family restrooms?

[arihillfarm]

We just came back from a week at WDW and my recently turned 6 year old son went with me into the ladies room most of the time. Disney was kind enough put at least one sink in each bathroom at kid height but the soap dispensers were still well out of reach for him. I had to get soap for him every time.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I read this and cringed. I often have to take my 24 year old adult son into the ladies room with me at WDW. He has Down's and Autism, non-verbal. Because there are not enough of those companion restrooms, and because they are used by so many other people. Some people just seem to prefer them, for the privacy, and other people have various health or anxiety issues. While I understand that, it leaves me to take my 24 year old son into a ladies room when the companion ones are tied up, or have a long line. And not to get TOO graphic, but sometimes I need to clean up my adult son after a messy toiletting accident, and to change his clothing. To do that in the regular ladies room is a nightmare.

One time, we were waiting and waiting to get into a companion restroom, and a family of 4 finally exited. Mom, Dad, 2 kids. (no obvious disabilities, but who knows?) I had to think that all 4 did not have to use that restroom, though. It was like a clown car seeing them all file out.:

First, I think any decent person would be totally understanding of a disabled adult male using the ladies room. That is completely different than a typically developing 10 year old kid, IMO, and not what this thread is about.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

My just turned 9 DS would absolutely die if I went to the bathroom with him or took him in the ladies room.

I have more concerns about his safety in the restroom at his public school than I do at WDW. For the one in a million 'predator' lurking out there, the are millions of upstanding fine men that would pounce on a man trying to harm a child and show them some harm of their own.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

First I wouldn't say there are "many" there are a few in each park. The newer the sections or parks have more, but not enough that would say many.

Also you may well run into an issue of an "out of service" companion restroom, or one with a VERY long wait.

You know your son better than any of us do. If he can run in and use restroom, I'd say give him the freedom to do it. I can't think of a single WDW restroom that has more than 1 entrance/exit.

I can think of one: the restroom in Hollywood Studios outside of Muppet Vision 3D. It has an entrance that faces Streets of America and one that is inside Pizza Planet. That's the only one I can think of, though.

I live in Germany. Bathrooms. Public, generally are not shared
Sometimes you Might,rarely, have a shared sink area at smaller places. Or like one WC shared at mom/pop places.

One thing I noticed in the us compared to Europe is the utter lack of privacy in the booths. Meaning- the HUGE cracks between stalls where everyone can see in. Our stalls are on the sides totally closed spaces, sometimes down to the floor.

OP. At some point we have to let go. The " boogie man" is there at all ages. MY DS is 9 and I have been letting him use the mens at WDW since 8. I always wait right by the entrance basically I am halfway in the mens by the blowers ( no one has issues. i think the men realize what I am doing and I have no urinal view).

Try this and also i told my son always use the stall even when peeing a d dont touch anything!!


And I think for nervous moms WDW is the perfect place to give young kids some freedom. It's a contained place with a high cover charge. Cannot compare to a public restroom at a mall or train station where you can have anyone show up.

I remember being at the movies when I was in third grade. I needed to go to the restroom and while I was inside the stall, I saw a boy from my school in the restroom right in front of my stall. I was mortified. I figured that if I could tell who he was, he could likely tell who I was. So embarrassed and felt uncomfortable that he was in there. Since it was 3rd grade, I was 8 or 9. Even then, I knew it was embarrassing that a boy my age was able to see through the cracks in the stall and see me.

 

[mousefan73]

yup, the open gaps between stalls can be horrible.. To the point the door as privacy shield is pointless. My husband who is german, always recalls this and talks about it whenever some one asks him what it's like in the states.

Basically he says anyone can see you take a crapper.

A bit OT but interesting to point out.


Regardless if it's someone of opposite sex or not, I dont want a male or female seeing be doing my bathroom things.

 

[ForeverAlice]

As long as the kid isn't peeking under the doors, whats the problem?

Restroom stalls have doors for a reason.

My DS is eight, gets mistaken sometimes for six.

If he's not comfortable to go into a mensroom on his own I won't stop him from coming into the womens and I dare anybody to challenge me on it...

I agree! Stall doors are shut when in use so whats the problem? Taking a little girl in the mens room yeah I could see that being an issue due to the open urinals etc...but not taking a little boy into the womens room. I would hope other mothers would be compassionate about this.

 

[minnie mum]

As long as the kid isn't peeking under the doors, whats the problem?

Restroom stalls have doors for a reason.

My DS is eight, gets mistaken sometimes for six.

