'Boys in the ladies toilets' argument

[foxxxy83]

Hey guys! My 6 yr old Autistic son looks about 9 or 10 and can't use a bathroom/public toilet on his own. Do you think I'm likely to have a problem taking him into the ladies with me in Florida (as that's what I do at home) or will I need to find disabled toilets? I always feel bad using disabled toilets as I think they're actually intended for people with much worse disabilities than either myself or my son has. Any advice would be appreciated as I know this subject is a delicate one. I contacted Discovery Cove direct to ask what they'd prefer and they said it wouldn't be a problem but I don't know how people would react anywhere else... Anyone else had this problem?? He can't be left alone though

 

[railwife]

It's makes me very uncomfortable when I see children(boys) over the age of 5 using the women bathroom. I know you have an excuse but nothing is wrong with the handicapped bathroom, in fact it gives you more privacy.

 

[2Tiggies]

Why do you feel bad using disabled toilets? People in your situation are among those who are considered when they have these built. It's not strictly for physical disabilities but there to make things easier for those who have unique circumstances as in your case. Handicapped stalls offer more space than a standard one and I found it cramped enough taking an average sized 6 year old in there with my park bag on my back and trying to get the door closed. I think you may find the disabled stalls suit your needs much better so you can be in there to assist him without knocking the sense out of your head and elbows every time you try move

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

I would agree with previous posts. I think the disabled toilets are there specifically for situations such as yours. Just because you and your son have don't have obvious disabilities doesn't mean you can't use them and you certainly shouldn't feel guilty about using them

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks. I guess sometimes it's easy to think people will see you use them and think we don't need to use them coz we don't have any visible disabilities and that's where the guilt comes from. Am assuming disabled toilets are frequent throughout the parks?? Am glad I asked now coz it will save anyone any discomfort and save us any embarrassment

 

[UK mum of 4]

I agree you shouldn't feel guilty using the disabled toilet but equally I would have no problem with you taking him in the ladies either. Which ever suits you at the time x

 

[greengeen]

Are you talking about the Companion Restrooms? They are NOT strictly for handicapped. They are for people like you who need family members of both/any gender to enter a restroom together. Use them!

 

[2Tiggies]

Are you talking about the Companion Restrooms? They are NOT strictly for handicapped. They are for people like you who need family members of both/any gender to enter a restroom together. Use them!

THAT's what they are called! I could not for the life of me recall that!

OP if you have any trouble finding any, that is what you ask for

 

[irisheyes123]

The companion restrooms are great we need to use them with my brother here is a list where you can find them in the parks .

http://allears.net/pl/restrooms.htm

 

[ChristieK0310]

They call them companion rest rooms and I have no issues using them. DD needed to go to the bathroom really badly whole we were in Epcot and dh was riding test track while we played in the sprinklers. Ds was 11 months and asleep in the double buggy and she had to go - couldn't get the double into the ladies so took her into the companion with the buggy.

Next think I hear banging at the door. I ignore it and when we go out I find a man in an ecv with a woman and they both openly shake their heads and tut at me!!!! OMG!!!! Of course being British I didn't say anything but how dare they firstly assume I didn't have a disability just because I had no wheel chair and secondly dd needed me as a companion at that moment in time to go to the bathroom. Very un disney people.

I hope you would never meet rude people like these but these restrooms are ideal for you to use and what I think they are intended for

 

[foxxxy83]

Thanks SO much for that! Will note it in my "Disney Book" (my self-made manual of everything we might ever need to know for our hol... with my son, I need one! Lol!)

 

[MrRomance]

There is no reason for you to feel guilty about using disabled rest rooms. My daughter is autistic and has multiple other problems. She is 13 and can not go to the public restrooms alone. You would not know that she has a disabillity unless you spoke to her.

Using the women's restroom is only going to make your son and other women uncomfortable just as it would if I took my daughter into the mens. Your son will reach a point where he will feel weird and question why he is in the ladies and you have nothing to feel bad about using companion/disabled rest rooms.

 

[flortlebap]

Personally I don't mind. But I know there are people that do. Just for your sanity Id suggest the companion rest room - at least it'll avoid the stares or catty comments some people make lol!

I have noticed about WDW rest rooms that there's a large space above and below the door and a gap down the side big enough to see through if you're that way inclined though so I sort of get why it bothers some people. Personally I feel all my dignity left when I gave birth though so it doesn't bother me as much as others...!

 

[tinkerpea]

This ends up being a huge heated topic on the main boards
I would use the companion rest room, this is what we so with our boys if they needed help.

There are young teen girls who will get very uncomfortable at having a boy the age your son looks in the women's,
Being At a theme park, the girls could be trying to dry out under a dryer after a water ride etc! That will be embarrassment all round.

 

[foxxxy83]

Well can I just say to everyone I'm not in ANY way wanting to start a heated argument. I don't want any discomfort either to my son or to anyone else. I am grateful to EVERYONE who provides info and/or advice. Thank you to ALL!!

 

[joolz1910]

Personally I feel all my dignity left when I gave birth though so it doesn't bother me as much as others...!

Same here.

I would use the 'companion' restrooms and not worry about it any more.

 

[2Tiggies]

There are young teen girls who will get very uncomfortable at having a boy the age your son looks in the women's,

As the mother of an 11 year old girl, this is more my concern than if I were alone in the rest rooms.

Sounds like you have a workable solution with the companion restrooms OP

 

[foxxxy83]

Yeah, am definitely going to use companion restrooms now (unless they're in use and it's an emergency toilet stop... we ALL know what kids are like!)

 

[Bridgey]

Im 33 and wandered in to the ladies changing room by accident at aquatica once, nobody said anything. Though I felt I outstayed my welcome after the first 10mins

 

[jen_uk]

Im 33 and wandered in to the ladies changing room by accident at aquatica once, nobody said anything. Though I felt I outstayed my welcome after the first 10mins