8 Things To Do If You’re Pregnant Visiting A Disney Park

As any Disneyland Resort fan knows, frequent visits to the parks are a must. My sister Lauren and I grew up in a Disneyland-loving family, so we stop by the parks as often as we can. Our most recent trip took a little more planning than usual as my sister is pregnant with her first child. Here are some tips that we used to help us navigate through the resort to make our trip more enjoyable!

1. Do some planning.

We planned our trip on a weekday. The parks are less congested and wait times are significantly shorter than if we had gone on a weekend. Take some time to review Disneyland’s website and park maps and entertainment guides which provide important information including which attractions have physical considerations, restroom locations, restaurant options, and show times. My sister and I also used apps to check wait times when deciding which attraction to go to next. This helped us avoid trekking all the way across the park to be faced with a long line that she could not wait in in her state.

2. Eat and re-hydrate often.

Before we even got to the park, Lauren had a list of food that she wanted to eat while Disneyland. Part of the fun of visiting the Disneyland Resort is eating your way around the parks…and even more so when you have a pregnant sister who wants to eat through it all! Throughout the day, we made sure to take breaks to enjoy a snack which enabled us to make it through Lauren’s list ensuring that she got her cheeseburger, popcorn, churro, and fudge to satisfy her (and her baby’s) cravings!

3. Don’t dwell on the rides that you cannot go on and enjoy the ones that you can.

You do have to take your pregnancy into consideration when selecting rides. While that may mean you will not be able to ride your favorite E-ticket attraction, that does not mean you have to miss out on rides all together. We chose to focus and go only on rides that didn’t put on so much thrill that it could comprise her or her baby’s health. Although we had to skip a lot of our favorite coasters, it really gave us the opportunity to rediscover some of our favorite childhood attractions.

4. Take rest breaks.

There are many great places inside Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park to people-watch and to just sit and take a break. Find your favorites while walking around and make use of them. My sister loved relaxing at The Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country. It gave her a chance to put her feet up, enjoy some shade, and people and duck watch along the Rivers of America. These frequent rest breaks enabled Lauren to stay at the park for a longer period of time, making her and I very happy!

5. Instead of rides, enjoy the parks’ shows, parades, and entertainment.

Both parks offer many entertainment options for guests to enjoy throughout the day. From amazing stage shows like Mickey and the Magical Map to lively parades like the Pixar Play Parade to stunning nighttime spectaculars like World of Color, there is something to please everyone. And all you have to do is sit, stand, and watch! Check out indoor shows such as the Enchanted Tiki Room, Muppet*Vision 3D, and Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular which offer the added bonus of air conditioning.

6. Stroll through the shops.

Finding the perfect souvenir to take home is a time-honored tradition in any family! It’s always fun to see what is new at all of the stores. My sister and I had even more fun then usual as we were able to pick out some cute items for my future nephew including some clothes for him to wear when she brings him to the Resort for his first visit.

7. Ask cast members for suggestions.

Cast members are great resources for information and suggestions to make your trip more enjoyable. At one restaurant we visited during the day, Lauren wanted to sit inside because it was a warm day. This would have meant a 30 minute wait. Since we were both hungry and did not want to wait that long, the hostess offered us outdoor seating in the shade. We were seated immediately providing us with an opportunity to cool off and view Mickey’s Soundsational Parade. Thank you, Disney cast members!

8. Explore the parks’ seasonal offerings.

Although we like it in its normal form, we really enjoy it much more when the Resort transforms with the holiday and seasons! There are a lot of new offerings that come out that you’re able to enjoy much more when you’re exploring the Resort at your own pace. Our visit coincided with Halloween Time at the parks, so we were able to enjoy crafts, games, pumpkin carvers, and live music at the Halloween Carnival at the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. If your visit falls during the holidays, make it a point to take time to enjoy some fun that will get you in a festive mood.

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What other tips would you give to a one who’s pregnant looking to go to Disneyland? Would you even risk going on the chance of having a bad experience while pregnant? Share with us and comment below!