First trip need advice on rest room etiquette for DS

[geraghty]

No, he is perfectly capable of taking care of his toileting needs by himself. It is for her comfort not his need.

Sorry I did not know you knew the op personally. Who are you to tell someone what they need or don't need. Every child and family is different. This one may need more than the typical accommodations. It does not matter why. There is nothing specific on who is and who is not entitled to ADA accommodations. It is merely the responsibility of most businesses and employers to provide reasonable allowances. I feel the companion restroom is a viable option, you don't, but that does not mean the other is wrong its just a difference on whim we feel should have access to such. To me it sounds like a better option than taking the child into the women's restroom since it causes others to be uncomfortable.

 

[Gracie09]

According to the Disney mom's panel they can be used for that purpose.

The Disney moms panel has been wrong about many things on many occasions. There is even a disclaimer about their advice.

 

[luvmy3]

The Disney moms panel has been wrong about many things on many occasions. There is even a disclaimer about their advice.

I didn't see you let the pp know that DISers have been wrong as well

 

[stargazertechie]

Sorry I did not know you knew the op personally. Who are you to tell someone what they need or don't need. Every child and family is different. This one may need more than the typical accommodations. It does not matter why.

The OP has given no indication that her son has special needs. As a matter of fact, her OP said

I know this seems an odd question but he will just be 9 and I really would not feel happy about him using the gents on his own at all.

If this was a child who had medical needs for a companion, I'm sure the opinion would be much different, but this is simply to make the mother happy...

 

[ConnieB]

Each park has several "companion" restrooms. I would suggest that you use these whenever possible until you are comfortable with him using the regular bathroom alone. They are "officially" meant to be used by those in a wheelchair who need assistance or when the wheelchair will not fit in the stalls of the regular restroom. But I don't think anyone would have a problem with a nervous mom taking her son into this...or sending him in alone (it's a single stall bathroom like you'd find at a restaurant or store, just a bit larger to accommodate wheelchairs). Honestly, I'd rather you used that then bring a 9 year old into the woman's room.....and I have been known to be a little annoyed when we're waiting for these restrooms with a friend in a wheelchair and a very able bodied adult comes out.

MOST of the regular restrooms also only have one entrance/exit....so you can stand there and wait for him and shout in if you think he's been to long. I do understand your concern, but remember that these restrooms are almost never empty....there is a constant flow of men going in and out....the chances of an evil person being able to accost your son are very slim.....these types prefer to find the restroom where no one else would be coming in to catch him.

Another thing you can do if you feel he's been in there "too long" is ask a father going in to check on him.....I'm fairly sure that a dad would understand a mom's concern and could check to see that nothing bad is happening, just that your son was taking a while.


Ok, here is the list of where to find the companion restrooms.

Animal Kingdom


Discovery Island opposite Flame Tree Barbecue, just before DinoLand USA bridge on the right
Africa near the Mombasa Marketplace
Dinoland USA near Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures
Near Maharajah Jungle Trek on the left before the entrance
Inside Maharajah Jungle Trek to the right as you exit the Bat House
Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch


Disney's Hollywood Studios


Opposite Star Tours
Right side of Millionaire building on Mickey Avenue
Rock 'N' Roller Coaster
Opposite The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Fantasmic! amphitheater
Right side of Lights, Motors, Action!

Epcot


Spaceship Earth On Left as you face SE
Spaceship Earth on Right as you face SE near Gateway Gifts
Future World West opposite The Land - Photo 1 -- Photo 2
Future World East opposite Test Track
Refreshment Port (right side of World Showcase - before Canada)
Morocco on the right
Germany on the right
Norway opposite the Viking ship


Magic Kingdom


Lower level of Cinderella's Royal Table in the Castle
Pirates of the Caribbean
Near Splash Mountain
To the right of Space Mountain
Mickey's Toontown Fair
Transportation and Ticket Center East Gate

Polynesian Resort


Great Ceremonial House 2nd Floor opposite 'Ohana

Blizzard Beach Water Park


To the rear of the Locker area on the north side of Main Change.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park


Near Guest Services

Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf


Located before getting on the course

Winter Summerland Mini-Golf


No companion restroom

Downtown Disney


Marketplace


Once Upon a Toy Store - inside restroom area
Between Guest Relations and Once Upon a Toy Store - outside
Near the Memories shop at the Marketplace (that's on the far end right next to the entrance).

