Vacation tips for an expecting mom

[jillybeene71]

We will be heading to Disney for thanksgiving...while planning we were hit with a little surprise. My daughter is expecting! We are excited, but now we have to plan around this. I was curious, aside from the obvious things she cant ride, what else shouldnt she do...or what should she definately do. She'll be around 24 weeks. Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[calzo]

I was 26 wks pregnant when we went last October. Tip #1 (and the obvious): Rest often & drink plenty of fluids. Concerning rides, she can ride any of the rides like Peter Pan, Dumbo, Haunted Mansion & should avoid the coaster rides (again, obvious), but I have to say that I rode Splash Mountain. I've ridden it lots before so I knew what to expect. TheCMs didn't say anything, but i don't know if they even realized I was pregnant. There are lots of rides she'll be able to enjoy.

Have a great trip! We're headed back in 2 wks & will be taking my 8 month old son this time!

 

[jillybeene71]

Thanks!! Enjoy your trip with the little one...Next Thanksgiving when we go back it will be with an 8 month old also. Please let me know how that went, even if you have to send me a PM.

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I always feel so sorry for the very obviously pregnant moms walking around Disney. I would not have been able to do it myself. I am not a happy person when I am hot, so add pregnancy to it and I am no longer human. I think it will obviously be important for her to rest and maybe get a scooter if she needs it. I got a pregnancy injury once when I went to Amish country for a retreat and walked too much. Split my pubic bone. Yep. It was not fun. Anyway, walking aside, as long as she braces herself while on things like Splash Mountain, she should be fine. I don't know if I would have done that one or not. I can't say. There are so many easy rides that she should have fun still. Good luck!

 

[antree]

I was 6 mos pregnant when I went, all went fine I had no problems and held no one back. When they were on rides I took advantage of shopping or just sitting and snacking The only thing that happen, was at the end of our trip I noticed how swollen my feet and ankles were. Thankfully it was our last day. We were driving home so I kept me feet up on the dash because they hurt a lot and did for days after we got home. So just be prepared for swollen feet and have different shoes to change in to just in case they swell too much. Have fun and congratulations!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

I was 6 mos pregnant when I went, all went fine I had no problems and held no one back. When they were on rides I took advantage of shopping or just sitting and snacking The only thing that happen, was at the end of our trip I noticed how swollen my feet and ankles were. Thankfully it was our last day. We were driving home so I kept me feet up on the dash because they hurt a lot and did for days after we got home. So just be prepared for swollen feet and have different shoes to change in to just in case they swell too much. Have fun and congratulations!

My feet and ankles swell and I've never been pregnant at WDW!!!!

 

[Princess Vespa]

I went during both my pregnancies, once at 22 weeks with my son and than at 32 weeks with my daughter. Both were fine. Just tell her to keep hydrated and were very comfortable shoes. I had a great time, just sitting on the bench when my family went on Splash and Space. There is still a lot you can do pregnant, so I am sure she will still have a great time. The only thing was I could not even watch my family on the Teacups, just watching it completely made me ill, so she may want to avoid that, Lol!

 

[KatieRach]

We just returned a couple weeks ago from a trip and I was 22 weeks at that time. The most important advice (as pp have said) is to stay hydrated! I didn't and had the pleasure of spending some quality time in the ER. So, even if she thinks she is drinking enough water, drink more.
The ride that I most missed being able to do was the safari ride at Animal Kingdom (it jostles you around too much). At that park, I also skipped Everest and the Kali Rapids. At MK, I skipped all three Mountains, but everything else was fine, EPCOT I skipped Fast Track and Mission Space. At Hollywood Studios, I skipped Rockin' Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, Star Tours. Despite not being able to enjoy all the rides, I think this was our best trip to Disney. I really enjoyed the other rides and I spent more time in the shops while DH and DS rode those that I couldn't. Additionally, I allowed myself to enjoy more of the Disney treats that I would usually limit when I wasn't preggo!!
Disney is always a great place to be--including while expecting! Enjoy the trip!

