Family Bathrooms

[gottalluvmickey]

We have a group of us going to Disney in 28 days!!! We are all females except for my friends sons who is 8. I was hoping that someone could tell me if there is a list of family bathrooms somewhere out there? Maybe even maps with them marked? My DF is very nervous about letting her son go into the bathrooms alone. Thanks for any help!

 

[imthatgirl]

just take him into the ladies room. that is a very normal thing to do. it will be a long time before either of my sons uses a restroom alone.

 

[Blanche_Neige]

none that I know of.

I have the same problem. I have 3 boys. Only one person commented to me about him being there. but I just answer that I wasn't confortable leaving my, than 6 year old, son go to a public bathroom by himself.

Tell your friend to do what ever she and her son are confortable with.

 

[troobabiee7]

I agree, just bring him into the ladies room. Lots of women were bringing their young sons into the bathroom when we were there last summer and it wasn't a big deal. If you're uncomfortable with that you could send him into the men's room and wait by the exit since there's usually only one exit/entrance to the bathroom so there's no way for him to get lost.

 

[Schmeck]

While there are no 'family bathrooms' at WDW, there are handicapped accessible 'companion bathrooms'. If you are uncomfortable using the ladies room for your son, this is an option for you, but please realize that there are people whose only option for a bathroom is using the companion restrooms, and those restrooms are few and far between.

There are also bathrooms in the childcare centers that you could use.

 

[OurMsBrooks]

I bring DS8 in the ladies' room with me. Nobody thinks a thing of it.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Maybe something here from DIS'er Timon.......

http://www.cassworld.ca/photosbathrooms.htm


Cass has a great site there.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

We happened to be waiting for someone at Downtown Disney and a young mother with a toddler and a younger one in a stroller went in the "companion" bathroom. She appeared to be by herself and obviously had no other choice and that gave her the opportunity to keep both little guys with her. The ladies bathroom was quite busy at the time.

 

[squirrel]

I took my cousin in 1999. He didn't like it but he had to go with us into the Ladies room. He was also 8. I did once let him use the mens at Chef Mickey, but even then he still didn't wait where I asked him to, when he was finished.

I'd keep him with you in the ladies. Then you don't have to worry!

 

[peach3es]

I agree that there is no problem taking him into the ladies room, as long as he's okay with it. My 9 year old ds will no longer go in willingly. He gets embarrassed. But the ladies inside shouldn't have a problem with it, in my opinion. There are private stalls to do your business. We should all understand the dangers of sending a young boy into a men's room alone. I would be shocked if someone said something to me about it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The companion restrooms are designed for people who have severe mobility problems and need assistance. For example, in the Magic Kingdom there are only six toilets (not restrooms) that can be used by certain people with physical restrictions.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree that there is no problem taking him into the ladies room, as long as he's okay with it. My 9 year old ds will no longer go in willingly. He gets embarrassed. But the ladies inside shouldn't have a problem with it, in my opinion. There are private stalls to do your business. We should all understand the dangers of sending a young boy into a men's room alone. I would be shocked if someone said something to me about it.

I do have a problem with a 9yr old waiting in the main area of a ladies bathroom. The doors in most places have huge cracks, and it is very easy to see what is going on, if someone is curious. And I would think a 9yr old boy is most likely curious. If you don't want to leave your child outside while you use the bathroom, fine. But then either put him in a stall with the door shut, or take him in the stall with you and have him face the door. Or make him stand outside of your door so that his feet are underneath it. You have a right to do what you need to do to keep your child safe, I understand that. But you also need to be sensative to the other people who are using the facilities. I don't want anyones child peeping at me, and by taking any of the simple steps above we would both be happy.

Op--Is your friend afraid that something may happen inside the rest room, or that her child would get lost when he came out? I would think that with such a large group of people it would be easy for someone to wait outside for him. And even shout in for him to make sure that everything was going ok.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

I'd check out the baby care centers. In our experiences, they were usually pretty empty, maybe one or two other families. We would change pull-ups, stay and color for ten minutes, cool off, use the restroom and grab a drink of water from the cooler. They're marked on the maps.

I wouldn't take the whole group in, but if the kids wanted to take a quick rest and use the restroom, it would make a nice stop.

 

[stormer]

Epcot has companion bathrooms next to every restroom in the park. I asked a CM and he said it was fine to use them with young children, they even had changing tables in each one, so I would think this is common. Obviously if I saw someone who needed to use this restroom because of a disablility I would not go in, but if no one is waiting I think it is fine for your friend to use it. Unfortunately, Epcot is the only park with these at every restroom.

 

[brymolmom]

I do have a problem with a 9yr old waiting in the main area of a ladies bathroom. The doors in most places have huge cracks, and it is very easy to see what is going on, if someone is curious. And I would think a 9yr old boy is most likely curious. If you don't want to leave your child outside while you use the bathroom, fine. But then either put him in a stall with the door shut, or take him in the stall with you and have him face the door. Or make him stand outside of your door so that his feet are underneath it. You have a right to do what you need to do to keep your child safe, I understand that. But you also need to be sensative to the other people who are using the facilities. I don't want anyones child peeping at me, and by taking any of the simple steps above we would both be happy.

Op--Is your friend afraid that something may happen inside the rest room, or that her child would get lost when he came out? I would think that with such a large group of people it would be easy for someone to wait outside for him. And even shout in for him to make sure that everything was going ok.

WOW- Interesting thought. In my years of experience in Women's public restrooms, by and far the worst 'peepers' that I've had are female. It's the toddlers who think it's 'neat' to be able to look through the crack and 'peek a boo' with the person next to their mom.

Boys, however, especially the ones over 2 or 3, tend to want to get the heck out of there as soon as possible.

I have no issue with boys in the Women's room and obviously Disney doesn't either since they don't have any family restrooms and it is obviously necessary in many cases.

 

[gottalluvmickey]

DF is concerned about him going in alone. He will be mortified if he goes in the 'girls' bathroom, but it might be the best choice. Peeking would not occur...he's extremely bashful and his mother would have his hide! Thanks for all the tips and help. Glad to hear we're not the only one that struggles with this issue.

 

[shellybaxter]

Those of you who bring older boys (I'd consider this nine or above), do you ever give any consideration to pre-teen and early teen girls who get extremely embarassed by the boy in the restroom? I have friend who's daughter was so upset because a boy was in the restroom. It was a real issue. I agree with keeping children safe, but I don't think it should be at the expense of a girl's embarassment or emotions

 

[peach3es]

Those of you who bring older boys (I'd consider this nine or above), do you ever give any consideration to pre-teen and early teen girls who get extremely embarassed by the boy in the restroom? I have friend who's daughter was so upset because a boy was in the restroom. It was a real issue. I agree with keeping children safe, but I don't think it should be at the expense of a girl's embarassment or emotions

Over 9 years old is getting a bit old, but I would also explain to my teenage daughter that it is not safe for a boy to go into a men's room alone. She is old enough to understand all the reasons why. And then I would discuss that it is really no different than if you use a bathroom with one door and one toilet and there is a line outside the door of men and women. The doors should be closed, make certain you are completely dressed when you come out of the stall, wash your hands and leave. I guess I can see a girl being embarrassed at that age. But she is old enough to understand the dangers found in the other choice.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Over 9 years old is getting a bit old, but I would also explain to my teenage daughter that it is not safe for a boy to go into a men's room alone

Well, I would phrase it as "it MAY not be safe for a boy to go into a men's room alone..." but I would not state it unequivocally.

 

[peach3es]

Well, I would phrase it as "it MAY not be safe for a boy to go into a men's room alone..." but I would not state it unequivocally.

Agreed.