Companion/Family Restrooms

[Kay1]

My 15-year-old son has autism. We use the companion bathrooms but I've also taken him to the first aid stations to use their bathrooms. I only got ticked off once and it was at Epcot. It wasn't even that crowded but a woman and her daughter came out after we'd waited and waited for them. I wished they'd just used the regular ladies room.

I can see why families with the babies and kids of different ages and sexes would want to use them and I wish Disney would add more - a lot more.

 

[princesspwrhr]

There are no "family" restrooms at Disney. They are companion bathrooms.
<snip>
I'm sure it feels awfully convenient for you, but I cannot tell you how heartbreaking it is to have to take someone who is disabled out of the park and have to go back to the resort because they couldn't get to the bathroom in time because a "family" was in the designated Companion Restroom, washing hands, talking, etc.

I have actively seen Disney CM's correcting people as to this. There is a reason they are only listed in the handicapped guidebooks.

NED

This is exactly why I asked how the facilities themselves are marked. As I admitted, 'Family' restrooms are so prevalent around here, and many are marked with the words 'FAMILY RESTROOM' and under it a picture of a man & a girl, then the handicap sign and under that 'COMPANION RESTROOM' that I didn't look for the words on the facilities at Disney. I agree that since they are marked companion at Disney and I now know this that I shouldn't have used them. Yes it is convienant for me to use the family restrooms, but I don't do it when it's knowingly to the detriment of another person, so I will pay closer attention to the signs at Disney. I would almost be willing to bet that a good portion of the families with small children who use these restrooms at Disney do so for the same reasons that I and another poster on this list mentioned - we didn't know that at Disney they were 'companion' and not 'family'.

I've been seen by several CMs using the companion stalls at Disney and have not had so much as an eyebrow raised, so it is good that you do see some CMs enforcing the rule. Had one caught me and said something I would have apologized and considered myself educated.

I don't make a habit of using the hanicapped stalls in restrooms, but there are times when I am forced to, previously because that's where the changing tables were located, and currently because there are times when my toddlers can not hold it and the area is either not safe for me to leave 1 of them withe my 8 yo, or have my 8 yo take one into the potty or all the regular stalls are full and they have got to go.

I also have never parked in a clearly marked handicapped space, nor have I parked in the 'stork' parking (even when pg, but that was a personal choice) and I don't park in the special spot at the front of our supermarket designated for parents with multiple small children because I don't have the permit for it - haven't bothered to drag myself to customer service to fill out an aplication when walking a couple extra steps won't kill me.

My point is, please don't paint all of us who use the companion restrooms with the same broad stroke as the few rude inconsiderate people you had dealings with. A good many of us just didn't know any better.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

My point is, please don't paint all of us who use the companion restrooms with the same broad stroke as the few rude inconsiderate people you had dealings with. A good many of us just didn't know any better.

And you are right - please see my later post. I also PM'd a couple of people from this thread whom I may have offended; I apologize!

As you can see, I'm just a bit over zealous on this topic. I certainly don't think anyone does it with a bad intention (well, no one here, LOL - we all know there are people at Disney who really don't care about anyone else's experience), and the only reason I brought up the parking comparison was not to say anyone here did that; simply that is how severe it is for people who need it. In fact, it's easier to wheel the chair a few feet from a regular parking spot than it is to get a wheelchair in most bathrooms, LOL.

So I apologize to anyone I haven't already done so personally to - I know none of you were meaning ill. As I said in my last post, it's just that there are SO few of these at Disney (just a couple per park) that it can really become a problem.

NED

 

[princesspwrhr]

There's also one in Fantasyland near Pinocchios Village Haus. The entire restroom area is somewhat hidden and the companion stall is closer to the janitors closet on Ariels Grotto side.

Here's a list on AllEars of most of them. http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/restrooms.htm I say most becuase the one I just mentioned isn't on there even though I know I used it right after we saw Ariel. I don't remember where dh ran off to, but I had the double side by side by myself and remember a CM helped me hold the door open to get in.

My passporter also lists the companion restroom locations on their maps. But I'm such a dork, I never noticed that the handicapped symbol wasn't on all the restroom locations.

