I used to think planning a wedding was stressful and then I had a baby! As a mom who recently took her first family trip to Disney World, I suddenly found myself having flashbacks to my pregnancy days. What do planning a Disney World trip and pregnancy have in common? For your sheer enjoyment, today I’m sharing some similarities I noticed along the way…
10 Ways Planning a Disney World Trip is Like Having a Baby
1) Planning, planning, planning! Just like you need to start planning for motherhood the minute you get pregnant, you need to start planning for Disney World months (if not years) in advance! It may take nine months to make a baby but if you want to get your first-choice character meals and fast passes for Disney World, you’ll need to start your booking at least 180 days in advance. If you’re looking for the best baby nurse in town, start asking around before you’re even pregnant. Remember knowledge is power so stock up on those parenting and travel books.
2) Your birth plan or touring plan may not go according to schedule. Just because you always envisioned a complication-free natural birth with your favorite music playing doesn’t mean it will go down that way and it is the same for a Disney trip. You may map out the most efficient touring schedule but weather, unexpected character greetings and kiddie tantrums can all affect the day’s outcome. Just remember to go with the flow…there is no “perfect” childbirth or “perfect” Disney trip so try not to obsess.
Your birth plan or touring plan may not go according to schedule so remember to stay flexible.
3) You will have a lot of last minute questions and concerns! You will find yourself calling, texting and emailing your OB and travel agent at all hours (Thanks Mary Daly at My Mickey Vacation Travel). They will understand, especially if this is your first pregnancy or Disney trip.
Matchy matchy outfits are a hit at Disney World and after childbirth.
4) You will spend hours obsessing over outfits… For childbirth you’ll need cozy and comfy outfits for mom and baby and for Disney, you’ll need to coordinate Mickey (or Star Wars, Princess, etc.) gear for the whole family. Buy some things before you go to the hospital or Disney but remember you’ll get lots of baby clothes as gifts and you’ll definitely want to buy some Disney souvenirs at the parks. If you’re the type who cares about taking a zillion color coordinated photos (new baby or Disney!), you’ll want to scour Pinterest months in advance for outfit ideas.
5) You will quickly realize everyone you know is an expert in pregnancy and Disney so be prepared for tons of unsolicited advice! Ohhhh how people love to give advice on what to expect during pregnancy…the same is true for planning a Disney trip. Be ready to hear about everyone’s favorite rides, restaurants, snack options and other Disney must-do’s. You can trust the advice of professionals and people who have similarly aged children but feel free to ignore everyone else…
6) When you ask for advice, you will get different answers. From parenting tips to Disney trips, opinions will vary.
Flight delays and other setbacks can happen so prepare for the unexpected.
7) Prepare for the unexpected! Some of the most sophisticated sonograms can predict the wrong sex in the same way some of the most experienced Disney crowd planners can be way off. If you find yourself surprised in either situation, take a deep breath. You can send a friend to exchange the baby clothes and you can always leave a crowded park for a little pool break. Flight delays, bad weather and birth complications can happen.
8) Expect a few meltdowns from grown ups and kids. Moms, dads, big kids and babies all have a boiling point. Be warned.
Few moments can rival the thrill of entering Magic Kingdom.
9) You’ll experience a natural high and then the whole experience will thoroughly exhaust you. The thrill of meeting your baby for the first time will rival the thrill of watching your kids enter the Magic Kingdom gates but after a few days, exhaustion will kick in and you will want uninterrupted sleep for a good week!
10) In the end, all the pain of childbirth and agony of planning a Disney trip will fade and all you will recall are the happy joyful memories. Until the next trip or baby…just keep looking at those thousands of photos and don’t say I didn’t warn you…
In the end, Disney World and parenthood are worth all the planning.
There you have it. And remember, re-entrance is not easy. Mommyhood is whole new world and returning from Disney can feel like the biggest hangover ever. But in the end, those chubby cheeks and fun Disney memories are all worth it!
Be sure to check out the 11 Best Things to Do at Disney World before you go.
Do you have anything to add to this list? Tell me below in the comments.
Special thanks to Walt Disney World for providing two one-day park-hopper tickets for review purposes. As always, all opinions are my own. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to Globetrotting Mommy for daily updates!
(one of the few coast guard approved devices) for toddlers or a backpack type floatation device like the 
– If you’ve got little Peppa fans, this colorful book is sure to please. I love that it teaches kids how to behave in museums and gives them an idea of what to expect during their first museum visits.
– My daughter and I love exploring New York’s scenic Central Park so I was interested to check out this tale of animal characters who live in the park. The book is comprised of ten short stories making it is a great option for emerging readers who can rely on comprehension rather than photos.
– I love gorgeous oversized children’s picture books but if they don’t hold my daughter’s interest, they just sit on the bookshelf, and yes, we have a collection of those… My daughter is continuously drawn to this book which showcases details of people and their varied lifestyles across the globe. From clothing and housing to religions and customs, this book is a great option for teaching diversity.
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versions perfect for globetrotting kids (and adults too).
– Pop-Up books are always a hit with kids and this pop-up atlas makes learning geography fun. My daughter never tires of lifting the flaps and pull tabs to uncover interesting details from around the world. Its fairly sturdy but I wouldn’t leave toddlers unsupervised with it…
– For girls who love, love, love Eloise, this treasury is sure to please. This is a great choice for young travelers since it features Eloise in Moscow and Eloise in Paris as well as Eloise at Christmastime and the original Eloise story and scrapbook.
– For kids who are old enough to plan family adventures, this coffee table book is filled with travel itineraries and suggestions for trips across the United States and Canada.
– Pre-teens will love this award-winning adventurous tale about two kids who hide out in NYC’s Metropolitan Museum of Art. They bathe in the museum’s fountains and sleep in royal beds as they run away from home and discover a mystery along the way.
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which are great for little hands.
for older kids (and adults!) and you’ve got a great gift idea.
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