Pregnant at Disney World: Tips For Having a Magical Time When You’re Expecting

While you might not dream of visiting Walt Disney World while you are pregnant, it happens! Whether you have been saving for and planning for this trip for years, or you want your kids to experience Disney at a certain age, you may find yourself in 1,000,000% humidity on Main Street U.S.A. and need these tips.

We visited when I was 9 months to the day preggo. Yup, I am that kind of crazy. Is it strange that this was not even my first trip while pregnant? Seems to be a habit, but nonetheless, now you can benefit from my research!

Warning: As always consult with your doctor when pregnant. There may be extra precautions you need to take when vacationing a Disney World. Depending on the time of year you are visiting Florida can have extreme heat and humidity which can be hard on any individual. If you do experience any medical issues note there is first aid and baby care center at every theme park location.

Stay Hydrated

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you forget that you dehydrate much faster in the  Florida heat. All quick-service restaurants offer free ice water, and of course, there are water fountains throughout the park. 

Preggo Tip: Bring in bottled water in the park instead of drinking from the fountains. First and foremost, the fountain water tastes gross. In fact, my kids call it gator water. The other reason is that while you are pregnant you are more vulnerable to bacteria-borne illnesses. Trust me… just drink bottled water if you want to avoid some… unpleasantness. 

Remember, Walt Disney World allows you to bring in your own food and drinks. You cannot, however, bring in glass, alcohol, or loose ice. Save money by buying bottled water at any of the big box stores or grocery delivery services. 

Take Care of your Tootsies!

The average Disney guest walks 10 miles per day. Ten. Miles. That’s 20,000 steps. On already abused, swollen feet. You want to try to avoid enclosed shoes because foot swelling is going to happen. I went to my local big box store and found flip flops that have the thickest foam bottoms I could find and they worked great for me! Mind you, I wore brand new ones so that I had the most cushion possible. My preggo waddle completely wore them out after a week!

Another great option is Crocs. They are roomy and supportive, which is exactly what you need to keep you going on those days! These are also great because you will not get too hot, and you will be able to take them on and off throughout the day… by yourself. Nothing is more embarrassing than having strangers watch you try to roll like a potato bug just to tie your shoes! Check out Disney Crocs here. 

More great shoe recommendations: Best Shoes to Wear at Disney World

Baby Powder

Listen, let’s be real with ourselves. Florida is hot, like super hot, devil’s front porch hot. With the heat comes sparkling. (I don’t sweat. That wouldn’t be ladylike. I sparkle.) Depending on how pregnant you are, that much heat can create some interesting heat rashes. Liberal application of baby powder between and under the ladies can make you feel fresh as a daisy. 

Pro-tip: Put a piece of painter’s tape over the top of the baby powder bottle to prevent spilling. The tape stays sticky even after peeling off multiple times.

Churros Are Delicious, but They Are Not Real Food

My personal motto is, “on vacation calories don’t count”. While a normal Disney day means I am double fisting delicious snacks and eating Mickey bars like they are going out of style, while pregnant that is a very bad idea. 

That little bundle of joy will deplete you of all of your vitamins, so if you eat nothing but junk for a week you will feel so tired that you may not be able to enjoy your trip. It is always recommended to eat breakfast in your resort before your resort day so here is a great place to start.

Skip sugary cereals and pastries and opt for oatmeal and fresh fruit. While at the park you can bring apple slices for a midday pick-me-up. Also, you may not know this but every restaurant has healthy options. 

Forget the Schedule. The Baby is the Schedule. 

I love a schedule. I love a plan. Flying by the seat of my pants is not my thing. Except for this trip. The first two days I was up earlier than everyone in my excitement and went from rope drop to dusk. Then that third day came.

We went to Epcot at 11, right when the World Showcase opened. I made it to 2:00. My body was like a cartoon car slamming on the breaks. Part of me wanted to be stubborn. I mean, I planned this trip for months, I want to enjoy it! Luckily my husband reminded me how miserable I would be, and that is zero fun. 

We went back to the hotel early and he and the kids went to the pool while I napped. The next day I was refreshed and raring to go!

