We are taking our 8 month old daughter to Disneyland in December for her first Disney trip! I've been to DLR hundreds of times and I've never had to prepare this much. This time is different. It's going to be hard to get to all of our favorites with a baby on our chest the entire time. So here are a few tips I've discovered along the way to getting the most out of DLR with an infant...
1) Go with a large group (preferably a group including other babies). That way, you're not the only one sitting out when others are enjoying Tower of Terror and other big rides.
2) Go through the line with the baby. This is how you get a rider switch. All riders must go through the line at least once. The CMs will ask you to wait in a designated area, and then when the rest of the party returns from the ride, you get to take 1 person with you and go right back on the ride again without waiting in line, while the rest of the party waits with the baby. That's why it's important to have more than one baby in the group. That means 4 people can go with 2 rider switches and 6 people can go with 3 rider switches, so on and so forth. That way you can get a significant amount of people on the ride again with you and make it just as much fun!
3) Invest in a baby carrier. When baby is awake, don't make him/her miss out on all the fun in their stroller. They will want to be in the action as well! This will make things so much easier when boarding rides they can actually go on. When you visit Fantasyland with your baby, you will be able to take them on everything there, provided they are strapped to your chest. This serves as their "seatbelt" since the bar obviously won't do them any good. Make sure the baby carrier is comfortable and you're used to it prior to your trip because there's nothing more miserable then being uncomfortable at DLR.
4) Don't get your hopes up when it comes to character pictures. If your baby is like mine, they're curious about everything. Mine is particularly social and outgoing, but when it comes to large headed mice, I'm not sure how she'll react. One thing I'd suggest to try, borrow a costume with a large head or an abnormal shape/color and try it out before your trip. If she screams at it, it's probably a good indication she's not going to be Mickey's biggest fan. I'm going to wait in line for Mickey and if she's not happy with him, I'm going to stick to face characters only.
5) Have your camera ready. It's not only polite to the people waiting in line, but it's going to give you the best shot of your child. When your child first sees Mickey, s/he is going to have an immediate reaction, whether it be good or bad, you want to catch it on camera! Before you send your significant other or family member up there with your baby, have your camera ready and start snapping away the instant s/he sees the character.
6) Get a hotel close to the park. My daughter still takes 3 naps a day and I'm only planning on getting rid of one of those naps by the time we get to the park. That means we'll be making a trip back to the hotel at least once, if not twice during the day. I may or may not be taking a nap with her while we're there. I'm getting tired just thinking about it!
7) Take advantage of the Baby Care Centers. There are two Baby Care Centers, one in DLR and one in DCA. They have everything you need to keep your baby happy including private nursing rooms, changing tables, feeding room with high chairs, and a room with a TV and chairs. I'm going to use this like crazy while we're there. They also have a shop with formula, baby food and diapers! Disney thinks of everything!
8) Do what YOU want to do. Yes, DLR is for children, but at that age, they aren't going to remember a thing. They are going to have fun looking at anything, so make sure you get in everything that you want to enjoy. I was thinking I was going to spend my entire trip in Fantasyland because that's what she will enjoy the most, but then I realized, she just spent the last half an hour looking at a cup, so I'm pretty sure she'll have just as much fun in any land we visit.
9) Bring your own stroller. DLR rents strollers but they are too large for an infant and they aren't very comfortable. Plus, how clean can they REALLY be? Just saying. Once you get in the park, tie a balloon to your stroller so you can find it quickly in the mix of all the other strollers in the event that you leave it at any time.
10) Hotel tips: Again, book a hotel close to DLR. Bring a pack and play or crib, or request one there. Make sure you have dish soap and a sink to wash any baby dishes you may have.
11) Over-pack for the day. You never know what's going to happen at DLR so bring a change of clothes for your baby, extra formula if you're not BF, a water bottle, diapers and wipes. You can purchase all of these items at the park, but you're going to pay a pretty penny for them.
We can't wait to take our baby girl to DLR! Are there any experienced moms out there who have taken infants to DLR? What advice can you give?
