Vacation WWYD?

cas889 · February 2014

My husband wants to plan a semi last-minute trip to Disney World and I just wanted to get a quick opinion. It's really a two part question.

1. Would you be comfortable with a 2.5 hour flight at 6 months pregnant (with doctor approval, of course)?
2. Do you think you'd feel ok spending three or four days walking around Disney parks, with an almost 3 year old?

I really want to go, we've never been on a vacation as a family of three, other than car trips to visit family. And I haven't been to Disney since I was 12! I think our daughter would have a blast (and she's still free), but I'm a little bit concerned about the flight, and also the physical strain. I'm not in horrible shape, but I can be a bit tired and sore just after teaching for the day.

So WWYD?

ElTrain5 · February 2014

I remember being exhausted the last time I went to Disney and I was like 8...at 6 months pregnant I think it would be too much, it's a LOT of walking and standing and I'd want to feel my best and get the most out of it. The flight is no problem. A "2.5" hour flight is really 1 hour 40 min of flight time, the rest is boarding, unloading and you'd still be able to walk around during the flight as well. That I'd do all day till delivery (but then again I'm super used to flying). But Disney just sounds exhausting. Fun, but exhausting.

nunzchucks · February 2014

I flew from OH to Key West 6.5 mo preg with DD for a wedding. We were there 4 days. Probably not as much walking as Disney, but maybe close! I felt ok. Just drink water and rest when you need to.

elsa1688 · February 2014

I just flew 6 hours at about 6 months. It was fine, just make sure to stay hydrated and listen to your body. A 3 year old probably won't know the difference if you don't hit every single ride and spend some time in the pool.

BrunoBabies · February 2014

We live in florida and just did a one day seaworld trip, it was a lot. The walking wasn't even the bad part, travel is just exhausting and I wanted to be in bed by 7, but sucked it up and stayed out since it was only a one day trip. It really depends on your exhaustion level right now, I'm constantly tired with this pregnancy, but last one I would've been fin

Mia081081 · February 2014

We are actually going Friday and went about 6 weeks ago. FL residents with annual pass. It's fine but you can't ride any of the roller coasters. Use that time to sit and hydrate. I am not going to lie - I was dying by about 7pm but so was DD who is also almost 3.

If you've been walking (I walk 2-3 times a week. 4 miles.), then you'll be fine. Your DD will absolutely love it but is still too young to ask to go on things so you don't have to make long lines if you don't want to. Make reservations for character dining so that your DD is entertained and you get to sit for awhile.

PM me if you have any other questions or want any tips!

This will be our 4th time at disney this pregnancy - 4weeks, 10 weeks, 19 weeks and now at 25 weeks.

amwangel · February 2014

It's really up to you and how you feel. Walking around for 4 days straight wouldn't be fun for me personally, but I'd absolutely fly!

I mean, I'd be fine with the walking, but probably be grumpy and not enjoy myself as much as I would not pregnant.

And if I'm gonna shell out the money, I want to enjoy it!

I'd absolutely take a last vacation as a family of 3 - we did that before we started TTC (Puerto Rico!) and are planning to drive to a beach for a week before the baby comes, too.

obscurereference · February 2014

Any ride your 3-year-old can go on, you can go on, too. We are also FL resident annual passholders and are going on our 3rd trip during this pregnancy next weekend. And I'm really not in that great shape to begin with! Just rest when you need to and drink lots of water! The worst thing for me is not the walking, but the standing in lines. Use the fastpass service (now done online) for the popular rides and try to get to the parks early!

cMichelle0423 · February 2014

Honestly, it's up to you. Do what tl you want.. personally, I don't see that being fun (only because of the walking around and who knows how cooperative a 3 year old can be). Just a couple hours of walking around the mall shopping is exhausting to me.

The traveling wouldn't bother me though. We're leaving next week to go see my family in Colorado, which will be a 17 hour car trip just to get there. Do what you think you can handle.

chloephoebecali · February 2014

I wouldn't consider it this pregnancy, but would have managed okay the last two. I'm in too much pain this time around. I think you will need to go planning not to race around the park getting every ride in. The fast pass is only going to help you so much and you will still do a lot of waiting in lines, which is worse IMO, like pp mentioned. If it is the only time you think you can go for he next few years, I would wait another year. Otherwise, if your dd is into dress up, I would focus on bippity Boppity boutique (low impact for you, awesome for her) and a character meal (easy way to see characters and a good way to break up the day (rest up). They are supposed to be 3 for BBB, but I know someone that got in just saying her kid was 3. They won't check. Otherwise, pick a few rides that are must haves and then some B list stuff if you have enough time. Lastly, pack a soft cooler (recommended dimension are on their site). Buy a case of water at the start your trip and pack bottles in your cooler. It's allowed and it won't kill the budget with the amount you will want to be drinking. Plus you can pack stuff for your dd.

kcartwright12 · February 2014

We're doing the same thing!!! In 6 weeks we will be flying (2.5hrs) to Florida with a 5yr old. The whole reason we are going is to go to Disney. I talked with my dr and she said it's totally fine just take breaks when you need to and stay hydrated. Also, I will be around 30weeks at the time so she did recommend bringing my hospital bag, just in case. It's not very likely, but the last thing you want is to deliver early and not have anything with you. Other than that, should be a great time before the new LO arrives.

emfoxc · February 2014

What everyone else said + you could always rent a wheelchair from the park later in the day if you find you're getting too faint to get through the walking/standing in lines.

Mom&nurse · February 2014

I'd take it east on the walking. Stay hydrated. Please stay hydrated. Contractions are scary.

cas889 · February 2014

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the responses! We haven't pulled the trigger yet, but I think we're going to tonight, I think I'd regret it if we decided not to take this opportunity. Because our daughter is still so young, I'm sure we'd take lots of breaks anyway. And she wouldn't know the difference if we end up not seeing everything we're hoping to see. I promise I'll stay hydrated!

@Mia081081, I might take you up on the offer for tips, thanks!

hollygb22 · February 2014

i would rather fly than drive right now.

If your husband does most of the lifting, chasing of your 3 yr old..I think you'll be fine..

babygabe614 · February 2014

If I were doing a similar trip (not Disney per se but something that involved a lot of walking) I think I'd be fine. We are going to Florida in a few weeks and it's a 2.5 hour flight for us, too, and I am not worried about it (I will be 25 weeks). Like PPs said, drink lots of water and take breaks when you need to.

gmc222 · February 2014

We went to Florida last month to visit my in-laws, and went to Disney for a couple days while we were down there. I was about 20weeks pregnant, so not as far along as you will be, but both the 3-hr plane ride (with my 2.5yr old DD) and walking around Disney was absolutely fine. We didn't have a game plan so we could just walk around the parks at our own pace and let DD stop and look at things as she wanted. Bring lots of water and snacks (nuts, dried fruit, granola bars), and comfy sneakers!