As the mother of two, I am very familiar with the numerous ways advice, both good and bad, can find their way into your life. The perfect storm of advice—from health, to parenting, to relationships—hits its peak during pregnancy, whether it’s your first or your fifth. I will do my best to make this “pregnancy advice” article fun and as far from advice as possible. Just think of this as some helpful tips from a friend who has done the parks during the throes of morning sickness, sciatica pain, and swollen ankles.
My first tip is to ignore the haters. Everyone has an opinion on whether traveling to the Disneyland Resort is “worth it” during pregnancy as some of the traditional entertainment options are most likely off limits. If you ask me it’s always “worth it,” so make the most of what you can do, work in breaks, never pass a bathroom without stopping, and enjoy yourself!
Rides and Attractions
This is the big question, and both parks clearly mark all rides that are deemed un-safe or not recommend for those who are pregnant. So to lay it all out in one place, here is the lists of nos, which is rather short if you ask me. If you are traveling with other little ones, make sure you utilize the Rider Switch pass, if needed, so everyone gets a turn on their favorite attractions.
Disneyland: Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Star Tours, Gadget's Go Coaster and Autopia. If you are experiencing pronounced back pain, as I was with No. 2, I would avoid Peter Pan’s Flight as the shape of the seats and, at times, abrupt stops did a number on me.
Disney California Adventure: Grizzly River Run, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Goofy's Sky School, Radiator Springs Racers, and Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies.
Rest Time
Finding places to stop, rest and stay cool are crucial for anyone, pregnant or not, with so many great places I wanted to highlight Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Café at Disney California Adventure Park where you can grab a drink, a seat and some cool air. In Disneyland Park, check out Red Rockett’s Pizza Port. A portion of their patio is completely shaded in the entry way to Space Mountain and has comfy booth seating and the rare electrical outlet if you look hard enough.
Planning Ahead
If you have the opportunity to use this time, pre-baby, to check out the Baby Care Centers at both parks at the Disneyland Resort you should. Located on Main Street in Disneyland, south of the Plaza Inn, this cozy little location offers a great environment to feed, change and relax with baby. The same services are offered at Disney California Adventure Park, right night to Ghirardelli, which is just a lovely bonus if you ask me.
Grabbing a Bite
I know many of my pregnant counterparts have expressed concerns about food options at the Disneyland Resort, as some expectant mamas are under new dietary restrictions or are doing their best to eat the best while expecting. Years ago, I would have had to stretch my knowledge and definition of healthy to find options in the parks, but today I don’t see it as an issue at all. With a growing belly, sometimes snacks are the best way to eat through the day and both parks have a great selection of fresh fruit (yummy pineapple spears), pickles, and hummus packs with pretzel/pita chips. Dole Whip is always a great option for a healthier treat, as well as frozen, chocolate-dipped bananas at almost all the ice cream carts. If you are looking for a larger meal that does not consist of a burger or chicken strips, the Carnation Café offers some yummy salads, Flo’s V-8 Café has the perfect mix of Homestyle healthy with a milkshake on the side, and my personal favorite from Rancho del Zocalo is some yummy Chrisy Chips con Limon.
Dole Whip is always yummy!
Watch and Enjoy
Shows and parades are not only entertaining, but a great chance to be as equally involved in the festivities while relaxing at the same time. While I understand that holding the perfect spot for the Paint the Night parade is not everyone’s definition of fun, pregnant me loved to volunteer as the spot holder as I enjoyed some alone time with just me, a Mickey Mouse Ice Cream bar, and the sidewalk. Pack a cheap vinyl tablecloth (try a dollar store), and use it as an easy-to-clean and easily replaceable parade blanket.
Getting Around
If your back, feet or attitude give out, for whatever reason, keep in mind that wheelchairs and Electronic Convenience Vehicles can be rented at any point during your trip. Seven months pregnant and rather slow on my feet, my speed walking family convinced me to give in and be pushed in a wheelchair during a particularly hot July 4th trip and, while I hate to admit that they were right, I was much more comfortable.
When the end of the night rolls around, and you are physically unable to muster the energy to walk or tram your way to your vehicle, as I have done a few times, take advantage of curbside pick-up. This one requires some loving family, but the shorter walk to the drop-off area at the front of the park off Harbor Boulevard can be a lifesaver. You can volunteer to take any strollers or bulky items that can make finding a seat on the tram harder. Just have them swing in and pick you from one of the many benches and then you are on your way.
Enjoy your time while you are expecting at the Disneyland Resort!
