Bathroom Question!! (bringing kids in)

[unrequited23]

Why aren't there more actual family bathrooms at Disney? It seems like it would be a no-brainer when doing renovations/expansions. In my book, there is no excuse for the tangled restrooms or the Skipper's Canteen not to have them. Where we live our malls, libraries, zoo and most big box stores have them.

 

[Minnesota!]

maybe that's the way you feel. Being a single dad I am probably more protective over my daughter than most other fathers and I do not feel comfortable leaving her by herself in an extremely crowded place that she is not familiar with

Maybe for the situations where you have to go and she doesn't, you can still send her into the female restroom to wash her hands, comb her hair, or just "try" to use the bathroom. That way she is contained somewhere that both of you feel comfy with her being, and more than likely, you will be done first. Tell her to stay in there until she hears you call her name when you are done.

FWIW, there are benches right outside almost every bathroom. I just park my kid there with strict orders to not move. Nobody bothers them, etc. I understand your worry, but I would bet if you try it once at WDW (like you park her there, and you just run in and wash your hands...back out in 30 seconds), you might find it a lot easier/less worrisome than you thought. Just ease into it. Hard, as a parent, to take those big steps towards independence. WDW is a good place to start the process with baby steps!

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Why aren't there more actual family bathrooms at Disney? It seems like it would be a no-brainer when doing renovations/expansions. In my book, there is no excuse for the tangled restrooms or the Skipper's Canteen not to have them. Where we live our malls, libraries, zoo and most big box stores have them.

I mean, in part because federal law says that anyone can use any restroom, regardless of gender. Not to get political, but this is why North Carolina is being sued right now. Any person can use any restroom.

 

[JerseyGuy24]

Maybe for the situations where you have to go and she doesn't, you can still send her into the female restroom to wash her hands, comb her hair, or just "try" to use the bathroom. That way she is contained somewhere that both of you feel comfy with her being, and more than likely, you will be done first. Tell her to stay in there until she hears you call her name when you are done.

FWIW, there are benches right outside almost every bathroom. I just park my kid there with strict orders to not move. Nobody bothers them, etc. I understand your worry, but I would bet if you try it once at WDW (like you park her there, and you just run in and wash your hands...back out in 30 seconds), you might find it a lot easier/less worrisome than you thought. Just ease into it. Hard, as a parent, to take those big steps towards independence. WDW is a good place to start the process with baby steps!

I think I will be going with option #1, sending her in to the womens bathroom even if she doesnt have to go and just wait in there until she hears me call for her. Do you know if the womens and mens bathrooms are usually located right next to each other in the parks?

 

[BarbieGal457]

I think I will be going with option #1, sending her in to the womens bathroom even if she doesnt have to go and just wait in there until she hears me call for her. Do you know if the womens and mens bathrooms are usually located right next to each other in the parks?

I have found that usually, yes the case is they are very very close to each other. I don't have children but I have a chronic digestive illness so I visit many of the Disney bathrooms (sorry for the TMI!). My boyfriend will wait for me outside and we're typically never very far apart. If I wait for him I can usually see both bathrooms and who enters/exits as I people watch. I'm sure I'm missing some bathrooms that may be further apart than usual but the ones I remember are very close.

 

[Minnesota!]

I think I will be going with option #1, sending her in to the womens bathroom even if she doesnt have to go and just wait in there until she hears me call for her. Do you know if the womens and mens bathrooms are usually located right next to each other in the parks?

From my experience, yes...if they are not right next to each other, they are just a quick walk away from each other...within sightlines.

 

[gtpoohbear]

And for me as a woman, I may not care about a 15 year old boy in the bathroom. A 15 year old girl may have a totally different - and *valid* - feeling on the matter. And her thoughts/feelings are important as well.

This is my concern too. I personally don't care if grown men are in the bathroom with me. Two pregnancies pretty much destroyed any sense of modesty I had, lol! But if my 12yo DD is in the stall changing a tampon, and a boy from her class is standing right outside her stall, she's going to be mortified. I wish that wasn't the case. I wish everyone, regardless of age, was beyond worrying about silly bathroom stuff, but the reality is that for teenagers and younger women, they just aren't to that level of security and confidence yet. And that does need to be respected.

IMO, if a kid is old enough to feel uncomfortable in the opposite gender restroom, they are old enough to wait outside. Of course there will always be exceptions, but I think that applies to the vast majority of situations.

