Do parents really put their older kids in diapers for a trip to Disney world?

[Mark_Millder]

I'm preparing our family holiday to WDW and visiting several websites for this purpose. On some websites I read the advise to diaper older children, even if they are potty trained. I found this advise on several sites.

One mother writes "I have to agree with the diapers for children 7 or under. The lines are very long, and while you wait, it is a guarantee after waiting a long period of time and just before you get on a ride one of the little ones has to go".

Although I'm not considering to diaper my 5 and 8 y/o sons I'm wondering if parents really do this and if its advisable.

[**pixiedust**]

Um...no. I never did that. Once my kids were trained, that was it. And I've been to Disney with small children alot.The only time I came close to doing that was two years ago. We went a month before my daughter turned three. She miraculously trained herself a week before we left. Even though she'd been doing great for a week, I put her in diapers for the plane flight as it was early am and I just didn't want to take any chances. I think putting a six year old back in diapers to wait in a line is humiliating to the child (assuming the child has no physical reason to warrant it).

[disney-super-mom]

No way would I do that!

If the child is used to wearing regular underwear and they're fully potty trained, then that's how it's going to stay.

If the child is used to wearing pull-ups, then fine, put them in pull-ups.

Other than that, I would hope that parents take periodic potty breaks with their kids during the day, before getting in yet another line. :rolleyes:

[Allison]

My goodness-I have never heard of anyone on this board doing that, not that they admitted to anyway.

[lulugirl]

I have never heard anyone advise or even discuss that.
IMO it's a terrible idea. The way I see it, you would be telling your fully potty trained child to wet his/her pants just to avoid the inconvenience of finding a restroom.
I do understand puttting a child in pull-ups if they are in that "in between" stage of potty training.

[daisyduck123]

Hi!! Welcome to the DIS!!

I have never heard of that before & find it hard to believe that someone would do that to older children (over 4 yo). Any website w/ info. like that, I would probably steer clear from. The DIS boards are all anyone needs for good WDW planning! :goodvibes

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Personally I think there could be some psychological ramifications in putting a child in a diaper that has been trained for 3 years or so. I'm not making them go anywhere but on a toilet no matter how long we've been waiting in line. The ride can wait...and so can therapy.

Sounds like a crazy website and I cannot think of one person who does this.

The exception is recently trained children who may relapse to "not trained" and possibly bringing the diapers as backup.

I would avoid that website as well. Improper parenting advice does not equate to travel tips.

[Mark_Millder]

Unfortunately I can't post links but I found this advise on several (respected) US and UK websites. I was quite shocked. :scared1:

I received a private message from someone telling me that he had noticed this @ WDW. I've never been to WDW and I don't know about the changing areas. I don't think anyone would notice that a child is wearing a diaper or pull-ups.

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My children are almost 4 and 6. I wouldn't put them in a diaper unless there was a medical need (and there isn't). We've never had an accident at Disney due to waiting in line.

Others do not have to notice what you are doing to your kids for it to be humiliating for them.

[becjlek]

I have never heard of that either. We just take regular bathroom breaks for everyone and it has never been a problem.

[Stinky2u4u]

:banana: I would never do that. Only the kid wasn't potty trained I would. :banana:

:banana: Unless kids have some sort of bladder problem or something. :banana:

[poohluvrs]

:faint:

I have 3 yr old twins & will likely spend half my time at WDW in line for or in the potty w/ them, but thats the name of the game when you're raising a child!

The idea of diapering a toilet trained child out of convenience is revolting!

[jnordan]

I've never heard of that, and I've also never experienced bathroom lines that were a problem at Disney World. Granted, I've only been to Disney once in recent years, but I was pregnant and using the bathroom a LOT, and it wasn't an issue in the least. . . .

[texasmom]

We just got back. My three year old son still wears pull ups at night. I put one on him during the plane trip and some days in the parks, but took extra clothes if needed. He still asked to go when needed and stayed dried. I think now that he would be fine with out them during the days since he didn't have any accidents while in the parks.

I wouldn't put them on my daughter who is six and totally trained for three years. That would be humiliating for her.

Use your best judgement. You know your children best.

[WantToGoNow]

I have seen posts that indicated they did this in the past, but personally I would not do that to my children. I have a ds5 and dd2 -- the dd2 has been potty trained since last January (just after her 2nd birthday). I have been to several amusement parks/zoos this spring/summer and it's never been an issue. We pretty much stop at every bathroom, but that's part of the game. She still ocassionally has nighttime accidents -- usually if she's really tired and for some reason didn't go before bed. I may use pull-ups at night even though we don't at home just for the benefit of the hotel bed.

