"Family" restrooms??

[nchulka]

I'm sorry, some of you crack me up. An 18 y.o. was attacked in a restroom. So what does that mean? Moms should take their 18 y.o. sons into the ladies' restroom, and dads should take their 18 y.o. daughters into the mens' restroom? Someone was attacked by a guy with a knife in a restroom? Maybe you should just squat in public where no one can hide.

Hate to break it to you, but you cannot eliminate all risk. I feel sorry for the grown boys being dragged into the ladies' room by their moms due to irrational fear. Your children stand a much higher risk being injured or killed traveling to and from WDW than they do being attacked in a restroom while there.

I love the pp that mentioned a boy having his throat cut at a urinal, like that happens every day. Just a few months ago there was a crazy guy who pulled out a knife at a Dave and Busters and stabbed a young boy playing a video game. His parents were in the same room, near him. There are the occasional wackos and if you come across one who wants to harm you there not much that's going to stop them. Fortunately they are few and far between.

As far as the OP's situation goes, considering she is still bringing him in the stall I'm assuming his delays are severe enough that he actually needs assistance in the bathroom. If that is the case I would try for the companion restrooms but would use the ladies room if they were busy or far away. If you have a child who is unable to actually use the restroom alone that is far different from a parent who is just afraid of their child being alone. In the ladies room you will probably get some stares if your son does not appear disabled.

 

[Celine]

I'm guessing the above wasn't directed at me.. but, just to clarify - the ONLY reason he must go to the restroom with me is because he cannot take care of himself. He is profoundly developmentally disabled and requires my assistance in the bathroom.. and well, most other things, really.

I also want to say, please know that I would never want to make ANYONE feel uncomfortable. I mean, they are there to have fun too and don't deserve for my family's issues to infringe upon that. That's why I was asking about the family bathrooms and it sounds like they do have quite a few. If there is an emergency situation, and I have no other recourse than to bring him into the ladies room, then I will. But only then.

 

[Celine]

Oh, I'm sorry... two of you posted before I was able to send mine. The "above post" reference was directed at "Stinky Pete"

 

[KPeveler]

There are no "family" restrooms in the parks. There are, however, COMPANION restrooms, which are designed for people who cannot use the regular bathrooms for whatever reasons.

Only you can decide if a companion restroom is right for you.

I will say this - it is the ONLY restroom some people can use, so if you CAN use another one, you SHOULD use another one.

In the OPs situation, that is a perfectly logical situation to use a companion restroom.

There are only a few in each park, and sometimes they are the only ones a family can use, so it is more polite to avoid them if they are not required.

 

[maxiesmom]

Disney calls them "companion" restrooms and while not everywhere there are a lot of them. They are for any guest who needs them and you do not have to be disabled, handicapped, or anything else to use them. There will be those that state you have to be but Disney doesn't and they are the only ones that really matter.

If a father had his 12 year old daughter in the men's room, disable or not, I would find it a bit odd but at the same time I'd just go about my day without ever thinking about it again. I'm not going to let it ruin my second let alone my day or trip.

I think that how Disney intends the companion restrooms to be used is made clear by the fact that they are not on the regular park maps. They are only on the maps for the disabled. Do they make a big deal out of families using them? No. But they don't go out of there way to make them easy for everyone to find either.

However, I think the OP falls into that group. And should either use a companion restroom or a regular one. Whichever makes more sense to them.

OP--Keep in mind that if you find you need to use the companion restrooms they are few and far between. And you will need the park map for the disabled to find them. I hope you have a great trip!

 

[Pumpkintreasure]

oP, we had my niece with us last trip, and she needed assistance. I agree, pick up the disability information when you enter the park. I know my 12 year old looks older, and would make people feel uncomfortable. I appreciate you caring about the feelings of others. That is nice in this world.

We also went to talk to guest services about other concerns. We only used her chair about half the time because she does better when she walks some. They were very helpful giving us advice. But you may know everything since you've been there before.

I can't imagine being fearful that my kids were going to have their throats slashed everytime they go into a restroom! That is crazy! Not at all directed at you, op!

 

[Schmeck]

The baby care centers also have bathrooms, right? I'd think that would be a great option as well, as they might have supplies available to purchase if needed.

