers get any better + talk to my OBGYN and pediatrician.

Thanks again for the super helpful advice!!

Ha ha, it’s all about the angle! Those photopass photographers are so good at that!

I’m pretty sure you’ll lose everything on the OBB tickets, so why not just wait and see how things are and how you feel a week or so ahead of time? I don’t think there’s any reason to cancel far in advance?

 

[LilyJC]

Does anyone know if the dollar value of unused OBB tix can be used towards park tickets later on?

YMMV on this… There are reports that they are telling guests at WDW that the price of the Boo Bash tickets can be applied to future tickets for those who are canceling. Different coasts, but CA cases are soaring as well. It’s definitely worth pursuing if you decide to cancel IMO

 

[kristensideaoffun]

Ha ha, it’s all about the angle! Those photopass photographers are so good at that!

I’m pretty sure you’ll lose everything on the OBB tickets, so why not just wait and see how things are and how you feel a week or so ahead of time? I don’t think there’s any reason to cancel far in advance?

I agree. Hold on to your OBB plans for now. If there is one thing about this pandemic I’ve learned, it’s that things can go from terrible to semi-okay (and vice versa) in a matter of weeks. There is no way to know what things will look like mid-September, so I think you should wait and see.

Also, a heat and pregnancy note, stay hydrated. I wore a light camelbak with a hose/nozzle that I could slip under my mask to drink. I am positive this is what kept me from pooping out early in the day. We also took a swim break at the pool during the hottest part of the day.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

I agree. Hold on to your OBB plans for now. If there is one thing about this pandemic I’ve learned, it’s that things can go from terrible to semi-okay (and vice versa) in a matter of weeks. There is no way to know what things will look like mid-September, so I think you should wait and see.

Also, a heat and pregnancy note, stay hydrated. I wore a light camelbak with a hose/nozzle that I could slip under my mask to drink. I am positive this is what kept me from pooping out early in the day. We also took a swim break at the pool during the hottest part of the day.

Thank you so much! Yeah, that is what I am hoping for- that things will take a sudden turn for the better Covid-wise, and it won't seem so crazy for us to go!

 

[StormyCA]

Honestly, I wouldn't want to be pregnant at DL even at the best of times. But that part of it is an individual choice in consult with one's OB. With Covid, especially Delta, it would be a hard NO for me no matter how much money we might lose on OBB. At least with unused tickets you know they retain their value towards new ones at a later date. If we were local I might tell DH to go ahead and take the other child(ren) but that I was staying home.

As far as OBB tix, I'd call DL and explain your specific situation stressing the possible risks involved. Maybe don't ask for a straight up refund, but for credit towards future tickets or perhaps towards another special event/next year's OBB. If they say no refund/no credit I'd ask to be bumped up the line and keep asking until you get the answer that works for you. It would be bad PR for Disney if word got out that they refused to work with a pregnant woman who felt it was too much of a risk to be at DL during a crowded special event.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback!! Just wanted to run my new game plan by you (before I run it by the OBGYN and pediatrician, of course). Since it seems like the aspect of the trip that most people are reacting with a hard no to is going on crowded park days (as opposed to the lighter crowds of OBB) I went ahead and canceled my Westin Anaheim reservation for the 2 nights/3 park days, and instead booked Disneyland Hotel for just the night of OBB, with a few nights at a resort in San Diego beforehand. (So that we still give our son a special trip if things get even worse with Covid and we have to cancel Disney altogether.) Then, provided things don't get markedly worse with the pandemic, we'd plan to JUST do CA Adventure and OBB on Sept 9th- which I can't imagine being any more rigorous or uncomfortable pregnancy-wise than the prenatal Peloton workouts I've been attempting to do! And since my 4-year-old is in preschool, I would think having him masked at an outdoor event with controlled crowds is no more risky? (Though I will ask the pediatrician about that.) To keep the magic going on Friday, we'd do pool time and Trader Sam's (if we can get a reservation!) and shop at Downtown Disney, hopefully giving us just enough of a Disney fix until we can come back again post-baby and post-pandemic!

Does this seem like a sensible solution? Thanks so much again!

