I can't believe I saw this.....

[croundfield]

I have had to do the same thing many times. Double strollers aren't the easiest t manage so pulling it up close to the door and going quickly.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm well aware believe me. However, the only thing different about a handicap stall is the size, not many disabilities require the extra room. Not that this is what this thread is about...and what are the chances that dozens of healthy looking young women have hidden disabilities that require them to use a bigger stall? Not looking to argue, it's just always been a huge pet peeve of mine. If I didn't have my kids with me I wouldn't use a handicap stall even if it were the only one open.

So your pet peeve is people using a stall that they have every right to use? Just because it is bigger doesn't mean it is just for families or the disabled. It just means it can accommodate those not that it is just for them. Back on topic I think whatever a parent feels comfortable with is there thing. Other mothers have pointed out they themselves have done it because there sometimes is no other choice. You could choose to pee yourself waiting for the handicap stall or just trust those around you to not steal or mess with your baby.

 

[AZMermaid]

I've done this and think it's no big deal- way easier than maneuvering with the baby on my lap. If others want to take the baby in with them, that's fine too. People have different comfort levels.

 

[LuvGoofy6]

OP, I never left my baby outside the restroom and thankfully was never been put in a position that I didn't have other options. I would either wait for a family member to help me, wait for a larger stall or hold the baby. I don't think I'm overly protective because we live in a world that has caused us to become more protective. People come from all walks of life with many things that influence their parenting...large families, small families, big cities, small cities, life experiences and even jobs can influence the decisions we make as parents. I do think some people are more comfortable at Disney than say they would be at a mall restroom.

 

[Lupeix]

Well, I confess I have done it.
It has been really a last resort when traveling alone with DS. My stroller will only fit in a handicap stall, so I will try to get one but it isnt always possible. When very little you can use a carrier and still go, but at 6 months no way I could carry him and pull my pants down. So I preped, made sure I could see him through the crack and pee as quickly as I could. It was either that, peeing with the door open or peeing my pants. If I was alone at WDW I will try to get a family bathroom or handicap if I could, but if not possible and it is really and emergency I would do it, what choice is it left?

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm well aware believe me. However, the only thing different about a handicap stall is the size, not many disabilities require the extra room. Not that this is what this thread is about...and what are the chances that dozens of healthy looking young women have hidden disabilities that require them to use a bigger stall? Not looking to argue, it's just always been a huge pet peeve of mine. If I didn't have my kids with me I wouldn't use a handicap stall even if it were the only one open.

Most of them also have grab bars in them. So it is not just about a bigger stall, but something to hand on to when you need a little extra help.

I'm sorry you find it annoying, but if there is a line and that extra large stall opens up, I'm going to use it. Or if I am having one of my days where my knees have a mind of their own, I'm going to use it to have something to hold on to.

 

[Nancyg56]

Well I *am* a 20-something sorry you took offense to that, I have just noticed that I see many more younger women, with no children and no handicaps that would require the extra space (no walker/wheelchair) using those stalls (when many regular stalls are available) than any other age group.

Handicap accessible stalls are not restricted to those with handicaps. They are available to those who need them. It really does not matter why a person chooses to use that stall, it is not reserved

 

[jerseygal]

And I saw it twice!

While at WDW this week, twice I saw moms take a stroller in the ladies room, go into the stall and shut the door, AND LEAVE THE BABY IN THE STROLLER outside the stall. Saw it once in the MK and once in EPCOT.

Both times I just stayed in the ladies room until the mom opened the door. But this really worried me!

That is a kind thing to do, to stay and watch that that baby so that the baby wasn't taken in a SECOND! I would have done the same thing!

Those Moms are CRAZY! There are TOO MANY CRAZIES out there!

 

[Dawnlight]

Do you take your double stroller into the handicap stall? Strollers don't seem to be a disability either.