 

[t_catt11]

An 18 y.o. was attacked in a restroom. So what does that mean? Moms should take their 18 y.o. sons into the ladies' restroom, and dads should take their 18 y.o. daughters into the mens' restroom? Someone was attacked by a guy with a knife in a restroom? Maybe you should just squat in public where no one can hide.

Hate to break it to you, but you cannot eliminate all risk. I feel sorry for the grown boys being dragged into the ladies' room by their moms due to irrational fear. Your children stand a much higher risk being injured or killed traveling to and from WDW than they do being attacked in a restroom while there.

This times 100. Has there ever been an actual case of a child being attacked by a stranger in a WDW restroom? One case? Please don't repeat the urban legend about the girl abducted, taken into the restroom, clothes changed, hair cut.

People fixate on lone aberrations and ignore the commonplace. It makes no sense to base your life's decisions on the lone madman - he can just as easily open fire in the grocery store. If this happens, will you then refuse to take your children to the grocery store?

Remember the D.C. sniper? He/they killed strangers on the side of the road - from a distance. The people never knew what was coming. Does this mean that you should actually never take your children out of the house?

Taking a child that is old enough to not only realize that he is in the socially wrong setting - i.e. the opposite gender restroom - but to feel uncomfortable about it (as the vast majority of eight year olds would certainly feel) is likely damaging on its own.

But then, that's not very sensationalist, like the sicko who attacked the 18 year old in the bathroom.

Incidentally, good point by Stinky_Pete... am I now a bad parent if I let my 15 year old daughter go to the restroom by herself?

The baby care centers also have bathrooms, right? I'd think that would be a great option as well, as they might have supplies available to purchase if needed.

The only possible drawback I see to this for the OP is that her son needs assistance in the bathroom. The baby care center restrooms are pretty standard - a couple of stalls, and fairly small ones, at that. Then again, if it's been workable before for her to take her son into normal restrooms, these might indeed by a viable alternative.

 

[FireDancer]

People fixate on lone aberrations and ignore the commonplace.

There is a great book called The Culture of Fear that talks about this very phenomenon. People really do worry way too much about the improbable.

 

[t_catt11]

There is a great book called The Culture of Fear that talks about this very phenomenon. People really do worry way too much about the improbable.

Eyep. And I'm almost certainly wasting my breath by applying logic to the debate - irrational fears, by definition, are not logical. Therefore, reasoned discussion is probably not possible.

OP: sorry for getting involved in the derailing of your thread. Hopefully, your question has been long answered by this point; I doubt that many future posts address the original question.

 

[kerplop]

Honestly if I see a woman bring in a boy older than the norm, I assume he needs assistance or that he's disabled somehow. If all else fails and someone makes a rude comment, just tell them he'd disabled. Personally I wouldn't be bothered at all - provided your son isn't peeking through door gaps or under the stall walls.

 

[t_catt11]

Honestly if I see a woman bring in a boy older than the norm, I assume he needs assistance or that he's disabled somehow. If all else fails and someone makes a rude comment, just tell them he'd disabled. Personally I wouldn't be bothered at all - provided your son isn't peeking through door gaps or under the stall walls.

I think that most sensitive people would behave like you... but I would pretty much guarantee that the OP would get stares - and comments - during the course of the week from people who are not sensitive.

 

[LvsTnk]

The baby care centers also have bathrooms, right? I'd think that would be a great option as well, as they might have supplies available to purchase if needed.

I have taken my special needs son in the one at the MK, I also believe first aide is in there as well. They were the nicest ladies! Just a heads up, in my many trips to WDW those restrooms (companion) are limited and most times occupied. Lot's of families use them plenty of room for a stroller and a couple of children. So, if you can, plan ahead for little wait.

My son is 20 (he does look alot younger) and I definately understand your concerns.

 

[kamik86]

I think that most sensitive people would behave like you... but I would pretty much guarantee that the OP would get stares - and comments - during the course of the week from people who are not sensitive.

Heck it would be my assumption that the child was disabled (either that or a poor kid that deserves my sympathy because his mom is making him use this restroom) but I would still probably do a double take and stare for a second.

At least around here I can't tell you the last time I saw a guy over 6 or so in a woman's restroom.

 

[jorybella]

Funny thing is, at home, I take him into the ladies room with me everywhere we go. There is just no alternative, and while I would never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable, it isn't as if he's looking at anyone.. he just keeps his head down and goes right into the stall with me. I've never had anyone say anything to me here in our home town.. I mean, he needs my help and that's all there is to it.

