Before I get hate mail....

[Justin Jett]

Sadly, it doesn't. There are people who would still make assumptions on whether others were disabled enough. It happens all the time with parking permits. My 1st husband was confronted and harassed on more than one occasion because someone decided it was their business to decide if he should have a parking permit. He shouldn't have had to explain anything and he died at the age of 39 while looking "so healthy." What you THINK you see is not always what you are actually seeing. That's my whole point. We'll just have to agree to disagree.

I have both visible and invisible disabilities. There are even some disabled people who are capable using a regular stall, and do!

Regardless of disability.....people should use the stall that they are capable of using.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I have both visible and invisible disabilities. There are even some disabled people who are capable using a regular stall, and do!

Regardless of disability.....people should use the stall that they are capable of using.

And, for all you know, they are. You don't know what their capabilities are and you don't have the right to decide for anyone else. If you have a visible disability people probably aren't going to be making assumptions about what accommodations you need because with a visible disability it's obvious. Just because you can't see my son's disability doesn't mean you know what he needs and there is no way you can judge what he's capable of just by looking at him standing in line. He deserves the same respect and NOBODY has the right to question him.

 

[SueM in MN]

So if the only baby changing station is in the handicap stall, and WDW restrooms don't even have toilet lids so I can have the indignity of placing my nine month old on a toilet (for Pete's sake) to change them, then that is a CONVENIENCE? Really. I'm expected to change my child on the bathroom floor? That is the argument you want to go with?

Out in the community, many handicapped stalls DO have the changing table for the restroom in the handicapped stall because someone looked at the space, decided it was large and stuck the changing table in there. In some cases, it actually makes the handicapped stall not useable for some people with disabilities because it takes up space needed for maneuvering.

That is NOT the case at WDW. Almost none of the handicapped stalls have a changing table in them.
A few of the Compsnion Restrooms have a changing table, but definately more do NOT have a changing table.

The following is what I post every time this question comes up. I make no judgement about WHY people are using the handicapped stall or Companion Restrooms and do not judge people who are coming out of them. I don't know why they are using it. I just hope that people consider that some people have options to use another stall/restroom and others do not have any other options.

Handicapped stalls and Companion Restrooms are made so that people with disabilities are able to use the restroom. They may also be useful or convenient for some people without disabilities. Some people do choose to use them for convenience. But, there are not enough of them to be used that way if everyone who found them convenient used them.
I would like to ask people to consider whether or not they have other options. In some cases, they don't and should be using the Companion Restrooms or the Handicapped Stall. (One example of a person without a disability might be a father traveling alone with a young daughter who doesn't feel comfortable bringing her in with him.)
But, please consider whether there are other options before using them for convenience.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Nikki, do you think you could post that address here for folks? I for one would not know where to send such a letter.

Thanks,
Sayhello

Sure thing!

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[Justin Jett]

And, for all you know, they are. You don't know what their capabilities are and you don't have the right to decide for anyone else. If you have a visible disability people probably aren't going to be making assumptions about what accommodations you need because with a visible disability it's obvious. Just because you can't see my son's disability doesn't mean you know what he needs and there is no way you can judge what he's capable of just by looking at him standing in line. He deserves the same respect and NOBODY has the right to question him.

People with more than one option available to them should leave the disability stall available for people who only have one option.

 

[Justin Jett]

Out in the community, many handicapped stalls DO have the changing table for the restroom in the handicapped stall because someone looked at the space, decided it was large and stuck the changing table in there. In some cases, it actually makes the handicapped stall not useable for some people with disabilities because it takes up space needed for maneuvering.

That is NOT the case at WDW. Almost none of the handicapped stalls have a changing table in them.
A few of the Compsnion Restrooms have a changing table, but definately more do NOT have a changing table.

The following is what I post every time this question comes up. I make no judgement about WHY people are using the handicapped stall or Companion Restrooms and do not judge people who are coming out of them. I don't know why they are using it. I just hope that people consider that some people have options to use another stall/restroom and others do not have any other options.

