6. Rider switch is your friend

While enjoying some quiet time alone during a Walt Disney World vacation may sound delightful to some moms-to-be, for others, the idea of being away from friends and family might sound miserable.

Rider Switch to the rescue.

Disney’s former child swap system is now called Rider Switch. Basically, it allows a party to not have to wait in line twice if they have a child or party member who doesn’t want to ride something. One part of the party rides while the other waits with the non-rider. When the first group finishes up the ride, they join the non-rider while the other part of the party rides.

I took advantage of Rider Switch several times when we brought our young adult students along to Walt Disney World—we wanted to stay together and enjoy conversation in the ride queues. I’m pretty comfortable flying solo at theme parks, so I just told the cast members I was a non-rider, and they directed me to an appropriate waiting area while the rest of my party did the ride. However, if you have a large enough party and want someone to keep you company, you can utilize Rider Switch to have someone stay with you without them having to wait in line twice.

7. Keep a bag of tricks for pregnancy discomforts

The worst pregnancy discomfort most women face is morning sickness—rather, all-the-time sickness.

I appreciate a good lifehack, and I have used all sorts of tricks throughout my pregnancy to quench nausea bouts. Some are theme park friendly (such as acupressure on the wrist) while others are not (you probably won’t want to pop a Unisom tab at Magic Kingdom).

The first option is keeping some anti-nausea chews or candies on hand. Preggie Pop Drops are a popular choice if you don’t mind something sweet. Ginger chews are another great option. I prefer Gin-Gins for their strong ginger flavor, but Trader Joe’s ginger chews offer a less intense experience if needed. I eventually replaced my ginger chews with MegaFood Baby & Me 2 Morning Sickness Nausea Relief Chews which work great and aren’t overly sweet.

My other go to trick for heading off nausea has been inhaling the smell of peppermint. While you can just sniff a piece of gum or a can of mints, I had the best luck inhaling peppermint essential oil. Eating a small snack like crackers or carrots, as well as drinking some lemon water can also help somewhat.

Other easy-to-carry tools can be added to your Disney-day kit to head off different pregnancy discomforts. A cooling cloth or fan can help if you overheat easily. Some moms swear by belly support bands for Disney park outings. Compression socks might be helpful for some (I like the ones offered by Trtl). On a basic level, extremely comfortable shoes are a must. If you run into any overwhelming aches, stop by any of the First Aid Stations in the four parks. The nurses there are extremely helpful and should have access to some pregnancy-safe OTC medications.

8. If possible, stay at a nearby resort (or know where to retreat)

I’m usually an advocate for getting a resort on Disney property when possible, mostly thanks to convenience. This recommendation goes double if you will be visiting while pregnant.

Staying on Disney property or even having access to a resort isn’t strictly necessary, but it does solve several problems for visiting Disney parks while pregnant. For one thing, it makes taking a mid-day break much easier. If you need an afternoon respite due to fatigue, nausea, or other issues, a nearby resort can be an ideal haven that won’t require a long drive off-site. Other options for staying on Disney property at a lower price point include staying at the Swan and Dolphin (which are both owned by Marriot but offer many of the same perks as Disney resorts) or using Disney Vacation Club point rentals.

If staying on property is impossible, it’s a good idea to learn the best places to retreat in and near the parks. In our previous guide, we mentioned shows and restaurants are good options. Other possibilities include resort lobbies and lounges, quiet attraction spaces like Star Wars Launch Bay or the walking paths of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot’s lovely gardens, or even areas like the hidden corners of Pandora or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Night.

Can’t find anywhere to catch your breath? Disney First Aid to the rescue again! All the First Aid stations have a special area where you can rest and recover if needed. Just let them know you’re a pregnant mom who needs some recovery time!

9. A prenatal massage might be a worthwhile splurge

If your doctor gives you approval, a prenatal massage can be a truly heavenly vacation splurge, and there are several options for securing one at Walt Disney World.

Currently, all four of the spas on Disney property offer prenatal massages for moms-to-be, including Senses Spa at The Grand Floridian and Saratoga Springs resorts, Mandara Spa at The Walt Disney World Dolphin, and the Spa at The Four Seasons Orlando. Prenatal massage is generally only permitted for second and third trimester moms, but if you are in either of these two stages, getting one is well worthwhile.

A few notes for your spa visit: you’ll need to use some caution when using spa facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms. Some professionals advise avoiding these altogether while pregnant, while others may allow short dips in the hot tub or at least a little time warming your feet—the key is don’t let your body temperature rise too much. All four spas offer excellent facilities that you will have access to throughout the day of your visit.

10. Take advantage of “Me Time”

Being pregnant at Disney parks does not have to be miserable… as a matter of fact, it can be the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy some personal time.

On my first visit to Walt Disney World as a pregnant woman, I spent a lot of time with our students and my husband. On a repeat the following month, however, I took a different tactic. In most cases, rather than waiting with our students in line, I took advantage of times they were in queues to explore the parks freely, resting where I wanted, eating where I wanted, and taking in the beautiful refuges of the parks at a leisurely pace. Instead of feeling FOMO and pressure to participate in every experience, I felt freedom to just enjoy myself and wander where I wanted. This slowed-down time gave me opportunities to explore places like Pandora at night, wander through Epcot, and even to relax and read a book while enjoying a healthy meal.

Pregnancy can be hard, and it does come with some sacrifices… However, it also comes with some perks and superpowers. If you find yourself visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland while pregnant, take advantage of the opportunity to take your time, try something different, and explore the magic from a whole new perspective.

Have you been to Disney while (you or a loved one are) pregnant? What other tips do you have? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook! Thanks for reading!