family restrooms?

[Crl1817]

If the average park visitor is waiting in line at the restroom, and I'm waiting in line with my daughter, they could take the very next door that opens. I don't have that option. I'm waiting in line for one stall.

Granted, those necessary wait times are better at Disney! Which usually does have more than one handicapped stall. It's much worse in the general public area where there's only one.

I apologize for being touchy about it.

I have and will continue to offer front of the line privilege, when the handicap accessible stall comes open and I am waiting, to anyone waiting with a stroller or who appears to need handicap accessibility (wheel chair, walker, etc). But that's not quite the same as saying only handicapped individuals can use that stall even if there is a line and no one who is handicapped is waiting. Also not the same as saying a parent with an infant in a stroller cannot use that stall.

 

[anniemae]

The companion restrooms are for anyone needing extra assistance. As I said in my previous post, there are baby diaper changing stations in these bathrooms, so they are intended for people with small children as well.

There is however certain bathroom etiquette. If a handicapped person comes in a restroom and there is a line, I would say they definitely go to the head of the line to use the hc stall when it opens up. For the companion restrooms, I would only use it if it was vacant, nobody was waiting and nobody with a disability (wheelchair, walker, cane etc.) was heading in that direction.

 

[Minnesota!]

At 9 he is plenty old to go in alone. My kids stopped coming in with me around 4 - 5. I could not imagine taking my boys - 10 and 7 - into a women's room now..

Just send him in to the men's and wait by the exit.

 

[maxiesmom]

The companion restrooms are for anyone needing extra assistance. As I said in my previous post, there are baby diaper changing stations in these bathrooms, so they are intended for people with small children as well.

There is however certain bathroom etiquette. If a handicapped person comes in a restroom and there is a line, I would say they definitely go to the head of the line to use the hc stall when it opens up. For the companion restrooms, I would only use it if it was vacant, nobody was waiting and nobody with a disability (wheelchair, walker, cane etc.) was heading in that direction.

I don't agree with you. Being in a wheelchair doesn't mean you cut the line for the bathroom. Many people who don't use wheelchairs need the space and the grab bars that are in the larger stalls.

As far as the companion restrooms being useful for people with small children, well, sort of. Maybe if you need to change a baby, but the toilets are not small child friendly. They are higher up off of the ground than your average toilet. They are not a good choice for families that have small, toilet trained children.

 

[Angel Ariel]

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.

I can't speak for anyone in this specific thread, but when I've seen people mention how pre-teen/teen girls might feel in a restroom with a boy their age in there as well, it hasn't had *anything* to do with the boy's anatomy.

It's had to do with the fact that many, if not most, girls that age are just beginning to experience their menstrual cycle and it would be embarrassing to deal with that in front of a boy their age.

Considering as a grown adult with a daughter, I am not comfortable dealing with cycle-related issues while my husband is in the room, I don't think it's unreasonable for a pre-teen girl who is just starting to deal with this to be uncomfortable dealing with it in front of a boy her age.

 

[PatMcDuck]

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.

I understand, my point was, some guests REALLY need that companion rest room. But I am well aware of less visible reasons for using it.

And I still feel awful taking him into the ladies room, even though I know I have no choice. I make sure his "equipment" is never visible, I block those cracks in the rest room stalls by standing behind DS. The hardest thing is getting him to wait, while I go! He tends to open the door when I am still on the pot, unless I keep saying wait, wait!!.

It was funny, every time we found an unoccupied companion rest room, I would say, "SWEET". After a few days, Sean starting saying "sweet" every time we entered one, too. (he is mostly non-verbal, so it was funny he picked that word up, of all things!)

 

[PatMcDuck]

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.

I think the weird part was, that I was wondering if Mom and Dad used the toilet in front of the 2 kids, who were not really toddlers. They were older than that, well, maybe 4 and 6, a boy and a girl. Usually only one parent would go in, with same sex child, I guess I thought. It was just a quick thing that happened, just a double take from me, maybe, just unexpected.

PS a warning more on point. Have your boys only use the stall, unless they are experienced at the urinial procedure. DS was upset at school in about the 2-3rd grade. A boy with special needs, but mainstreamed, would use the urinal at school and pull his pants completely down, and show his butt. The other boys would laugh behind his back. DS told me, and I called the school immediately so the situation could be rectified. ( I felt so bad for him, he did not know not to do that).

 

[twinboysmom]

While some of the companion restrooms have changing tables, the majority of them do not. I personally do not think they are meant to use as a changing room. We do use the companion restrooms from time to time. While I am sure some people think it is for convenience it is not. My twin boys are now 4 and getting close to 5. They have autism and are still not potty trained. I no longer take them into the changing tables at wdw thanks to some people who think they need to offer me advice as to why my children aren't potty trained and some not so nice looks as well. I use the companion restrooms when I have both boys by myself. It's difficult with them both in the stall with me because one or both are trying to crawl under the walls and doors. It's quicker and safer for me to get them both changed and use the restroom myself with the companion restroom.

I am a believer that if your son needs to be in the woman's bathroom then he needs to be in the stall with you so that you can keep an eye on your child. Nobody can watch their child while they are using the toilet and their child is elsewhere. If you at not comfortable having your child in the stall with you then he is probably too old to be in the woman's bathroom.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

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.

.

After the "incident" at that Walmart where the boy was raped by a Walmart employee, I would say that you cannot be too cautious when it comes to your young ones. His mother was waiting right outside and didn't hear a thing. I dont think she was keeping him in a bubble either. You always pray that this would never happen to your family, but we cannot control the actions of others.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

After the "incident" at that Walmart where the boy was raped by a Walmart employee, I would say that you cannot be too cautious when it comes to your young ones. His mother was waiting right outside and didn't hear a thing. I dont think she was keeping him in a bubble either. You always pray that this would never happen to your family, but we cannot control the actions of others.

