Companion/Family Restrooms

[kaytieeldr]

I'm confused. If Disney intended these restrooms solely for handicapped/disabled use - why wouldn't they call them that?

Placing a wheelchair symbol on the intended stall in a restroom with multiple stalls doesn't stop everybody else from using it; exactly what terminilogy or other indication do you suggest Disney put on these few bathrooms in each park that would stop anybody who feels like it from using one?

The rights of those with disablities are of course important, but so is the safety of all children.

I think you're confusing 'rights' with 'needs'. The fact that

They are only marked on maps in the Guidebook for Guests With Disabilities

should indicate that they are expected to be used ONLY by Guests who need physical assistance from another person to use the bathroom. This http://disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15572037&postcount=14 post makes a LOT of sense, especially where the poster writes

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.

And I think Disney realizes this, hence the term "Companion Restroom"

What Disney realizes is that there are Guests who physically need assistance to go to the bathroom - move/remove the necessary clothing, get on and off the toilet - whether performed by a person of the same gender or the opposite gender, for which the regular handicapped stall in the regular restrooms is not possible, never mind that there's somebody in there who's just using it for convenience. They're not Safety Restrooms, they're not Alleviate Parental Concern restrooms.

Plus, Sue make EXTREMELY lucid points in her post, above.

 

[maxiesmom]

Any child at Disney deserves to be safe. To me, that is valid a need as any. Maybe if Disney means them just for people with disabilities, they should be locked and off limits to anyone else. Maybe there could be some kind of card you swipe for the door to open? I'm sorry, but if it comes down to a child with me being safe or taking the chance that someone with a disability may show up and may need the restroom, you can bet the child's safety will take priority.

 

[InstImpres]

Just FYI, I wrote Disney asking if these were intended for handicapped access, family use or Parent/Child of a different sex. Here is the response:
Dear Sandy,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Companion-assisted facilities can be used in either situation. It is
fine for a single dad traveling with a small child to use these
facilities.

It may interest you to know that companion-assisted facilities are
located at all theme park and water park First Aid stations and at the
following locations:

Magic Kingdom Park --- the lower level of Cinderella's Royal Table,
Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, near the Tomorrowland Stage,
Mickey's Toontown Fair, and the Transportation and Ticket Center East
Gate

Epcot -- near Canada, near Morocco, near Germany, near Norway opposite
the Viking ship, Future World West Block opposite The Land, Future World
East Block opposite Test Track and the east side of Spaceship Earth

Disney-MGM Studios -- opposite "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror",
opposite Star Tours, Fantasmic!, Rock 'N' Roller Coaster Starring
Aerosmith, and Soundstage 3

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park -- Discovery Island opposite Flame
Tree Barbecue, Harambe Village in the Mombasa Marketplace, Chester and
Hester's Dinosaur Treasures in Dinoland USM

 

[SueM in MN]

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

Very good points.
For your family, it sounds very much like it is a necessity. (And you probably are not even in it long - your runner sounds like he would not stay put very long.)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just FYI, I wrote Disney asking if these were intended for handicapped access, family use or Parent/Child of a different sex. Here is the response:
Dear Sandy,

Thank you for contacting the Walt Disney World Resort.

Companion-assisted facilities can be used in either situation. It is
fine for a single dad traveling with a small child to use these
facilities.

Interestingly, it appears whoever responded to your question didn't catch that you were presenting three, not two, scenarios. They seem not to have realized that 'family use' and 'Parent/Child of a different sex' are NOT necessarily the same situation.

Given the EXTREMELY limited number of Companion Restrooms, they sensibly should not be used on whim. Think about it. There are seven such bathrooms in ALL of Epcot (and fewer in each of the other parks). Contrast that with the number of stalls in ANY single 'regular' restroom in any park. Admittedly, I haven't got the slightest idea about the mens rooms, but is there ANY ladies room in ANY park that has seven or fewer stalls?

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Very good points.
For your family, it sounds very much like it is a necessity.

And that's just it. The problem lies with people who can't make the distinction between necessity and convenience.

People can argue all day about the hypothetical "okay, so a mom with her 7 toddlers is alone at the MK, 3 boys and 4 girls. The girls have to do #2, and all the boys have to do #1. Shouldn't she be able to use the companion restroom?" stuff, but the truth is everyone knows deep inside when it's "necessary" and when it's "just because it's more convenient".

"Companion restroom" denotes a restroom where someone who, since they are disabled, need a companion in the restroom.

So no, a mother and her healthy 2-year old don't count. 2-year olds aren't "disabled" for the fact they are 2, they simply need some help like every other 2-year old. A normal bathroom stall works fine for that. It may not be spacious, or the most covenient, but it's all that is NECESSARY.