 

[Blackbeltdisneygirl]

This last post made me think about the emergency rooms near Disney. I wonder how many people they get every year experiencing some kind of issue whilst on vacation at WDW. I should've gone on our last trip (I was NOT expecting!!!) b/c I was so sick. I got ill on about our 7th day of our 11 day trip. I allowed myself one day off to rest then my husband had to push me in a wheelchair b/c I didn't have the energy to walk the world showcase. I got off the plane on day 11 and headed straight to the ER. Off subject, but I wonder if the nurses and docs at the ER are like "Oh, another one of those Disney overdoers!!!"

 

[BW0922]

I was 24 weeks pregnant last Thanksgiving. Besides staying hydrated take a break when needed. Don't overdue it. I felt great the entire time and was chasing around a 2 year old. Great time of the year to go while pregnant. I skipped all the major rides but did ride the safari. Cast members placed me and my family in the front rows so I would not be bumped around.

My only other tip is to be sure to pick up something for the new little one. For both of my kids we purchased a onesie from the park for the year that they were both in and took a picture around 3 months old with a stuffed Mickey. By Thanksgiving all the 2012 merchandise was out. This last time to we purchased a pink stuffed minnie that plays lullabies. I had just thought it was adorable. Turns out it is one of my daughters favorite things. Who knew!

Enjoy your trip and have fun!!

 

[matt and beth]

The parks are set up like a hub and spoke. Do not under any circumstances go from end to end. Your dogs will certainly be barking. Start in one favorite location on the map and work your way around in a gigantic circle. You will get more done this way because there will be less walking. Also, you will get to sit more frequently that will help rest those legs and sit in the air conditioning to cool off.

Have fun!

 

[jillybeene71]

thanks everyone!!
I was wondering about the safari...she wants to go on it. luckly her doc and his wife are good friends of ours and have been to Disney recently. He gave us yes's and no's for each ride we asked about...he said it was up to her for the safari depending on how she felt (she had a very rocky first tri). This is gonna be a big change from the "wake up early go to bed late" we are used to.

 

[Crystal824]

I did the safari when I was 30 weeks. There is a warning sign that says not to do it when pregnant. I agreed with all the other warnings and did not do those rides. I had been on the safari many many times prior and knew it was no worse than driving on my in-laws street during the winter here in PA so I did it. If she does it, sit in the front. It is way less bumpy there. My other tips are just stay hydrated and rest if she needs it.

I was fine at WDW. I experienced alot of swelling but that was an issue every at home. For the most part, I had an easy uncomplicated pregnancy overall.

 

[ElenaRN]

I went last year around this time. I was around 23 weeks pregnant.

My feet def hurt a lot more than normal. I was a little more intolerant of the heat.

The main thing, was that I felt like I was moving in Slo-mo. Usually H & I zip around the park... well not this trip!

BTW I got a really cute Tshirt I wore to MK. It said "Embrace the bump" on the front with a pair of mickey hands. Then on the back it a pic that looks like Mickey has his arms wrapped around your big preggo belly.
I got so many comments on that shirt.

 

[jillybeene71]

I went last year around this time. I was around 23 weeks pregnant.

My feet def hurt a lot more than normal. I was a little more intolerant of the heat.

The main thing, was that I felt like I was moving in Slo-mo. Usually H & I zip around the park... well not this trip!

BTW I got a really cute Tshirt I wore to MK. It said "Embrace the bump" on the front with a pair of mickey hands. Then on the back it a pic that looks like Mickey has his arms wrapped around your big preggo belly.
I got so many comments on that shirt.

the shirts sounds cute...did you make or buy it? I would love to surprise her with one. We already have one that says 'Addisons first trip" with an arrow pointing to her belly, but Im sure she would love this one.

 

[Hootch]

with our first when he was three years old and my wife was 24 weeks. The biggest change we made was booking at the Contemporary. We knew with a three year old we would spend more time at the MK then other parks. We walked back to the hotel one night when the monorail line was long and it shortened our transit time for midday breaks.

Disney has opportunities to sit down in each park while enjoying attractions whether it's Mickey's Philharmgic and Tomorrowland Transit Authority in the MK, Ellen's Universe of Energy and Spaceship Earth in Epcot, the Great Movie Ride and Muppets in DHS or It's Tough to Be a Bug in DAK.