Companion Restrooms and Large Service Dog

[BethCPTSD]

Hi again guys,
I just wanted to ask opinions on this. The service dog I'll have soon, is a standard Goldendoodle and they are usually between 65-90 lbs. and quite tall/large. As I've read about what accommodations are available at the WDW parks, I've read about these companion restrooms, and I feel like they might be really helpful once I have a large animal with me. My previous service animal was tiny, so it didn't matter so much before, but this will definitely be different. (It can be very hard especially, to turn around in a tiny stall with said animal in tow -- and then have enough room to function!)

Is it okay for me to use these restrooms, without being physically disabled in an overt way (I have mobility issues besides the psychiatric, but obviously, not a wheelchair or anything) and I certainly don't want to offend anyone who may be differently disabled I am. I mean, hopefully I would even would be able to find one at a time when no one really was waiting or something, but I don't want to step on any toes! Would this be rude? Would it be acceptable?

I am also posting this because I haven't seen it mentioned before and thought a quick discussion of it might be helpful if others are in a similar situation.

Thank you as always! I'm very happy to have been so warmly welcomed into this forum!

Best,
BethCPTSD

 

[Random Ninja]

The companion restrooms aren't just for people with physical disabilities. They are for anyone who needs more space then the regular stalls provide, need to have someone accompany them, or any other reason really. You seem to have a need to use them as you have a companion with you, your dog. Make sure you pick up a map when you get to the parks and note where the companion restrooms are as there aren't many in each park. I wouldn't let people's possible attitudes upset you; you have a need so go ahead and use the restroom that fits your needs.

 

[gap2368]

yep they are for anyone that needs them there have been times I have used them and I do not have a physical disability. there will be no one there asking you way you need it or any thing like that. ( and if there is then they are an idiot, ) so I would use it if you felt like you need it.

by the way some of the bathroom have longer stalls that might work for you they are the same with as the others but about 2x as long this might be what you need incase you have to go now and the campion one is take ( and some people with disability need long then others do)

 

[minnie mum]

While I agree that you could use the companion bathrooms in the parks, by the same reasoning, you could use the handicap stalls in the regular bathrooms. They are easily twice the size of a regular stall, and there is at least one in evey ladies room. Sometimes two. Chances are a regular bathroom will be closer to wherever you are.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Another tip is to use bathrooms in the First Aid stations, I have done this at DL a couple of times. (they seem to have less Companion restrooms there).

 

[SueM in MN]

Another tip is to use bathrooms in the First Aid stations, I have done this at DL a couple of times. (they seem to have less Companion restrooms there).

I would suggest not using the First Aid restroom at Magic Kingdom. It is a companion restroom with a toilet and a sink, but it is a tiny room. When I am in there with my daughter, we have to plan out exactly where we are moving.

My niece has a labradoodle, which would be similar size to a goldendoodle. It would be a very tight fit.
I would also say that the handicapped stalls that are not wheelchair accessible may be too small. Those are the ones that a little longer (not twice as long) and are arranged with grab bars on each wall.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

While I agree that you could use the companion bathrooms in the parks, by the same reasoning, you could use the handicap stalls in the regular bathrooms. They are easily twice the size of a regular stall, and there is at least one in evey ladies room. Sometimes two. Chances are a regular bathroom will be closer to wherever you are.

This is what I was thinking. Since there are so few companion restrooms as compared with regular restrooms that have handicapped stalls, it might be more convenient for you to just use a handicapped stall rather than walk extra to get to a companion restroom.

 

[wilkeliza]