 

[SueM in MN]

Just confirming that the restrooms are labeled "Companion Restroom" and they are marked with a wheelchair symbol. They are also not listed on the park maps; the only places WDW lists them are in the WDW Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities.

They are just a single toilet restroom that complies with ADA wheelchair accessibility standards as far as the size, space and arrangement of the room. They also have a variety of grab bars for people with disabilities to use to get on an off the toilet. Some of them are smaller and are sort of barely usable by someone with a wheelchair because they were built under older requirements.

Like ramps, curb cuts, and wheelchair accessible hotel rooms, it is required by ADA law that the parks have some, but there is no requirement that they be reserved for use by people with disabilities. Because of that, I would be really surprised to see any CM say anything to anyone using them (besides some people using them might have invisible disabilities).Edited to clarify: Just because there is no legislation, doesn't mean they should be used by people for convenience. They exist to meet a need; and if you don't have a need for them, please save them for the people who do need them.
Here's a picture of the inside of a typical Companion Restroom from allearsnet.com

For people who use them as a convenience, it may seeem like there are a lot of Companion Restrooms, but for people who use them out of necessity, there are very few and they are far between.
There are a limited number of Companion Restrooms in each of the parks. On the list posted on allearsnet, there are a total of 6 listed for MK(and one of those is not in the park, it is outside at the TTC.)
Since MK is one of the oldest parks and was built under different accessibility standards, most of the handicapped stalls in the regular restrooms at MK are not big enough to fit a wheelchair into the stall and close the door. They certainly are not large enough for someone to assist the person using a wheelchair or to have a 5 foot circle for turning inside the stall (the current ADA requirements for an accessible bathroom stall).
This means the handicapped stall in most of the regular restrooms at MK are useless for a large number of people who use wheelchairs and are not able to leave the wheelchair outside the stall and walk in. They are also useless for people who will be assisting adults or older children of the opposite sex (Just to mention two examples, I've seen elderly adult men or women using the Companion Restroom to assist their husband or wife who is disabled and can't use the bathroom without assistance - most people would not expect or accept those couples using the regular men's or ladies restrooms. Same thing for a male adult or older child with autism who needs assistance from his mother).

Because my DD's wheelchair won't fit into the regular handicapped stalls at MK, that means those 5 Companion Restrooms listed by allearsnet.com (plus one in First Aid) are the only toliets in the whole park we can use. (not 6 bathrooms with multiple toilets in each one, 6 toilets in the whole park). We frequently have to cross the park (passing a number of restrooms we are not able to use) and we frequently have to wait for the Companion Restroom to become empty when we do get to it.

Epcot is about the same as MK because many of the regular handicapped stalls are not really wheelchair accessible.
The Studio and AK have 'better' handicapped accessible stalls in the restrooms since they are much larger, but some people (like my DD) really need the quiet of the Companion Restooms, so even the larger handicapped stalls in the regular restrooms are not appropriate for them.

So, I add my voice to those who say, please only use them if you need them. If you have other choices, please choose one of the other options available to you and leave the Companion Restrooms for those of us who have no choice.

 

[pampam]

The fact that there is no legislation to prevent one from using a companion washroom should in no way be seen as a licence for just anyone to use it. Imagine for a moment, if there were no companion washrooms, or handicap stalls available. Would you be physically able to use a regular toilet? If the answer is yes, than you really should be using a regular toilet each time. As has been previously mentioned, these stalls and rooms are for people with handicaps. They really don't have a choice, and it really isn't about convenience. I say this because it isn't convenient for them to use, if they have to crisscross across the parks. Sometimes people just don't realize the imposition they may be putting on a disabled person. I don't think they are doing it out of spite. However, it is a kindness to leave the assistive devices for the disabled.

 

[Mono~rail]

This thread made me think about overzealous handicap bathroom stall "defender" I met at the mall one day. When I go out by myself with the twins, I use the handicap stalls when "the need" arises because the stroller will fit in the bigger stall.

I was out by myself with the twins, and as I was entering the handicap accessible stall, a lady jumped in front of my and blocked the doorway with her arms and legs. She told me I wasn't handicapped and it wasn't to be used for people with babies. She was going on and on. She offered to "watch" my twins while I used the restroom. Yeah, right! I'm going to leave my kids with some crazy woman while I pull my pants down around my knees!