AMC Theatres - No companion restrooms
Pleasure Island - No companion restrooms
West Side - No companion restrooms

 

[Gracie09]

I didn't see you let the pp know that DISers have been wrong as well

As a group less often than the moms panel. If you post wrong information on the disboards 9 times out of 10 it will be corrected multiple times, by multiple people some of whom are cm who deal in that area on a daily basis.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Thank you. I feel I need to be done now as this is dredging up memories I had buried. It's making me angry all over again. Bottom line, every family's needs are different and each family is going to do what works best for them. And yes, I feel family style restrooms complete with child sized toilets and changing stations should be added to a park geared towards families! It would eliminate this issue altogether. As well as the issue of newly toilet trained little little kids who may be frightened of the large and loud public toilets. (I have a couple of those as well!)

I do agree it's a shame that Disney doesn't have more family restrooms. It would make life easier for many parents and would eliminate this kind of issue. I'm also a fan of unisex bathrooms, it is possible to put on doors with full coverage for privacy.

 

[luvmy3]

As a group less often than the moms panel. If you post wrong information on the disboards 9 times out of 10 it will be corrected multiple times, by multiple people some of whom are cm who deal in that area on a daily basis.

Ah but also in this thread it has been mentioned that companion bathrooms can be used by people in the OP's position. Who is right? According to what I read on the mom's panel it is okay so I think I'll go with that
Until a CM posts WDW policy here, all we have to go on are people's opinions.

 

[Granny square]

I was sexually abused by my mothers father from around 4 until 12 when I finally told my father. We chose together not to tell my mother because we didn't want to hurt her. ( some wont agree and I get that)
My father did his best to make sure I was never alone with him or near him at family functions.
Anyway - back to present day! I am now 47 and a mother to 3 and I do have a healthy relationship with my husband. It a big part of what happened to me but you can overcome something like that. I had the support of my father and a few family members that I chose to reveal this to. I'm very protective of all of my children - not just my girls - and if I get a feeling that something is off I trust my instincts. But I don't live with the attitude that everyone - family and strangers - are out to rape or molest my children. I'm very open about what happened to me and tell them I know it wasnt my fault. I tell them to trust their instincts and talk about what they should do if they ever find themselves in that type of situation!

Said so much better than I did.

 

[Sparkly]

I also hope that you have not taken any of our opinions personally, because as you can see, this is a rather heated topic and some people feel the need to have peeing contests whenever someone posts something controversial.

Hahaha. Peeing contests. Sorry, thought that was funny since the topic's bathrooms and all.

Carry on.

 

[Granny square]

Ah but also in this thread it has been mentioned that companion bathrooms can be used by people in the OP's position. Who is right? According to what I read on the mom's panel it is okay so I think I'll go with that
Until a CM posts WDW policy here, all we have to go on are people's opinions.

Eh, we all know even if one cm said something another 10 would have 10 more answers.

 

[luvmy3]

Eh, we all know even if one cm said something another 10 would have 10 more answers.

Very true

I guess either way it doesn't matter, there is no law that says a 9 year old cant use the woman's restroom or that a mom and her 9 year old cant use the companion bathroom.
I think it comes down to common courtesy, and taking into account that for every one woman in the restroom that doesn't care if there is a 9 year old boy in there with them, there is one that does.
A companion bathroom is the perfect option, it serves as a place where one can go if they need a companion with them when they use the restroom.

 

[Granny square]

Very true

I guess either way it doesn't matter, there is no law that says a 9 year old cant use the woman's restroom or that a mom and her 9 year old cant use the companion bathroom.
I think it comes down to common courtesy, and taking into account that for every one woman in the restroom that doesn't care if there is a 9 year old boy in there with them, there is one that does.
A companion bathroom is the perfect option, it serves as a place where one can go if they need a companion with them when they use the restroom.

