Companion Restrooms

[Disneylvr]

Do they have diaper changing tables in them? DD, age 3 with autism, is not potty trained and has issues with diaper changes in loud public restrooms. I thought the companion restrooms might be an easy solution IF they have a changing table.

 

[Talking Hands]

Do they have diaper changing tables in them? DD, age 3 with autism, is not potty trained and has issues with diaper changes in loud public restrooms. I thought the companion restrooms might be an easy solution IF they have a changing table.

No they do not. Your best bet is to go to the Baby Center or to First Aid. At the Baby Centers they have a changing room. At First Aid they have individual rooms where a larger child can be changed.

 

[Densgirl]

Another huge thumbs up for the first aid stations if your kid is bigger. They are always so nice and friendly to DS and us too.

 

[Disneylvr]

I am familiar with the baby stations (we used them in 2004) but I guess I wanted to avoid the stares from parents who think a 3 year old should be potty trained by now. I know I shouldn't let it bother me.

 

[GEM]

Heck, I know lots of totally typical 3 year olds that aren't potty trained!

 

[MommytoMJM]

Thumbs up for First Aid! We have a 5 yo girl with autism and we have to change her there, we had a particularly hard time with a diaper change today and were so grateful for being in FA when it turned out we had to medicate her for a severe melt down....

 

[JenJen]

I am familiar with the baby stations (we used them in 2004) but I guess I wanted to avoid the stares from parents who think a 3 year old should be potty trained by now. I know I shouldn't let it bother me.

There are many kids that do not have ASD that are not potty trained at 3...No worries no one cares... I really hope you have a great time

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you everyone!!!

 

[Daydreamer64]

My cousin is autistic - she's 21 years old now! She was fully trained around 4yo and my boys, who have no special considerations mentally, well it depends on who you ask! , where not fully trained at 3 either - so go and have fun.

The autisium situation can be very hard but I third the first aid station- will she stand while you change her if she is "just wet"- maybe use pull ups or goodnights for her ( goodnights are heavier+more absorbant )- these diapers can be ripped down the sides for easy removal- then you could choose to use the family bathrooms, handicapped stalls or first aid- which ever you are closest too?

Good luck- and heck- who cares what other "strangers" think of your daughter or you- live and let live- you'll probably never see them again anyway!

I love the pic- is she your daughter? What a beautiful child

 

[Disneylvr]

Thank you, and yes the photo is of my beautiful little redhead Madelyn.

 

[walkena]

This time around I am going to try the First Aid Room with DS 9 who uses a wheelchair and has similar issues to those responding to this thread. Anything to make life easier while on vacation

 

[Ali]

I found it easier to put a towel on the floor of the companion room and do a quick change because it was quieter and there were less issues for my DS than al the flushings in the regular restroom. I had no intention of walking all the way to the first aid/baby center every time he needs a diaper change.


I realize the issue of using those companion rooms with kids is a sore subject, but my DS needs a compnaion to help him, so I don't see the problem.

 

[SueM in MN]

We just got back from WDW and I made sure to make note of the Companion Restrooms we used. As was already mentioned, some did not have a changing table. Some that don't have a changing table also don't have enough room to place a child on the floor on a towel (a specific one that didn't is the one near Pirates of the Caribbean at MK).
The ones that did have changing tables mostly had sort of a "shelf" between 40 and 48 inches long. Some were only about 36 inches long. The height was generally between 34 and 35 inches (which may be an issue if you have a heavier child to lift up there). Some had a towel dispensor mounted above one end of the counter (which might be an issue with being able to put a larger child up there).
We also found that we sometimes had a fairly long wait to use the Companion Restrooms. The longest waits were at MK - we had no choice there because the handicapped stalls at MK mostly don't have enough room for a wheelchair to for inside. We also found that every time we used the Companion Restroom, we had people try the door and knock at least once. So, if this is going to be a problem for you, you might want to be aware of it.

 

[Bird-Mom]

My dd is developmentally delayed by about a year and is not potty learned at age 4 (and she isn't very interested either-I think my 21 month old is going to be in panties first). She is a big 4 year old too. Don't worry about what anyone else says or thinks. I like the pull ups idea. My dd would love that too. She got one at school once and loves the Princess diapers. Have a great trip!

 

[spotdog]

Fortunately, my disability does not require the use of a special restroom. But it sure sounds like WDW, especially MK, needs to add more companion restrooms with lower changing tables of at least 60" long.

Is there an address where people can write to the "ADA advocate" people at Disney and let them know?

 

[Mellie0119]

DS (5, PDD-NOS) just mastered the potty training thing in December. For just wet diapers we would do a stand up diaper change in a handicapped stall or hit the baby station- we also had DD (now 2, trips at 10mo and 18mo) to do diapers for too- she is smaller so the changing areas in the bathrooms worked for her. DS has vestibular issues- so putting him up on a changing table is a total no go. We would lay down disposable changing pads and a towel for the big changes. Actually, he only went #2 one day in the park- everyother time was at the resort. That was much easier.

Check out the Huggies brand pullups- they have recloseable sides (Pampers do not) and work well for stand up changes without taking pants and shoes off.