Family restrooms / moms with sons?

[JJsmama]

My sister and I are taking our 4 boys (4,6,7,9) to WDW at Spring Break without our husbands. My question is: are there family restrooms we can visit with our sons? I'll take the youngest 2 into the women's but the older two really won't like that. Although at peak season, I don't relish the thought of sending them into the men's without an adult. If anyone knows of family rest rooms, can you tell me where they are or good alternatives?
THANKS!

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Family restrooms are few and far between. They are really companion bathrooms for those that need help in the restroom. The fact is when little boys have to go they have to go now!! This issue has been discussed a lot and a lot of people have different views. My view is that is just fine to take all four of them with you into the womens if that makes you feel better. My DS was 9 the first time I let him go alone into the men's at WDW. What i did was to speak to a "dad" looking man comming out and asked if there was any other entrance or exit from that bathroom. The problem was that I had to go too and either had to go while DS went or have him stand outside while I went. With two adult one of you could go at a time while the other waited outside of the men's bathroom for the boys. I would also feel better with having the two of them together and standing right out side. HOWEVER, if anything makes you feel uncomfortable about the situation take them with you. Head them straight to a stall, insist on good behavior (no giggling) wash hands and leave. Kids safety is #1.

Good luck!!!!

Jordans' mom

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would take turns standing outside the men's room. I think 9 is a little old to take into a women's room but I understand that their safety comes first. I just know that my DD8 would feel funny to be in a restroom and see a boy her age in their too. I don't think the 4 & 6 year olds are too old at all. If the older boys stay together I would think they would be fine. Also, I notice frequently in the women's rooms that their is some CM in there cleaning and restocking (would assume the men's rooms would be the same) which would make weirdo's think twice about waiting in those bathrooms. I feel for you on this one and I think Disney needs to add some more family restrooms!

 

[newholidayx2]

I talked to DS from outside the mens room door so whoever else was in there knew there was a mom waiting

 

[CinderellasMama]

It's hard with Daddy's and little girls to. My husband and I work opposite hours so he is with my daughter on weekends while I work. Well when a 3 year old little girl needs to go she needs to go! She has to end up going into the Mens room a lot. The bad thing about mens rooms is the urinal out in the open. I hate to think about her going in there but I don't want her going to the ladies room by herself either. I think family restrooms every where would be great!

Brenda

 

[JJsmama]

It's hard with Daddy's and little girls to. My husband and I work opposite hours so he is with my daughter on weekends while I work. Well when a 3 year old little girl needs to go she needs to go! She has to end up going into the Mens room a lot. The bad thing about mens rooms is the urinal out in the open. I hate to think about her going in there but I don't want her going to the ladies room by herself either. I think family restrooms every where would be great!

Brenda

Yes, I've often felt badly for daddies with little girls. I know most of them cringe to think of taking their daughters into the men's, but what can they do? My Dh often prefers me to take our sons into the women's if they have to 'number 2' because he says the men's is so dirty.

Mostly this trip, I think we will try to get everyone to go at the hotel in the morning and we plan to return to the hotel after lunch for a break, so maybe our in-the-park potty breaks will be few.

 

[dturner]

I USUALLY travel with DS (8) alone and I don't hesitate to take him into the women's restroom with me. We will be traveling again in May and he'll be 9 and I still won't hesitate to bring him in the women's restroom with me.

Better safe than sorry!!!

 

[FLORIDAFUNFAMILY]

as a father with two little girls that i take care of most of the time i can certainly relate to your concerns, The fact that you have 4 boys together lends itself to a better situation, they can go together and watch out for each other. Disney is a very safe place compared to most , i would say alot of it depends on the comfort level of the boys together about the whole thing. If they feel comfortable about going together at disney I say let them at it and stand watch at the door. I wouldn't feel that way about the mall, airport, etc.
But it really comes down to what your comfortable with, without tramatizing the young men. I take my girls into the mens room on a regular basis and have learned to plan ahead and go to the places I know that have nicer facilities.
Never a gas station , no large food court busy mall locations. Instead I will go to macy's or saks and I've found some professional buildings that are open to the public that have very nice accomodations in common areas. Hope this helps .
have a great stay at the parks

 

[HM]

I USUALLY travel with DS (8) alone and I don't hesitate to take him into the women's restroom with me. We will be traveling again in May and he'll be 9 and I still won't hesitate to bring him in the women's restroom with me.

Better safe than sorry!!!

8 or 9 is definitely old enough to be embarrassed about being in the ladies room (he'll get looks for sure). My son was able to go to the men's room alone at that age, with me outside the door.

Family bathrooms.....
We found one in Morocco pavillion (toward the France end)

Seems like we used one elsewhere, but I can't remember another location

-HM

 

[swilshire]

I saw a Dad send a quite small girl into the ladies room alone on a recent Disney trip. She was a little confused by the line. All the other Mom's helped her out and she was fine. She was gently pushed to the front of the line and directed by an older woman to a stall.

I would never send a 7 or 9 yo alone in most places. I don't even let my 11 yo son go alone in rest areas or the like. I think Disney is a special place and the majority of the men there are probably with kids. I would stand at the door and the child would have instructions to yell if there was a problem (and also I would make sure they understood what WOULD be a problem) but I wouldn't worry too much there.

JMHO.

Sheila

 

[dturner]

8 or 9 is definitely old enough to be embarrassed about being in the ladies room (he'll get looks for sure). My son was able to go to the men's room alone at that age, with me outside the door.