BUT, I was thinking that with the amount of people at WDW and from so many different cultures and areas of the country.. hell, WORLD!, some people might be uncomfortable seeing a big boy like him walking into the ladies room with me. I would be mortified if someone told me to get him out.. you know what I mean?

So, I was just hoping that maybe they might have "family" style bathrooms that would make the whole situation easier.

I commend you for taking him in with you! I would not be offended one bit if I was in the restroom and you brought him in. Now I understand that your son has disabilities, but I would take my son when he was about 10 in the ladies room. Oh well, he isn't scoping out ladies he was going to the bathroom.

My reason is there was a 12 yr old who was on vacation with his family. He had to go to the restroom so of course he went into the mens room alone. He never came out, there was a guy with a knife in there and stabbed the poor kid to death.

That has stuck in my mind since it was in the paper and if my husband isn't there it is either family bathroom or he is coming in with me.

 

[stargazertechie]

I commend you for taking him in with you! I would not be offended one bit if I was in the restroom and you brought him in. Now I understand that your son has disabilities, but I would take my son when he was about 10 in the ladies room. Oh well, he isn't scoping out ladies he was going to the bathroom.

My reason is there was a 12 yr old who was on vacation with his family. He had to go to the restroom so of course he went into the mens room alone. He never came out, there was a guy with a knife in there and stabbed the poor kid to death.

That has stuck in my mind since it was in the paper and if my husband isn't there it is either family bathroom or he is coming in with me.

Not to be rude, but bad things happen. Look at what happened in Grand Rapids last month with the shootings.

Do you also not travel in cars, since 40,000 people die in car accidents every year?

Risk is everywhere- you can't avoid it. It comes down to teaching your kids how to be safe in public.

 

[nchulka]

I commend you for taking him in with you! I would not be offended one bit if I was in the restroom and you brought him in. Now I understand that your son has disabilities, but I would take my son when he was about 10 in the ladies room. Oh well, he isn't scoping out ladies he was going to the bathroom.

My reason is there was a 12 yr old who was on vacation with his family. He had to go to the restroom so of course he went into the mens room alone. He never came out, there was a guy with a knife in there and stabbed the poor kid to death.

That has stuck in my mind since it was in the paper and if my husband isn't there it is either family bathroom or he is coming in with me.

Until when??? There was a story on page 2 about an 18 year old attacked in a restroom. Are you planning to take in with you until he's 18? There are adults that are assaulted, do you ever use a restroom alone? These are incredibly rare incidents, you can't let the fear of such improbable things dictate the way you live. Making your 10 year old son use the ladies room does affect him, whether you think it does or not. You are sending him the message that he is not capable of taking care of himself. No one is ever perfectly safe, there are bank robberies, drive by shootings, even random shootings in fast food restaurants. Do you never allow your child to go into a bank, restaurant, or even to school?

 

[jorybella]

Well, now I think you guys are going a bit overboard. A restroom is not a safe place for a child ALONE. Period, end of story. If my husband is there he goes with him. I know at this point (he is 11) he won't go in the ladies room and I would NEVER force him. So it is either with his father or in the family restroom.

You don't have to like my choices. Protecting our children is what we are supposed to do.

 

[maxiesmom]

Well, now I think you guys are going a bit overboard. A restroom is not a safe place for a child ALONE. Period, end of story. If my husband is there he goes with him. I know at this point (he is 11) he won't go in the ladies room and I would NEVER force him. So it is either with his father or in the family restroom.

You don't have to like my choices. Protecting our children is what we are supposed to do.

That would work if Disney actually had family restrooms. They do not.

 

[deegack]

That would work if Disney actually had family restrooms. They do not.

this. They have Companion Restrooms which are suppose to be used for people who cannot use the regular restrooms. They are set up like handicap restrooms with elevated toilets etc. There are only a couple in each park so if you use them just because or as changing room for a child or as a timeout room (of course no one on here would do that but it has happened) you can be preventing someone who needs to use them from using them.

We went to Hershey Park with my 11 year old nephew and niece this summer. They both went into the appropriate restroom on their own and came out. Nothing happened except I suspect my nephew didn't wash his hands.