Family Bathrooms

[JoKnee]

I was just at the parks a few days ago and am baffled by the limited amount family bathrooms. I'm taking my 9 year old son in a month and am not comfortable separating or having him go alone in to a men's restroom. It seems to me that this shouldn't be an issue at the Happiest Place on Earth

 

[tygersclaw]

I had no problem finding family restrooms in either Disneyland or DCA. For me it was important to find family restrooms as my DD5 does not like going to the bathroom alone in public restrooms.

The family restrooms are not usually obvious, most are around the corner from the main restrooms, and in some cases, family and handicapped restrooms are one and the same.

 

[figment_jii]

These maps indicate where the companion-assisted/family restrooms are located in DLR. They aren't as plentiful as the regular bathrooms, but they are scattered throughout the parks.
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/media/dlr_nextgen/SiteCatalog/PDF/DisneylandParkMap_20130307.pdf
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/med...sneyCaliforniaAdventureParkMap_2011060311.pdf

 

[JoKnee]

Thanks for the map. Yes, definitely not very plentiful. I only knew about the Cars family bathrooms.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Does he go to public restrooms alone with you are out shopping and whatnot or no? Just curious as to how it works for you guys.

 

[JoKnee]

Does he go to public restrooms alone with you are out shopping and whatnot or no? Just curious as to how it works for you guys.

Really depends on the situation. For instance if we're at a sporting event there is no way I'd let him go alone. What if he came out the other door and we got separated? And of course, there is always the obligatory creeper possibility. He has two older brothers and a dad so it's usually not an issue, but I'm taking him alone with me on this trip, and when he has to go, he HAS to go! lol

 

[crystal1313]

I just took my DS7 two weeks ago and was in the same boat as you (it was just the two of us). Not comfortable at all with him going alone. What I found was, 1. Family restrooms were usually occupied, and he had to go and not wait and 2. he did NOT want to go with me in the women's. He was embarrassed.

So we had a loooong talk, and I said we could "try" him going to the mens on his own. We talked about things like, no one should touch him, remembering to wash his hands, and would go over and over where we would meet. It was super stressful for me and I think I was the quickest person ever in the bathrooms! But, we almost always were walking out at the same time. And he never deviated from our meeting spot. It was SO hard to "let go"....but he was super proud of himself. I did make him come with me on the drive down whenever we stopped at gas stations, etc. It's such a personal decision and so difficult to make. I would just think of a backup plan when you arrive at a family restroom and it's occupied when your DS really needs to go. Have a great one on one trip with your DS!

 

[beachdreamr1229]

My son is similar in that he doesn't feel it's right to go in women's bathrooms since he is a boy. That being said, my boy is only 5 and I will not let him go alone. I wasn't even allowed to go to the restroom at Disneyland alone until I was 10 years old and it was much safer back then in general. I just cover his eyes until he gets in the stall. I've explained to him that it's just not safe and that I respect him, but I don't want to lose him.

 

[tarheelalum]

I've been a pass holder for a couple of years and I didn't know that DL even had family bathrooms.

 

[ClaraOswald]

It's not really my business, of course. But depending on his maturity, Disneyland may be a good place to practice letting him go on his own. As far as I know, the bathrooms just have the one door. And they aren't terribly large. So if you stood outside, and just instructed him to scream if anything bad happened, you'd hear him.

But again, it would depend on your son, of course. Just a suggestion is you aren't near a family bathroom.

 

[PatMcDuck]

There are nice family restrooms in the first aid station at DL. I have an adult son with special needs, and I prefer to take him into a handicapped/family restroom. At times I really need that room with the sink readily available for disaster cleanups.

But, usually I have to take him into a ladies room at DL, as the family restrooms are limited and usually have lines. They seem to be getting more and more popular, even for changing diapers on babies. I feel uncomfortable with the stares I get taking him into the ladies room, especially from the little girls, but I try and ignore. I am almost glad that DS is unaware of any of this, (he does not even know the difference between boys and girls.)

