family restrooms?

[OnlyDisney]

They are not family restrooms that is correct. However a companion bathroom is just that. It is for anyone that requires the assistance of a companion while in the facilities. That can be someone with a disability and uses a wheelchair etc, someone who has a service animal or even a family. However it is rude to bang on the doors etc if someone is in there. You can never be sure why someone is in there. If you politely knock and somone says "sorry we will be a bit" then you should respect that.

Now to the boys with their moms debate. The only time I have had an issue with a boy in the womens restroom was under two circumstances. Once I saw a family where an adult man was traveling with the group. Adult male did not under any circumstance want to take the boys to the bathroom. Adult female took all the boys into the women's bathroom even though the boys fought it and made a big scene. I thought in that situation the adult male should have just sucked it up and took the boys themselves.

The other time was actually last weekend. I went to the bathrooms by Toy Story and when I walked in two little boys (about 6 to 7) jumped out from behind the divider wall trying to scare me. While I was in the stall I heard them do this to at least 3 other women. As the adult female they were with came out of the stall they tried to scare her as well and she just laughed at them and told them how silly they were! I did not appreciate the bathroom being treated like a play room. I understand the safety aspect but if you must take your opposite gender child into the bathroom with you at least teach them to act like they normally would in a bathroom not playing and trying to scare other people.

I see that as a child issue not a gender issue

 

[wilkeliza]

I see that as a child issue not a gender issue

Haha true. I guess it would be an across the board teach your kids not to try and scare people who are trying to use the toilet facilities.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Well, maybe if you had been molested as a young child because your parents weren't watching you closely enough, then maybe you would worry a bit more like I do. Not saying you don't care, just saying I have my reasons for caring a bit more than others.

Sheesh.

Young girls who have been molested might also not appreciate having boys in the restroom. I imagine their parent/mother would care just as much about there not being a boy in the ladies room if it made them feel unsafe.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Why only focus on the womens room? What about fathers of young girls? I have a feeling if people saw a dad waiting for his young daughter at a companion restroom or accompanying a very young daughter in there they wouldn't have as big of a problem with it.

And what about as-mentioned on here, a person who is a man by sex but does not identify as a man.

Or this...from August 2013

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA California on Monday became the first state to enshrine certain rights for transgender kindergarten-through-12th grade students in state law, requiring public schools to allow those students access to whichever restroom and locker room they want.

 

[GigiDisneyfreak]

Those sinks aren't at 'Kid height', they're at wheelchair height. Thankfully, I'm able to walk into the restrooms at this point, and can still use a regular stall, but I'm guessing that a person in a chair can reach the soap from the chair. I hope so, anyway.











Those are not family bathrooms that are listed in that link you posted. WDW does not provide family bathrooms, as has been repeatedly posted throughout this thread. They are all Companion Bathrooms designed to allow a place for those who need the assistance of an able bodied person to get it in a comfortable space. Many do not even have changing tables, and the toilet is elevated to make it easier for those in wheelchairs to transfer, something that is impossible in the regular bathrooms for the most part due to lack of room. I don't see how they would be at all family friendly, as there is no privacy at all. Does everyone just go in front of everyone else? That would never have happened in my family, but we were quite private about such things, and I'm old. Not a prude, mind you, but geez!

This is a quote from the WDW website entitled Facilities for Every Guest
Disney's intent seems pretty clear to me. Just one old lady's opinion tho'.

You included my comment in your quote so I feel justified in commenting back to you. I stand by what I said. There is nothing on the companion bathroom signs that states it is for handicap use only. IMO it looks like it is handicap accessible and unisex and I am sure a lot of people see them that way. I also never go to the WDW website when I am on vacation and check where the bathrooms are or who is allowed in them. I pretty much just look for the picture with the dress to know that I can go in.
The WDW website says companion assisted services andAND facilities designed for access by Guests with mobility disabilities. If a single parent with there infant in a stroller needs to use it to fit the stroller IMO that justifies the use.

 

[Planogirl]

Why only focus on the womens room? What about fathers of young girls?

And what about as-mentioned on here, a person who is a man by sex but does not identify as a man.

Or this...from August 2013

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA California on Monday became the first state to enshrine certain rights for transgender kindergarten-through-12th grade students in state law, requiring public schools to allow those students access to whichever restroom and locker room they want

I don't even know what to say about that. A person ought to be one or the other but what about those that aren't or just don't know.

 

[Angel Ariel]

No one here is saying there aren't difficult situations. The situations being discussed here, though - abuse/PTSD related to the bathroom - are extremes, not the norm. It is not unreasonable to say that *most* typical, non-disabled, 9 y/o boys should be able to use the men's room on their own. If they go to school, they are using a public restroom anytime they need to use it while at school. Schools are not any safer than WDW, and in fact I wouldn't find it surprising at all to see stats saying child abuse was more likely to happen in a school than at WDW - especially since most abuse is done by someone the child knows. If a 9 y/o can use the bathroom at school on their own, they can do so at WDW as well.

I have compassion for those who are facing these difficult situations. I truly can't imagine, and won't pretend I can. But to transfer those extreme situations and then say it should be an acceptable social norm for any child/age is something completely different.