I left the restroom and went to the nearest store to ask if I could use their restroom. They told me no and gave me directions to the public ones. I told them about the self-appointed handicap stall guard in there so they called security. A female security guard came and stood outside the handicap stall while I went in and finally got to use the restroom. The crazy woman was gone by the time I got there with the security guard.

 

[MichelleVW]

This thread made me think about overzealous handicap bathroom stall "defender" I met at the mall one day. When I go out by myself with the twins, I use the handicap stalls when "the need" arises because the stroller will fit in the bigger stall.

I was out by myself with the twins, and as I was entering the handicap accessible stall, a lady jumped in front of my and blocked the doorway with her arms and legs. She told me I wasn't handicapped and it wasn't to be used for people with babies. She was going on and on. She offered to "watch" my twins while I used the restroom. Yeah, right! I'm going to leave my kids with some crazy woman while I pull my pants down around my knees!

I left the restroom and went to the nearest store to ask if I could use their restroom. They told me no and gave me directions to the public ones. I told them about the self-appointed handicap stall guard in there so they called security. A female security guard came and stood outside the handicap stall while I went in and finally got to use the restroom. The crazy woman was gone by the time I got there with the security guard.

Good lord...what a wacko!!! You have to use the handicap stall if you are there alone with a stroller....

 

[kaytieeldr]

This thread made me think about overzealous handicap bathroom stall "defender" I met at the mall one day. When I go out by myself with the twins, I use the handicap stalls when "the need" arises because the stroller will fit in the bigger stall.

I was out by myself with the twins, and as I was entering the handicap accessible stall, a lady jumped in front of my and blocked the doorway with her arms and legs. She told me I wasn't handicapped and it wasn't to be used for people with babies. She was going on and on. She offered to "watch" my twins while I used the restroom. Yeah, right! I'm going to leave my kids with some crazy woman while I pull my pants down around my knees!

I've probably posted this before but...
I was exiting a handicap stall somewhere, the specific park/location escapes me now. There was a woman with a toddler in a stroller waiting to use the stall, and behind her an older (i.e. my age) woman on foot. I had to turn right out of the stall and turn the ecv around in a more open area; seconds later, as I was passing that stall, the mom and toddler were still waiting, and the stall was in use. I said something, and she told me the woman behind her claimed priority because she's handicapped, and cut in ahead of the mom.
I did offer to watch her son for a few minutes and she accepted. I guess I look safe, plus, how far was I going to get trying to steer the ecv with one hand and a stroller with the other?

 

[fey_spirit]

I'm pretty passionate about this, because I was disgusted at the number of people I saw doing this in my last trip. I was especially incensed at this one woman who choose the only handicapped stall in one of the normal bathrooms, when there were ten empty regular stalls, and she admitted she "just likes more space". All this while my niece is about to pee her pants because she can't "choose" to want more space, she MUST have it or she can't go to the bathroom.

Point of order - some people who "just like more space" are clausterphobic - and the smaller stalls, are impossible for them to deal with (If too small)... I for one refuse to belive that physical disabilities are any more important or valid then emotional and mental ones.

 

[delilah]

solo[/U] traveling father. I do not believe young girls who can not go into the women's alone should go into the men's bathrooms.

What about the opposite scenario of a solo mom with a young son too young to go alone into the men's room, but old enough to be embarrassed about going in with mom to the ladies' room? This described my son beginning about three, when he started preschool. Now, thank heavens, I feel semi comfortable allowing him alone into a restroom where I am stationed outside, but, really, if there are no wheelchairs in sight, what can it hurt for a family to use the companion restroom. As a matter of fact, certain places I've been the restrooms that can accommodate more that one person, and equipped with both a commode and urinal have been labeled "family restrooms". This is true at most museums and sports arenas in the Indianapolis area. Maybe it's just a midwest thing, but, that is how they are labeled.

 

[MommytoMJM]

Yes, I can too see the confusion. I know I am a bit passionate about this topic, but I explained why on the last page.

