where we stayed:

• Grand Legacy at the Park – Once again, we keep coming back because their prices are usually lower than hotels around them (they often have specials too!) and you can’t beat how close it is the the parks! Even being pregnant, it didn’t feel like a huge long walk back to the hotel.

what we ate:

We tried all the seasonal macarons (& macaroon!) this time around!

Disneyland:

• Mickey Beignets from Mint Julip Bar – these *NEVER* disappoint!!
• Chicken Tenders and fries from Galaxy Grill

DCA:

• Mac & Cheese in Sourdough Bowl from Aunt Cass’ Cafe
• Galaxy Churro from Senor Buzz – the BEST churro in the parks!
• Double Cheeseburger & Onion Rings from SmokeJumpers Grill – the onion rings were some of my favorite I have ever had!
• LOTS of Starbucks runs! I have decided that the Starbucks in DCA is far superior to the Disneyland counterpart.

what we rode:

Disneyland:

• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• It’s a Small World
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Disneyland Railroad Train
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion Holiday

DCA:

• Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Soarin’ over the world (*this has a height requirement, but I felt safe pregnancy to ride, of course always check with your doctor before you decide!*)

what we did:

Ladies & Gentlemen, WE FINALLY SAW MAGIC HAPPENS!!!!!!!!!

It was everything I ever could have hoped for! I had to have watched the parade on YouTube at least hundreds, if not thousands, of times. I listened to the entire playlist most days while getting ready. AND STILL, it was phenomenal. Each performer truly gives their heart & soul to the parade! I cried!

10000000/10

Halloween Screams Fireworks/Projections

I walked around the Rivers of America to an empty spot that was by Haunted Mansion, sitting on the wall over there talking to my mom on the phone. Chad was riding Big Thunder Railroad alone (since it’s not pregnancy-friendly, I was checking in with how it was going back home). Chad meets up with me & all the sudden, projections light up across the water! It was such a fun surprise! Halloween Screams was happening & it was a great view to watch from the Rivers of America. I definitely would watch it there again!!

Then the main reason we came: The Oogie Boogie Bash on opening night! (I’ll make a separate post on this!)

firsts of the trip:

• Magic Happens, in person!
• Riding the Mark Twain Riverboat

what I wore:

I am OBSESSED with this Target dress. I have been wearing it nonstop & immediately bought it in two other colors! (see pink dress below!) It is the perfect A-line dress that shows off the bump without being super tight!!

LOVE IT!

BLACK DRESS

TEVAS *exact is out of stock

*sadly, I bought the shirt from Etsy last year & the seller no longer has a shop open!

I have worn this dress with a shirt over it on a couple’s trip to disneyland the year before. I really love it cause it is longer & easily wearable!

PINK EYELET MIDI DRESS *out of stock from J.Crew Factory

TEVAS *exact is out of stock

BACKPACK

Then this is what I wore for Oogie Boogie Bash! We are going to dress up in October when we come with the kids, but you already know I can’t resist a themed outfit!! 🙂

PINK TARGET DRESS (same as the black from above!)

DISNEY HALLOWEEN CARDIGAN

MINNIE PUMPKIN LOUNGEFLY BAG

TEVAS *exact is out of stock

double exposure of the trip:

This is one of my favorite double exposures I have shot! The best part is, this was the first & ONLY of the trip! I love that it captures the Fall/Halloween magic of Disney along with the prettiest sunflowers on Main Street. I can’t wait to frame it soon!

Tips for doing Disneyland while pregnant:

Also, in case it wasn’t obvious, this trip was done while I was 28 weeks pregnant with my third! I took a spontaneous trip with Chad when I was 32 weeks with my first pregnancy, but that was my only other experience being pregnant at a Disney park. Here is how I survived 🙂

• DRINK LOTS OF WATER! Stay hydrated really helps anytime you go to Disneyland, but really staying on top of hydrating helped with all the extra walking.
• STAY CLOSE TO THE PARKS! Staying at a closer hotel (even if you splurge a little) is well-worth it. Especially if you are staying more than a day or two!
• YOU CAN RIDE A LOT STILL! I think the pregnancy rule of thumb with rides is you ride anything that doesn’t have a height requirement. (of course, you should always check with your doctor!!) This includes a lot of popular rides like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Haunted Mansion, and basically all of Fantasyland. You’re more limited on the DCA side, but still can do Ariel’s and Monster’s Inc.
• ENJOY A SLOWER PACE! I think sitting and resting when needed really helped being able to endure a long Disney parks day. At one point, my foot started hurting and slowing down helped me make it through. And a slower pace could look like soaking in more of the entertainment, like parades, over riding the rides.
• IF YOU’RE GOING WITH SOMEONE ELSE (WHO ISN’T PREGNANT), LET THEM RIDE THE RIDES YOU CAN’T DO. I went with my husband and there were times we split up so he could ride the “bigger” rides (like Big Thunder Railroad) and I would rest or even hop on a smaller ride. It gave me a chance to experience the Mark Twain Riverboat! So it was fun to do something I haven’t done before while he did a familiar favorite!

Most importantly, realize this trip is gonna look different. But, that’s the fun of it! You get to have the excitement of going while pregnant. There are a lot of fun moments and magic to still be had!!

Until next time,

Lauren