How I Plan to Enjoy Holiday World in my Last Trimester
So…that probably sounds crazy, right?
I’m sure you’re probably wondering, “Why on Earth would you go to an amusement park when you can’t ride the rides, it’s hot, there is walking, etc.?”
Well, for one, it’s not just an amusement park, it’s Holiday World! The land of free soft drinks (plus water, Gatorade, and tea), free parking, free wi-fi. Consistently voted the cleanest park, and in my opinion the best food for an amusement park!
I have been going to Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari most of my life, consistently every year for the last decade, until we had our daughter in 2022. Olive is turning three this summer, and what better place to celebrate than Holiday World?! She is fairly tall for her age, and there are rides that she is finally big enough to enjoy. If you’re wondering if your kids are tall enough, check out their website and Accessibility Guide for ride restrictions!
I’ve also mentioned Olive is going through Autism Assessments, and while she has been to large events, she has never been to a theme park like this. If she were overwhelmed, I am so glad to know that Holiday World has a Calming Room we can use to readjust and realign ourselves. They also have air conditioned nursing rooms (two).
I am due July 3rd, so we plan on hitting the park in May & June (our birthdays), and then hopefully visiting as a family for the Halloweekends! So yes, I will be in my last trimester during this time - big, bloated, and tired…and I STILL want to go to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari!
Now, to tackle those skeptic questions…
Holiday World does have a discounted ticket option for pregnant women, you can call for more details or ask Guest Services.
Riding rides…you should always consult your OB on this. Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari have signs outside each ride, but you can also consult their Accessibility Guide to reach which rides are not recommended for those with health conditions or who may be pregnant. Roller coasters are obviously out, and when it comes to other rides, that is at your discretion…But me? I will be in the Bahari River most of the day. They have tubes that are seats, which will be easier for my very pregnant self to climb into, and the water is always a nice respite from the heat and concrete.
Walking is not ideal, but sometimes it is needed in those last months to get baby moving. My planned route when we go is to go through Halloween (my favorite!), down to Splashin’ Safari where we will rent either a cabana or Cheetah Chase Lounger to call our home base. This will also give me ample opportunity to lay down in the shade, when I need to. That route is fairly downhill, so coming back would be the challenge. But, if I truly worried about not being able to get around, mobility scooters are available for rent on a first come, first serve basis.
I also plan to hang out at the Plymouth Rock Cafe, an amazing restaurant located in Thanksgiving. No trip to HW is complete without my chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, and stuffing dinner. The Sugarplum Scoop Shoppe in Christmas is where I will get my ice cream or milkshake dessert, and of course we will stop in the Candy Shop to take some goodies back to our accommodations.
So, what am I going to do all day at the park? Eat, float in the Bahari River, maybe check out the wave pool when it isn’t going, relax on my lounger, check out the daily shows, play a few games, and photograph my kiddo having the time of her life.
If we stay at Sun Outdoors - Lake Rudolph, which we typically do (but we absolutely loved the Lincoln Pines Lakeside Resort), then I would also have the option of taking the shuttle back to our site. Lake Rudolph has it’s own pool (as does Lincoln Pines, but I would have to drive back and forth for that), so I could choose to hang poolside while Christian and Olive do rides before joining them in Splashin’ Safari.
Overall, I’d spend my time at Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari very pregnant, but doing my best to make it the perfect send off to “just” being a family of three.
How about you? Would you ever go to a theme park in your last trimester? Let me know in the comments!