Not rude of you at all and if anyone says anything they are the rude ones. Companion bathrooms are for anyone who needs the space. That could be someone with a wheelchair, a single parent who needs to wrangle several children (hot topic I know), opposite gender parent and child, someone who needs a companion to help them in the bathroom, or people such as yourself who need the space for their service dog. I am not disabled but did have to use a handicap stall after my first half marathon. I couldn't get up or down for 2 days with out assistance. Some people gave dirty looks but at the end of the day there is no law stating who can and can not use those bathrooms and it is up to the individual to determine if their needs can be met in a standard single stall or if they need to use the handicap stall or the companion bathroom.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Thank you guys for your thoughtful tips and comments! I'm glad there has been some discussion about First Aid too because I was curious about that. And Sue, interesting that you would mention the different sizes of handicapped stalls in the primary restrooms, as when I wrote this post I had just come from the FAQ sticky that shows the different sizes of the handicapped stalls and noticed at least one of them would probably not be large enough.
I thought I would add, I don't want to leave the impression that I wouldn't use the "main restrooms" -- Minnie Mum is correct in saying they could be most convenient most of the time from the perspective of what's nearest to my location. I was asking about the companion restrooms because it was sort of the newer idea to me, but also, based upon having severe anxiety issues and other symptoms because of my DID and CPTSD, sometimes just thinking about trying to wait for a handicapped stall and then using it causes a spike. There was one time at Disneyland when my turn in line came up in a restroom and I went ahead and used the larger (handicapped) stall, and when I came out there was a woman in a wheelchair and someone pushing her (I had no idea they were waiting, or needed the restroom) that gave me really dirty looks and I felt so guilty and terrible it must have just brought up more PTSD issues. Ever since, I can barely think about that experience without all the PTSD physiological symptoms like racing heart, sweats, etc. coming up again. That may sound silly, but apparently my symptoms can be spiked pretty easily, I suppose.

I appreciate all of your comments and would welcome any others anyone has to offer! Have a great day.

 

[gap2368]

just an FYI on the restroom in first aid ( MK exspasily ) you can wait a very long time to use it. I have been there when someone was in there for a good 20 minute ( no I was not counting but I was having medical problems in the room/bed next to the restroom and someone was wait and needed it now right out side the curtain but yes you can you just have to let the nurse know that you need it for medical space reason as they will tell you to use the ones out side if they think you do not need it.

 

[Twende]

It is fine for you to use the companion restroom. Plus if you look at it this way, you have a companion with you, your pup!

I only had a problem one time in DHS, I waited about 10 minutes for a restroom near where the Frozen Sing-along is now. A woman finally came out with a child in a wheel chair and proceeded to yell at me that this was a handicapped bathroom. I stared at her in disbelief and finally told her not all handicaps are clearly visible. I was so hurt!

 

[gap2368]

I saw this on my FB news feed and thought about this thread.

Grace Warnock Designs Accessible Bathroom Sign for People With Invisible Conditions in Scotland

http://themighty.com/2016/03/grace-warnock-deslgns-accessible-bathroom-sign-for-people-with-invisible-conditions-in-scotland/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Mighty_Page&utm_campaign=DISABILITY

I think if anyone need to use the restroom then they can some people may only need it a certion times others all the time. I think if you can use another one then do so as long as it dose not cause the person undue stress ( yes you might be able to squeeze a wheel chair in a bigger bathroom stale by folding it and squeezing by and for some people this would be total doable for others yes they could do this but it would be hard)

sorry the font is so big my dinosaur of a computer will not let me higligh to make it smaller

 

[Twende]

I saw this on my FB news feed and thought about this thread.

Grace Warnock Designs Accessible Bathroom Sign for People With Invisible Conditions in Scotland

http://themighty.com/2016/03/grace-...tm_medium=Mighty_Page&utm_campaign=DISABILITY

I think if anyone need to use the restroom then they can some people may only need it a certion times others all the time. I think if you can use another one then do so as long as it dose not cause the person undue stress ( yes you might be able to squeeze a wheel chair in a bigger bathroom stale by folding it and squeezing by and for some people this would be total doable for others yes they could do this but it would be hard)

sorry the font is so big my dinosaur of a computer will not let me higligh to make it smaller

Thanks for sharing that link. I know in my case I often need to use the sink, the higher toilet seat, and often the hand rails. I can walk in just fine. Many times the larger "handicap" labels stalls do not have a sink so they will not work for me.

 

[BethCPTSD]

Twende, so sorry that happened to you! I wish people would be more thoughtful before they speak (or give the stink-eye! I've gotten it too. )
Gap, thank you for that link! How cool is that sign! And for the little girl who created it!

 

[gap2368]

I am glade you like the link by the way I have no idea why my computer changed my font size ( I even tired to edit it) but it is driving me craze when I went back up. And is it cool how one person can make such a big change

 

[bopper]

Also remember...if a place wants to restrict if you can use a resource (e.g., handicapped parking spots), they have a method of limiting them (handicap license plate or hang tag). There is nothing like that...so bathrooms are open to all.