[SueM in MN]

The OP can't post links yet, so here are some of the ones he probably saw.

Here's one (you'll notice the questioner asks if it's done and the answer is no). (http://experts.about.com/q/Walt-Disney-World-234/diapers-kids-Disney-1.htm)
Here's another link on the same website answering the same question (again the answer is no). (http://experts.about.com/q/Walt-Disney-World-234/diapers-kids-Disney.htm)

Here is a website that has it as a hint. (http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk/kids.html)
My best guess is that someone saw a parent changing a child with special needs who was not toilet trained and didn't understand why the child was wearing a diaper or pull up. Many children with special needs like autism don't look like they have any special needs when you just see them for a few minutes. I can understand that someone from the UK seeing this might think it is something that Americans in general do, when that's not what they saw at all.

I have seen questions coming up on this board about putting pull ups on preschoolers who have recently or are not reliably toilet trained. That makes sense, but I can't imagine putting diapers on an older child who is toilet trained. I can't think of many 4, 5, 6 or 7 year olds who would agree to do it, and in the heat and humidity, having wet diapers is a good set up for diaper rash.

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

Um...no. I never did that. Once my kids were trained, that was it. And I've been to Disney with small children alot.The only time I came close to doing that was two years ago. We went a month before my daughter turned three. She miraculously trained herself a week before we left. Even though she'd been doing great for a week, I put her in diapers for the plane flight as it was early am and I just didn't want to take any chances. I think putting a six year old back in diapers to wait in a line is humiliating to the child (assuming the child has no physical reason to warrant it).

I agree here 100%....I would consider it if - and only if - the child was very newly trained. Anything else seems odd and humiliating to me!

If you have a newly trained child who wants to wear underwear but is likel to have an accident, you could consider a pull up under or over the underwear - to respect the child's wishes for underwear, but this way you're covered just in case of an "oops" moment.

[ampc3]

OMG!!!!! No Way!!!! Yuck!!!!

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

I did put my girls in pull-ups at night for the sake of the hotel bed -- they don't normally wear them at home but have the occasionaly accident -- so we bring pull ups -- BUT -- if either one of them said they didn't want to wear one to bed I wouldn't make them

As for putting them in pulls ups in the park - are you kidding - no way - I sadly gave up our spot - very close to the front of the line at Soarin' to take my 4 year old to the bathroom. - sigh - BUT the CM did see us leaving the line and asked if anything was wrong and when I told him we had to leave and were looking for the nearest bathroom he said if we found him when we were done he would let us up the fastpass line --- and he did :sunny:

[noodleknitter]

That is just plain creepy! How humiliating for a child that knows better.

I do advocate waiting until you are home to potty train if you have one on the verge, though.

[tmarquez]

Oh my! DD (3.5) would be horrified if I tried to make her wear a diaper.

[blessedby3]

:confused3 What are people thinking? This is incredible! Never would do it. Take a few mins in between rides and go potty for cryn out loud!

[finz2left]

Part of being a parent is understanding that your life is no longer your own -- and that certainly applies to Disney trips!! Okay, so you have to get out of line when your child has to go to the bathroom. Get over it!!! Make a happy bathroom stop and be grateful your child is potty trained. Then, get back in line and have a great time. You are at DISNEY WORLD -- it should be as much about the kids as it is you, if not more. UGH. I can't imagine embarassing my 3, 5, and 7 year olds by asking them to wear dipes so as not to inconvenience me. UGH.

[mickeyfan2]

EWWWWW I just thought about the person standing behind a 7 year old doing more than pee into a diaper in line. :faint:

[surfgirl]

guys, this is has got to be a troll. He's just looking for a reaction.

just stop replying to this thread and it will happily die.

[Denine]

OMG! I would never do that! Just take regular potty breaks and you will be fine.

I can't imagine how humiliating that would be for the child. Plus your telling them it is more important to go on a ride than to pee your pants.

[100 acre wood]

I'm preparing our family holiday to WDW and visiting several websites for this purpose. On some websites I read the advise to diaper older children, even if they are potty trained. I found this advise on several sites.