But there are risks inherent in many things we choose every day to do. It is much more likely that your family will be in a fatal car accident; yet, we take the risk and drive. The difference in today's world is that we hear about every rare, terrible tragedy. Yet, we can't let our fears of that rare tragedy happening to us dictate everything we do. We wouldn't leave the house. I do believe that you can be too cautious. We all make a cost-benefit analysis in each parenting decision, and there are important benefits to giving children independence. That doesn't mean you have to let your son use the men's room, as long as you are respectful to girls who do not feel comfortable about the possibility of being seen through the gaps in doors or are dealing with brand-new women's health issues. But it's something to seriously consider, rather than feeling compelled to take a "can't be too careful" attitude.

 

[Gracie09]

After the "incident" at that Walmart where the boy was raped by a Walmart employee, I would say that you cannot be too cautious when it comes to your young ones. His mother was waiting right outside and didn't hear a thing. I dont think she was keeping him in a bubble either. You always pray that this would never happen to your family, but we cannot control the actions of others.

93% of molestation is perpetrated by people who are known and trusted by the victim, friends, family, teachers, coaches etc. Saying kids should go into the bathroom alone because there may be a molester in there is like saying your kid shouldn't wear a seatbelt in the car because it may trap him in there of the car is in an accident and catches on fire.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I can't read all responses, but you have my full support if you bring in your son. You are a Mom keeping your child safe from predators. Go with your gut, it will not steer you wrong.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Speaking as a teenaged girl, though not having read the entire thread, if I see a boy in the bathroom who does not appear to be a toddler, I'm out. I will happily find another restroom or wait until I see the boy leave. It's awkward and uncomfortable for me, personally.

Just my $0.02

 

[maxiesmom]

I can't read all responses, but you have my full support if you bring in your son. You are a Mom keeping your child safe from predators. Go with your gut, it will not steer you wrong.

Truthfully, the only way to keep your child safe in the restroom is to take them into the stall with you. Otherwise someone could touch or snatch your child before you could pull up your pants.

When children have been going to school for a few years, they are more than capable of using a restroom without help. It is truly all about the parent making themselves feel better at that point. Leaving them in the general restroom area while they are in a stall does nothing to keep that child safe from anyone looking to harm them. False security.

 

[Burnedout]

93% of molestation is perpetrated by people who are known and trusted by the victim, friends, family, teachers, coaches etc. Saying kids should go into the bathroom alone because there may be a molester in there is like saying your kid shouldn't wear a seatbelt in the car because it may trap him in there of the car is in an accident and catches on fire.

Very good analogy. May steal it. Everyday we send/sent our kids into the world and hope for their safety. They are in fact in far more danger at school, scouts and church than in a wdw restroom. They are crowded, (with parents) and lit and not a place where there is privacy. Which one of you or your husbands and sons would witness a person being assaulted and not do something?

 

[Burnedout]

Speaking as a teenaged girl, though not having read the entire thread, if I see a boy in the bathroom who does not appear to be a toddler, I'm out. I will happily find another restroom or wait until I see the boy leave. It's awkward and uncomfortable for me, personally. Just my $0.02

Sadly, many moms on this thread don't care how you feel:/.

 

[pampam]

I understand, my point was, some guests REALLY need that companion rest room. But I am well aware of less visible reasons for using it.

And I still feel awful taking him into the ladies room, even though I know I have no choice. I make sure his "equipment" is never visible, I block those cracks in the rest room stalls by standing behind DS. The hardest thing is getting him to wait, while I go! He tends to open the door when I am still on the pot, unless I keep saying wait, wait!!.

It was funny, every time we found an unoccupied companion rest room, I would say, "SWEET". After a few days, Sean starting saying "sweet" every time we entered one, too. (he is mostly non-verbal, so it was funny he picked that word up, of all things!)

Ya just gotta love em. I get the feeling he give you a lot of joy.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

This thread seems to dodge around the real issues - people believing that everyone else is looking at them, watching them, going to hurt them (or their children). Relax - the world is full of great human beings, not creepy people trying to hurt you or your family.

If you are worried about the safety of your healthy 9 year old son in a public bathroom, you should ask yourself why you feel that way. If the answer is that he might be assaulted in that bathroom, you are dealing with an irrational fear - like the fear of flying.

 

[mom2rtk]

Truthfully, the only way to keep your child safe in the restroom is to take them into the stall with you. Otherwise someone could touch or snatch your child before you could pull up your pants.

When children have been going to school for a few years, they are more than capable of using a restroom without help. It is truly all about the parent making themselves feel better at that point. Leaving them in the general restroom area while they are in a stall does nothing to keep that child safe from anyone looking to harm them. False security.

And that false sense of security comes at the expense of posters like this:

Speaking as a teenaged girl, though not having read the entire thread, if I see a boy in the bathroom who does not appear to be a toddler, I'm out. I will happily find another restroom or wait until I see the boy leave. It's awkward and uncomfortable for me, personally.

Just my $0.02

 

[SDSorority]

So this thread is going well

Personally, I feel that if the OP isn't comfortable bringing her 9 year old son into the women's restroom, but doesn't want to send him alone to the men's, there needs to be somewhere for she and her son to go.

This link may have already have been posted, but if not, it may be helpful.

Family Restrooms at WDW

And just a friendly reminder to note, we say this over on the DISAbilities board all the time- don't assume that someone that looks "normal", but comes out of a companion restroom, is someone that is being disrespectful to our friends in the wheelchair/ECV community. Some of us have invisible disabilities, and though we look "normal" at first glance (and I hate using the word normal, because what is that really?), we may be fighting a battle too.