 

[Mousequake]

It's not really my business, of course. But depending on his maturity, Disneyland may be a good place to practice letting him go on his own. As far as I know, the bathrooms just have the one door. And they aren't terribly large. So if you stood outside, and just instructed him to scream if anything bad happened, you'd hear him.

But again, it would depend on your son, of course. Just a suggestion is you aren't near a family bathroom.

I agree. I took my daughter on a daddy/daughter trip to DL a couple of years ago, and it was the first time I experimented with letting her use the bathroom by herself at he age of six. Every bathroom that I can think of only has a single entrance/exit, so it's tailor-made for this. It worked out wonderfully, but of course depends on your child.

 

[ClaraOswald]

There are nice family restrooms in the first aid station at DL. I have an adult son with special needs, and I prefer to take him into a handicapped/family restroom. At times I really need that room with the sink readily available for disaster cleanups.

But, usually I have to take him into a ladies room at DL, as the family restrooms are limited and usually have lines. They seem to be getting more and more popular, even for changing diapers on babies. I feel uncomfortable with the stares I get taking him into the ladies room, especially from the little girls, but I try and ignore. I am almost glad that DS is unaware of any of this, (he does not even know the difference between boys and girls.)

We only used one during our visit and it was always empty. It was the one before you get to Toon Town, kind of by that theater. It's so out of the way and kind of hidden that I'm thinking a lot of people don't know about it. (Of course, we were never over there when a show was going on, so that helps too.)

 

[Gisele]

Is there a symbol or logo of a family holding hands or something on the toiety door?
I have always wondered about that sort of thing. Or what if someone is a crossdresser? Torn between the men's bathroom or the women's toiety. You be the judge. Lol No, really.

 

[PatMcDuck]

Clara: we did use that one up by Magical Map, had to wait 5-10 minutes for it. But after going up that hill, we decided to wait. Sometimes we get into them with no wait, which is sweet.

There are many reasons why a person would want/need to use these restrooms. Many needs would be invisible to others. Some people get off the line for the family restroom in front of us, when they see our situation (me, female, with an adult male in a WC). But I do not expect them to do so, of course. I try not judge anyone else, but on some very rare occasions I do...... quietly. (family of 4 exiting one, Dad, Mom, boy, girl, kids ages 5, 7..... did all 4 need to use it? Does this group all use the toilet in front of each other? Who knows? That was at WDW, actually)

 

[audrey2580]

There are nice family restrooms in the first aid station at DL. I have an adult son with special needs, and I prefer to take him into a handicapped/family restroom. At times I really need that room with the sink readily available for disaster cleanups.

But, usually I have to take him into a ladies room at DL, as the family restrooms are limited and usually have lines. They seem to be getting more and more popular, even for changing diapers on babies. I feel uncomfortable with the stares I get taking him into the ladies room, especially from the little girls, but I try and ignore. I am almost glad that DS is unaware of any of this, (he does not even know the difference between boys and girls.)

I would NEVER have an issue with someone bringing their son into the women's restroom! Also last time I checked the stalls had doors so I'm not sure what anyone is worried these boys will see besides ladies washing their hands and checking their makeup.

 

[Malcon10t]

We've had this discussion numerous times. Seven and under, I don't have a problem with. But older, if you are bringing them in, take them in the stall with you.

As far as "what will they see", too often you find them looking through the cracks of the stalls, looking under the stalls, etc... And if you are nervous for their safety of going in their own bathroom, same things can happen while you are in a stall in the women's bathroom.

 

[SMD]

I would NEVER have an issue with someone bringing their son into the women's restroom! Also last time I checked the stalls had doors so I'm not sure what anyone is worried these boys will see besides ladies washing their hands and checking their makeup.

Actually, when I used the restroom at M&F 2 weeks ago I had to walk pretty far down to find an open stall. I could see through the cracks of every door just walking by and not even trying to peek.

And then there's also this:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/at...-mens-room-alone.3327262/page-4#post-52247541