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[theshiznizstuff-blog]

Visiting Disneyland Paris 24 Weeks Pregnant

So I’ve decided to create a blog about my experience visiting Disneyland Paris at 24 weeks pregnant for Valentines weekend. When I was researching what it was going to be like there were limited experiences online! So here’s mine!..

Friday 10th February 2017 to Sunday 12th February, me, my boyfriend, our bump!

The Travel from Edinburgh Airport to Charles de Gaulle and Hotel 

So we flew from Edinburgh to Charles de Gaulle with easyjet and at 24 weeks pregnant - there is no need for travel documents or proof you can fly etc. However I took my maternity notes in my suitcase just in case I needed them at all over the weekend (if the worst was to happen! which it didn’t). As we were travelling with easyjet we only had hand luggage and this is a bit of a pain when you've got a bumpy tummy so my lovely boyfriend carted both bags about! The flight was only an hour and a half so I just kept wiggling my legs and got up for a walk once just to be on the safe side. It was comfortable enough but just remember the seat belt goes under the bump!

When we arrived at CDG it was about a 20min walk through the airport to where we picked up the transfer coach. The Magical Shuttle bus is fantastic. Takes you straight from Terminal 1 or 2E/2F to your Disney hotel and if you’re staying in one of the non-disney hotels nearby - you can get a connecting shuttle from the main bus depot right outside the Disney Parks. It cost me £63.50 for two adults return but when I got on the bus I saw they were offering 10% off for that time of year so look out for offers when you book! When you get on the bus the driver asks which Hotel you’re staying at and tells you ‘second stop etc’ but it’s pretty obvious when you arrive at the hotel! On the journey to the park the bus shows a video on a small TV at the front of the bus advertising the parks and hotels which gets you in the mood! The transfer took less than an hour and dropped us at the hotel door. They’re regular as well which helps when you’ve got no idea if your flight will be on time!

On our return from the hotel to the airport - the bus arrived and was jam packed as the Sequoia Lodge is the second last pick up point on the return journey. The bus driver came off the bus and said she only had 8 seats and there were about 16 of us at the bus stop. My partner pointed out I was pregnant and we got let on the bus AND were sat at the very front of the bus which was good because I don’t think I could have stood and waited for the next bus in an hour after 60,000 steps in 3 days! The driver did assure the others that she was calling another bus which would be there in 5 minutes...

Hotel Sequoia Lodge

When we arrived at the hotel we we’re directed (with our luggage) to an airport style security check where our bags were also scanned. The doormen then brushed a metal detector over us but avoided me because of my bump! The reception had a small queue and while standing in line we had to fill out some routine paperwork. When we reached the receptionist she noticed I was pregnant and changed our reservation so that we had a room in the main building rather than one of the lodges which had been assigned to us. We also got a priority pass so that instead of the normal set times for breakfast - we could eat whenever we want! 

The hotel room was lovely and clean and very well equipped with two double beds and 4 pillows on each bed which meant I could mould 4 spare pillows around myself in bed! However the room was a bit chilly. It was -2 when we arrived outside however I think the thermostat in our room didn’t work! We did call reception but no one got back to us. In all honesty - it was perfect temperature for sleeping. 

Breakfast was great! It was during school holidays so you can imagine the queues for the breakfast buffet. We simply showed our card and got to the front of the queue and seated straight away - as close to the buffet when they saw the bump! We also ate at this hotel for dinner one night (which we had to book in advance because everywhere was mobbed) and again - all you can eat buffet so got sat quite close! 

The hotel staff could not be more attentive when they noticed I was pregnant. Offering to carry luggage, letting us everywhere first - they were brilliant! We didn’t use the pool and leisure facilities while we were there because we thought it might be full of kids! But they looked really good - must check them out next time!

Park and Rides

In February - it is absolutely freezing! It even snowed when we arrived which was so beautiful but my other half came unprepared and ended up buying gloves and scarf from the overpriced shops! On arrival to the main park we went straight to City hall - as you walk into the park this is on the left had side. I brought with me my MatB1 proof of pregnancy and my passport and was issued with this little beauty -

This is called an Easy Access Card but I’ve read some people online calling it a ‘pink pregnancy card’. Anyway! It entitles you to access attractions without queuing and though the ‘disabled entrances’. So what happens is you go to an attraction for example ‘It’s a Small World’ and show the attendant your card. They then take the card - write what time it is just now, and what time you should return to enter the ride without queuing. So you don’t just jump on any ride whenever you want without queuing - it’s a very fair and organised method! So the first ride we went on was a small world but because there was no queue she filled in the card and just let us in the disabled entrance straight away! When we went to the Buzz laser ride there was a 60min wait so we went to the attendant with our card and she filled it out asking us to return in 15mins and we got let in the fast pass queue!

You cannot build up a list of rides and then go back to each one - you have to attend the ride next on your list before you can make another reservation with another ride. We didn’t use it that much but it was great for meeting mickey mouse! The queue was 2hrs long! The attendant asked us to return in 45 mins so we went for a wander and a snack and then got straight in to see Mickey without queuing at all!

In the studios - we used this pass for the shows (Stunt show, Art of Animation etc) and we were just allowed straight to the front with no return time. We could also sit in the ‘Disabled seats’ if we wanted to but I was quite happy to sit amongst the crowds! I think its more from an evacuation perspective that you really should sit in those seats but I wasn’t fussed!

Alongside the Access Pass - when you get to City Hall they give you a list of all rides suitable for expectant mothers in each park

These lists are so handy but every ride stipulates at the start (next to the queue time) whether or not they are suitable for pregnant ladies! Now as this is not my first time to Disneyland I was thinking - why on earth can’t you go on Snow White? or Peter Pan?? Or the Haunted Mansion!? They’re all slow rides with no drops I cant see what the risk is! So I snuck into the Haunted Mansion as it’s my favourite ride at Disneyland (after Pirates of the Caribbean which was closed for refurbishment but has two big drops so I would have avoided it anyway!). There was no issue on the ride! I had plenty of room on the ‘doom buggy’ seat however it does jolt slightly when going round corners, not too quickly but I can see how this makes it unsuitable for pregnant ladies. When I was on the Buzz ride (which is suitable) I was spinning the cart round far more than the haunted mansion seats were jolting! So if you’re thinking about going on the Haunted Mansion - it’s not the smoothest ride!

I also snuck onto Snow White because it had a 10min queue and another favourite ride of mine! This is another very slow ride but it’s pretty old so does jolt round corners! A bit like these haunted houses you get at carnivals with a quick jolty cart! But I was fine - again plenty of room for my 24week bump!

I wasn’t expecting to get on many rides in all honesty - I was there for the atmosphere and just walking around was magical! If not a bit chilly!

Buffalo Bill Wild West Show

So we booked this show while booking our overall package because I’d been before and thought it was well worth the money! We went for the cheaper priced tickets because my other half is allergic to horses and used to have asthma as a child. This show is not suitable for anyone who has asthma or any breathing problems as there can be a lot of dust thrown around. Upon arrival - they noticed my bump and moved us to the front row - great seats but slightly concerning for my other half! Turns out he was totally fine! And just enjoyed the good view! So just a word of warning if you don’t want to be within reach of horses and buffalo!

Overall it was a great weekend and I was ready on Sunday to go home. 3 days of non stop walking around a theme park is relatively exhausting! There are lots of places to stop for a wee drink or snack! 

Looking forward to going back with our little one!