Nor are they for "families that want to pee together", or that don't trust their kids in bathrooms alone. I know some people want to follow their 10 or 12-year old into a bathroom (even though I personally can't imagine a safer place to do so, but that's another thread). This fear you have does not entitle you to a companion restroom; it's your personal fear, not something that is necessary medically.

So I've actually thanked CM's before I've seen turning away people who didn't NEED the companion bathroom. They are not "family restrooms". WDW doesn't have those for the obvious reason that virtually EVERYONE at WDW comes as part of a "family", so it is deemed that the normal bathrooms are larger and safer in general anyway. Yes, the people that won't let their non-disabled (i.e. no physical or developmental disabilities) kids potty alone have other options - including letting school-aged children just go in by themselves. No one has ever died or been kidnapped going to bathroom at WDW, mark my words.

NED

 

[SuperTink]

Hear, hear, NED!

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

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.

Oh please, I'm sorry, but this is one of those silly "what if what if" statements and is incorrect. That's not a point of order, but a nitpick that doesn't even hold up, LOL. "You for one" may think whatever you please, but while on a superficial level what you say is correct, there is a CLEAR distinction here.

There is a clear difference between someone who "just likes more space" and CLAUSTROPHOBIA, which is a medical condition (which includes hyperventilation, etc.).

I never said an emotional versus a physical disability was more "valid". If you are MEDICALLY CLASSIFIED as "claustrophobic" and are under treatment from a doctor, then yes, use the disabled bathroom. However, NOT LIKING small spaces doesn't make one "claustrophobic" - claustrophobia is when you physically cannot do it and would hyperventilate and pass out if you did. Being uncomfortable in there because it's small is NOT a disability, "comfort" is not "necessity".

People who just don't like small spaces - sorry. Get over it. It's a preference. If you aren't under medical care for it, then yes, my niece in a wheelchair who cannot go to the bathroom without someone able to help her, deserves it more than them.

I hate to be so blunt (well, actually I don't really, LOL), but man, it's amazing how people get so "yeah, but! yeah, but!" on this topic. We are talking about people who NEED HELP JUST GOING TO THE BATHROOM. Can people without non-disabled kids, or who aren't disabled themselves, really understand what life is like, every single day, for kids and adults that can't even go to the toliet without assistance? And people are begruding this?

We as a family don't expect to be entitled to anything other than what Disney provides and the law requires. We are fortunate, because Disney provides some great services and assistance to people. The only real problem we had at Disney (besides some poorly trained CP CM's who didn't know how their own system worked and tried to lecture to US), was people who thought it was okay to "pee together", or who took up restrooms who didn't need it. Disney treated us so wonderfully that we got over it, but it was still sad to see how many people would jump over her wheelchair, knock her out of the way, or take up bathrooms that weren't medically necessary for them. I only hope those people never have to know what it's like to be on the other side - something tells me they couldn't handle it if they can't deal with standing in line a bit longer, or using a regular bathroom, when they are perfectly healthy.

NED

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm glad NewEnglandDisney can personally assure us all of our children are safe at Disney. Pedophiles do not dare enter it's gates.

Seriously, I understand your passion. There are a tiny tiny number of companion restrooms when compared to regular restrooms. And it would make my head spin around to see someone use them to change outfits or just hang out. And the only time I have spent in a wheelchair was 2 days after I tore something in my knee, and the only way I could go to work was in a wheelchair. It sucked. But according to Disney it is ok for parents with opposite sex children to use them. And my brother in law did so when he had his 6 yr old daughter to MGM. So you can think it rude, ignorant, whatever you want. But they did not break the law, or do anything Disney would deem wrong.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Maxiesmom - Regarding your first line, I never said any such thing regarding the topic you mention. I said no child has ever died or been kidnapped in a WDW bathroom. That's a fact, ma'am. As to the topic you mention, yes, I know that's what people who enjoy fear like to point to, but it's useless to argue about it because some people have so much fun planning the "what ifs what ifs" about life that they let it taint their whole approach to life. The truth is, if that is your concern, there are PLENTY of bathrooms at WDW where you can stay in voice communication with your child and STILL let them go potty alone. Trust me - they will be better people for it.

As to parents of opposite sex using them, I've seen Disney turn those people away as well. It seems as if there is some confusion there. I'm sorry, but six years old is, IMHO, old for daddy to be watching daughter pee. Regardless, there are bathrooms all over WDW where he could stand right next to the door and see and or talk to her the whole time. Because that is deemed too INCONVENIENT, and Daddy might be embarassed, you you justify it as a reason to take a bathroom from a disabled child WHO HAS NO CHOICE.