Handicapped stalls and Companion Restrooms are made so that people with disabilities are able to use the restroom. They may also be useful or convenient for some people without disabilities. Some people do choose to use them for convenience. But, there are not enough of them to be used that way if everyone who found them convenient used them.
I would like to ask people to consider whether or not they have other options. In some cases, they don't and should be using the Companion Restrooms or the Handicapped Stall. (One example of a person without a disability might be a father traveling alone with a young daughter who doesn't feel comfortable bringing her in with him.)
But, please consider whether there are other options before using them for convenience.

 

[Kellykins1218]

People with more than one option available to them should leave the disability stall available for people who only have one option.

LOL You don't get to decide who has other options. If they feel they need the stall then they have every right to use it. Only the person using it knows why they need it and once again it's nobody else's business.

Anyone got a dead horse?

 

[Justin Jett]

LOL You don't get to decide who has other options. If they feel they need the stall then they have every right to use it. Only the person using it knows why they need it and once again it's nobody else's business.

Anyone got a dead horse?

I'm not deciding anything.

There are people who CAN use a regular stall when available, should use the regular stall.

There are disabled people who are able to use a regular stall, and disabled people who cannot.

IF a person is able to use a regular stall when available, should yield the wheelchair stall to someone who cannot use a regular stall, whether or not they are in a wheelchair.

Not everyone in the world needs the wheelchair stall. If everyone needed them, wheelchair stalls would outnumber the regular stalls. Not the other way around.

If you or someone require the wheelchair stall, then you should use it. If someone can use a regular stall, they should yield the wheelchair stall to someone who needs it.

 

[mrsksomeday]

LOL You don't get to decide who has other options. If they feel they need the stall then they have every right to use it. Only the person using it knows why they need it and once again it's nobody else's business.

Anyone got a dead horse?

Here you go, although I think you need it for yourself. He has never said he decides who gets to use the handicap stall. He even stated:

" Again, I do agree that if the regular stalls are occupied, the disability stall is fair game for anyone to use."

I get that you have a child with a disability and need to use the handicap stall, I am not judging you. I do think you need to try to read the comments from a neutral position, they all aren't about just your situation or aimed at you. I know it is hard when you feel judged.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Here you go, although I think you need it for yourself. He has never said he decides who gets to use the handicap stall. He even stated:

" Again, I do agree that if the regular stalls are occupied, the disability stall is fair game for anyone to use."

I get that you have a child with a disability and need to use the handicap stall, I am not judging you. I do think you need to try to read the comments from a neutral position, they all aren't about just your situation or aimed at you. I know it is hard when you feel judged.

Every time someone makes the assumption that someone else could use a different stall, they ARE deciding who can use it. You can't tell by looking if someone needs it and it's not your business why they might. You don't get to be the one who says they can use a regular stall. Just because YOU think they can makes no difference.

 

[Justin Jett]

I get that you have a child with a disability and need to use the handicap stall, I am not judging you. I do think you need to try to read the comments from a neutral position, they all aren't about just your situation or aimed at you. I know it is hard when you feel judged.

As I said.....I have invisible disabilities too. My comments are meant as a generalization.

Anyone, in general, who can use a regular stall, should. Anyone, in general, needs to use the wheelchair stall, should.

People who know that they are able to use an available regular stall, should yield the wheelchair stall to someone with no other option. If the regular stalls are occupied, the disability stall is fair game for anyone to use.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Every time someone makes the assumption that someone else could use a different stall, they ARE deciding who can use it. You can't tell by looking if someone needs it and it's not your business why they might. You don't get to be the one who says they can use a regular stall. Just because YOU think they can makes no difference.

Everyone here gets that.

I have spoken these same words 100s of times.

It's no one's business who is on a scooter or using a wheelchair or using the handicapped stall.

Skip is speaking generally and not directly to Kellykins1218.

If you can use a regular stall. Use it. There may in fact be someone behind you for whom that is not an option. If you need the handicapped stall. Use it. It's no one's business.

To give you one of many, many, many examples....I stood outside the accessible restroom in Morroco with my wheelchair bound Mom. There is not another restroom for quite a ways where an adult son can assist his 76 year old Mother and we waited 35 minutes for a Mother and her two teen daughters while they discussed lipstick choices and which color looked better on who. We could hear the entire conversation.

