Back when I was a wee tour guide at the blissfully young age of 18, I remember getting calls in our phone room from women asking, “What can I do at Disneyland if I’m pregnant?”  So take a moment and picture this: At the time, the Disneyland phone room was a bunch of college-age tour guides (mostly gals) who in between phone calls were applying make-up, knitting, gabbing to one another about the latest news and gossip, and painting their nails.  I can’t say that I ever took the concept of Disneyland while pregnant all too seriously until I had kids of my own.

So, what can you do at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park if you are pregnant?  It’s a good question, and I have some good news and bad news.

First the good news.  There’s a lot you can do at Disneyland if you are pregnant.  The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t go on any turbulent attractions.  Pregnant women should stay away from anything that’s fast or jerks.  These attractions include the Indiana Jones Adventure, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, Gadget’s Go Coaster, Autopia, Space Mountain and Star Tours at Disneyland.  Over at Disney California Adventure Park, pregnant moms should not ride, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Silly Symphony Swings, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, California Screamin’, Grizzly River Run, and Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies.  Basically, just use common sense.

As a pregnant momma, I would also stay clear of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (the teacups) in Disneyland and Francis’ Ladybug Boogie in Disney California Adventure Park, as there’s just something about spinning in circles and pregnancy that don’t mix.  Once your belly is gigantic, it will be darn near impossible to get down the hatch of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.  If you don’t feel like you can safely get down the small hatch, there is a room where you can watch the attraction on a huge screen.  Just ask the attraction’s Cast Member for more information on the viewing room.

That’s me with my boys very pregnant aboard “it’s a small world.”

While that may seem like a lot of attractions, rest assured that there is still PLENTY to do in both parks if you are pregnant–especially when you factor in all of the shows and the fact that you’ll want to stop down every once in a while to give yourself a break.  Plus, if you already have little ones, you are likely not going to be going on a lot of those turbulent attractions anyway.

So here’s the bad news.  When you are pregnant (and in that really big stage), a day at Disneyland can be tough.  Take it from me.  I went plenty of times while I was pregnant.  Here’s my tips for surviving Disneyland while pregnant:

This was my view as my family’s waddling caboose.

• Bring lots of water.  It is incredibly easy to become dehydrated.  If you bring your own water bottle, you can refill it at both of the Baby Care Centers.
• Wear really, really comfortable shoes.  And while you’re at it, make sure your clothes are super comfortable too.  If you are anything like I was when I was pregnant and tend to spill everything you eat on your belly, it’s not a bad idea to bring an extra shirt.
• Be prepared to take a lot of breaks.  Lugging around that belly can be exhausting so be prepared to frequent breaks and give yourself permission to rest while the rest of your party goes on rides or runs around without you.
• Be prepared to be the caboose.  While pregnant, I typically followed behind my family because I was walking so slow.  On the bright side, it gave me an opportunity to observe my children at Disneyland instead of being in the mix.
• Be sure that your family only does one part of the park at a time.  Don’t exhaust yourself by running from here to there.
• Know about First Aid.  Should anything…and I mean anything…seem a little not right with you or your baby while you are at Disneyland, stop by First Aid.  There, registered nurses can help you with any concerns you might have.  They have everything from treatment rooms to cots and can store any medications you may be brining with you on your trip.  The First Aid office at Disneyland is located next to the Baby Care Center at the end of Main Street near the Plaza Inn Restaurant.  In Disney California Adventure Park, First Aid is located next to the Mission Tortilla Factory next to the Baby Care Center.
• Give yourself permission to pig out!  Disneyland is a pregnant momma’s heaven with amazing food and guilty pleasures around every corner.  Enjoy but bring those Tums just in case.

• And, if you can’t possibly make it the entire day, you can always consider renting a wheelchair.  (I haven’t done this and my OBGYN was shocked I never did.)

So anyway, that’s about it.  And because my little guy is now 13 months and I’m back to what I weighed when I was a wee tour guide at 18, I can now post this horrible picture of myself VERY pregnant at Disneyland.  Argh!!!