family bathrooms?

[jeast]

I'm taking the kids, DS6 and DD3 to WDW alone this trip. DH has a new job and we can't reschedule for a more convenient time due to several restrictions. Anyhoo, rather than lose the money, I'm taking them alone.

I'm concerned about finding bathrooms that we can all go into. I don't want to leave my 6 yr old alone while I attend to my daughter, but he feels like he's too old to go into the girls bathroom. He feels pretty strongly about it. Therefore, I'm looking for family bathrooms. Do the parks have them? I'm going to Epcot, MK, and MGM.

Any info would be appreciated.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Family bathrooms are few and far between and yes he is too little to leave while you and your daughter go into the ladies. Best bet is to lay down the rule he will have to go with you. There will be lots of little boys his age in with their moms. Go quickly and be as matter of fact as possible.

 

[dfarner]

We have used the family bathroom in the Castle at MK. You can use the family bathroom in the baby care center near the front of MK as well. Really, you could use the bathrooms together at all the baby care centers in each park.

 

[SLDL]

I agree...I think the baby care centers would be your best bet. It is a small, unisex bathroom w/ 2 or 3 stalls & would be perfect for you. All of these are clearly marked on all the maps & are really nice!

 

[Lady V]

my son hates it but I still make him go in with me. He turned 7 last summer. I just don't trust that there might be a 'crazy' person waiting for him in the mens room. I am maybe overly protective but I can't help it! As a single mom, I have no other options! and btw-there were lots of boys in the ladies room and no one looks at them crazy!

 

[jeast]

I think I'll try and memorize the locations of the family bathrooms and make planned stops there. If there is an emergency, he might just have to come in with me.

I'm willing to send him in the mens room at disney by himself if I'm just outside the door and I know there is only one door. I'm not doing it at rest stops during the drive, though, so I guess he's going to have to get used to the idea of going in with me, come to think of it.

Thanks for the info!

 

[SueM in MN]

There are not really 'family bathrooms'. There are 'Companion Restrooms' at various places in WDW. Because they are set up for use by people who need assistance in the bathroom, they have the higher raised seat wheelchair accessible toilets. They are a single room with a door that can be locked, so if you do use them, there is no privacy from the other people who are in there with you.
Also, it may seem like there are a lot of them, there are actually only about 6 in each park. So, there can be a long wait at times, especially if someone with a disability, (who has no choice but to use them) is in and needs to transfer in and out of a wheelchair.

Here's a website that might be helpful to you. A DIS poster made a WDW restroom website. She actually took pictures and information about as many bathrooms as possible at each park. She does indicate most of the ones that have 2 doors.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I totally understand where you are coming from but honestly I would just take him in the bathroom with me. I have a 4.5 year old boy and a 3 year old girl (and a 16month old and 1 one the way!). Anyway- I take my ds and dd to the bathroom and we have rules. I will out my ds in the stall and tell him to lock the door. I will then use the one next to him with my dd since 3 of us can't fit in a stall. DS knows he is not allowed to come out of the stall until I tell him it is okay. If we are in a situation where it is a small bathroom like in a restaurant I make my ds go and then I make him stand facing the door of the stall with his feet poking under so I can see him. He knows not to move. Nobody every complains and people always smile and compliment how he is such a good kid. I wouldn't stress about it. Tell him he has to come in with you because there are so many people there that you don't want to lose him. It'll be fine. Have a great trip!

 

[kdmires]

We just got went in October and I took my 5 year old in the women's restroom with my daughter and I. There were so many kids that no one gave it a second look.

 

[dfarner]

SueM made a good point-I didn't even think about it because I have daughters but you may just want to take him in a regular bathroom w/ you because in the companion rr there is no privacy when mommy goes. Since I have girls, I can't comment on having a DS go w/ me, but I guess that would be something to think about . The baby care centers are a good bet though, too, because it is smaller and IMO it just always looks cleaner and fresher.

 

[Gillian]

When I am out alone with my kids (also DS 6 and DD 3), I also make DS come into the ladies room with me. He's a wanderer, and I don't trust him to stand by himself ANYWHERE! He just gets distracted. He knows he doesn't have a choice, even if he doesn't like it.

It's very difficult to know what to do, and not just at Disney world.

 

[momoftriplets]

My kids are 10 & I still want DS to come in the ladies room with us. We've never had any "strange looks". Even if we did, I wouldn't care. I'd rather endure stange looks than endanger my child. The only exception is, like someone else posted, if there is no one in the men's room & I stand right by the door. At WDW, you won't hve any problems bringing him in with you.
Have a great time!
B

 

[jeast]

You are all probably right. I will try for the companion rooms when possible. He has recently become very aware of his gender and has refused (physically resistant) to going into the women's room. We'll have to have a long chat and lay down the law before we go. Safety has to come first.

 

[hollyb]

DS is almost 10 and he still comes in with me when DH isn't with us. Who cares if I get looks, better get looks then have him taken by a pyhsco. Sad but true even in Disney it could happen.

 

[2Pirates_1Princess]

my son hates it but I still make him go in with me. He turned 7 last summer. I just don't trust that there might be a 'crazy' person waiting for him in the mens room. I am maybe overly protective but I can't help it! As a single mom, I have no other options! and btw-there were lots of boys in the ladies room and no one looks at them crazy!

I don't think you are crazy at all. I have two boys 7 and 9. If we are some place unfamiliar or the bathroom has two exits I make them go with me. They hate it, but life is tough. If we are at a store I make them go together and I stand outside. I tell them to yell if they need anything. I won't hesitate to enter the mens room and take care of business. Let's face facts there are some weird-o's out there and we have to do our best to protect our kids.

 

[almburr]

With all the kids in the bathrooms be it boys or girls, I think is feels like a family bathroom. I have never heard anyone say anything.

 

[In Luv with Disney]

When I am out alone with my kids (also DS 6 and DD 3), I also make DS come into the ladies room with me. He's a wanderer, and I don't trust him to stand by himself ANYWHERE! He just gets distracted. He knows he doesn't have a choice, even if he doesn't like it.

It's very difficult to know what to do, and not just at Disney world.

I am in the same boat. DS is 5 and has ADHD. I ALWAYS make him come with me. And if the bathroom is crowded, I even make him come in the same stall as me. I just tell him to look the other way or talk to his sister who is in the stroller so he can't see anything. It's FINE. I would ONLY let him go in the mens room by himself if it were a small one and there was only 1 door. I tell him there are bad people EVERYWHERE. It's for his own safety.

 

[LuvOrlando]

sorry for the double post..keyboard is slow.

 

[LuvOrlando]

This is a hard decision I would love to let my DS feel like a big kid and wait on his own but our world can be a scary place for a kid. My 9 yr old son still comes into ladies rooms with me & DD8 if DH isn't around. He isn't thrilled with the idea but I'd rather have an uncomfortable kid than have something happen to him. Once my kids got too old to come into the stall with me the instructions were to simply stay inside a locked stall until I'm done and I call for them. Most people don't even notice him and no-one has ever passed a comment about it...even if some one did make a comment I doubt I would change. I think I would just invite the complainer to wait outside until we were done.