Expectant Mother’s Guide

[Susan Veness]

EXPECTANT MOTHER’S GUIDE

Holidays in Orlando can be a wonderful, magical time, even with a baby on the way! Most mums-to-be can enjoy the majority of attractions with relatively few restrictions. However, some precautions are in order for a safe and comfortable day in the parks. Always seek and follow the advice of your doctor or midwife before you visit the theme parks; our guide is meant to be a guide only and does not constitute medical advice or recommendations.

Most attraction restrictions are obvious (roller coasters, motion simulators) but some restrictions are less obvious. In those instances, we have included the reason the restriction is in place so that you can make an informed decision.

It is unlikely you will be challenged if you choose to ride any attraction, even if there are posted warnings and you are quite obviously expecting, so be aware the ride attendants are not required to advise you against riding. You must make yourself aware of those attractions that are not safe for Baby, without relying on ride attendants to warn you or remind you.

Please be aware, expectant mothers are strongly discouraged from experiencing any of the water slides at the water parks, or the Shark Reef at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. There is a posted warning at Typhoon Lagoon’s Crush ‘n Gusher water slide.

Attractions with Posted Warnings for Expectant Mothers

Magic Kingdom:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm

Epcot:
Soarin’ (sudden short, smooth upward motion)
Mission: SPACE
Test Track (sharp braking sequence, bumpy sequence, G-Forces)

Hollywood Studios:
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Star Tours

Animal Kingdom:
Dinosaur!
Kali River Rapids (sharp impacts with sides of canal, big drop)
Kilimanjaro Safari (bumpy, jarring ride)
Primeval Whirl
Expedition Everest

Universal Studios:
Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast (motion simulator-type ride)
Shrek 4-D (bumpy, jarring seat movements)
Twister-Ride it Out! (floor collapses at end of attraction)
Revenge of the Mummy
Disaster! (sharp side-to-side motion)
Jaws (sudden starts and stops, tilting)
Men in Black Alien Attack (ride vehicle spins)
Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
ET Adventure (possible instability due to suspended ride vehicle; inclines increase possible instability)
Terminator 2: 3-D (seat motion; stationary seats available)

Islands of Adventure:
Cat in the Hat (ride vehicle spins)
Dueling Dragons
Incredible Hulk Coaster
Jurassic Park River Adventure
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges
Storm Force Accelatron
Dr. Doom’s Fearfall
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

SeaWorld:
Journey to Atlantis
Kraken
Manta
Jazzie Jellies
Shamu Express
Swishy Fishies
Wild Arctic (ride portion)
Rock Wall
Trampoline

Busch Gardens:
SheikRa
Gwazi
Kumba
Montu
Python
Scorpion
Rhino Rally (bumpy, jarring ride)
Stanley Falls Log Flume
Congo River Rapids
Tanganyika Tidal Wave
Sandstorm
Phoenix
Ubanga-Banga Bumper Cars
Crazy Camel

Some attractions do not have a posted warning, but may be uncomfortable for Mums in the later months. These attractions include:
-Stitch’s Great Escape at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (shoulder harness may impinge on abdomen)
-Astro Orbitor at Disney’s Magic Kingdom (ride vehicle has a small, tight space)

Touring Comfortably

The key elements to keep in mind as you tour with baby-on-board are:

Rest! It’s a busy, exciting holiday, but your body needs far more rest than you may be used to. Schedule mid-day breaks back at your resort or, at the very least, take regular breaks and time off your feet inside the parks or find a quiet place to nap.

Water! Even in winter months, your body will need more hydration than you may be used to. In the summer, extra water intake is critical to avoid serious dehydration for you and endangerment to Baby. Fizzy drinks, coffee and tea are dehydrating; be sure to keep a supply of water on hand, even if it means you’ll become acquainted with all the restrooms in Orlando. Your body will thank you and so will your baby.

Snacks! Bring your own. In the early months you may be a bit queasy and will need to snack often, but may not find anything in the parks that sounds good. In the later months, you may need to snack often if large meals are no longer an option due to limited tummy space.

Worried you’ll be spending a lot of time apart from the family as they ride attractions you will not be riding? Remember, you can walk through the queue with them, then take the ‘non-rider exit’ near the boarding area.

Enjoy this special time as you prepare for your new arrival, knowing you can have a memorable holiday as well as a safe one. And Congratulations from Susan and Simon!

Copyright © Susan and Simon Veness, October 2006-2009

[LeonieM]

A couple of additions here that Susan has inadvertantly missed.

Jimmy Neutron tide at Universal - the very front row rocket ships are non-moving
Shrek 4D - the back row doesn't move, but the noise from the hydraulics means you won't hear anything over the noise either.

Only the centre section of the Star Tours road train actually rocks. If you're in the front or very rear cars, you'll hardly move at all.

[Susan Veness]

Star Tours is a motion simulator with extreme movement. ;) I promise it makes the list for a good reason! :eek:

It is correct there are non-moving seats on some attractions. The list is only meant to point out the attractions with cautions.

[LeonieM]

Star Tours is a motion simulator with extreme movement. ;) I promise it makes the list for a good reason! :eek:

It is correct there are non-moving seats on some attractions. The list is only meant to point out the attractions with cautions.

Duh! My brain is having trouble keeping in gear! Of course, that's the one where you're in a space ship with R2D2. Yes, lots of movement!

[Catlady]

Good lot of information Susan.

[emmah866]

Susan this information is fantastic. Thank you so much for posting it. I will only be around 3 1/2 months when we go so at least I am not going to be to big! Very excited though and this list will help me in my planning better. Shame about Rhino rally though as that was one thing I really wanted to do But hey I am going to disneyland in 98 days and I can not wait

[DaveDreaD]

Good info susan , i was suprised how many attractions had non moving areas / seats for expectant mothers but didnt actually advertise them at all well , i can only talk for universal from this trips experiance but had we had a tiny bit more info my OH could have gone on so much more.

[emmah866]

Do you think it would be possible to do the Serengeti Safari tour at Busch Gardens? Would love to be able to feed the giraffes!

[Susan Veness]

You can certainly do it (you can do anything on the list. It's up to you to choose), but you would probably have a warning not to. It's very bumpy! :eek:

The only other place I can think of where you could feed a giraffe without being in a truck is Silver Springs. You feed them over the fence, and sometimes they eat, sometimes they don't, but there is no risk to Baby in that instance.

[emmah866]

Thanks Susan, thats fantastic will have a look into it and see if we can fit a visit in to Silver Springs. Dont want to chance anything so would rather not ride anything that could do any harm. And besides gives me an excuse to come back