Bathroom difficulties at WDW

[Schmeck]

I was just looking at a trade magazine (television weekly, I think?) Anyways, in there was a map of a huge convention center, and it even had the bathrooms mapped out - toilet stalls and all. The ladies rooms had one large accessible stall, and then 3 bigger than average-sized ones next to it with doors that opened out. The rest of the stalls were regular sized, with doors opening in. The mens rooms had one large, one medium, the rest small, but also a wall of urinals...

You know, I probably looked at the details because of this thread, LOL!

But, that would be info that could be sent to Disney - I'll try to find that magazine again tomorrow, to see where the place was!

 

[mrsksomeday]

Thank you so much for threads about disabilities. My b/f (36 w/CP) and I will be going to WDW in November of this year. I thought they might have cots for changing to help us out at the first aid locations and you confirmed it. You don't know how relieved I am to read this. This board is amazing.

 

[shovan]

Since the restrooms have been designated for family use they are usually FILTHY! Cleaning them would help a lot! Also since they've put the family sign on there, there is always a wait! & yes it's usually for someone who obviously doesn't need it! So, more restrooms are definitely needed & it would be great if some were designated HANDICAPPED/COMPANION USE ONLY! I realize I'm complaining a lot here, so I'll just say Disney is still the most accessible place for us to vacation. That's why we keep going back. But something really needs to be done about the misuse of these facilities.

 

[scroot]

Actualy none of the sinage on the companion bathrooms indicates family use(atleast none that I saw last week). The sign is the access symbol with a standing adult male/ and female. I also says "companion" and not "family". What was most troubling to DW and I were single adults using the companion rooms. One perfectly fine adult male fouled the companion bathroom by T O T something fierce. It wasn't so much the smell as the burning in my eyes He comes out, sees me and DW waiting there and says, "Oh, I'm so sorry." Then on his merry way. Other than that incident we didn't have to wait more than a minute or two for a companion bathroom (one of many reasons we travel off peak). Disney has done a good job putting the newer companion rooms out of sight or past the regular restrooms. I think that helps alot.

In general one has to rely of folks better nature, that those who don't need the companion bathroom will actually stop and think, "If I go in there someone might come along who needs it and I will be holding them up." Sad to say but that seems like too much to expect from the general public.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I use an ECV and remember having trouble opening the door to the bathroom in AK/Dinoland near that Whirl ride. Don't remember the specifics, but had to ask a passerby for help going in. Out was ok, if remember right. Push button opener as suggested before would have been helpful.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thank you so much for threads about disabilities. My b/f (36 w/CP) and I will be going to WDW in November of this year. I thought they might have cots for changing to help us out at the first aid locations and you confirmed it. You don't know how relieved I am to read this. This board is amazing.

There is a First Aid Center in each park and each First Aid Center has cubicles with a cot, a bedside table and a chair and privacy curtains that can be pulled shut. The cots in the cubicles are sort of like at this website, but they have shorter legs and look a lot more sturdy.

First Aid Centers also have some rooms that are more like doctor's office exam rooms. We have not used one of those rooms, but have looked in them (and some other posters have written about using them). They have a lot more space, an exam table that can be raised and lowered in height, a sink and a door that can be shut for privacy. That would probably be a better place for you to use.

 

[Chuck S]

I think for folks that have relatively minor disabilities, having more stalls with grab bars and elevated seats, even in smaller stalls, would be helpful. Mom has had 3 hip surgeries and is in a wheelchair for the parks, but usually leaves the WC outside the restroom and walks in rather than try for the accessible stall. I think a lot of older people have similar issues, and don't necessarily need the larger wc/ecv stall, but do benefit from grab bars and elevated seats.

 

[kimbac3]

I think for folks that have relatively minor disabilities, having more stalls with grab bars and elevated seats, even in smaller stalls, would be helpful. Mom has had 3 hip surgeries and is in a wheelchair for the parks, but usually leaves the WC outside the restroom and walks in rather than try for the accessible stall. I think a lot of older people have similar issues, and don't necessarily need the larger wc/ecv stall, but do benefit from grab bars and elevated seats.

I agree with this. I'm not "older" yet...unless 34 is older But I do have mobility issues involving my legs and back and those grab bars are awesome. Somedays I need them more than others. I don't know how many times I was thinking "why don't they have grab bars in all the stalls!"
I tend to get out of my chair and go into a regular stall because I can...but somedays I HAVE to use the handicapped stall.
Kimba

 

[dclfun]

Just returned and noticed the bathroom in Future World ( across from The Land) has a companion restroom with the paper dispenser above the sink in a position where it cannot be accessed. I took a photo and plan to send it in as an example of a small change that could be made to better accomodate the disabled.---Kathy

 

[Schmeck]

I agree with this. I'm not "older" yet...unless 34 is older But I do have mobility issues involving my legs and back and those grab bars are awesome. Somedays I need them more than others. I don't know how many times I was thinking "why don't they have grab bars in all the stalls!"
I tend to get out of my chair and go into a regular stall because I can...but somedays I HAVE to use the handicapped stall.
Kimba

I appreciate the grab-bars too, especially when my calf (where the melanoma was removed, and re-excised) aches/tightens up. I tend to overcompensate for my left leg, so my right hip aches a lot too, and sometimes I get stuck... When my leg is aching, I use the handicap stall if it is available and no one is waiting for it. One time I used a regular stall and had to use the toilet paper dispenser as a handle to haul myself up. It came loose a bit, and I had to find a waitress to let them know (not at WDW, at a local restaurant) and I apologized.