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Being Pregnant at Disneyland
As a pregnant mom, you might not think you can enjoy Disneyland as much, but that is definitely not true. You just have to be prepared! We planned a trip for my mom's 50th birthday and then I found out I was pregnant. I was about 5 months along when we went. I always thought you couldn't ride anything except the Fantasyland rides while pregnant, but after speaking with my doctor, he reassured me that it takes quite a bit of jolting to hurt your baby in the womb. There are several attractions to enjoy while pregnant at the happiest place on earth.
Here are a couple tips for pregnant moms visiting DL...
1) Wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. It's important to wear comfortable shoes while pregnant anyway, but at DL, it's even more important. Let's face it, being pregnant is not the most comfortable situation in the world, so make it as enjoyable as possible by keeping your feet comfortable.
2) Bring snacks. I got the muchies like crazy while pregnant and anyone who has been to DL knows you can spend a pretty penny on food there. Be frugal and bring snacks like granola bars, goldfish and fruit snacks.
3) Know when to call it quits. DL is expensive so naturally you would want to stay til they kick you out so you get your money's worth. This was not wise while pregnant. I walked all day and all night and then suddenly, I just couldn't take it anymore. My family found me half asleep on the ground in the Emporium. I was done. My body was done. I worked out almost everyday of my pregnancy and that didn't matter. Eventually, your body will be done. Take a break throughout the day. Go back to your hotel and take a nap. Sit as much as possible. And when you start to feel tired, go home. Don't fight it.
4) Know what you can ride. There are very few attractions you can't enjoy while pregnant. You need to stay away from all the "mountain" rides - Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thundermountain Railroad and Matterhorn Bobsleds. Also, California Screamin' and Tower of Terror could be particularly harmful to a pregnant mother. They tell you to stay off of Autopia, but you can get around that. Just make sure that the person behind you is an adult that you know and will be very aware of you at all times. The only reason they don't want you on Autopia is in case someone rear ends you. If you have a responsible adult behind you, you shouldn't have that problem. My mom was behind me in her car and we all made it out un-bumped. Because of the jolting in the attractions, you should also stay away from Indiana Jones Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers and Star Tours. Other than that, you can enjoy anything in either park.
5) Take advantage of the live performances. This is the perfect opportunity to go see that show you always wanted to see but never got around to because the rides were just too much fun! DL has amazing shows including musicals, animatronics, parades and more! Go visit Crush the talking turtle at "Turtle Talk" in California Adventure. Go see Aladdin the Musical! The Genie is hilarious. Visit Abraham Lincoln on Main Street U.S.A. or get an art lesson from the Animation Academy. There is so much to do at DL besides ride rides!
6) Take advantage of the baby switch for your non-pregnant thrill seekers. While I was waiting outside of Tower of Terror for my party to return, I asked a CM for a rider switch. That means I could essentially ride the ride with another person after my party gets off the ride. Of course I didn't ride the rides, but 2 of my family members were able to walk right back on the ride! It wasn't particularly busy at the time we went, so most of the CMs were cool and let all 5 of my party back on. At least they got to take advantage of my "disability",
7) Drink TONS of water. It's important to stay hydrated anyway, but especially while pregnant! It's so easy to get caught up in the fun and forget to hydrate, but always have a water bottle on you! DL charges for water bottles, but not for cups of water with ice! Stop by any restaurant and get a cup with ice water and stay hydrated!
8) Try a wheelchair. I didn't feel like I needed a wheelchair (until the end of the night), but if you are ever feeling overly tired or weary, go rent one from City Hall. It's nice to have someone push you around the park before you're going to have to push someone else around in a stroller for a while. It's nice for resting and it also is convenient to carry multiple bags.
I had a ton of fun being pregnant at DL. The CMs are so fun with you. I put a "1st Visit" pin on my belly for my unborn baby girl's first visit and they loved it! Minnie was so cute about it. She poked my belly and was so giggly. Everyone was very polite about my large belly and made sure to not bump into me. The only time it was annoying was getting weird looks while standing in line for the bigger rides like Space Mountain. I didn't want to wait all alone while my family was in line, so I waited in line with them and then just stood to the side during the ride, but some judgmental people gave me some dirty looks in line. It was kind of hysterical. That ended up being one of the most fun DL trips I've been on.
