Ugh! I'm the OP and this whole thread is really making me feel like crap. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that anyone shouldn't feel the way they do, just that I feel sick to my stomach that I would be the cause of upsetting some of you while you are on this fabulous vacation. I see the threads where people come back from their trips raving about how wonderful it all was, BUT.. with the exception of this or that.. and I can see one of the "this or thats" being that some woman (me) brought a big lunky boy into the ladies room and it made them or their daughter/s very uncomfortable.
I promise to do my absolute most best to only use the companion restrooms.. but, I also know that if he has to go badly.. not only will he get EXTREMELY freaked out if I keep telling him "no, not yet" while hustling him around to find an appropriate bathroom, but he may end up making a mess on himself which will throw him into a complete emotional breakdown, not to mention, be incredibly difficult to clean up.. and I can't imagine him having to walk that way until we find a companion restroom.
Last time we were there (he was almost 9) he was still in diapers and this was a little easier to deal with.. a little. I mean, I still had the cleanups to deal with, but I'd long been used to it and we had our routine down. Now at 12 and a BIG boy at 12, it's so absolutely wonderful (miraculous even) that he finally uses the potty.. yet, there's the issue of WHERE since I have to be with him and that usually requires me bringing him into the ladies room.. and using the handicapped stall, if available.
Anyway, we'll see what happens and we'll definitely try to do the best we can not to make anyone feel uncomfortable... and I'll most definitely keep a map on me at all times with the companion restrooms circled in black marker!