family restrooms?

[JennaDeeDooDah]

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.

For what it's worth, I am a former CM who had the honor and privilege of helping to clean those restrooms and they were always referred to as "Companion Bathrooms". It was understood by my fellow employees as well as myself that they are there for parties of two or more who would have a difficult time, for whatever reason, using the other restrooms. These reasons include but are not limited to disability, greater number of children than you feel comfortable taking into the restroom on your own, or a parent taking an opposite-sex child to the restroom.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

OP, I think you answered your own question. Your son is probably in more danger playing outside by himself for hours as you said than going in a men's room at Disney. I hear way more on the news about attempted kidnapping and lewd behavior happening outside near a child's home than in a bathroom. I think women have gotten the idea that men's rooms are disgusting and dangerous. But I've asked my husband and he said most men come in, do their business with minimal eye contact, and get out. At Disney you are going to have lots of fathers around who would step in if it looked like something was amiss. And it's not unheard of to see women in various states of undress by the sinks, drying clothes or whatever. In other cultures nudity isn't as taboo (as I'm sure you know) and Disney gets lots of international visitors.

 

[si-am]

I really think the idea of lots of dads in the bathrooms is a valid one. I think if you teach your son to start screaming if anything untoward happens, then there are going to be plenty of men around to help out. I don't know for sure, but I would think that incidences of predators in bathrooms would tend to occur in more quiet and isolated locations?

I know it's scary "letting go" like that, though.

 

[pampam]

I'm trying to understand how this would play out. I'm thinking you would have him go into a stall while you waited, and then use a stall while he waited. Is this correct? If he stands in front of your stall, toes facing toward the sink, you would be able to see his feet, and know he wasn't peeking into a stall. It probably wouldn't make too many of us uncomfortable, since we would know he couldn't see anything he shouldn't. I applaude you for doing your best to keep him safe, and yet worring about the other visitors in the washroom at that time too. A lot depends on his maturity level, and his leanings for following direction from you. He could very well be at the age where you can give him a little more independence, by allowing him to leave you for a few minutes to use the men's washroom. I think the suggestions you have been given alreaddy are right on. Practice at other public places you are familiar with, so he can progress toward this act on his own. Then, by the time your trip comes, you will know what is the best course of action.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

This isn't me looking down on this situation. I understand people are skittish leaving their children alone. But I have a word of advice:

Assuming your 9 year old does not have any disabilities preventing him using the bathroom himself, you could just wait outside (or vice versa). There has never been a reported incident of a child being assaulted, kidnapped, murdered, etc. in a Disney bathroom.

Where you should worry is resort & water park pools.

 

[BudgieMama]

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.

I visited the US for the first time last summer- my first comment to my DH after using the loo was "They can put the first man on the moon, but they haven't figured out how to make toilet doors without gaps?" I still don't understand that.

And like other PPs, never seen unisex toilets in Europe unless they are single cubicles!

Normally it wouldn't bother me seeing a single mother with her primary school aged son in the ladies, although I think it'd be a little odd (doesn't tend to happen once children are old enough to be attending school here)... but then again, normally I'm in the UK and the doors don't have gaps. I would find it appropriate in the context... Like other PPs, I would think WDW was one of the safest places to teach this bit of independence for your DS.

 

[EEPETEZ]

This isn't me looking down on this situation. I understand people are skittish leaving their children alone. But I have a word of advice: Assuming your 9 year old does not have any disabilities preventing him using the bathroom himself, you could just wait outside (or vice versa). There has never been a reported incident of a child being assaulted, kidnapped, murdered, etc. in a Disney bathroom. Where you should worry is resort & water park pools.

I don't know about assaults at Disney, but a 10 year old boy was assaulted at Kings Island last summer in the men's restroom. Also a large theme park, I would have assumed it is a safe place for my child. As a mother of 2 boys, this really is an issue when you are by yourself. I wish that Disney had family restrooms for this reason.

 

[muchado]

Just wondering what you would say to international visitors who bring their sons into the women's room? I have had this experience at other non-Disney locations where visitors/tourists bring their older sons into the ladies' room. While we all might think it's terrible, no one has ever said anything to them.

 

[anniemae]

I would probably not take ds into the ladies room. It would be very embarrassing for young girls in there around his age, and there will be many at disney.

If you are not comfortable letting him into the mens room, I think you will be fine using companion bathrooms. Just be respectful.

When ds was in 3 and in the stroller, I would take him and dd into the companion rest rooms. I always thought they were for families as well as disabled people since there is a baby changing station in there. I would wheel us all in there and dd would use the potty while I changed ds diaper. We would be quick and I would only use them if it was vacant and nobody else was around and nobody was heading in that direction.

