So you have that dream Disney vacation planned and life happens. Congratulations, you’re pregnant! Just the thought of becoming a parent is scary enough, but now you have the added stress of figuring out what is safe for you to do while on your trip. First things first, check with your doctor to make sure that it will be safe for you to travel during the time your trip is scheduled. I personally had to reschedule a May trip to July because of severe morning sickness (we’re talking hospitalization, so nothing to fool around with). Once you get the all clear, you’re good to go. But what can I ride? Won’t I get tired? That’s why I’m here to help, below are my Top 6 Tips to Touring Disney While Pregnant.
1) Take it Easy!
Remember, your body is doing some amazing things right now. Growing a tiny human is no small task and you really need to take care of yourself. So do yourself a favor, and take it a little slow. My best suggestion is take a good break in the middle of the day when it gets the hottest. We would hit the park early and catch some rides before the crowd got heavy. We had our FastPasses set up back to back starting at 10, so by the time we used all three it was time for lunch. Since it was July and HOT, we always looked for a place that had plenty of indoor seating. You may even want to opt for a table service meal. It gets you off your feet and in the cool air for a bit. After lunch, we would usually head back to the resort and take a dip in the pool and sometimes a good old afternoon nap. This allowed my tired, swollen, little feet to have a rest and then we were able to enjoy some late afternoon and night activities rejuvenated.
2) Wear the right shoes
This is important on any Disney trip, but especially while you’re pregnant. Flip flops may seem like the most comfortable choice, but are not the most practical in this situation. Again, your body is changing so much. Even the way you walk can be affected. Make sure you have comfortable tennis shoes or sneakers. This will give you the most support and make you more sure footed while carrying your little bundle. You don’t want your feet to be killing you before you’re halfway through your day and you most certainly don’t want to fall. I made sure to have a good pair one-half size bigger than I normally wear all broken in and ready before the trip.
3) Enjoy the food!
You are eating for two after all! Disney parks and resorts have so many different meal options to offer. There is bound to be something that will tickle your fancy, even with all the weird cravings. Personally, I ate a LOT of Mickey pretzels with cheese and of course Dole Whips! There are some great apps that can help you locate the food you are craving. My personal favorite is Magic Guide. You can get wait times, park maps, and menus to almost every restaurant on property.
4) Take a Tour
The husband and I are usually running crazy around the parks. We always thought taking a tour would take up too much time. So when I was pregnant and had to slow down, we did the Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom tour that follows Walt’s life from living in Marceline, Missouri to the beginning of the Magic Kingdom. You even get to go backstage at Haunted Mansion, have a narrated ride on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and a narration of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. There are tons of options where tours are concerned. Check out all the tours on the WDW Info Tour Page and see which one is right for you. They are an additional cost, but one I feel is well worth it. Most of them are walking tours, but do schedule in some breaks. I made sure to let my guide know I was pregnant. He was so good to check on me and make sure they were not walking too fast. Plus we got to go in before the park opened and being on Main Street when there is hardly anyone there is a really cool experience.
5) Try Something New
I am an adrenaline junkie and the thrill rides at Disney are where I can usually be found. But when you’re pregnant, your need for speed will have to be tamed for a bit. This gave me a great opportunity to do things I always thought were boring. I did so many things for the first time on our pregnancy trip it was great. I did the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom, but most of our exploring was at World Showcase at Epcot. We did Reflections of China, The American Adventure, and Impressions de France, all for the first time. We also took our time and explored the shops in each country. There are tons of things to do other than the thrill rides. Explore, you just might find a new favorite attraction.
6) Think Like a Kid Again
Most of the rides that are going to be safe for expectant mothers are going to be at Magic Kingdom. So think like a kid again, and if a preschooler can ride it, you’re good to go. Make sure to check all the warnings listed at the rides, and it’s probably better to err on the side of caution. We rode It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, and the husband’s personal favorite, The People Mover more times than I can count. Most importantly, we had a blast doing it!