I tend to agree. In the assaulted boys situation I'd say it is a perfect choice.

I hate to see them filled with people who choose them out of illogical fear. But it isn't my job to police. Luckily

 

[momofboyz3]

Very true

I guess either way it doesn't matter, there is no law that says a 9 year old cant use the woman's restroom or that a mom and her 9 year old cant use the companion bathroom.
I think it comes down to common courtesy, and taking into account that for every one woman in the restroom that doesn't care if there is a 9 year old boy in there with them, there is one that does.
A companion bathroom is the perfect option, it serves as a place where one can go if they need a companion with them when they use the restroom.

Very well said

 

[Srbright]

Seriously??? That's quite a stretch. I'm a woman, a mother, and a nurse, and even I don't want to see that! I've been in my share of women's bathrooms and I don't recall seeing ANY women walking around in their bras. Overreact much?

Ah. No

/raises hand

This would have been me. Feb 27, 2008 if you were there you would have seen me in the bathrooms near Peter Pan/IASW in just my bra.

DS was 18 months and had a diaper explosion... the kind we should have gotten on film. I was holding him on my hip at the time. I will spare you the details but needless to say that the best case scenario was for me to try to clean myself off as best I could until other clothes could be obtained from a gift shop. DD was too young (3 yrs) so she was no help.

Yes...I can say this does happen.

Stacy

 

[geraghty]

If this was a child who had medical needs for a companion, I'm sure the opinion would be much different, but this is simply to make the mother happy...

The mother said she would not be happy, you are correct. I took it as she would feel uncomfortable having her timid 9 yo son go into a building by himself, in a foreign country, where strange men expose themselves. Its all about how you word it. I feel she should be allowed special accommodations. There is no line of who is allowed to use companion restrooms just personal opinions.

 

[AllyC]

"A family who doesn't have an older male can't "invent" one unless they're going to hire one."

Thankyou Disney Princess83 for you support! I booked this holiday as I have wanted to go to WDW since I was a a child. I don't have a partner and have not for many years I cannot invent one for the purpose of my holiday no!

I think this is a subject of controversy but I will do what many have also said and do what I feel is right at the time and if that means whizzing DS into the cubicle with me then so be it, we are visiting in Oct and he will have only been 9 for 6 weeks.

 

[bwang123]

A companion bathroom is the perfect option, it serves as a place where one can go if they need a companion with them when they use the restroom.

Ta-Da! Right.

I took my 2 year old son in the animal kingdom companion bathroom because i saw it had a changing table. companion to me meant i was assisting him. yes it has handicap facilities but its not right to discriminate against able bodies.

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

Seriously??? That's quite a stretch. I'm a woman, a mother, and a nurse, and even I don't want to see that! I've been in my share of women's bathrooms and I don't recall seeing ANY women walking around in their bras. Overreact much?

Actually, I have seen a woman who apparently had a problem with her "monthly visitor" and was frantically trying to wash her shorts in the sink and dry them with the blow dryer....in her underwear. I actually felt kinda sorry for her. But at least she was in the ladies room, surrounded by somewhat sympathetic ladies. Point being, you never know what to expect in a ladies room. So seeing a topless woman is not a stretch....

 

[CuppieCake04]

I have a 9 yr old as well, and I HATE to let him out of my sight. My son IS special needs, but has been going to public bathrooms ( for #1) since he was 6 and told me he was a big boy and he DID NOT need to go to the girls room any more.

As much as it scares me, as much as I worry about sickos, as much as I fear the what ifs... I had to let him be a BIG BOY, if not i was holding HIM back.

Now with that being said, I have on MANY MANY occasions opened the mens bathroom door and yelled in there ... Have gotten a few comical responses too.. from both my son and strangers....LOL

I have Also asked dads with kids of his own to do a check.

I have also walked into a mens bathroom when i didnt get a response from my kid...

The first couple of times will be the scariest by far. But by the end of your trip your son will be a pro at it...