Pregnancy is exciting, exhausting, and magical – but it's definitely not a vacation. If you are hoping to have a real vacation while you're expecting, you may be considering a trip to Disney. With dozens of attractions and endless entertainment, Disney can be a great "last hoorah" before parenthood. However, things may look slightly different when you're park-hopping for two! Here are some hints and tricks for making the most of your Disney vacation while pregnant.
Keep Cool
First and foremost, Walt Disney World and Disneyland are in warm climates, and walking around in the sun can be incredibly hot. During pregnancy, your body temperature is already naturally increased, and depending on how far along you are, you may be working extra hard to carry around some additional weight. Aside from being uncomfortable, overheating can also be dangerous for both you and your unborn baby. It would be best if you took the necessary precautions to avoid overheating.
- Wear breathable clothing
- Keep hydrated
- Bring a personal fan or fan-spray-bottle-hybrid
- Increase visits to air-conditioned attractions
Stay Comfortable
Comfort is not always easily attained during pregnancy, but it can make all the difference on big trips and long days. A Disney trip is also a significant investment, so you'll want to make sure you are actually enjoying yourself! Especially as vacations can become a lot more difficult (and expensive!) the more children you have. To ensure you make the most of your Disney trip, do as much research ahead of time so you are prepared and not caught in a lurch scrambling to make things work at the moment.
- Wear supportive footwear
- Take your time, don't rush
- Find pregnancy-safe alternatives to rides as needed
- Prioritize favorite attractions
Get Connected
An important skill in parenthood is learning to utilize your support network. This can start as early as pregnancy as you enlist loved ones to help you have the best experience possible. Not only can friends and family make adventures more fun, but they can also increase safety for you and your baby, being an extra set of eyes and hands as needed. Make sure those you are traveling with know about your pregnancy and that you communicate your needs to them beforehand.
- Plan frequent breaks for snacks, water bottle refills, resting feet, and bathroom visits
- Find a buddy who won't mind sitting out on unsafe rides with you
- Recruit someone else to carry your belongings
- Ask someone to take photos of you and your bump to memorialize the trip
While some may feel pregnancy would make a Disney trip less fun as you sit out from rides or don't have the stamina to walk the way you might while not pregnant, Disney parks are filled with endless attractions that will make your visit a delight no matter your scenario. Enjoy those pregnancy super taste buds to indulge in a dole whip, take the time to watch some of the shows you might have otherwise missed if you had been waiting in line for rides, and take in all the precious memories of being there with your baby closer to your heart than they will ever be.