 

[Figment Mom]

This has turned into a very interesting discussion. I appreciate the civility as I know there are a lot of varied opinions.

FWIW, we were out today at a restaurant at a safari park and I sent him to the men's room. We both handled it very well.

My ds is a very independent person. As I said before, it's me knowing what could happen - in a place that I'm not comfortable entering myself - that is making this an issue. (And I happen to live quite close to King's Island which was mentioned upthread. I had forgotten that incident.)

It's comforting to think that there are lots of dads around who would look out for my boy. And the reminder that busy bathrooms are likely safer than secluded ones is helpful as well.

I'm sure he and I will handle our 11 days at Disney just fine and our bladders will survive whatever bathroom situation we face.

Thanks for the responses/advice.

 

[Sparkly]

i have both a daughter and son and have never really thought twice. Would love to hear from some Europeans as is this a US issue, aren't many if not most of the public bathrooms in Europe co-ed?? I know traveling as a kid through Canada we ran into co-ed bathrooms and didn't think twice about it. Do not recall seeing urinals and all stalls had doors on them. Just curious

I live in England, public toilets here are definitely not shared.

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

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.

Yes!!! This is exactly how I feel too! And my daughter is seven as well

 

[All American]

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!

This is what I was going to suggest and how we solved the bathroom issue when my husband takes our daughters on daddy/daughter dates. Also, stand right by the door and wait.

 

[usagibuffy]

This has been an interesting topic to read through. Maybe it's just me, but I always feel much safer at Disneyland than at other theme parks. I have a long time to go before I have to worry about sending my sons into the bathroom on their own (just potty training the first, second isn't yet born), but I do feel that Disney will be a safe place for us to work on it. DD has a habit of wandering off and I worry less there than at the local Target when she disappears.

 

[lepidop]

My children are 7, a boy and a girl. They are both on the autism spectrum and though they are verbal, they need a lot of assistance for some everyday activities and can not be in a public restroom on their own (or wait outside the ladies room when I need to use it). They also appear as totally typical to someone who doesn't know them. I've used the companion restrooms at Disney, as well as the regular ladies room with both kids, and have never had someone make a comment or give me the stink eye.
The companion restrooms have a pictograph of a wheelchair to indicate that they are handicap accessible, it does not mean that they are only for disabled guests.

 

[blondietink]

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.:

That is what my horrible experiences has been like with my son. We wait and wait and wait and a huge family comes out of the handicapped stall in the ladies room and they see us waiting and don't even apologize for taking so long. The companion restrooms and not always convenient and often taken up by families.

 

[Nechville]

For what it's worth, I am a former CM who had the honor and privilege of helping to clean those restrooms and they were always referred to as "Companion Bathrooms". It was understood by my fellow employees as well as myself that they are there for parties of two or more who would have a difficult time, for whatever reason, using the other restrooms. These reasons include but are not limited to disability, greater number of children than you feel comfortable taking into the restroom on your own, or a parent taking an opposite-sex child to the restroom.

Thank you for posting this!

 

[hsmamainva]

That is what my horrible experiences has been like with my son. We wait and wait and wait and a huge family comes out of the handicapped stall in the ladies room and they see us waiting and don't even apologize for taking so long. The companion restrooms and not always convenient and often taken up by families.

My youngest daughter is disabled and I hardly EVER find the handicapped stall empty when we need it. Just about every time we arrive, it's occupied by a mom with child in a stroller.

We don't receive any apologies either.

 

[Dismama2boys]

My youngest daughter is disabled and I hardly EVER find the handicapped stall empty when we need it. Just about every time we arrive, it's occupied by a mom with child in a stroller.

We don't receive any apologies either.

Out of curiosity, where would you like moms with strollers to go to the bathroom? My last trip to Disney was mostly just me and my 6 month old; DH was at a conference. I used the handicap stall because of the stroller - I can't think of any alternatives.

 

[ladyjubilee]

I was a foster parent, I've parented 8 children some of whom were bio-siblings. I would not have allowed any of my kids to go some place without me.

Not one of us can look at a child and know their needs in a first look. We can't know their history, their medical needs or developmental level. Frankly I could be the woman coming out of the companion bathroom, or filing in with a passel of boys into the ladies.

Pretty much whatever you do, someone is going to judge it wrong. I took my son into the companion restroom at DTD. His tummy was upset and I needed the space. It took longer than 'normal' even though I rushed. When we came out a companion to a lady in a wheelchair made snide comment that I needed to realize the companion bathrooms were for the disabled. My son wasn't wearing a be sign that said Autism, laced with other issues full member of he disabled club... somehow we forgot to pack it.

So from my point of view, parents should decide what works for their kids, and if some 'tween girl is scandalized be some little boys wee-wee, the teens parent ought to invest in a basic human anatomy book.