The probelm is, there are SO few of these at Disney. For instance, off the top of my head I can only think of one at MK (Splash). I believe they mark the one at First Aid as one, but we found that one as cramped as a regular bathroom stall. Epcot has a couple. MGM has a couple. There are only a small handful in each park, and when there is one it's usually only one, maximum two.

I don't begrudge people with strollers, etc. going to the bathroom, LOL, but until Disney wakes up and makes more of them, it really is a concern for all the disabled guests who visit WDW. I'm just glad that I've been able to open up a few eyes! I have seen Disney step up enforcement, which did make me feel a bit better.

NED

There are 6 at MK, AK and MGM, 7 at Epcot and one in each First Aid station. There is one at DtD on the West Side. We have problems with this constantly with multiple disabled people in our family.

 

[Forevryoung]

I traveled to Disney with a 10 year old with cerebral palsy- she cannot walk without assistance or stand without a lot of support. She can barely stand holding a grab bar with both hands while you pull up and down her pants.

She used a special needs stroller while we were there and I frequently was forced to leave her stroller somewhere in the bathroom, usually in someone's way, while I carried all 85 lbs of her into the handicapped stall, which was sometimes a distance away and then had to open the door without dropping her

Lets just say it was a production and far from easy. Then again, when you do this all the time, it is rarely easy to find a "good" bathroom. We refused to crisscross the parks to find an appropriate bathroom, it was somewhat easier to struggle when there wasn't one nearby (she needs to use a bathroom frequently).

Whenever we came across a companion restroom, we made her "try" with her dad just to potentially save me or her mom a trip into the handicapped stall

 

[sandym718]

I'm confused. If Disney intended these restrooms solely for handicapped/disabled use - why wouldn't they call them that? To me - the designation of both "Companion Restroom" AND the Wheelchair symbol would mean that it is intended for both those who need the extra space for disability reasons and/or those who NEED a companion for assistance in the restroom. That would include a young child who cannot do it him/herself - especially one of the opposite gender than the parent with them.

I never use a handicapped stall in a restroom when I am by myself, and I have never parked in a handicap parking spot. However, when I am out with both children by myself, I will use, and will even wait for the handicap stall - as that is the only one with enough room for them both to stand if, God forbid, I actually need to go! I try to avoid this (I prefer to wait till I get home anyways), but obviously not always possible. In less crowded, "safer" places - I will have DS stand just outside the stall, insisting that I always see his feet. DD is in with me. But, sometimes that doesn't always seem safe! So, then we use the handicap stall (DS faces the door and I am very discreet, BTW). I really don't see any other option! Sorry if that is offensive to anyone who is handicapped, but unless public places make restrooms with larger stalls (doubt that - not $$ effective), not sure what else to do. The rights of those with disablities are of course important, but so is the safety of all children. I don't want to leave my young children unattended in a public place - and actually that could be illegal for me to do so! Child endangerment, etc. Gosh forbid someone would take a child who was waiting outside alone, I bet the public would say "why wasn't the mother/father watching him/her". It's really a hard situation.

My SIL has a close friend who is in a wheelchair, I actually asked her how she felt about this. She said it bothers her when just single individuals use it when others are available, but totally understands when parents alone with multiple children use it.

Of course, if there were a handicapped person waiting for the stall/restroom. I would let that person/people go first. Even my DD (2) is good at holding it, so that wouldn't be a problem.

 

[twinmum]

Well, the OP's question has certainly generated much debate! I'm glad there's been a lot of discussion and I hope there has been some education.

We recently returned from WDW with our DS8 twins, one who was is physically disabled and in a wheelchair. After a first attempt at navigating a handicapped stall with my son and his wheelchair - and with the bruises to prove it - I quickly realized that the "companion" washrooms were going to be the only way to go (pardon the pun!), the only washrooms with the physical space we needed.

Our son has struggled for years to be fully trained and now takes tremendous pride in being able to anticipate his toileting needs. He's been working on it for 5 years. For a child with a neuromuscular condition, this is a real triumph and a boost to his sense of independence.

I have encountered so many lovely, helpful people on these Boards. Please help us spread the word that while the companion washrooms may offer a potential convenience to parents with young children, they are a necessity for guests with disabilities and their attendants. We have no other option available.

