WDW & Pregnant: What would You do?

[HooKooDooKu]

First, let me say hi as this is my first post on the "Parks" side of the boards. I've been on the DIS for quite some time now, but I've spent all my time in the DCL forums.

We've currently got a DCL trip booked for Sept 2006, but DW is now pregnant and we're going to have to cancel (for various reasons I won't go into, rebooking cruise for an earlier or later date currently isn't practical).

What I'm contemplating as a surprise Christmas gift to DW and DS is a short trip to WDW. If we don't go now, I don't think we will ever bother until new D? is about 5yo.

With a new baby on the way, we can't really afford to spend $$$ on a WDW trip, but I'm thinking we could do a short trip during this winter and use the refund of our cruise deposit to pay for most of it. So I'm looking something like driving down on a Sunday, stay at Movie - All Star, use 2 days of hoppers, and drive home Wednesday (any specific suggestions on saving money on a WDW are welcome).

But here's the real question... WDW when you're 3 to 4 months pregnant? In the middle of January? What is this going to be like?

Obviously DW won't be riding any wild rides. I also know that WDW with a 3yo is not ideal. But based on our experience with DS on two DCL trips, I think we'll have fun (if weather isn't bad).

For practical purposes, I currently see it as either we do this brief trip now, or we'll likely not do ANYTHING Disney for another 6 years.

 

[ObsessedwithWDW]

I say GO! I am 8 months pregnant and would have gone up until the 6th month. She'll be HOPEFULLY out of the really tired phase and the weather isn't hot so it would be GREAT! PLUS like you said it would be another 6 years til you go again.....take the 3 year old ONE MORE TIME while they are little!

 

[WDWNicole]

I was 6 months pregnant last December when we went and I had a great time. It took a little longer to walk around, but even by the end of the trip my muscles had adjusted. I just took advantage of the opportunities to sit down when DH and DS went on rides that I couldn't go on. Go and enjoy it. If your wife is anything like me, she'll thank you for the treat before the sleepless nights with the new baby.

 

[Brian Noble]

The second trimester is the best she'll feel for quite some time. Go for it. You won't be riding the more aggressive rides, but there's tons to do.

 

[disnut8]

I was four and a half months, almost five months pregnant the first time I went with my new husband. Many, many years ago. The walking didn't faze me at all. My only advice to you would be to enjoy waiting outside the many, many Disney World bathrooms. My husband said we visited every single one at Magic Kingdom. I don't disagree with him at all. Our trip was also in January.

As for saving money, a few tips from a *cough* frugal person. If you want a sit down meal, go for a lunch instead of a dinner. Eat counter service and split the meals, especially with a three year old. If you don't want a huge meal, look at the kids menus. Take an empty water bottle and fill it around the parks from the water fountains. A Disney World soft pretzel is a great snack for the three of you to share. Good souvenirs for your three year old can be pressed pennies. 51 cents is a great bargain. Or collecting postcards from the different countries at Epcot or the different lands at Magic Kingdom.

Take lots of photos and when you new arrival gets older, make sure you keep showing the pictures, point to your wife's stomach and say "and that's when you first visited Disney World". I do that with my son all the time. He says "funny, but I don't remember it very well".

 

[3littleHalls]

DH and I booked a Disney Cruise for our 10yr anniv. We found out we were pg not long after. Their policy won't allow a very pg woman on the boat, so we changed our ressies for a WDW trip. So, DH, our DD and DS, and my big belly(34 wks) went for a week. I had a great time, I didn't ride any of the questionable rides, but I walked the whole time and wasn't overly tired. We had my OBs clearance to travel. We have only taken younger kids(our oldest was 3 1/2 our first trip three yrs ago) she and the other kids love WDW. This might be a special trip for your soon to be oldest..one last hurrah with mom and dad by themsleves.

 

[dreamalittledream]

I went at 6 1/2 months pg and I had a great time. Sure I didn't get to ride SM or ToT but we went at a slower pace which was great for DD who was 2 1/2 a the time. It was a great pre baby trip that got to focus on having fun as a family.
Just use your common sense, drink lots of H2O and rest in the afternoon and have fun!

 

[Tink215]

I was 4 months pregnant when I went it was over a long weekend and I was getting over morning sickness, still had it sometimes and we went to Epcot, I was a little bummed out i could not ride some things, it was the first year Test Track came out but we still had a great time and boy did I eat and eat!!!!All my pictures of that trip was eating, just make sure you dont over do it and take plenty of water and rest alot.....look go on something then stop and rest, thats what we did.....Good Luck and have fun!!

 

[jbird327]

My wife was 7 months pregnant when we went to WDW. We just took it easy and went back to the room each afternoon for a rest. It was very pleasant. This was in 1986 and we had a package that included all dining (not like the current plan - this had no restrictions) which turned out to be a good deal because she ate like crazy.

 

[NicRI]

Go, have fun and enjoy.

I finally had some energy back by the 4th month. Take many breaks when driving, 2 hrs at a time then a short break is recommended in all the books and MD will advise the same.

It's been a while since I've been to WDW and the hopper pass use to allow a return trip to any park the same day.... (am I showing my age? ) I'm not sure if that is still allowed. But if it is, try to book a nap into the afternoons. It'll be good for all of you. Also will give DS time in the Pool while mom gets some alone time to nap. We call that getting the wiggles out. Off for a quick nap, and eat lunch at hotel.

