Yes, I decided to go to Disney World at 20 weeks pregnant. No, I was not a huge huge Disney fan.
Almost six months before said trip was to take place, we were already in the midst of planning. My sorority family and I would go and visit our big (I’m a set of triplets) who was going to be in the Disney college program (don’t quote me on the name) and would be staying in Florida. Of course, I didn’t realize that I would be almost 20 weeks pregnant then.
I had to reschedule my anatomy scan because it was meant to be on the morning we wanted to drive down to Florida.
The Trip to Florida From South Carolina
As I was the pregnant one, I was allowed to have the passenger seat – thank god – which helped TREMENDOUSLY. Everything went smoothly on the way to Florida besides having a few extra pee breaks, but it went to hell on the way back.
My little man decided that he was not happy with over six hours of driving and then some during the week and I was sick (adding an extra hour to our trip) in the bathroom halfway through the drive home.
I’m not sure if there was anything I could do to prevent it, but if I were to do it again I would definitely break the drive into three parts to let anything in my stomach settle and prevent any mishaps,
Going to Disney World at 20 Weeks Pregnant: The Magic Kingdom
I have one word for you:
SWELLING.
My toes, feet, ankles, heels, thighs, legs, arms, fingers – you name it, it was swollen.
Of course, my family understood and we had frequent stops where I could sit and take a minute or grab a cup of water. But let me tell you, it was PAINFUL. Still, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Disney’s Magical Kingdom is surprisingly (at least to me, someone who knew very little about Disney) pregnancy-friendly and I was able to go on most of the rides and attractions! I found a really great guide – although you should always check the ride rules yourself – online at Build a Better Mouse Trip.
I was also able to focus on the shops and try new snacks and foods that I typically skipped when going with my family or to school when I was younger. It was a side of Disney I wasn’t familiar with, and I wouldn’t say I liked it better – but it was just as good!
We all had fun and spent our dinner at a character buffet that had a view of the castle – which was delicious!
The only downside was our dinner reservation was set late so we could enjoy the light show, and ended up getting delayed even further as the restaurant was overbooked and behind. We even ended up at one of the last tables in the place!
I was a little hangry and bitter, but over 10 hours on your feet, delayed dinner, and a baby in your belly will do that to you!
What You Need As An Expectant Mom in Disney World
Okay, now my whole point of this blog is to tell you that YOU CAN DO DISNEY WHILE PREGNANT!! Totally awesome, right? But, there are a few things you should prep for:
You will need snacks! I only packed my almonds and one or two granola bars… Even stopping to eat around the park, it was not enough. You need to pack a variety of snacks as you won’t know exactly what you’ll be feeling while you’re in the park. What I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT would be:
- Almond & Walnut mix snack pack
- Granola Bar
- Fresh veggies (baby carrots or celery) for the morning
- Cheese-its snack bag
- Trail mix mini
Personally, I would stick to a variety of small snacks as I am anti-backpack for Disney. Which brings me to my next point:
Do the fanny pack.
I am, and always have been, anti-backpack/carry-on for theme parks. I don’t like having to find somewhere to set it, it gets heavy overtime, and it gives you rub-burns and weird sunburn. And yes, Disney is pretty bag-friendly as their park is meant for families. But as a pregnant woman going to Disney without her hubby to help her, a bag was an awful idea.
Halfway through the day, I opted to buy a small fanny pack to keep my phone, wallet, and favorite snacks in it – which essentially saved the day. Still, I had to keep up with the Kavvu I borrowed from one of my friends, which if it wasn’t theirs, would have been thrown away in frustration.
Last, but not least, you’ll need your Mickey Ears! I’m going to be honest, ears can get expensive, but it was SO fun to walk around with them! I had a few breaks as mine were too tight, but I loved them anyway!
I got lucky, my sorority big – the one we were visiting – handmade us ears the Christmas before based on our favorite Disney movies!
It was just one more way to make the trip even more memorable! She had a few she’d purchased over the months before and I ended up borrowing a pair as mine were slightly too tight (as I mentioned) but overall, they were PERFECT!
It’s cute to know now, in the future, that I would be approaching Mickey Mouse ears again for my two-year-old’s birthday party!
Would I Do Disney Again During Pregnancy?
10/10 would go again! I know what I would have done differently while visiting Disney World mid-pregnancy, but overall I gained the weight I needed to (I had lost weight since getting pregnant) and had a fun time with my friends 🙂
I don’t think I’ll ever actually do it again though as I’m now three kids in and done for the foreseeable future, but I hope my experience can help with your trip!
I also never thought I would be the one going to Disney World at 20 weeks pregnant – but I did, and it was such a memorable experience.
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