 

[msklcassidy]

I'd like to share my experience with you all. Not quite 3 years ago I was at MK with my son, then 5. We used a disabled stall for 3 reasons: 1) the family or companion restroom was flooded; 2) my son (at the time) required assistance due to a medical condition that was not readily apparent to others and 3) the "regular" stalls were just simply TOO small to accomodate both of us.

Here's what happened. As we were leaving (and I'll add that we took care of his needs in a "normal" time period) we were verbally attacked by a woman (who was in a wheelchair) and her family for "using a bathroom reserved for people in a wheelchair." It got pretty loud (with the whole family screaming at us) and one man (standing outside), who said he was a police officer, said that my son and I should be arrested for using a bathroom stall "reserved" for people in wheelchairs.

Needless to say, I was FURIOUS and my son was hysterical. I quickly ushered my son away as he was screaming, mommy don't let them throw me in jail!...don't let them take me away from you! So here's what I'd like to see.

1. More "family" or companion or whatever you want to call them, bathrooms near Fantasyland.
2. More disabled stalls in general.
3. Larger stalls in the bathrooms in general which would help moms who are helping a child.
4. People who don't judge one another simply because a medical condition is not readily apparent...and people who don't yell at little boys and threaten to arrest them.
5. CMs who have their wits about them in a situation like this.

Now I know that Disney can do nothing about #4...but my blood still BOILS when I remember what happened. The worst part was the CM who stood there and let it all erupt without trying to help us, ask us our side of the story or calm the situation down. Instead I got lectured by the CM about the inappropriate use of facilities and was told that I could be ejected from the park. Did I report it....YEP, sure did! I spoke with the manager at guest services on our way out (our night was ruined and my son was hysterical) who apologized profusely and took the time to talk with my son and let him know that people make mistakes and that my son did nothing wrong. I'm just lucky that my son's medical condition has now improved and he is able to take care of his own needs in the rest room 99+% of the time.

However, if this EVER happens again, I'm going to whip out my cell phone and call 911 and report that my son and I are being assaulted at the Magic Kingdom and ask for the police to come. Disabled in my mind means that one is "differently abled" which can mean a lot of things.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[Schmeck]

(((msklcassidy and son))) Good for you for reporting the abuse to a manager. I'd have been tempted to tell that family that not all disabilities were obvious, although they apparenty had some issues of their own that were quite visible...

 

[SueM in MN]

Even if your child was not disabled, there is no requirement that anyone be disabled to use the handicapped toilet stalls of the Companion Restroom. Like curb cuts and lower countertops at restaurants and shops, the handicapped stalls and Companion Restrooms are things that are meant to make things accessible for people with disabilities, but may also be useful for some people without disabilities.
While they are often the only restroom that people with certain disabilities (visible or invisible) can use, they are not reserved for people with disabilities. I always hope that people who have a choice of whether to use them or not realize that some people don't have a choice and that (as was already pointed out) there are sometimes not enough to meet demands.

 

[msklcassidy]

For the kind words. The point of my post, in response to the OP, is that Disney needs to do some restroom upgrades. The ones that I would suggest are:

1. More "companion" bathrooms...particularly in and around Fantasyland
2. "Wider" or longer general bathroom stalls that will allow a mother to assist her child (comfortably?).

Here's the ironic thing...I am a professional fundraiser who enjoys grants management (including developing relationships with funders, research, writing proposals, and stewarding the grant post-award). I do this as a consultant and have in my client base several organizations that focus on access issues and support for individuals with a variety of disabilities. So, getting accosted by this family was a bit ironic to me since I work to ensure access.

Thanks again.

 

[dclfun]

I agree with more of this type restroom being needed. Even if someone is not disabled it is a useful setup for a single parent with children who must accompany them into the stalls for whatever reason even if it's just to monitor the children while the parent uses the restroom. As for someone yelling at a guest and thinking a certain stall or restroom is "reserved"...it's a shame people can't think of others needs and behave in a civilized way. I'm so glad the situation was reported to a manager. Gheesh.....----Kathy

 

[msklcassidy]

The part that still bugs me is the "alleged" policeman (who was a member of the family) yelling at my son and I that we should be arrested...and the CM lecturing me about "appropriate use of facilities" and saying that we could be ejected from the park.

I forgot to say that the BIG bright spot was the next day...a CM gave my son and I...out of the blue...3 sets of fast passes...1 for Buzz Lightyear....1 for Peter Pan (a favorite!) and 1 for Philharmagic.

Sorry if I hijacked the thread...but I hope my 2 cents gives the OP some additional ideas that will benefit everyone...regardless of abilities.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I forgot to say that the BIG bright spot was the next day...a CM gave my son and I...out of the blue...3 sets of fast passes...1 for Buzz Lightyear....1 for Peter Pan (a favorite!) and 1 for Philharmagic.

Oh I'm SO GLAD that your awful experience was not on your last day!!! I hope your son forgot about the "arresting" comment quickly after he calmed.

Schmeck: I've had to lean on toilet paper dispensers to get up, too, and they are really not built for it, even when they are firmly attached. It's even harder/more dangerous if they are not securely attached. Grab bars in more stalls would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SueM in MN]

The part that still bugs me is the "alleged" policeman (who was a member of the family) yelling at my son and I that we should be arrested...and the CM lecturing me about "appropriate use of facilities" and saying that we could be ejected from the park.

Neither one of those were appropriate. There are no laws governing the use of handicapped stalls in bathrooms. They are not the same as handicapped parking spots, which do require a Handicapped Parking Permit to use.