Pregnancy is a magical time in life. Experiencing that magical time while on a vacation to a theme park, however, might be a bit intimidating. Expectant mamas have enough to worry about while growing a human, so allow me to share some of my best tips for when you are pregnant in the parks! As a mom of two myself, I have experienced Disneyland while pregnant enough to learn the best practices.
Be Prepared
The best way to ensure your trip goes smoothly is to be prepared ahead of time. Whether you’re planning a day trip to a Disney park, or an entire week, having an idea of what you’ll need and what to expect will help mama feel much more at ease!
First thing’s first, make sure to have comfortable shoes! If your trip will last longer than one day, pack multiple pairs, just in case! You will be walking a LOT no matter which Disney park you are visiting, so having sensible footwear is a must. Same goes for clothing. Make sure you will be comfortable all day long, and make sure to avoid anything that may cause chaffing. Trust me on this.
Next, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the app for the park you are visiting. Be sure to download the app to your phone ahead of time so you can play around with it and see how it works. You will utilize this app to see attraction wait times, mobile order some of your snacks and meals, and most importantly, locate the nearest restroom. In a pinch, you can always ask a cast member, but it’s nice to have a handy little helper in your pocket. Pro tip: Companion restrooms are located in a few spots around the resorts and are great for families!
The most important thing to remember while pregnant is that you are eating for two! Did you know Disney allows you to bring your own snacks and drinks on property? So be sure to pack plenty of snacks and a refillable water bottle to keep your body fueled all day long! Quick service restaurants with self-serve soda fountains will allow you to refill your water bottles with ice and water for free.
Restrictions
Next, let’s talk about what the pregnant mama CAN’T do at the Happiest or Most Magical Place on Earth. These restrictions are most likely the biggest concern for expectant mothers. I’m happy to tell you, however, that in reality the amount of attractions a pregnant mama CAN experience is much more than you would think.
The general rule is that if there is a height requirement, it should be avoided. Luckily, Disney parks have more attractions without height requirements, than those with a height requirement. While you can’t enjoy any of the famous Mountains, there’s still plenty to accomplish during your visit.
There are a few attractions without a height requirement that I would warn a pregnant mom to avoid simply due to comfort or lack thereof.
Pirates of the Caribbean, for example, which is what you would consider a very tame boat ride, seems harmless. However, towards the end of the attraction the boats can pile up and bump into each other, sometimes quite aggressively. My six-month bump did not appreciate the turbulence.
In addition to Pirates, spinning attractions tend to be extra nausea-inducing for pregnant mamas. I couldn’t even handle the carrousel when I was pregnant. But the two major spinning attractions I would definitely steer clear of are Mad Tea Party and the Astro Orbitor.
Be sure to chat with your doctor prior to your trip, as well, to know what’s best for you and your baby.
Listen to Your Body
As a former prenatal fitness instructor, this particular tip hits home for me. Make this phrase your mantra: listen to your body! When you get tired, find a good spot and take a little break. Multiple times a day. Trust me, you will regret it the next day if you do not take those necessary breaks. This is especially important if you’ll be visiting the parks for multiple days. Don’t push it!
For the best break spots, pull up that handy dandy Disney app and look for indoor restaurants or entertainment options. Taking a break to enjoy a good meal or quality entertainment is a great way to get off your feet and rest without feeling like you’re wasting precious park time.
My personal favorite break spot is Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. It’s a fun 10 minute show in a dark, air conditioned room with padded bench seats. Grab a Dole Whip on your way in, and you are set!
Quick Bonus Tips
- Take photos! Document that bump while you’re in the parks. You will not regret it!
- If you have other little ones, bring help! Having grandparents, aunts and uncles, or friends there to help out makes a huge difference!
Use an Expert Disney Travel Planner
By far, the best tip you can take away from this post is to utilize an expert Disney travel planner. Our services are complimentary, when you book a vacation package! In addition to helping you plan the perfect vacation, we assist with securing hard to get dining reservations and provide tips and tricks to help you navigate the parks whether you are expecting or already have your kids in tow.
Be sure to contact ConciEARS when you’re thinking about planning your next Disney vacation! And ask for the Mom with Magic Plans (that’s me!) if you’re expecting, so I can share even more helpful tips with you about tackling the parks while pregnant!
Bethany Ghilardi
Vacation Planning ConciEAR
bghilardi@conciears.com
Great advice!!! This was a wonderful read and very informative. Keep up the good work B!!!