One mother writes "I have to agree with the diapers for children 7 or under. The lines are very long, and while you wait, it is a guarantee after waiting a long period of time and just before you get on a ride one of the little ones has to go".

Although I'm not considering to diaper my 5 and 8 y/o sons I'm wondering if parents really do this and if its advisable.
OMG. Never would consider it. Nope, never done it, never will.

[akamom]

No, we've never done that and will never to that. I've never found the lines to be that long...actually, I don't think I've ever waited in a line for the restroom.

[budbeerlady]

I think it would more for a child who has a small bladder. DD has been trained forever and gives enough warning that I have never had a problem finding a bathroom when traveling. However, we traveled to Chicago with her cousin who is the same age and it wasnt a pleasant trip for him. If he has to go, he has to go now! We did 3 along side the highway immediant stops. I feel bad for him and think it is a bit dangerous. So for a child like him, I would consider it for a long car trip incase of accidents.

[Mark_Millder]

Although both my sons are used to wearing diapers at night (due to severe bed wetting problems) I'm not thinking of putting them back in diapers at day time just to be a lazy parent.

I really can't believe that parents are doing this, just as I can't believe that parents put children that can walk in strollers. Do they really put 6 y/o in strollers at WDW?

That must be as humiliating to the child and might have some bad psychological effects as well.

[Deb & Bill]

Those parents need to be made to wear Attends if they make their older kids wear diapers to avoid stopping to use the restroom.

[WantToGoNow]

just as I can't believe that parents put children that can walk in strollers.

You do realize that most children walk around one year of age? My ds walked at 9 mos. and my dd at 11 mos. Neither of them would have been able to walk at WDW at that age for very long.

[Mark_Millder]

You do realize that most children walk around one year of age? My ds walked at 9 mos. and my dd at 11 mos. Neither of them would have been able to walk at WDW at that age for very long.

:rotfl2: ok, I mean from 3 years and older

[jodifla]

:rotfl2: ok, I mean from 3 years and older


Don't be so quick to judge. My 4 year old still uses a stroller at Disney, and will for the forseeable future. He's just not a walker.

And for the diapers, does seem unusual, but there are some children who are still in diapers until close to 4. So again, we all shouldn't jump to conclusions.
And, as another poster mentioned, there are plenty of disabled kids who go to Disney who may use pull-ups still.

I do still take pullups on plane rides when I travel with DS, just in case. I've had a couple of instances where the plane got stuck on the ground for hours, and they wouldn't let people up to use the bathroom. I didn't end up needing it for my son, but I might have.

[Sabbie]

Blah, hard topic. I don't have kids, but I remember when I was 4/5, somewhere around there, and I went to Disney with my grandparents, they put me in diapers (even though I wastrained since 2.5 years old). It had some really bad psychological effects on me growing up (although I am well past it)..

Depending on the child, it can really affect them during their childhood.. so my answer is a big no, unless medically needed. ;)

[chobie]

:rotfl2: ok, I mean from 3 years and older

My son rode in one up until 8. Not constantly, just when he requested one because his legs were tired. It was his choice, and he was in good company as you often see older kids piled into one of the rental strollers with younger sibs or just by themselves. However, should my son require therapy for this as an adult I will be sure to come back and warn my fellow disers about the physchological damage that can be done from this practice. :rolleyes:

[all4fun]

I wouldn't put my ds back in diapers at WDW if he were already pt'd. I think that's kind of lazy parenting isn't it? I mean the restrooms are pretty easily found and it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to just take regular potty breaks. As for children wearing diapers until they're 4... My ds is about 3-1/2 still, a bit tall for his age, so people might think he's older than he really is, and not p/t'd yet. He also still rides in a stroller when we're at WDW but it's getting to be a rare occurrence on a day to day basis. WDW is different. I wouldn't expect his short legs (in comparison to ours) to be able to do several miles of walking a day for several days in a row at this point.

[maggiesma]

Don't forget stroller or not the kids are much closer to the hot ground than we are and should be well hydrated.

Occasionally my 3.5 year old still wears a pull up just in case we have an accident (long car trip/plane), but since we still put her in them from time to time she wouldn't freak out. With that said I still don't plan on putting her in one at Disney.

I guess it just depends on your child. Does your child have accidents a lot at home? If so - they put on the pull ups. I don't agree with putting a 7 year old in one, but there again it would be very embarassing for an older child to pee on a ride (and I really don't want to sit in it from someone else's child). It is most important to "parent" at disney like you would any where else. I mean don't you ask your kids all the time if they need to go potty at the zoo, mall, grocery store etc. Why would this change at Disney?