 

[Boski]

I love a good, healthy bathroom debate.

I told you lol!

 

[maxiesmom]

I mean, in part because federal law says that anyone can use any restroom, regardless of gender. Not to get political, but this is why North Carolina is being sued right now. Any person can use any restroom.

No. You are to use the restroom with which you gender identify. I identify as a female, so I can't go into the mens room.

As to why they don't have family restrooms, maybe they figure they would accommodate so few guests as to not be worth a whole lot. And you would also have the same problem that they now have with the companion restrooms, where people use them for time outs, or for changing clothes.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

No. You are to use the restroom with which you gender identify. I identify as a female, so I can't go into the mens room.

This is actually not true. I am not sure about Florida law, specifically, but in many states, you can use whichever bathroom you want to.

 

[maxiesmom]

This is actually not true. I am not sure about Florida law, specifically, but in many states, you can use whichever bathroom you want to.

Links?

 

[SaintsManiac]

No. You are to use the restroom with which you gender identify. I identify as a female, so I can't go into the mens room.

As to why they don't have family restrooms, maybe they figure they would accommodate so few guests as to not be worth a whole lot. And you would also have the same problem that they now have with the companion restrooms, where people use them for time outs, or for changing clothes.

Nice jab, there. Appreciate it

 

[IrishNYC]

Why aren't there more actual family bathrooms at Disney? It seems like it would be a no-brainer when doing renovations/expansions. In my book, there is no excuse for the tangled restrooms or the Skipper's Canteen not to have them. Where we live our malls, libraries, zoo and most big box stores have them.

There are probably no "family" bathrooms at WDW because the majority of their visitors are families. No one should be at all surprised to see a mom or dad with kids of either sex in the bathroom at WDW of all places.

 

[maxiesmom]

Nice jab, there. Appreciate it

There was no jab, so I'm not sure what you think was one.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

This is actually not true. I am not sure about Florida law, specifically, but in many states, you can use whichever bathroom you want to.

You are talking about the 1964 Civil Rights Act. There is no "federal law" about anyone using any "bathroom" they want as far as I know except in some states. I believe the bill in Fl has not passed.
If a man came into the bathroom and stayed to use it at WDW while I was in there...I would call security. Not talking about children or disabled kids w/Moms. IMHO.


Edit: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article15120632.html

 

[Planogirl]

No. You are to use the restroom with which you gender identify. I identify as a female, so I can't go into the mens room.

As to why they don't have family restrooms, maybe they figure they would accommodate so few guests as to not be worth a whole lot. And you would also have the same problem that they now have with the companion restrooms, where people use them for time outs, or for changing clothes.

What would keep someone from claiming they identified with the gender of the quieter bathroom? Women's restrooms often have ridiculous lines so why wouldn't some women try this?

I wouldn't but who knows about others.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

What would keep someone from claiming they identified with the gender of the quieter bathroom? Women's restrooms often have ridiculous lines so why wouldn't some women try this?

I wouldn't but who knows about others.

Because the vast majority of women aren't going to go into a men's room ever. LOL

 

[IrishNYC]

Because the vast majority of women aren't going to go into a men's room ever. LOL

If I have to go bad enough, I would and have! (But only if I know there are no men in there.)

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

Okay, as most Mom's know....if you only have a daughter the bathroom duty USUALLY falls only on you. Well, for as long as we will be out every day in the parks I am wondering, do any of you Dads bring the kids in the bathroom? I mean my daughter is 3. I'm wondering what would happen if a man was a single Dad and had to bring her to the bathroom himself anyway. Just wondering if its weird/unacceptable. I'm tired of getting up 2 times during every meal bringing my daughter to the bathroom because no one else can haha

Use a companion bathroom. They are not in every bathroom and you may have to wait substantially longer, but there are common around the parks.

 

[MinnieSweetheart]

I am a single dad and this is the issue I am worrying about when we go to WDW in June. My daughter is 7 and will absolutely not go into the mens bathroom. I feel okay letting her go into the womens bathroom on her own with me waiting right outside. the problem I am having is when I need to use the restroom, what do I do with my daughter. Shes way too young to leave alone outside of the restroom

Have y'all been before? There is seating outside of every bathroom I can think of always with people waiting for their family members. I'd be confident that if she can go into the restroom by herself, she can wait on the bench for a few minutes until you come out.

Edit: I clearly should have read through the thread, but I would caution you to take a vacation that leaves you uncomfortable going to the bathroom.