How Do I Handle This?

[curemyreed]

Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts, advice, and experiences. disABILITIES has never failed to enlighten and encourage me.

I think the option of using the less-in-demand First Aid companion restroom may be something I try when it is near and DD needs the restroom. And when we do have to use a regular Companion Restroom I hope to find that we are in line with the kind of warm & happy people who post here.

 

[disneygourmet]

They have offered me a map of the Companion Restrooms; I explain that we already know where they are, but have had too much ‘flack’ using them.

Are maps showing the locations of companion restrooms available at all of the parks?

 

[KPeveler]

They are not listed on the regular maps (which is one major point in favor of them being "Companion Restrooms" and not "Family Restrooms), but are listed on the Guidemap for Guests with Disabilities. This is available at most information stands where maps in English and different languages are found, as well as in Guest Services locations. If you are traveling with any type of special need or disability, these maps are invaluable!

 

[Bete]

This has nothing to do with my family; although, I do use companion restrooms. We have had the pounding on the door issue ourselves.

I have never found out the whole story here that I'm sharing with you, but I believe some people use the companion restroooms for reasons we don't normally realize.

I believe I might have run into an issue where a boy was using the companion restroom; because, he may have been molested at some time. He didn't feel comfortable going into a male, public restroom.

After that experience I would never question anyone's reasons for using a companion restroom. Besides, I have always felt there was a good reason for someone to use a companion restroom; I've never really doubted anyone.

Overall, I can say I have hardly ever noticed anyone having issues with others using a companion restroom at Disney.

 

[bidnow5]

Sorry to hear about comments to all of you I don't need the companion restrooms but would never question someones need to use one. I have had my share of comments outside of Disney when using my scooter.
I know how awful it can be. My last encounter was 6 weeks ago at a super Walmart a family of 4 seemed to be following me and the father kept saying I was a fat lazy as______ so nice he is teaching his children. I ignored them but they followed me for a while. I don't understand people like that.

 

[ccgirl]

Sorry to hear about comments to all of you I don't need the companion restrooms but would never question someones need to use one. I have had my share of comments outside of Disney when using my scooter.
I know how awful it can be. My last encounter was 6 weeks ago at a super Walmart a family of 4 seemed to be following me and the father kept saying I was a fat lazy as______ so nice he is teaching his children. I ignored them but they followed me for a while. I don't understand people like that.

OMG!!! Seriously...they were following you just to taunt you? If you ask me they are the a**. I can't believe a parent would teach their child to behave like that. That is atrocious! So glad those children will grow up to be our next round of intolerant adults.

 

[disneygourmet]

If you are traveling with any type of special need or disability, these maps are invaluable!

This is good to know for my upcoming trip with more than one child with not so visible disabilities. It would have been nice if guest services had mentioned it at my previous trip with only one such child. It was just chance when we located the companion restrooms.

 

[dan-tot]

When I had my sister we used the companion bathroom because she was brain damged as a baby and needed help . I took her into the room so that I could help her get in and out of the wheel chair. I say something to someone who is using the restroom and let them know it is a companion restroom. I have alot of experience with the companion restroom and I can tell when someone shouldn't be in there. I always tell them to their face that way they have no misunderstanding what I was saying. I know it goes in one ear and out the other but it gets said anyway. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Dan

 

[Schmeck]

When I had my sister we used the companion bathroom because she was brain damged as a baby and needed help . I took her into the room so that I could help her get in and out of the wheel chair. I say something to someone who is using the restroom and let them know it is a companion restroom. I have alot of experience with the companion restroom and I can tell when someone shouldn't be in there. I always tell them to their face that way they have no misunderstanding what I was saying. I know it goes in one ear and out the other but it gets said anyway. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Dan

Unless you are omnipresent, you cannot know 100% if someone 'belongs' in a companion restroom or not. So, 'telling them to their face' can get you either a fist in yours, or you could actually be making someone who does need the companion restroom, but is feeling off about it, much worse. You could have ruined someone's trip of a lifetime, just because you assume you are the person to 'know' if they need a certain restroom or not.

I've had to use the companion restroom once at WDW, as it was the bathroom closest at hand when I had a digestive attack. I was lucky enough to find it empty (or I would have soiled myself, and that would have made for an interesting trip report, now wouldn't it have?) This was when my gall bladder/digestive track was just starting to go haywire, and I didn't have an inkling as to what was to come, or how to avoid the triggers. A confrontation about who 'deserves' to use the companion restrooms would have made me have an accident right there in front of you.

 

[Ashton7]

OMG!!! Seriously...they were following you just to taunt you? If you ask me they are the a**. I can't believe a parent would teach their child to behave like that. That is atrocious! So glad those children will grow up to be our next round of intolerant adults.

Sadly, I had a similar experience not too long ago in a Target. A mother with two children saw fit to point at me and tell her children how fat and lazy I was for using an ECV. Her children then proceeded to point and laugh and agree that I was "lazy" and shouldn't be using a scooter. I suppose if I was only thinner it would have been "okay" to them that I needed a scooter in order to shop.

Just yesterday when I was at Animal Kingdom for my birthday a man confronted me as I entered a shop in my scooter and told me "I wouldn't do that, if I were you." I stopped and said "Er, what? Do what?" His response: "Try to come into this shop in that scooter." At which point I just shook my head, ignored him and continued on my way but what I was thinking was: So, if I'm disabled, I'm not allowed to shop at Disney?!?! BTW, I was in my own personal scooter which is nowhere as large as the rented Disney ones and I had no problem fitting or maneuvering it in the shop. Sheesh.

 

[SueM in MN]

As has been pointed out before, there is almost no way of looking at someone and know whether or not they need a Companion Restroom.

I have been waiting when someone came out who had been changing into a Princess costume. They were embarrassed when they saw us waiting and apologized. I was able to explain to them (nicely) that there were only 5 Companion Restrooms in that particular park. She said she had not realized that and would not use the Companion Restooms again.

Some people have very visible needs, but there are many people who do not have a visible disability, but still need the Companion Restroom.

 

[ccgirl]

When I had my sister we used the companion bathroom because she was brain damged as a baby and needed help . I took her into the room so that I could help her get in and out of the wheel chair. I say something to someone who is using the restroom and let them know it is a companion restroom. I have alot of experience with the companion restroom and I can tell when someone shouldn't be in there. I always tell them to their face that way they have no misunderstanding what I was saying. I know it goes in one ear and out the other but it gets said anyway. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Don't sweat the small stuff.

Dan

That is very presumptive of you; and frankly quite rude. What if someone has a catheter? I don't think you have x-ray vision; do you? Bottom line...treat other people as you want to be treated. If you don't like being judged - don't judge others.