[First timer]

I'm preparing our family holiday to WDW and visiting several websites for this purpose. On some websites I read the advise to diaper older children, even if they are potty trained. I found this advise on several sites.

One mother writes "I have to agree with the diapers for children 7 or under. The lines are very long, and while you wait, it is a guarantee after waiting a long period of time and just before you get on a ride one of the little ones has to go".

Although I'm not considering to diaper my 5 and 8 y/o sons I'm wondering if parents really do this and if its advisable.



WHAT? Never heard of such a thing. For goodness sake - there are bathrooms all over the place. Periodic stops should be made. My rule when we were in Disney was if you passed a bathroom - use it.

[First timer]

EWWWWW I just thought about the person standing behind a 7 year old doing more than pee into a diaper in line. :faint:





:rotfl2: :rotfl2: :rotfl2:

[Makdyn]

We went in May 06 dd 2 was potty trained during the day but not at night. She wopre pullups at night and during nap time if we were at the hotel due to already having an accient the first day during her nap. I did put one on for the plane ride. She only had one accient and that was at dtd and it was my fault because i did not bring a change of cloths for some reason and had to buy the most exspenive outfit ever. So I think she pee in her pants for an tink outfit

[tjmw2727]

Just returned from a trip with my 2 dd's, 2yo neice and 4yo nephew and no child in diapers! We had no trouble finding a restroom when one of us needed it and only had to leave a line once to take the 2yo to the potty. Luckily we were in the FP line but before the point where the CM had not collected them yet.

IMHO the restrooms are everywhere and with the exception of the Germany pavilion in the evening during F&W we didn't encounter any lines.

TJ

[2wildchildzmom]

Totally weird.

First of all sign up for TourGuideMike and you won't wait in any lines! We just got back and never waited in any lines. We waited for maybe five min. if it was a show but that was it.

[badblackpug]

Troll, Troll, troll, troll..................................

[Becky2005]

Nope, wouldn't do it and even had to deal with an accident with my 5 year old on our trip -- STILL wouldn't have put him back in pull-ups for any amount of money (he has some motor skill delays and took forever to potty train in the first place! He was almost 4 before he was even trained completely!).

We took LOTS of potty breaks!!!!! Yes, it caused a few problems a few times not enough for me to even think about putting them back in pull-ups! Besides I was dealing with diapers for the 1 year old anyway, I can't imagine having to do it for ones that were already out of that stage.

[Ariel8676]

Anyone who puts their potty trained child in diapers like that is just plain lazy. My girls were completely trained by 2 years old and i would never even think to put them in diapers. If you are going to get in a long line take the children to the restroom BEFORE you get on line.
And about using strollers for children 3 and up..come on now..my girls are 3 1/2 and 5 and sit in the stroller when we go to WDW..that is a ton of walking for those little legs, geez sometimes i get tired from all that walking, and besides at least i know where they are at all times.
Using a stroller for a 4 or 5 yo is completely different from the humiliation of putting a 4 or 5 yo in diapers..no comparison at all.
Completely lazy parenting, that is all that is...

[vhoffman]

I don't know where the op got her advice, but did you ever think it might be some sort of joke? I remember years ago reading about the lack of public restrooms in Galveston, TX. The article advised people (children and adults) to wear diapers while in Galveston due to the lack of restrooms. The article even went so far as to advise what brands would work best! I read the whole article before I realized they were pulling my leg! :rotfl2: Well, actually, public restrooms are somewhat hard to find in Galveston, but not to the point I would seriously consider pi****ing myself! :crazy:

Seriously, the restroom situation in WDW is quite acceptable. Really. You don't have to diaper your kids, or yourself! :dance3: This whole thread is toooooo ridiculous! Thanks, everyone, for the chuckle! It made my night! Good night, everyone, sweet dreams, don't forget the Attends!

[SplshMtnLvr28]

Er, that's disgusting. :sad2:

[sskem96]

I could see if you had a child who was newly trained and still having an occasional accident, but 7 and under?!! That's a little crazy! There are bathrooms all over the place!

I did once put my 4 year old in pull ups for a car trip to Texas, 24 hour car ride and driving through the night. I was afraid she'd wake up in the middle of the night and have to pee and there may be nowhere to stop! But at WDW, you are never far from a bathroom!