If he's not comfortable to go into a mensroom on his own I won't stop him from coming into the womens and I dare anybody to challenge me on it...

And at what point do you think you'll finally cut that cord??

Do you allow him to go to the boys bathroom unescorted at school?

If you seriously think that no one (other women, or especially girls) minds healthy school age boys in the women's bathrooms, you are deluding yourself and disrespecting everyone else. A disabled boy is a separate matter, and I would hope that the mother would take the boy with her into the handicapped stall rather than leave him unattended by the sinks. (If for some reason the companion restrooms were unavailable.)

Why are you paranoid about your son using the men's room at WDW?? Do you seriously think he will be all alone at the mercy of a pedophile? Pardon the pun, but with very rare exceptions, there is a constant stream of men and boys going in and out of there all day. What risk is there? To quote another Diser: somewhere between slim and none, and slim is out of town.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

My son is 4...FOUR...and he's already mortified when I drag him into a ladies room with me. Anyone who was in the ladies restroom at Ft. Myers airport on January 28, 2014 knows how adamant he is about it. My apologies to anyone who had to listen to his screaming that HE'S NOT A GIRL AND HE PEES IN THE MEN'S ROOM.

We've been on a Disney trip with a friend whose son was 8, and he used the men's room just fine. I would never expect a boy that age to have to go into the ladies room, and as others have pointed out, the companion restroom should be used by people who need assistance, not by parents who are unduly paranoid about restroom pedophiles.

ETA: My daughter is seven and is also allowed to use the restroom alone, both at home and at Disney.

I'm sorry to laugh, but the story about your son is hysterical! I love it! Smart little man!!!

 

[Bethry]

I didn't think about them not being able to reach the soap, but that is a valid point!!

For me it's not an issue of letting my son go in alone - if there's one entrance, and I'm waiting right outside watching for him to exit, that's fine. It's more about what happens when I have to go... I'm way less comfortable leaving him standing alone outside waiting for me than vice versa.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

My just turned 9 DS would absolutely die if I went to the bathroom with him or took him in the ladies room.

I have more concerns about his safety in the restroom at his public school than I do at WDW. For the one in a million 'predator' lurking out there, the are millions of upstanding fine men that would pounce on a man trying to harm a child and show them some harm of their own.

YES! I completely agree with this! And as parents we have to teach our children how to be independent people!

 

[kittyninja]

I didn't think about them not being able to reach the soap, but that is a valid point!!

For me it's not an issue of letting my son go in alone - if there's one entrance, and I'm waiting right outside watching for him to exit, that's fine. It's more about what happens when I have to go... I'm way less comfortable leaving him standing alone outside waiting for me than vice versa.

As far as the soap goes, I have seen little girls in the restroom alone (possibly with single daddies waiting outside) and helped them get soap if they needed it. I just ask them if they can reach it and if they can't I get some for them. Then I back off because I don't want them to get frightened.

I was in a store restroom one time and a mom was helping the younger one in the big stall and her oldest was washing her hands. I helped her with the soap and when her mom came out and asked her if she'd washed she replied (in the most adorable accent) "Yes, that lady helped me." The mom looked like she could hug me! lol She smiled and said, "Thank you so much, that was a big help!"

Then again, I'm in the south so we have this thing about Southern Hospitality!

 

[carmelhp]

It's about possible predators. Not that I expect them to be lurking in Disney bathrooms. And I don't keep him in a bubble. But it only takes a moment.

It's possibly naive or sexist, or because I don't have a daughter, but women's restrooms don't give me the same vibe.

Usually the men's restrooms at WDW have so many users in them that I wouldn't think anyone would try to harm a 9 year old boy without getting pummeled to death. If he's just going in to use a urinal, I recommend staying outside watching the door like a hawk. That's what I do when my 9 year old girl goes to the women's restroom and she's fast.

 

[pepe of ohio]

Simple solution... Let the child grow up, independence, give the child a good whistle on a lanyard... when in dander, blow the whistle....it's easier than screaming and the object gives them support!

 

[TinkerElsasMom]

DD is seven and would be mortified having to be escorted in and out of the bathroom. I stand outside and give her a small bit of independence and watch the front of the. Bathroom entrance. She knows to scream and kick and make a ton of noise if anyone makes her feel scared. As a mom I totally understand being paranoid. My kiddo is my world. But if she doesn't learn independent life skills she won't be ready for the real world. I can't always be there to protect her, as much as I want to be, she needs to know how to self advocate and do things for herself. If I could make her stay seven forever I totally would. But, unfortunately, I can't. It's hard to cut the strings, but as parents we owe it to our kids to cut them.