If you'd like to see washroom facilities more suitable for your family, why not let Disney know?

 

[maxiesmom]

While I do agree that it is rude for able-bodied people to use the companion restrooms, I also think there are exceptions. As was mentioned before, a single parent with an opposite sex child too old to use the parent's restroom. Or a single parent with many children. But I believe those are rare exceptions. Also, please do not compare the companion restrooms with handicaped parking spots. You cannot get a ticket for using a companion restroom. It is not illegal. Rude under most circumstances, yes. But you cannot compare the two, they are not the same.

And I agree that Disney should add some family rest rooms. My local mall has them, why not Disney?

 

[SueM in MN]

I'm confused. If Disney intended these restrooms solely for handicapped/disabled use - why wouldn't they call them that? To me - the designation of both "Companion Restroom" AND the Wheelchair symbol would mean that it is intended for both those who need the extra space for disability reasons and/or those who NEED a companion for assistance in the restroom. That would include a young child who cannot do it him/herself - especially one of the opposite gender than the parent with them.

The main thing people who can't use any other restrooms have said on this thread is that we want other people to realize that for some of us, there are no other options. What we are saying is look at your other options, and if one of those will work, please use it and save these restrooms for people who don't have any other options.

For some of us, these few restrooms in each park are the only toilets in the whole park we can use. There are not enough of them for the people who absolutely need them. There are only 6 Companion Restrooms in MK; that means that there are only 6 toilets in all of MK that someone like my DD can use, for example. Not 6 restrooms with multiple toilets in each. 6 toilets period. There are definately not enough for everyone who wants to use them for convenience to use them.

If Disney meant them as Family Restrooms, they would be listed as a feature on the park maps, but that isn't the case. The only place you will find a listing of them (other than un-official sources, such as Forums and allearsnet.com) is in the official WDW Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities.

I think the designation Companion Restroom and the symbols on the door (a wheelchair symbol and a male and female figure) do tell what they are for. If they were simply called Handicapped Restrooms, there are people with disabilities who would feel they were not welcome to use them, even if that is the restroom that best/only fits their needs.

 

[sandym718]

What I'm saying is that until/unless Disney (or other public places) puts in family restrooms or bigger "regular stalls" in the restrooms - the Handicap stall/Companion restroom COULD BE the ONLY OPTION for a parent on their own with multiple children. It is a NEED for that person too - not in that they cannot themselves use another toilet, but in the fact that it is simply often not SAFE to leave a child unattended and if you can't all fit in the stall... It is not simply for "convenience" as you put it - it is a bonafide need to ensure the safety of your children. And I think Disney realizes this, hence the term "Companion Restroom"

I think we all need to be considerate of Everyone's needs.

 

[mrzrich]

My DS6 is Autistic. We often used the companion restrooms for him. Once I was there alone with him and my 3 year old and I went up to CRT and asked to use it. The CM at first refused to allow me in until I explained he was autistic. Then I had to wait and wait because the restaurant treats it like a regular bathroom. The isn't a regular rest room beside it, so all the patrons were line up to use it. I was pretty angry.( This is before I knew about the one next to Pinnochio's.) I don't really understand why they put that bathroom there insisde a restaurant behind a velvet rope. It was also the dirtiest WDW bathroom I'd ever seen.

Anyway, we use it often with my son because he just recently became able to wear regular underwear out in public. He was still in pull ups for public outings until about a month ago. He is also a runner which makes it difficult for us to pee. (He once unlocked the stall as I sat pants around my ankles and ran out of the restroom , DH caught him as he went past thank god)

They are a godsend for us, but if there is a physically disable person waiting we always yeild to them first.

I don't begrudge familes for using them when there's nobody waiting, but I ask that they do so as quickly as possible without dawdling and fixing your hair and make-up

 

[SueM in MN]

What I'm saying is that until/unless Disney (or other public places) puts in family restrooms or bigger "regular stalls" in the restrooms - the Handicap stall/Companion restroom COULD BE the ONLY OPTION for a parent on their own with multiple children. It is a NEED for that person too - not in that they cannot themselves use another toilet, but in the fact that it is simply often not SAFE to leave a child unattended and if you can't all fit in the stall... It is not simply for "convenience" as you put it - it is a bonafide need to ensure the safety of your children. And I think Disney realizes this, hence the term "Companion Restroom"

I think we all need to be considerate of Everyone's needs.