Family bathrooms.....
We found one in Morocco pavillion (toward the France end)

Seems like we used one elsewhere, but I can't remember another location

-HM

Well, you know, I don't care, I'd rather my child be safe then something happen to him. I've read stories where children were fondled, abducted, etc. from restrooms with parents outside the door and I won't take that chance anywhere, even WDW. Now, maybe when he's a little older, closer to teen years but right now, he doesn't WANT to go alone and I won't make him.....yet.

 

[dturner]

I would never send a 7 or 9 yo alone in most places. I don't even let my 11 yo son go alone in rest areas or the like. I think Disney is a special place and the majority of the men there are probably with kids. I would stand at the door and the child would have instructions to yell if there was a problem (and also I would make sure they understood what WOULD be a problem) but I wouldn't worry too much there.

JMHO.

Sheila

Glad to see someone has the same opinion as I do.

You can't be too careful nowadays, you just can't. DS (8) is a YOUNG 8 and I would NEVER send him into a public restroom alone (even at WDW), now if he had an older brother, etc. that could go in with him that would be different but he doesn't and since it's just him and I on trips, no way would I let him out of my sight. To me, that's asking for trouble.

 

[the kabuki]

I've sent my 7 yr old in by himself, but I am standing by the door, sometimes almost in the rest room, talking to him the whole, "Are you oK?" "Everything alright?" like every 10 seconds. The other men in the bathroom certaintly know I'm standing there. Places like rest areas, big malls etc. I have taken him in the women's with me. Lot's of time it depends on how big the boys' bathroom is too.
There is a companion restroom by ToT in MGM.

 

[JessetheCowgirl]

Since you have 2 older boys, I would feel comfortable sending them in TOGETHER at a men's restroom in WDW. I would remind them about stranger-danger and emphasize that they are to stick together and get in/out quickly. And I would be waiting right outside the door.

Do be aware of restrooms with 2 entrances/exits. I think there is one in MK where you enter in one land but can exit in another!! You don't want to lose a kid!

Good luck!

 

[sanibelover]

IMO nine is too old to be in the women's bathroom. Not because of the other women, but because the child would be embarrassed. At that age, I think it's important to respect privacy, etc. I'm not saying to overlook safety here, but this is Disney we are talking about, not a truckstop.

As a homeschooler with 3 boys, I spend a lot of time with them (without my hubby) at places where they need to use a restroom. The worst part to me about sending my boys in alone is that I know I would make them wash their hands better than they do.......

 

[grlpwrd]

I am shocked how people are putting what others think and thinking that the boys would be embarrassed as the priority rather than safety. Disney is not necessarily all that safe - pervs/pedophiles can be anywhere and be any gender.

Yes, better to safe because you just never know these. I'd rather have a little discomfort (ie having a boy in the women's restroom or how embarrassed he may feel going in with "mommy") rather than regretting what you could and should have done - at least he will be protected.

Protect our children above all else!

 

[dturner]

I am shocked how people are putting what others think and thinking that the boys would be embarrassed as the priority rather than safety. Disney is not necessarily all that safe - pervs/pedophiles can be anywhere and be any gender.

Yes, better to safe because you just never know these. I'd rather have a little discomfort (ie having a boy in the women's restroom or how embarrassed he may feel going in with "mommy") rather than regretting what you could and should have done - at least he will be protected.

Protect our children above all else!

AMEN!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I was beginning to think that I was thinking irrationally.

 

[*Belle*]

In all the years I've been on this board, I have made it a point to never reply to this thread. Yes it has come up many times. It has been my experience that folks tend to feel Disney is a very safe place, I am among them. However, and I firmly believe this (Never let your guard down, even on vacation). Please remember that bad people take vacations too. There are times I can send my youngest into the mens room with DH or older DS and that does work out well. However, Ds now 7yrs will not go into a mens room alone period. According to our child safe laws, It would be neglect if I were to leave him alone anywhere else including the car at the convience store when I can see him thru the window of the store front.
That being said, the only thing my son is going to see in the womans room is other women and children waiting in line and washing their hands. My DD has never had a problem seeing little boys in the restroom, I have explained that their safety is an issue. There is privacy in the stalls and my DS always goes in with me. We always say (turn around and don't look). He has also learned to respect others privacy as well.

Just my opinion.

Sorry it was so long.

 

[dturner]

According to our child safe laws, It would be neglect if I were to leave him alone anywhere else including the car at the convience store when I can see him thru the window of the store front.
That being said, the only thing my son is going to see in the womans room is other women and children waiting in line and washing their hands. My DD has never had a problem seeing little boys in the restroom, I have explained that their safety is an issue. There is privacy in the stalls and my DS always goes in with me. We always say (turn around and don't look). He has also learned to respect others privacy as well.

Just my opinion.

Sorry it was so long.

I second that, AMEN!!!

I don't know why so many people think it's so bad for a young boy to use the women's restroom with their mother. I travel alone with DS(8) and will NEVER EVER let him out of my sight even at WDW - you just never know.

(I always remember this story I read where a mother let her boy go into the restroom at Walmart, she was outside the door waiting and he was fondled, the man was already in the restroom and pushed his way into the boys stall)

 

[WorldlyWise]

Yes, I've often felt badly for daddies with little girls. I know most of them cringe to think of taking their daughters into the men's, but what can they do? My Dh often prefers me to take our sons into the women's if they have to 'number 2' because he says the men's is so dirty.

Mostly this trip, I think we will try to get everyone to go at the hotel in the morning and we plan to return to the hotel after lunch for a break, so maybe our in-the-park potty breaks will be few.

And you BOUGHT THAT! Ha Ha - for reasons unknown to me, the women's RR is ALWAYS dirtier.