Have a Plan Just in Case…

You know that old expression, “It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it?”.  I had a full just-in-case plan since I was so far along in my pregnancy. It is important to note that even though we think of Disney as this magical land away from reality, they are fully equipped with emergency services through the Reedy Creek Fire Company. 

If you are in your third trimester during your trip you may want to consider bringing the car seat with you. Think about it… if you deliver during your vacation, you have to have a way to bring the little peanut home.  

We took it a step further and decided that if our baby was born during our vacation we were going to change the name we had chosen to Sarah. (Sarah means princess in Hebrew!) 

Vacation Insurance

I must admit something. I am a bit of a daredevil. I never buy vacation insurance. If you are traveling when pregnant, BUY THE INSURANCE. It is great peace of mind to know that you give birth right before you leave, or heaven’s to Betsy, on the trip, you are not out your money. If you book your trip directly through Disney they will offer vacation insurance and it will cover most things. 

Check with Airlines

This is one I bet you didn’t think of… If you are planning to fly while pregnant it is important to check the airline’s requirements for pregnant passengers. Now, if you are in the early to mid-stage of your pregnancy you can just skip on down to #9, but for my fellow crazy mommas going in your third trimester, listen up! Most airlines will allow you to fly up to 36 weeks. Most. Not all. Special note to my international friends: international airlines may cut off as early as 28 weeks.

Check with your airline. I flew at 37 weeks and my airline required clearance from my doctor to board. It really varies from airline to airline. 

Buy The Baby A Gift

You can’t throw a rock in any Disney park without finding a gift shop, so why not pick out a cute souvenir for your new little Roo? This is especially sweet if you are on vacation with other children that are about to be big siblings. The Emporium and Hundred Acre Goods have a lot of baby stuffed characters and cute baby clothes. We still have the baby Minnie Mouse rattle my son picked out for his sister all those years ago. 

Enjoy The Memories With Tons of Photos!

As someone who has been pregnant three times, I know that feeling of looking like the circus tent in Fantasy Land and not wanting your picture taken. Or worse, looking at your pictures and picking at every preggo-caused imperfection. Now that those years are far behind me and over, I regret not being in more pictures. It’s fun to point out to my kids their “first” Disney World Vacation. 

Memory Maker is a great way to capture every moment so you can look back on these moments forever. Memory Maker allows you to download all of the photos taken by the Photo Pass cast members as well as the ones on the rides. While we all know about the iconic photos in front of the castle, don’t forget those magic shots. Show off that beautiful baby bump! 

Rides you Can go on While Pregnant

Thankfully when Disney envisioned his theme park he wanted family rides that everyone could on together. Even if you are expecting there is still plenty of rides you can do at Disney World while you are pregnant.

Magic Kingdom Rides for Pregnancy

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Enchanted Tiki room
• Festival of Fantasy Parade
• Hall of Presidents (indoor film)
• Haunted Mansion
• it’s a small world
• Jungle Cruise
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Mickey’s Philharmagic 3D Movie (indoor film)
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Swiss Family Tree House
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tom Sawyers Island
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney World Railroad
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Epcot Rides for Pregnancy

• Awesome Planet (indoor film)
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along (indoor film)
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival (indoor film)
• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
• Harmonious Nighttime Spectacular
• Impressions de France (indoor film)
• Journey into Imagination with Figment
• Living with the Land
• O Canada! (indoor film, standing only)
• Reflections of China (indoor film, standing only)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’
• Spaceship Earth
• The American Adventure (indoor film)
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Hollywood Studios Rides while Pregnant

• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
• Disney Jr. Live on Stage
• Fantasmic!
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railroad
• Muppet Vision 3D (indoor film)
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney Presents

Animal Kingdom Rides while Pregnant

• Discovery Island Trails
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo the Musical
• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
• It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
• Maharajah Jungle Trek
• Na’vi River Journey
• KiteTails
• Train ride to the Conservation Station
• Triceratop Spin
• UP! A Great Bird Adventure

Would you ever go to Disney World Pregnant? 

Now that I have multiple trips to Disney World while pregnant under my belt I can tell you it really still can be a magical time. Learning from my mistakes and following my tips of course is key. Tell us in the comments if you have been to Disney World while pregnant or if you plan to!