 

[SpringSprite]

Why only focus on the womens room? What about fathers of young girls?

And what about as-mentioned on here, a person who is a man by sex but does not identify as a man.

Or this...from August 2013

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA California on Monday became the first state to enshrine certain rights for transgender kindergarten-through-12th grade students in state law, requiring public schools to allow those students access to whichever restroom and locker room they want.

I would think most people would be too worried about "offending" to object to the last two situations...I honestly can't believe CA would allow K-12 to use whatever locker/bathroom they want - I wonder if unsupervised by an a adult?!?! Now there's a situation that is rife with the possibility for abuse

 

[Crl1817]

You're giving me credit for much more evil intent than I actually have the time or energy to muster. When you click the little multi-quote button, it only picks up the quote of the actual poster, not the thing that they quoted also. I'm sorry. It wasn't a plot, it's just the way the button works.

I find it a bit bizarre that your 4 yo daughter is accustomed to voiding in front of strangers (as implied by, "And yes, my four year uses the facilities in front of people all the time."). Perhaps I am misunderstanding. If not, this must mean you have very open boundaries about those things, something I wasn't raised with, but as I said, that was a long time ago, LOL. Perhaps things are different now. Years before I got my degree in Nursing, I got a degree in Psych (it was the 70's - a fun time for studying the mind.) It was all love and permissiveness in those days too, so perhaps things have come back around while I wasn't looking. I have no bipedal children; all of ours have 4 legs, and they go in litter boxes in the corner of the kitchen or the laundry room, or right out there in the yard in front of the whole neighborhood!

Umm, "people" include her parents. And her preschool teachers who monitor the restroom at her school. You said you couldn't understand how families would use the companion restrooms because of this issue. I don't get how you leapt from using the facilities in front of a family member inside the companion restroom to using the facilities in front of strangers?

It is very, very, very common for newly potty trained children and preschoolers in general, up through age five even, to need some assistance in the restroom and to have parents or teachers accompany them and provide some assistance. They don't go from diapers to completely self sufficient overnight.

 

[wilkeliza]

Why only focus on the womens room? What about fathers of young girls? I have a feeling if people saw a dad waiting for his young daughter at a companion restroom or accompanying a very young daughter in there they wouldn't have as big of a problem with it.

And what about as-mentioned on here, a person who is a man by sex but does not identify as a man.

Or this...from August 2013

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA California on Monday became the first state to enshrine certain rights for transgender kindergarten-through-12th grade students in state law, requiring public schools to allow those students access to whichever restroom and locker room they want.

I know I only focus on the ladies room because I am a lady and that is where I have experience.

Now the cutest thing I have ever seen is a daddy who sent his little girl into the ladies room alone. He spent the entire time she was in there yelling at her if she was ok and even described her to me and asked if I would check to make sure she was okay. There was another really cute one where dad was with his little girl and had to take her in the men's bathroom. He yelled in the bathroom little girl coming zip up or cover up haha.

 

[OnlyDisney]

Again, as a former CM who was responsible for these restrooms, they are not there solely for the use of the handicapped. They are there for those needing a companion. Disney put them there for parents who have multiple children that they would need to keep an eye on but would not be able to in one of the regular restrooms. They are there for dads who need to take their young daughter to the rest room. They are there for the disabled who travel with a friend or relative who assists them in using the restroom. They were not intended to be exclusively for one group or another. They are there for the guests who, for whatever reason, find using the regular restroom to be difficult.

Great response I see these rooms as being there for anyone that needs them. There's too much judging going on.

 

[momto3boysillbe]

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.

with all of the phones with cameras now, I am terrified of something happening to my sons as well. It only takes a few seconds to snap a picture or for an inappropriate touch. I totally get where you're coming from!!

 

[Hummingbird]

Young girls who have been molested might also not appreciate having boys in the restroom. I imagine their parent/mother would care just as much about there not being a boy in the ladies room if it made them feel unsafe.

This ^^^^.

My niece was molested by 3 boys age 9, 10, & 12 at a babysitter's home when she was 7. She completely freaks out if boys are around when she's in the restroom or undressing (any of those kind of situations). It was so bad when we are all at one place we usually have to keep all of the guys from near the bathroom when she is in there or she will freak. Her guy cousin knocked on the bathroom door and called her name and the poor baby had a panic attack. So just like your trying to protect you child, we are trying to protect our niece.


OP My suggestion would be to let your son use the men's room OR use the companion bathroom (CM in this thread explained that is one of the reasons it is for). Will you have to maybe walk a little further to get to one of those bathrooms? Maybe, maybe not depending on where you are at the time. However considering the mass amount of walking we do in the parks anyway a little bit more won't hurt.

 

[Crl1817]

On the school situation, there are a couple of differences IME.

1. My son's schools have always been closed campus. Visitors are expected to report to the office, show id, sign in and wear a visitor's badge. Of course this system can be circumvented as we are talking about school personnel and buildings and not a highly secure prison. But there is some level of security.

2. Children are sent to the restroom in pairs. They are not sent alone.

I have sent my son into public restrooms on his own since he was seven, but I find it very difficult to criticize parents who have a different comfort level. I know my kid and he is big and strong and very responsible. Other kids are different. And other parents may have had personal experiences that lead them to make different decisions.

