Can you visit Disneyland Paris while pregnant?
Yes, you can visit Disneyland Paris while pregnant. It’s perfectly possible if you feel up to it and plan your day well.
Just bear in mind that a day at the park can be tiring. You’ll walk a lot, often more than 10 km (6 miles). The best approach is to match the pace to how you feel and how far along you are.
If it’s your first visit and you’re pregnant, plan a gentle day with only a few rides. To plan how your day will go, see also planning your day.
When should you visit during your pregnancy?
The right time mainly depends on how far along you are. Here are my tips, trimester by trimester.
| Trimester | What to expect | My advice |
|---|---|---|
| 1st trimester (months 1 to 3) | A delicate time: nausea, tiredness. | Best kept for when you already know the park and plan a very quiet day. |
| 2nd trimester (months 4 to 6) | More energy, getting around is easier. | The most comfortable time to visit, whether you know the park or not. |
| 3rd trimester (months 7 to 9) | Tiredness, the baby’s weight, backache, standing is hard. | Think it through: few rides available, a more tiring day. |
When to visit Disneyland Paris by trimester
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Which rides are banned or not recommended when pregnant?
Many thrill rides are off limits during pregnancy. The reason is nearly always the same: belts, lap bars or harnesses pressing on your bump, vibrations, jolts, sudden stops or loops.
Here is the list of rides that are banned or not recommended in both parks, with where they are and why.
| Ride | Status | Location | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril | Not allowed | Disneyland Park, Adventureland | Harness, sudden stops, loop |
| Autopia | Not allowed | Disneyland Park, Discoveryland | Seat belt, vibrations, bumps |
| Star Tours: The Adventures Continue | Not allowed | Disneyland Park, Discoveryland | Seat belt, vibrations, bumps |
| Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain | Not allowed | Disneyland Park, Discoveryland | Harness, sudden stops, loop |
| Big Thunder Mountain | Not allowed | Disneyland Park, Frontierland | Lap bar, vibrations, jolts, sudden stops |
| Avengers Assemble: Flight Force | Not allowed | Disney Adventure World, Avengers Campus | Harness, sudden stops, loop |
| Frozen Ever After | Not allowed | Disney Adventure World, World of Frozen | Small boat drops, changes of direction |
| The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Not allowed | Disney Adventure World, World Premiere Plaza | Seat belt, sudden stops, jolts |
| Crush’s Coaster | Not allowed | Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar | Lap bar, sudden stops, vibrations |
| RC Racer | Not allowed | Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar | Harness, jolts |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Adventureland | Small drops in the boat (as a precaution) |
| Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Fantasyland | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Fantasyland | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Les Voyages de Pinocchio | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Fantasyland | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Fantasyland | Spinning, centrifugal force |
| Peter Pan’s Flight | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Fantasyland | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Phantom Manor | Not recommended | Disneyland Park, Frontierland | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Raiponce Tangled Spin | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, Adventure Way | Spinning, movements |
| Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, Avengers Campus | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Les Tapis Volants - Flying Carpets Over Agrabah | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, World Premiere Plaza | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Cars Quatre Roues Rallye | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar | Seat belt, jolts |
| Ratatouille : L’Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar | Safety bar, sudden stops |
| Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar | Lap bar, vibrations, jolts |
| Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop | Not recommended | Disney Adventure World, Worlds of Pixar | Seat belt, sudden stops |
Rides not allowed or not recommended for pregnant visitors.
Don’t worry: there are still plenty of lovely things to do, and you’ll find them just below.
If you’re unsure about a ride, ask a Cast Member on the spot (Disney staff) or check the official Disneyland Paris app. The restrictions are also shown at the entrance to each ride.
This table is about safety during pregnancy. For minimum heights (which concern children), see my guide to ride height restrictions.
Which rides and activities can you do while pregnant?
There’s still enough for a lovely day. Lots of gentle rides and shows are open to you while pregnant.
- Gentle rides: It’s a Small World and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast (Disneyland Park).
- Shows: perfect for resting in a seat while still enjoying yourself. There are some in both parks.
- The parade and the night-time show, for calm moments at the end of the day.
- A table-service restaurant: often calmer and more comfortable than a quick-service counter.
- Character meets, a friendly moment (except the virtual queue).
- Relaxed shopping in the shops, with regular breaks.
The Disneyland Paris pregnancy wristband (Thumper wristband)
Disneyland Paris offers a free wristband for mums-to-be. It’s often called the Thumper wristband: since December 2021 it has carried a picture of Thumper the rabbit and replaced the old orange card.
It gives priority access, but not immediate access, to certain suitable rides, shows, character meet and greets and tills. So you queue for less time, but it isn’t an instant fast track pass.
- Priority access (not immediate) to rides suitable during pregnancy.
- Priority access to shows in both parks.
- Priority access to character meet and greets (except the virtual queue).