Did I judge them? I absolutely did and you would have too. I was enraged.

Again....this is not a personal attack and we all get that no one gets to be judge and jury.

I guess the bottom line is "do unto others etc."

 

[mrsksomeday]

^^^ Well said Kevin

 

[SueM in MN]

^^^ Well said Kevin

 

[Justin Jett]

Everyone here gets that.

I have spoken these same words 100s of times.

It's no one's business who is on a scooter or using a wheelchair or using the handicapped stall.

Skip is speaking generally and not directly to Kellykins1218.

If you can use a regular stall. Use it. There may in fact be someone behind you for whom that is not an option. If you need the handicapped stall. Use it. It's no one's business.

To give you one of many, many, many examples....I stood outside the accessible restroom in Morroco with my wheelchair bound Mom. There is not another restroom for quite a ways where an adult son can assist his 76 year old Mother and we waited 35 minutes for a Mother and her two teen daughters while they discussed lipstick choices and which color looked better on who. We could hear the entire conversation.

Did I judge them? I absolutely did and you would have too. I was enraged.

Again....this is not a personal attack and we all get that no one gets to be judge and jury.

I guess the bottom line is "do unto others etc."

Well said......

I whole-heartedly understand invisible disabilities, and the needs involved. However, if Hulk Hogan or Lou Ferrigno emerge from the wheelchair stall when there are 16 regular stalls available.....yes, I will give them a dirty look.

 

[Mindy5767]

To give you one of many, many, many examples....I stood outside the accessible restroom in Morroco with my wheelchair bound Mom. There is not another restroom for quite a ways where an adult son can assist his 76 year old Mother and we waited 35 minutes for a Mother and her two teen daughters while they discussed lipstick choices and which color looked better on who. We could hear the entire conversation.

Did you say something to them?!! I don't think I would have been able to stop myself! I think I might have knocked on the door and asked if they were going to be long you had an urgent need for the accessible restroom.

you know...if grab bars were installed in other stalls more often (without it having to be the extra wide stall), then many people who use the accessible stall for the grab bars would be able to leave it for the wheel chair bound. I HAVE seen this before, and am always pleasantly surprised. Case in point, when my DD10 was little...she was extra petite (well, she still is) but those toilet seats in public bathrooms are so large for a tiny tushie and she NEEDED those grab bars. If she did'nt have them she needed to hold onto me for stability ..which often meant we needed the handicapped stall because in many cases the regular stall wasn't big enough for two people, even small ones. Luckily, not all regular bathroom stalls are that small, and luckily some even have grab bars.

I now have feel a pressing need to do a Disney bathroom survey to make note of available accommodations in the World. I know there is already a Disney bathroom blog..but that might just be on cleanliness and esthetics. I'll try to find it again and report back.

ok... didn't find the one I originally was talking about...but I found this one... which actually is from a friend of mine. http://www.cassworld.ca/bathrooms.htm I believe she is also a DISsponsor.

 

[SueM in MN]

Did you say something to them?!! I don't think I would have been able to stop myself! I think I might have knocked on the door and asked if they were going to be long you had an urgent need for the accessible restroom.

you know...if grab bars were installed in other stalls more often (without it having to be the extra wide stall), then many people who use the accessible stall for the grab bars would be able to leave it for the wheel chair bound. I HAVE seen this before, and am always pleasantly surprised. Case in point, when my DD10 was little...she was extra petite (well, she still is) but those toilet seats in public bathrooms are so large for a tiny tushie and she NEEDED those grab bars. If she did'nt have them she needed to hold onto me for stability ..which often meant we needed the handicapped stall because in many cases the regular stall wasn't big enough for two people, even small ones. Luckily, not all regular bathroom stalls are that small, and luckily some even have grab bars.

I now have feel a pressing need to do a Disney bathroom survey to make note of available accommodations in the World. I know there is already a Disney bathroom blog..but that might just be on cleanliness and esthetics. I'll try to find it again and report back.