 

[julia & nicks mom]

I went at 4 months pregnant twice -

with my first pregnancy - I had been sick as a dog and had yet to have a day that I was not vomiting - my one day in the parks was the best I had felt in months - I love Disney so much that I was just totally energized by the whole day -

with #2 we went and had a great time - DD was little so we couldn't ride big rides anyway - we didn't go commando but we had a wonderful time!!

 

[surfer_ed]

we went when Dw was 6 months pregnant and had a great time shopping for baby etc. Obviously Missions Space was out for her but we went with anothe couple that was expecting and the ladies went to the AKL Spa and the guys went on the thrill rides.

It worked out great for us but one word of caution, our friend's wife who was pregnant didn't have as much fun because she went with high expectations about what she coudl and couldn't do...for instance you are not going to see everything in a short trip when you need to take frequent rests and meal breaks.

My advice is go have a great time but set realistic goals.

 

[rngrblu9]

no problem...i say go...we just went to disney in early november for our wedding anniversary & i was just about 5 months pregnant...my back & feet did start to hurt me by the end of the day & i was looking longingly at the wheelchairs but i had a great time...i'm one of those people who love to cram a million things into certain days when i'm in disney for fear that i will miss something...on days like that i just went back to the room & napped for an hour & i was ok for the evening...as long as she is having a normal pregnancy i say go!

 

[crazywig]

go! you will see tons of other obviously pregnant women there!

i've been pregnant on 2 different trips. the first time at 8wks with ds in sept. '01. very hot, i got morning sickness right before we left and this was our first trip together. drank lots of water and rested quite a bit.

went again at 7 months pregnant in june of '04 with a 2yr old in tow. wth was i thinking? just kidding. it was hot. omg, it was hot. we did half days in the parks.

january weather is nice for disney. we're going next month as well!

also i can't see why you wouldn't take your kids to disney for the next 6yrs? unless it's a financial thing. my toddlers (3 & 1) have been going since they were infants and love it! (plus under 3 you don't have to buy them a ticket!)

 

[DisneyMim]

I say go if you can. I went when I was pregnant with my baby (he's 17 now!) with my husband and my young daughter and am so glad we did. Like you we debated over and over if it was right, etc., but in the end we went and had a wonderful time. My daughter still remembers it and like somebody else said my son sees pictures of me pregnant with him and laughs about his "first" trip!! It will be a great time with your older child before baby comes along. Good Luck making the decision and good luck with the new baby!!

 

[surfgirl]

Is she a 'good' pregnant or 'high maintenance' pregnant? (I've had one of each...) In general, the 2nd trimester is the honeymoon time of a pregnancy - not too big, not overtired, over morning sickness...

I went when I was 7 mos. - at the end of my travel window - it was wonderful. Yes, her feet and back will hurt. Yes, she will not be able to ride many rides (if in doubt, I didn't do it). But that's what you are there for. I enjoyed watching our girls' faces light up as we met characters, saw the castle, and rode rides. It was also fun waiting at the end for the blow by blow.

Have fun! Enjoy! Good luck!

 

[The Sweetness]

I suggest you go. I was planning a trip last year. We were supposed to go the first week in June(*05). In Sept last year, I found out that Ariel was on her way, and she would have been 3months at the time of the trip. Not only did we spend our vacation $$ on baby furniture etc etc, I was really afraid of not being able to really fully protect her from the sun.

DD 13 and I were, and still are VERY disapointed about our missed trip, and cannot wait until June*07 when Ariel will be 2, and able to join us. I almost wish it was going to be this June, but I think for her to enjoy this trip, I must wait the extra year.

If you have a chance for one last special trip before the stork arrives, grab it without hesitation.

 

[skent10]

GO! GO! GO!

Seriously, unless your wife was completely ill throughout her last pregnancy, the second trimester will be the best time--over the morning sickness and feeling great, but not so big and tired out like she'll be later.

I went in a December at 7 months pregnant with twins! My OB scowled when I told her, but with a 2yo DD, a 1yo DS and 2 little ones on the way, I figured it would be my last opportunity for awhile (and it was--June 2006 will be our first trip since then). My DH was skeptical, but being in that park absolutely re-energized me. And there were plenty of opportunities to stop and rest on a bench, or in a theatre, or at a restaurant.

Absolutely, unless your DW has a medical history that indicates this may be a difficult pregnancy, GO! GO! GO!

 

[padams]

3yo is an ideal age to go to WDW. The characters and "magic" are real at that age. WDW is a fantastic place to see through a 3 year old's eyes. Go, enjoy, and take lots of pictures.

My younger son loves to see the pictures of the ski trip we took when I was 3-4 months pregnant with him. He insists (correctly, of course, ) that it was his first time skiing.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Go. Belive me your wife will not be the only pregnant women there.

I went pregnant a few times. 32 weeks (this was pushing it, but that is how it worked out. It was fine) 8 week (found out was pregnant a month before the trip. It was really early) Once again, great trip. I was sick as a dog, but when at WDW I felt great. 27 weeks. Great time to go.

I recomend winter when pregnant more then summer. The weather is much more mild. The crowds should be good.

If you can swing it I even recomend a few more days just so you can relax and hang more. Your wife won't want to do a killer pace. The way the tickets currenlty are more days aren't much more as 3 days.

Enjoy yourself. Taking a trip early before the baby is born is a great idea.


Edited to add, I am not sure where you are getting your info from, but 3 year is is a great time to go to WDW. (many people around here feel that way.)
Also, you might find that you don't need to stay home after the baby is born either. It all depends on you.