 

[robinb]

You know what it’s like to be 8-months pregnant. I remember too. There is no way I would do any amusement park at 36 weeks. Add Covid to the mix with my 4-year old and my own big pregnant self possibly getting sick? That’s a hard no for me.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

You know what it’s like to be 8-months pregnant. I remember too. There is no way I would do any amusement park at 36 weeks. Add Covid to the mix with my 4-year old and my own big pregnant self possibly getting sick? That’s a hard no for me.

I’ll actually be 30 weeks- I wouldn’t consider it at 36 weeks either! But being 2 months from my due date seemed feasible, especially now that it would just be for OBB. The Delta variant is more my concern though- definitely eager to get my pediatrician’s take on whether my son would be safe enough in his N95!

 

[gelatoni fan]

Thanks to all of you for your feedback!! Just wanted to run my new game plan by you (before I run it by the OBGYN and pediatrician, of course). Since it seems like the aspect of the trip that most people are reacting with a hard no to is going on crowded park days (as opposed to the lighter crowds of OBB) I went ahead and canceled my Westin Anaheim reservation for the 2 nights/3 park days, and instead booked Disneyland Hotel for just the night of OBB, with a few nights at a resort in San Diego beforehand. (So that we still give our son a special trip if things get even worse with Covid and we have to cancel Disney altogether.) Then, provided things don't get markedly worse with the pandemic, we'd plan to JUST do CA Adventure and OBB on Sept 9th- which I can't imagine being any more rigorous or uncomfortable pregnancy-wise than the prenatal Peloton workouts I've been attempting to do! And since my 4-year-old is in preschool, I would think having him masked at an outdoor event with controlled crowds is no more risky? (Though I will ask the pediatrician about that.) To keep the magic going on Friday, we'd do pool time and Trader Sam's (if we can get a reservation!) and shop at Downtown Disney, hopefully giving us just enough of a Disney fix until we can come back again post-baby and post-pandemic!

Does this seem like a sensible solution? Thanks so much again!

I personally would avoid taking an unvaccinated child anywhere, whether it was a hotel pool where people generally don't wear masks or a resort in San Diego. I was more thinking that you might as well go to OBB because you've already paid for it but should avoid all other travel unless you were going to a deserted place with no other people or something.

But it kind of seems like you really want to do some kind of trip so this at least seems a bit safer than several days at Disneyland.

 

[bex7583]

From a different perspective. I live in the UK and absolutely would go. I think delta is our main strain out here and honestly things are open and " normal"

It's summer holidays, beaches, funfairs , theme parks are packed ( with no masks anymore ) kids are not vaccinated. Honestly I would feel better taking the kids to Disney than I did about them sat unmasked in school classes 6 hours a day .

If it's your second pregnancy then you will be chasing the 4 year old round until you go on to labour anyway, none of that first time mum resting opportunity so you may aswell chase them round Disney rather than the house or back yard.

Enjoy the last trip with your big boy once the baby arrives they will instantly look so much bigger and older XX

 

[Epicnemesis]

I apparently have vastly different risk tolerances than most people on this forum

COVID is statistically less deadly than the flu for children, so unless you avoid theme parks every flu season with your kids, it seems counterintuitive to avoid it now.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I apparently have vastly different risk tolerances than most people on this forum

COVID is statistically less deadly than the flu for children, so unless you avoid theme parks every flu season with your kids, it seems counterintuitive to avoid it now.

I’m surprised by the way the responses on here have skewed. There are certainly plenty of pregnant women and small children at Disney currently.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

I’m surprised by the way the responses on here have skewed. There are certainly plenty of pregnant women and small children at Disney currently.

Thank you, this is reassuring! I was a bit surprised too, especially since one of my doctor friends in Orange County was like, "Go, we aren't seeing little kids get that sick from this." I was honestly more wondering about the pregnancy factor but it seems like a lot of DIS members wouldn't be comfortable due to COVID- which I understand of course! My family has been living in a bubble as much as possible, masking everywhere we go and taking this beyond seriously. (Literally only started seeing vaccinated friends again in May!) But because we live in an apartment complex in LA and are forced to share hallways and elevators with (often unmasked) neighbors, and since my son goes to school, I really wasn't sure that this would be all that much riskier. I often feel safer in resort hotels where masking is more enforced!

ETA: All this feedback really has been helpful though, and I do think we're that much safer with this new plan, so thank you to all DIS members who've responded!!