Congrats, girl! You’re pregnant! But wait, what about that Walt Disney World trip you had planned, should you cancel it? No! Instead, use these tips to ensure you still have the best time.

What You Can and Can’t Ride

First of all, Always talk to your doctor or midwife before riding anything. Depending on the doctor and your pregnancy, you may be able to ride anything you want during the first trimester (I was allowed to, but there were still some more intense rides that I avoided anyway, which I decided personally. But if you get the okay, that is 100% your choice). However, there are some rides that, according to Disney, expectant mothers should not ride. They are:

Magic Kingdom

  • Barnstormer
  • Big Thunder Mountain
  • Space Mountain
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Splash Mountain
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Tron (when it opens)

Epcot

  • Guardians of the Galaxy (when it opens)
  • Mission Space
  • Test Track

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Millennium Falcon–Smuggler’s Run
  • Rise of the Resistance (when it opens)
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Tower of Terror
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours

Animal Kingdom

  • Dinosaur
  • Expedition Everest
  • Flight of Passage
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safari
  • Primeval Whirl

Must-Dos, Must-Haves, & Advice

  1. Pictures: This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take photos of your baby bump with Disney-themed backdrops…so take advantage! Any announcements? If you have not announced the gender, or even your pregnancy, to the world yet… Disney World might be the perfect place to do it!
  2. Disney Dining Plan? While the Disney Dining Plan can be an amazing deal for some, we recommend that expectant mothers don’t book it for their trip, unless they got it for free. Only because the Disney Dining Plan can be limiting, as far as what/where/when you can eat. When I was pregnant, that would not have worked for me. Sometimes I was too sick to eat and other times I wanted to eat the entire house. If you find yourself needing to spend extra money on food anyway, in addition to the Disney Dining Plan, just because you literally could not live without a churro at this very moment (it happens. If you’re preggo, you know), you might feel like you have wasted your money. Instead, plan to buy your food as you go and save that Disney Dining Plan money for that. Again, unless you got the DDP for free.
  3. Free Water: Pregnant women need a lot of water (about a gallon a day, based on my doctor’s advice [always take your own doctor’s advice over mine]) to stay hydrated. And in Florida–where it can be humid and hotter than the sun–it is especially important. There are several locations around the entire resort that offer free iced water. We highly recommend using a hydro flask and refilling it throughout the day. (Extra Advice: Some people think the Florida water tastes gross, to prevent this, bring water flavoring)
  4. Where to Stay: If you can, stay on Disney property. This helps ensure that you will always have free transportation available to your hotel, which will also be close by. And if you are flying to Orlando, you will not have to pick up your luggage from the baggage claim. Disney brings it straight to your room for you. This makes a huge difference after a long flight when you’re dealing with a baby belly and various pregnancy symptoms.
  5. Take Breaks: Another reason to stay on property. It is also beneficial to plan ahead for when you will: stay off a ride and rest; when you’ll shop indoors; when you’ll snack, or even when you will just come back to the hotel to nap.
  6. Which Trimester? If you can help it, we recommend going to Disney World during your second, or even your first, trimester. Most moms start feeling much more energized and less sick during their second trimester of pregnancy, which might make the trip more enjoyable. However, during the first trimester, depending on your doctor/midwife’s advice, you might be able to ride more rides. Talk to your healthcare professional to see what is best for you.
  7. Support System: Make sure your party knows what is going on and what your plans are to ensure everything runs smoothly.
  8. Bring Snacks: You will be hungry, nauseous, both, etc. and Disney snacks might not be appealing anymore. We suggest bringing something you know you will eat, just in case.
  9. Take in the atmosphere: Use this opportunity to enjoy the parades, theatre shows, fireworks, and overall atmosphere of the parks instead of the rides. You’ll experience Disney like never before.
  10. Wheelchair/ECV Rental? While walking around is amazing for pregnant women, if you think it will be too much or even if your doctor recommends it, wheelchairs and ECVs are available at the front of each park. Wheelchairs are $12/day/chair (+$20 refundable deposit upon return). ECVs are $50/day/vehicle (+$20 refundable deposit at theme parks, or $100 refundable deposit at water parks or Disney Springs)