 

[wilkeliza]

This ^^^^.

My niece was molested by 3 boys age 9, 10, & 12 at a babysitter's home when she was 7. She completely freaks out if boys are around when she's in the restroom or undressing (any of those kind of situations). It was so bad when we are all at one place we usually have to keep all of the guys from near the bathroom when she is in there or she will freak. Her guy cousin knocked on the bathroom door and called her name and the poor baby had a panic attack. So just like your trying to protect you child, we are trying to protect our niece.


OP My suggestion would be to let your son use the men's room OR use the companion bathroom (CM in this thread explained that is one of the reasons it is for). Will you have to maybe walk a little further to get to one of those bathrooms? Maybe, maybe not depending on where you are at the time. However considering the mass amount of walking we do in the parks anyway a little bit more won't hurt.

Oh goodness my heart breaks for your niece. I experience abuse as a child and now am 26 year old and still feel the affects. I wish my family would have been keen to the signs since I was so scared to talk but no one ever though it was weird and since it was a relative no one thought to question what that particular male said. Unfortunately only using the First Aid bathrooms or your room bathroom will prevent a male from being close due to little boys who are actually little and need to be supervised.

 

[KatieCharlotte]

Well, maybe if you had been molested as a young child because your parents weren't watching you closely enough, then maybe you would worry a bit more like I do. Not saying you don't care, just saying I have my reasons for caring a bit more than others.

Sheesh.

I am very sorry for what you went through. It does make your worries more understandable to me. You are right that it did not happen to me, and I am not a counselor who can advise you how to cope with the lifelong effects. However, I also know that we can't protect our children from everything no matter how closely we watch them and eventually they will be adults living independently from us. My job does require me to repeatedly face the reality that people do bad things every day. So many times, it's a close family member, acquaintance, or a boyfriend. I want my children to be strong, confident, and independent, making wise choices but not living in fear.

 

[AndreaA]

Young girls who have been molested might also not appreciate having boys in the restroom. I imagine their parent/mother would care just as much about there not being a boy in the ladies room if it made them feel unsafe.

Yes, but at least that girl's mother would be right there to help her. Apparently a boy in the same situation is supposed to tough it out on his own.

Let's face it, most older boys (9+) probably aren't going to WANT to go in the women's room. So if one is in there, there is probably a good reason and perhaps people should be a)understanding and b)mind their own business. Frankly, I wouldn't be able to tell you if half the kids in the bathrooms with me are boys or girls. I go in, I tend to myself and my kids, and I leave. I'm not doing a gender check as I walk through.

 

[firegurl]

This ^^^^.

My niece was molested by 3 boys age 9, 10, & 12 at a babysitter's home when she was 7. She completely freaks out if boys are around when she's in the restroom or undressing (any of those kind of situations). It was so bad when we are all at one place we usually have to keep all of the guys from near the bathroom when she is in there or she will freak. Her guy cousin knocked on the bathroom door and called her name and the poor baby had a panic attack. So just like your trying to protect you child, we are trying to protect our niece.

OP My suggestion would be to let your son use the men's room OR use the companion bathroom (CM in this thread explained that is one of the reasons it is for). Will you have to maybe walk a little further to get to one of those bathrooms? Maybe, maybe not depending on where you are at the time. However considering the mass amount of walking we do in the parks anyway a little bit more won't hurt.

Try the flip side of this. My son was molested by a 10 year old boy at the age of 3. If my DH is not with us, DS who is now 6 goes into the restroom with me. Although he is a mature 6, we are a few years away from me letting him go into a mens room by himself. When he is with me, I go into the stall with him. If I have to go he goes into the stall next to me and must continually talk to me. I see nothing wrong with him going in there. No one knows my story but I dare someone to challange me about taking him in there.

 

[Hummingbird]

Oh goodness my heart breaks for your niece. I experience abuse as a child and now am 26 year old and still feel the affects. I wish my family would have been keen to the signs since I was so scared to talk but no one ever though it was weird and since it was a relative no one thought to question what that particular male said. Unfortunately only using the First Aid bathrooms or your room bathroom will prevent a male from being close due to little boys who are actually little and need to be supervised.

Yes, it's a very sad situation and I'm sorry what you had to go through also. She's now 12 and typically she will now just use the restroom before we venture out into public or if she really has to go one of us will check the bathroom out before she goes in. I don't think the little little boys bother her but I know for a long time boys her age definitely were a concern for her because she was abused by peers

 

[JanaDee]

Why only focus on the womens room? What about fathers of young girls? I have a feeling if people saw a dad waiting for his young daughter at a companion restroom or accompanying a very young daughter in there they wouldn't have as big of a problem with it. And what about as-mentioned on here, a person who is a man by sex but does not identify as a man. Or this...from August 2013 SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA California on Monday became the first state to enshrine certain rights for transgender kindergarten-through-12th grade students in state law, requiring public schools to allow those students access to whichever restroom and locker room they want.

Whichever restroom and locker room they want? WTH? What a stupid, irresponsible law.