I'm not saying (and I don't think anyone else is saying) it isn't the only safe option for them.
Or even that they should not use it.
Just that we are asking 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. In some cases they do have other options and the people who don't have any other options would really appreciate it if they at least considered using one of their other options.

I personally don't make any judgements about people I see using the Companion Restroom. Some of them may have an invisible need to use it (like the poster,mrzrich, just before me. They don't have any good options and their reason for using the Companion Restroom might not be readily visible). None of my business and certainly nothing for me to judge.

Some people may not realize that these are the only restrooms available for some people. Many would choose not to use them if they did realize that. That's what people who need them are trying to say on this thread.

Some examples that happened on our last trip:

• We were in England in WS when DD has to use the restroom. England has restrooms, but the nearest Companion Restroom is at the entrance to WS, so we went there to use it and had to wait because it was occupied. While we were waiting, a mother and a girl about 3 years old came up and asked if we were waiting. I said we were and she asked if there was another one close by. I replied that the nearest one was on the other side of WS (near Morocco). She said she was not aware there were so few of them and told the little girl they would use the ladies room instead.
• At that same Companion restroom, while we were waiting, a woman came up with a little boy about 3-4 years old and asked if we were waiting to use it. I said we were. She called over to the man she was with (who had stopped to wait about 15 feet away from the restroom) and asked him to take the little boy with him into the men's room.
  We waited at theat particular restroom for over 15 minutes. A man, a woman and 2 preschool age (but not toddler) children came out. The mom held the door open for me and I thanked her with a smile. None of them gave me any eye contact or acknowledged my thank you.
• At another Companion Restroom, door opened and a woman and a young girl came out. Through the open door, I could see another woman pulling a princess dress over the head of another little girl over her clothes. Both moms apologized for tying up the restroom because they said they could have done their 'primping' in the regular restroom, but thought the "Family Restroom" was a perfect place for things like that.
• After waiting for the Companion Restroom, we had just gotten in and gotten the door shut when I heard a man outside the door talking to a child and saying they would be able to go into the "Family Restroom very quick because people don't stay in the restroom very long." In order to use the restroom, I have to transfer my DD from her wheelchair to the toilet, wait for her to relax and go, get herr clothes all situated again and transfer her back to the wheelchair so I knew we'd be a while. I opened the door a crack and explained we would not be very fast because we had just gotten in and I had to transfer DD from her wheelchair. He thanked me for telling him, explained he did not know that these restrooms were used for that purpose and told the little boy (I could see it was a boy from the crack of door) that they would go use the men's room instead.
• The restroom downstairs at CRT is a Companion Restroom. They used to have a key for it that you had to get from the CM at the check in desk. I asked at the desk on this trip when we went to use it and the CM said there was no longer a key, it was open for use. We joined the line, which was mostly little girls and their moms waiting to get into their Princess dresses, and waited our turn. About one or 2 minutes after we got in (I had just had enough time to get DD out of her wheelchair), the next person in line started knocking on the door to ask if we were almost done. I explained thru the door that my DD was using the toilet, not just changing and that we would hurry as fast as we could (the woman had been behind us for some time and had seen us go in, so she could see DD was using a wheelchair). We hurried as fast as we could, but the whole time we were in there, we had to listen to a running commentary about how it would be our fault if her DD did not get her Cinderella dress on before their name was called.
  As we came out of the restroom, we got dirty looks from many of the people waiting in line.
  I will NEVER use that Companion restroom again, too much trouble.

At MK, we sometimes go to First Aid because there is a LOT more demand for the Companion Restooms at MK than at the other parks and there is usually a wait for one at MK. It is usually faster/less hassle to go to First Aid from whereever we are than it is to use the MK Companion Restrooms.

I try NOT to take DD to the restroom at MK though because there is only one restroom in First Aid and if we are using it, we are using the only option available to anyone who is in First Aid. So, even people with disabilities might have options they choose not to use to avoid inconveniencing someone else.