I'm not the one you responded to, but I'll just say that I've taken in my stroller and used the handicapped accessible stall, and I've got no feelings of guilt whatsoever about it. I've also used a handicap ramp when entering buildings. I suppose that's off limits, too? Maybe there should be fines for using them and permits needed?

Handicap accessible does not mean anything is reserved for handicap use only- it's not like you need a tag such as with parking spaces.

I've recently developed knee injuries, and while I don't have small children anymore in strollers, I still occasionally use the HA stall as the toilet is higher than the standard ones and it's easier to get up.

People have temporary situations such as injuries and surgeries that might require them to have extra height on a toilet or a pull-bar.

I never knew people got so disgruntled over HA stall usage.

 

[SirDuff]

I'm not the one you responded to, but I'll just say that I've taken in my stroller and used the handicapped accessible stall, and I've got no feelings of guilt whatsoever about it. I've also used a handicap ramp when entering buildings. I suppose that's off limits, too? Maybe there should be fines for using them and permits needed?

Handicap accessible does not mean anything is reserved for handicap use only- it's not like you need a tag such as with parking spaces.

I've recently developed knee injuries, and while I don't have small children anymore in strollers, I still occasionally use the HA stall as the toilet is higher than the standard ones and it's easier to get up.

People have temporary situations such as injuries and surgeries that might require them to have extra height on a toilet or a pull-bar.

I never knew people got so disgruntled over HA stall usage.

No problem with that at all.

However, the person who the person you quoted was responding to had commented (disparagingly) about people using the stall even though they (to her eyes) had no disability. Seems a bit ironic, given that she, herself, is using the stall despite not having a disability.

I must admit that I've never seen someone leave their stroller outside of the stall and it would, likely, make me take a double look. I can see why one would do that though.

 

[MandiC]

Do you take your double stroller into the handicap stall? Strollers don't seem to be a disability either.

This is just getting ridiculous. I said it annoys me when young women, with no need, use handicap stalls. I didn't say I think they are reserved for those with a handicap, but it just seems like the considerate thing to do is to not use one, since there is usually only ONE, if you do not have a need. Yes I did take my double stroller into the handicap stalls if one was available, but if I am kid free there is no way I would use one because I would not want to be taking up the stall if someone who needed it, due to handicap or needing the extra space, needed it.
Gosh, you would think on a Disney Family board people would not attack so much, especially when not using a handicap stall without a need is just common courtesy.

 

[wilkeliza]

This is just getting ridiculous. I said it annoys me when young women, with no need, use handicap stalls. I didn't say I think they are reserved for those with a handicap, but it just seems like the considerate thing to do is to not use one, since there is usually only ONE, if you do not have a need. Yes I did take my double stroller into the handicap stalls if one was available, but if I am kid free there is no way I would use one because I would not want to be taking up the stall if someone who needed it, due to handicap or needing the extra space, needed it. Gosh, you would think on a Disney Family board people would not attack so much, especially when not using a handicap stall without a need is just common courtesy.

We got defensive because you decided to call people out when it wasn't necessary.

I may use that stall if there is no one in front of or behind me with a visible need for the stall simply to keep the line going. I have been yelled at before for holding the line up for not using the handicap accessible stall. Also if I am in the parks after having done a long distance run you better believe I meed that stall. The regular ones don't always have hand grips and sometimes even young 20 somethings need something to push off of to get back up. I'm sure you would see me and thing I was an uncourteous 20 something because I am fit and have no disability but just like you use it for your double stroller some of us use the stall for other reasons other than disabilities. Also even if you aren't going to use it someone else will and will just skip you in line and use it.

 

[delyrium]

I would have no problem parking a stroller where I can see it and using the restroom.

No way in heck would I mess with a content baby, then have to struggle to wipe my butt. Nope. Sorry. not going to happen.

This. I think people have a misunderstanding of the statistical likelihood of stranger abduction.