There are 3 general designs of handicapped toilet stalls.
Type 1

• there are Type 1 stalls in each restroom because some people need that type of stall
• best for people who need a raised seat toilet, but don't need a wheelchair or any assistance in the restroom
• stalls are usually the same length as other stalls, may be a bit wider
• have a grab bars along both sides of the wall that can be used to pull up to stand, provide support or a wheelchair can be parked outside the stall and the bars used for support to walk to the toilet.

This is a picture of a Type 1 bathroom stall.

and a link to the picture.

Type 2

• wider than type 1; sometimes not longer.
• Even though they look large, once a wheelchair is inside, there may not be room for an assistant.
• If the wheelchair is long, there may not be room to shut the door, even if the person does not need assistance.

This is a picture of a small Type 2 bathroom stall with my DD driving her wheelchair into the stall. At this point, her footrests were almost touching the toilet.

and a link to the picture.

Because Epcot and MK were built before current standards for handicapped restrooms were in place, many of the handicapped stalls in regular restrooms are the Type 2 stalls. The type 2 stalls are being gradually replaced with Type 3 stalls or larger Type 2 stalls (that allow a wheelchair to always fit inside the stall).

Type 3 stalls are much larger and many are equipped with a sink inside the stall.
The Studio and AK were built with this type of handicapped stalls in the restrooms and also have Type 1 stalls (some people need Type 1 stalls to hold onto the garb bars while walking into the stall and using the toilet.
At MK and Epcot, some Type 2 stalls have been replaced with this larger type of stall. There are still Type 1 stalls.
The larger restrooms are more likely to have updated, larger stalls. The smaller restrooms inside restaurants are more likely to have smaller stalls.
This is a picture a Type 3 bathroom stall.

and a link to the picture.

 

[rharper1496]

you know...if grab bars were installed in other stalls more often (without it having to be the extra wide stall), then many people who use the accessible stall for the grab bars would be able to leave it for the wheel chair bound. I HAVE seen this before, and am always pleasantly surprised. Case in point, when my DD10 was little...she was extra petite (well, she still is) but those toilet seats in public bathrooms are so large for a tiny tushie and she NEEDED those grab bars. If she did'nt have them she needed to hold onto me for stability ..which often meant we needed the handicapped stall because in many cases the regular stall wasn't big enough for two people, even small ones. Luckily, not all regular bathroom stalls are that small, and luckily some even have grab bars.

I would be thrilled if they would just make regular stalls a bit bigger to accommodate people who need a bit of extra space but not a full on wheelchair stall. I'm on the second round of potty training right now so maybe I'm just paying more attention then I normally would but man, those stalls are tiny. A bathroom trip involves helping her with her pants, lifting her onto the toilet since they're pretty high for your average 2 year old, helping her balance on the seat and then reversing the process. It's almost impossible to do in a standard public bathroom stall without someone getting pee on their pants, so we do need a handicap stall. A regular stall made about 6-8" longer would be perfect. Family bathrooms would be even better.

 

[Mindy5767]

Thanks SUE!! I didn't realize they were categorized! This makes sense. Now I know why some seemingly regular looking stalls have grab bars but obviously don't fit a wheel chair very well. When the stalls are the type 3 (I called them little bathrooms) I avoid using them. They aren't what I need.

Again, I find having enough bathrooms is rarely a problem at Disney World. It always amazed me though, how there is nearly always a line out the door at the restrooms over by Refreshment Port, which has few stalls and they're small. Yet, another bathroom nearby has 18 regular stalls with no line. Too bad the new My Disney Experience APP doesn't give bathroom wait times!

There was one bathroom at AK in Cass's blog that had 4 handicapped stalls..by the way!

 

[Stitch_lover_Sith]

I can just say wow when reading through the rest of the thread. I can see that parents have very strong feelings about what they are entitled to.

Kevin I don't think what you said was distasteful or even wrong. I don't think people as a whole practice common courtesy.

I can not comment on disabilities any more than the next able bodied person can but feel that wheelchairs are far and away different from a stroller. The stroller is a choice of transportation, most in wheelchairs and ECVs would rather walk if they could. So no a stroller should not go into a bathroom unless it is a family bathroom. And yes the accessible stall should be left open for the people who need it.