Now, you may like that rude, ignorant, whatever you want, just as you invite me to think the same of your opinion. I know I don't live in fear, and if that's what you want to make this about, please post me some news stories of these children who are at WDW being molested and hurt because they went in a restroom and their parent stood at the door. Find me ONE.

NED

 

[mrzrich]

The worst offenders of the bathroom that I personnally witnessed was while waiting accross from Flame Tree at DAK. Out comes an two able bodied adults a male and a female. The woman was visably embarassed to see people waiting outside the door. I can speculate what they were doing in there, but hey, my son has an invisible disability, so you never know I guess.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

The worst offenders of the bathroom that I personnally witnessed was while waiting accross from Flame Tree at DAK. Out comes an two able bodied adults a male and a female. The woman was visably embarassed to see people waiting outside the door. I can speculate what they were doing in there, but hey, my son has an invisible disability, so you never know I guess.

EW...I'm so glad I'm not eating right now.

I'm with you - I'm going to think the best of them and assume they had an invisible disability.

Hopefully that will erase the initial image from my head.

NED

 

[shellybaxter]

Oh please, I'm sorry, but this is one of those silly "what if what if" statements and is incorrect. That's not a point of order, but a nitpick that doesn't even hold up, LOL. "You for one" may think whatever you please, but while on a superficial level what you say is correct, there is a CLEAR distinction here.

There is a clear difference between someone who "just likes more space" and CLAUSTROPHOBIA, which is a medical condition (which includes hyperventilation, etc.).

I never said an emotional versus a physical disability was more "valid". If you are MEDICALLY CLASSIFIED as "claustrophobic" and are under treatment from a doctor, then yes, use the disabled bathroom. However, NOT LIKING small spaces doesn't make one "claustrophobic" - claustrophobia is when you physically cannot do it and would hyperventilate and pass out if you did. Being uncomfortable in there because it's small is NOT a disability, "comfort" is not "necessity".

People who just don't like small spaces - sorry. Get over it. It's a preference. If you aren't under medical care for it, then yes, my niece in a wheelchair who cannot go to the bathroom without someone able to help her, deserves it more than them.

I hate to be so blunt (well, actually I don't really, LOL), but man, it's amazing how people get so "yeah, but! yeah, but!" on this topic. We are talking about people who NEED HELP JUST GOING TO THE BATHROOM. Can people without non-disabled kids, or who aren't disabled themselves, really understand what life is like, every single day, for kids and adults that can't even go to the toliet without assistance? And people are begruding this?

We as a family don't expect to be entitled to anything other than what Disney provides and the law requires. We are fortunate, because Disney provides some great services and assistance to people. The only real problem we had at Disney (besides some poorly trained CP CM's who didn't know how their own system worked and tried to lecture to US), was people who thought it was okay to "pee together", or who took up restrooms who didn't need it. Disney treated us so wonderfully that we got over it, but it was still sad to see how many people would jump over her wheelchair, knock her out of the way, or take up bathrooms that weren't medically necessary for them. I only hope those people never have to know what it's like to be on the other side - something tells me they couldn't handle it if they can't deal with standing in line a bit longer, or using a regular bathroom, when they are perfectly healthy.

NED

I'm sorry - but this post really makes me not want to understand your needs at all. To me you are saying - please understand my needs and the needs of my children. However, it also says I have no intention of trying understand you or your needs. That's what always makes me angry about this topic. You need to understand the needs of others if you expect others to understand your needs.

 

[maxiesmom]

Posting again because I don't know when to leave well enough alone.

Maybe next time I go to Disney I will take a copy of the letter explaining that the companion restrooms are ok for families to use. We all know who CMs do not always have the right info. Are we not always telling people to get things in writing so they know what is actually Disney policy and what is not?

And while you may think 6 is old enough to use a restroom alone, we don't. And until you can absolutley guarantee that a child from my family will not get lost/get abused/taken from a Disney bathroom, they will not be sent in alone. Paranoid? Maybe. Our family can raise its children how we want, and you can do the same. You can voice your opinion on Disney policy, but if we have questions and want facts, not opinions, we will ask Disney. And until they say we are not allowed to use the companion restrooms and we feel we need to, we will.

 

[cleo]

Hmmmm....those who understood the question about locations on a map, please stand to the right for your gold star. Those who read it and made it into a moral lesson or a mission statement, please step to the left to be sworn in as the Moral Police of the Bathroom Brigade.

The rest of you can get on with what you're doing, since this thread is so far off topic it boggles the mind and makes the head shake with astonishment.

Say buh-bye!