 

[luvmy2babies]

My husband died when my son was 2 months old (daughter 6) so we have found ourselves in lots of situations at Disney and other places we go. We do go alone. We started Disney when my son was 10 months old (daughter 7). But we go a lot of places and we are usually on our own. And I have done this when I didn’t have my ergo with me. If I had the carrier, I have put him in that to go into the stall. But yes. I pulled it close enough to where the front wheels were under the door and went in. At Disney my daughter was 7 and stood in front of my stall if she was out before me so I could see her feet too.

I don’t do handicap accessible stalls unless it is one bathroom or there are at least 2 or 3 of those type stalls in the restroom. We were at a sporting event when my daughter was 3 and in line for the restroom. By the time it was our turn, she was jumping around like she was close to wetting so I took her into the handicap stall because it was all that was left. Turned out she had to do #2 so we were in there longer than I planned. Next thing I know I’m getting yelled at from another stall for taking up the only handicap accessible stall in the restroom. I mean the woman was really letting me have it. I think she was assisting someone. I just took it silently but my 3 year-old figured out the lady was yelling at us, which just made her take even longer because she was frightened. I with some volume said I was sorry; but, I was only in there because my 3 year-old was about to wet herself and it was the only stall open when it was our turn and I didn’t want her to urinate on the floor. That silenced her; but, after that I have not set foot in another handicap accessible restroom outside of the situations I mentioned above even when people behind me in line pointed me to it. I told them they were welcome to go around us; but I wasn’t going in.

My son is nearly 5 now and has to do his own business when we are in the restroom, so I'm not faced with having to take a stroller in there. I just have to deal with making sure he faces the door while I am going if I can’t send him out to his sister (thankfully now 11). And no I am not looking forward to trying to decide when he is old enough to hit the men’s room on his own. He already doesn’t care for the ladies room; but, he has sensory issues and is easily overwhelmed.

The joys of solo parenting.

Some day my prince will come....

 

[pooh4evr]

I am not sure it is that big of a deal. I would have no problem with it. Maybe Dad was in the men's room with a couple of sons or something. You never know what someone's situation is. I usually made my girls stand outside the stall where I could see them.

 

[Happyjen27]

I am neither shocked nor horrified.

Look at all these sleeping babies! I'm going to guess that the parents are inside, not watching overblown media reports.

 

[bethy]

Yes, there are creeps, but there are far, far more non-creeps in this world.

I wish parents would not be so quick to judge and instead extend grace and understanding.

It took me awhile, but after 14 years of parenting I have reached the same conclusions.

 

[caselaw3]

i'm sure they were watching the stroller through the crack or under the door. However, what would they do if someone grabbed the stroller and took off? By the time you were able to get up, unlock the door and open it, that person could be gone! Plus the time it takes to pull up your pants - which you would have to do or you wouldn't be able to run after the person. I know the chances are slim, but is it worth the risk to save that time? I would wait for the handicap stall - just not worth even a small risk to me.

i think they would just start screaming which would alert everyone else around them -

 

[mjkacmom]

I've been in this situation before, and as a mom of twins (and 4 others), I don't judge other parents at all for leaving a stroller outside a restroom stall- whether it's a single child or more.

Really, we've become a nation that thrives on fear. When was the last time you heard of something happening to a child left in a stroller outside a restroom door, at Disney or anywhere else? We are worst-case thinking instead of rational thinking.

Yes, it could happen, but the likelihood is very small.

Yep, ideally I would use the handicapped stall, but in a pinch, I've parked a stroller outside of the stall. The probability of anything happening is practically zero, since I've never even heard of a case of babies being kidnapped while their moms took a quick pee.

We are SO paranoid these days!

 

[mjkacmom]

There are threads about not letting a 10 year old boy, who can speak or even scream if necessary, go into a restroom alone. But it's OK to leave a defenseless baby alone? Wow!

Not letting a 10 year old boy go to the restroom alone is just as ridiculous as being upset about a baby/stroller parked outside a restroom door at WDW - both are safe.