- Reserved areas to watch shows and parades.
- Reserved slots for character meet and greets, on request from a Cast Member.
- Priority access to tills in restaurants and shops.
- Benches in some queues, especially for indoor shows, so you get less tired.
- The wristband is personal. Its expiry date is written on it.
How to get the wristband
Getting it is simple and free. You need a recent medical certificate confirming your pregnancy.
Get a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy, dated less than 3 months ago, signed by a doctor and written in French or English.
Bring some ID as well (your name is checked when you collect it).
Go to City Hall (Disneyland Park) or Studio Services (Disney Adventure World). If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you can also collect the wristband from the concierge or reception.
The wristband is given to you on the spot, free of charge. Keep it on your wrist during your visit.
To use your wristband, go to the right place for each experience:
For rides: go to the reduced mobility entrance, or to the exit if the ride doesn’t have one. Show your wristband to the Cast Member. You can bring up to 4 people with you.
For shows, parades, character meet and greets, restaurants and shops: simply show your wristband to a Cast Member at the entrance. For indoor shows, 4 people can go with you. For parades and outdoor shows, it’s 2 people.
Access is priority but not immediate: expect a short wait, especially at busy times.
My tips for a comfortable visit
- Take it slowly: better to do fewer things and enjoy them.
- Take regular breaks sitting down, before you feel tired (look out for benches and quiet corners).
- Drink often: water bottles are allowed and the water fountains are free.
- Eat regularly: keep a few snacks (fruit, cereal bars, fruit pouches) to avoid energy dips.
- Wear comfortable shoes: you’ll walk a lot, often more than 10 km (6 miles) in a day.
- Alternate with quiet moments: go for gentle rides and seated shows to rest.
- In hot weather or a heatwave, avoid the hottest hours: look for shade and air-conditioned places (rides, shops, restaurants) and drink more. See the weather at Disneyland Paris.
- Avoid the crush: get in place a little early for parades and shows, or leave just before the end to avoid the crowds.
- If you tire quickly or would rather not walk all day, don’t hesitate to hire a wheelchair. See my guide to wheelchair hire.
- If you need it, each park has a first aid centre: tell a Cast Member, who will direct you to somewhere to rest or get care.
Food precautions
You know them, but they’re easy to forget in the excitement of a day at the park. Here are the useful reminders.
- Choose well-cooked food: meat, fish and eggs cooked through.
- Wash your hands before eating and after touching public surfaces.
- Avoid risky foods: raw milk cheeses, raw cured meats, uncooked pastries.
- These habits reduce the risk of listeriosis and toxoplasmosis.
What to bring
For the full packing list, see what to pack in your bag. Here are the essentials for pregnancy:
- Your medical certificate confirming your pregnancy (for the wristband) and some ID.
- A water bottle, to stay well hydrated.
- Snacks (fruit, cereal bars, fruit pouches) for when your blood sugar drops.
- Comfortable shoes.
- Hand sanitiser gel.
- A small support cushion for breaks.
Further reading
- Plan your day at the park.
- Plan your trip over several days.
- The full checklist of what to pack in your bag.
- Ride height restrictions.
- The Priority Card (disability), not to be confused with the pregnancy wristband.
Frequently asked questions
01 Is the pregnancy wristband free?
Yes. The wristband, often called the Thumper wristband, is free. You just need to show ID and a medical certificate of pregnancy less than 3 months old, signed by a doctor.
02 How do I get the priority wristband for pregnant visitors ("Thumper wristband")?
The priority wristband for pregnant visitors, nicknamed the "Thumper wristband" by Cast Members, is free. You pick it up at City Hall, Studio Services or the concierge desk of the Disney hotels. Show an ID and a medical certificate of pregnancy less than 3 months old, signed by a doctor, in French or English. The wristband gives priority (but not immediate) access to rides, shows, character meets, restaurant tills and shops.
03 What’s the best trimester to visit Disneyland Paris when pregnant?
The second trimester (months 4 to 6) is the most comfortable: you have more energy and cope better with getting around. The first trimester is tricky, the third more tiring. Ask your doctor for advice before you come.
04 Does the wristband let you go on all the rides?
No. The wristband doesn’t change the safety rules. Many thrill rides remain off limits during pregnancy, because of the harnesses, jolts and sudden stops. Others are not recommended.
05 Can you visit while pregnant without a medical certificate?
Yes, you can visit the parks without a certificate. But a medical certificate confirming your pregnancy is needed to get the free priority wristband, so remember to bring it if you’d like one.
06 How does Rider Switch (formerly Baby Switch) work and is it free?
It’s a free service that lets you take turns on a ride with a minimum height without queuing again. You need at least two adults: one stays with the child who is too small while the other rides, then you swap through a quick access entrance. Ask the Cast Member at the ride entrance. Don’t confuse it with Single Rider, which lets you ride alone by filling single empty seats.