Have you ever gone to DL while pregnant? Share your tips below!
1) Wear comfortable shoes. I cannot stress this enough. It's important to wear comfortable shoes while pregnant anyway, but at DL, it's even more important. Let's face it, being pregnant is not the most comfortable situation in the world, so make it as enjoyable as possible by keeping your feet comfortable.
2) Bring snacks. I got the muchies like crazy while pregnant and anyone who has been to DL knows you can spend a pretty penny on food there. Be frugal and bring snacks like granola bars, goldfish and fruit snacks.
3) Know when to call it quits. DL is expensive so naturally you would want to stay til they kick you out so you get your money's worth. This was not wise while pregnant. I walked all day and all night and then suddenly, I just couldn't take it anymore. My family found me half asleep on the ground in the Emporium. I was done. My body was done. I worked out almost everyday of my pregnancy and that didn't matter. Eventually, your body will be done. Take a break throughout the day. Go back to your hotel and take a nap. Sit as much as possible. And when you start to feel tired, go home. Don't fight it.
4) Know what you can ride. There are very few attractions you can't enjoy while pregnant. You need to stay away from all the "mountain" rides - Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Thundermountain Railroad and Matterhorn Bobsleds. Also, California Screamin' and Tower of Terror could be particularly harmful to a pregnant mother. They tell you to stay off of Autopia, but you can get around that. Just make sure that the person behind you is an adult that you know and will be very aware of you at all times. The only reason they don't want you on Autopia is in case someone rear ends you. If you have a responsible adult behind you, you shouldn't have that problem. My mom was behind me in her car and we all made it out un-bumped. Because of the jolting in the attractions, you should also stay away from Indiana Jones Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers and Star Tours. Other than that, you can enjoy anything in either park.
5) Take advantage of the live performances. This is the perfect opportunity to go see that show you always wanted to see but never got around to because the rides were just too much fun! DL has amazing shows including musicals, animatronics, parades and more! Go visit Crush the talking turtle at "Turtle Talk" in California Adventure. Go see Aladdin the Musical! The Genie is hilarious. Visit Abraham Lincoln on Main Street U.S.A. or get an art lesson from the Animation Academy. There is so much to do at DL besides ride rides!
6) Take advantage of the baby switch for your non-pregnant thrill seekers. While I was waiting outside of Tower of Terror for my party to return, I asked a CM for a rider switch. That means I could essentially ride the ride with another person after my party gets off the ride. Of course I didn't ride the rides, but 2 of my family members were able to walk right back on the ride! It wasn't particularly busy at the time we went, so most of the CMs were cool and let all 5 of my party back on. At least they got to take advantage of my "disability",
7) Drink TONS of water. It's important to stay hydrated anyway, but especially while pregnant! It's so easy to get caught up in the fun and forget to hydrate, but always have a water bottle on you! DL charges for water bottles, but not for cups of water with ice! Stop by any restaurant and get a cup with ice water and stay hydrated!
8) Try a wheelchair. I didn't feel like I needed a wheelchair (until the end of the night), but if you are ever feeling overly tired or weary, go rent one from City Hall. It's nice to have someone push you around the park before you're going to have to push someone else around in a stroller for a while. It's nice for resting and it also is convenient to carry multiple bags.
I had a ton of fun being pregnant at DL. The CMs are so fun with you. I put a "1st Visit" pin on my belly for my unborn baby girl's first visit and they loved it! Minnie was so cute about it. She poked my belly and was so giggly. Everyone was very polite about my large belly and made sure to not bump into me. The only time it was annoying was getting weird looks while standing in line for the bigger rides like Space Mountain. I didn't want to wait all alone while my family was in line, so I waited in line with them and then just stood to the side during the ride, but some judgmental people gave me some dirty looks in line. It was kind of hysterical. That ended up being one of the most fun DL trips I've been on.
Have you ever gone to DL while pregnant? Share your tips below!
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