 

[disneybliss2]

I read this and cringed. I often have to take my 24 year old adult son into the ladies room with me at WDW. He has Down's and Autism, non-verbal. Because there are not enough of those companion restrooms, and because they are used by so many other people. Some people just seem to prefer them, for the privacy, and other people have various health or anxiety issues. While I understand that, it leaves me to take my 24 year old son into a ladies room when the companion ones are tied up, or have a long line. And not to get TOO graphic, but sometimes I need to clean up my adult son after a messy toiletting accident, and to change his clothing. To do that in the regular ladies room is a nightmare.

I'm sorry if my comments made you cringe. This thread is about taking a healthy 9 year old boy into the restroom, and I know it would make my tween daughter and even my 7 year old feel very uncomfortable. I think your situation is very different and would be viewed as such with a different level of understanding & compassion. Please don't be so presumptuous to assume how I would feel about your situation. Please know that I'm not bashing this mom for asking about taking her son with her into the restroom either. As I said, from one mom to the other, I hope she finds a good solution. I understand her concern for safety. I simply wanted her to take into account how it may affect some if she were to take her son into the restroom with her. I appreciate her taking the time to find a good solution to this dilemma she's facing.

 

[DisneyHardin]

One time, we were waiting and waiting to get into a companion restroom, and a family of 4 finally exited. Mom, Dad, 2 kids. (no obvious disabilities, but who knows?) I had to think that all 4 did not have to use that restroom, though. It was like a clown car seeing them all file out.

I've never really noticed the companion bathrooms at WDW before. Are they labeled that they are for disabled guests only? Honestly, if I had a whole family of kids that needed to use the restroom and most likely would all need help washing hands, etc and I came upon one of these restrooms, I would think it was a fantastic way for me to help everyone at once.

 

[shepd]

I've also never seen true co-ed washrooms in Europe. Spent 6 months in the UK and the closest I've ever seen is the same I've seen here: Single occupant co-ed restrooms with locking doors.

In fact, the only multi-occupant co-ed bathroom I've ever known of was at PAX in Boston. Frankly, I think it's a great idea (saves on space), but I'm not a particularly modest person. I'm sure if I was I'd be upset at the notion.

Either use the companion washrooms or work on getting your son to use the washroom alone while you wait outside. I think at 9 it will be no trouble at all.

 

[lizard1]

I've never really noticed the companion bathrooms at WDW before. Are they labeled that they are for disabled guests only? Honestly, if I had a whole family of kids that needed to use the restroom and most likely would all need help washing hands, etc and I came upon one of these restrooms, I would think it was a fantastic way for me to help everyone at once.

If you search google images, it shows a picture of a wheelchair with a man and a woman and states Companion Restroom. It does not show a picture of a baby, etc. that should lead anyone to believe that it is a 'family' restroom.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Yes,there are many Family restrooms in the Parks.

Here are some locations off the top of my head.


Magic Kingdom
Restrooms by Space Mountain
Storybook Circus restrooms(by the Train Station
Restrooms by Gaston's Tavern
Restrooms by Pirates of the Caribbean

Epcot:
Restrooms to the left of Spaceship Earth(left when entering Park)
Restrooms by Soarin'
Restrooms on the "backside" of the Character Spot building
Morocco
Germany
American Adventure(the new Restrooms)

Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Midway Mania Restrooms
Restrooms by the "mermaid fountain"
Restrooms by LMA

Animal Kingdom
Restrooms across from Flame Tree BBQ
Restrooms at Rafiki's Planet Watch

Another one in Hollywood Studios is in the shed restrooms that are located near the exit of Indiana Jones, Backlot Express, and Star Tours.

 

[savannie]

I'm assuming the companion restrooms are meant for anyone who needs a companion at the potty. I've seen them in the parks, but I've never noticed them stating they're for disabilities only. I've never needed to use one, but I see no problem with a mom taking her child to one.

Sometimes people can go to extremes with "rules." They have changing tables for babies, too. I had to change my niece at one in April, though she's well over diapers. I don't think I broke any moral code by using the station for a child older than baby age to make the situation easier.

I say use the companions restroom and don't worry about it. Single mothers have it tough enough, and there's no reason to make things more difficult than they have to be. Each regular restroom has at least one handicap stall, which leads me to assume that the companion restrooms are for a different group of people: namely, anyone that needs assistance or a companion.