I'm the aunt, not the mom so I need your help!

[MickeyNicki]

I do not have kids and have never been to WDW with young kids so I have a fear and I need your help.....what do I do if we are in line and the little 3 year old says, I NEED TO GO POTTY NOW. Can I leave DH and the other niece in line and then cut back in (where they are of course) or should we all get out of the line, go to the bathroom and then get back in....please give me your advice as I dont want to make any other WDW guests angry

 

[KristiKelly]

How long has 3 y/o been potty trained, if it's been awhile, they should be able to recognize the urge to go before it becomes urgent. If they are recently trained, you might want to use PUll Ups - just in case. Also, try to take them to the bathroom every 1 to 1-1/2 hours, esp if you are going into a long line.

 

[j_lehr]

With a three year old, I would make sure to hit the bathrooms before you are going to stand in a long line or attempt to go on what the child might think is a scary ride even if they want to try it and even if they say they don't have to go. When my dd was younger, she would tell me she had to go potty when she was scared to go on a ride.

I am not sure, it probably isn't a good idea to get back in line, some other guests might view it as line-jumping.

 

[bgirl29]

I think it is perfectly fine to step back in line if it is just one adult and a little one. We have done this in the past and it has not been a problem. People should be understanding if you are stepping back in with a little one. If it was you and more adults and 3 kids with only one person in line that is a different story. If anyone gave me a mean look I would probably just smile and say "well emergencies happen with little ones," or something hopefully funnier.

 

[Ellester]

I think it is perfectly fine to step back in line if it is just one adult and a little one. We have done this in the past and it has not been a problem. People should be understanding if you are stepping back in with a little one. If it was you and more adults and 3 kids with only one person in line that is a different story. If anyone gave me a mean look I would probably just smile and say "well emergencies happen with little ones," or something hopefully funnier.

Totally agree. We have several times jumped out of line, leaving DH to hold our place while we ran to the bathroom. We've even had it happen right as we are going to get on a ride and DH would just stand aside and once we got back, the CM let us right on. There are so many families at WDW and I'm sure most of them have had an experience with "gotta go now".

 

[MickeyNicki]

Thank you guys so much...she has been potty trained for 6 months I think......she is really good about letting me know when she has to go...if I ask her she gets all mad and stomps her little foot "I will tell you I said".....she just cracks me up....

I guess my biggest fear is getting comments and looks from other people if I do cut back in line with DH...

I will just have to ask her before each ride I guess....and get the glare and tone from her ha ha

 

[liamsaunt]

As one aunt to another, I am sure you will be fine. If it's just you and a little one, people will let you by, especially if they saw you leaving the line. If you try and wait until the last minute to join people who have waited the entire time while you did something else, you might not get as friendly of a reaction.

However, based on my experience you may wish to, well, practice first. Alone one evening with my 4 year old niece at Disney last December, she decided she had to go to the potty. Fine, I thought. Here is what occured:
Into the bathroom...

Me: Well, how do I help you with this?
Her: You have to hold me on the toilet.
Me: Um, OK...(lifts niece onto toilet)
Her: No, further back!
Me: Um, OK... (puts her further back)
Her: No, too far, now you are dropping me into the toilet!
Me: Oops, sorry (brings her closer to the front)
Her: Not far back enough!
Me: Um, OK...
Her: Never mind! I'll wait for Mom.

Yes, other adults in the bathroom were laughing at me.

 

[MickeyNicki]

As one aunt to another, I am sure you will be fine. If it's just you and a little one, people will let you by, especially if they saw you leaving the line. If you try and wait until the last minute to join people who have waited the entire time while you did something else, you might not get as friendly of a reaction.

However, based on my experience you may wish to, well, practice first. Alone one evening with my 4 year old niece at Disney last December, she decided she had to go to the potty. Fine, I thought. Here is what occured:
Into the bathroom...

Me: Well, how do I help you with this?
Her: You have to hold me on the toilet.
Me: Um, OK...(lifts niece onto toilet)
Her: No, further back!
Me: Um, OK... (puts her further back)
Her: No, too far, now you are dropping me into the toilet!
Me: Oops, sorry (brings her closer to the front)
Her: Not far back enough!
Me: Um, OK...
Her: Never mind! I'll wait for Mom.

Yes, other adults in the bathroom were laughing at me.

LOL oh God this is exactly what I go through....some of the toliets are so high and she cannot get up there and of course she has to paper the heck out of the seat and god forbid some paper falls into the toilet then we have to start all over again.....and then she has a field day with the soap dispenser and the water at the sink...and it takes her forever to dry her hands.....she is a riot

 

[Merriwind]

I would ask before you get in a line and go a lot yourself. When DD was little, I would say that I had to go and wouldn't you know, even though she said she didn't have to go, once we were there, she would. If you still wind up with an "I gotta go" situation, don't worry about it. 99.99999% of the people on line know where you are going or where you were.

Enjoy!

 

[hidmickey:myantidrug]

I think it would be fine but I would say to the person right behind you "hey, she needs to run to the bathroom. Would you mind saving our spot/would you mind if we hopped back in?" I can't imagine anyone saying no.

 

[#1 Pocahontas]

I wouldn't have any problem letting someone back into line for a reason like that.

My DD is 4 and has been potty trained for 2 years now but we still get those last minute emergency potty trips. I think at times she gets to excited and holds it. Then she tells us when its almost to late. I always try to make sure she goes often but emergencies still sneak up at times.

 

[ont/ohana]

What I have done in the past with my kids is, when they have a need to go now, while leaving the line I laugh and talk all the way out about how kids always need to go in the most unexpected times. Most people will completly understand. Just to let you know, all WDW toilets have auto flushes and scared the daylights out of my 5 yr old the first time she encountered them. I just hold my one hand on her and other one on the auto flashie thing. Have fun!

 

[alicenwonder99]

OK, here's what I would do if I were you:

Tell your niece the "rule" is, when we go to the bathroom, EVERYONE has to at least try to go potty. Make sure you stop in the bathroom at least every 3-4 hours. She won't have to go that often, but you probably will...lol.

If she does have to go while you are in line, just take the rest of the kids with you. You never know how long you'll be in the bathroom and you don't want to risk getting separated from the rest of the family.

HTH

Mary

 

[Oceana]

3 year olds can be the most contrary people on the planet, so I figured some potty tips that we have found.

I never ask "do you need to go" I announce "its time to go" make it all matter of fact. Your turn to tinkle

also with my son we have found that asking him to use his superpower to put out the fire in the toilet that even when he doesnt have to go, he will squeeze out anything he can... perhaps going now so the princesses will be proud... I dont know with girls but

"Oh No SuperMiguel... the potty is on fire, can you go put it out?"

goodluck
julie

 

[Traveliz]

I am with Mary - the rule is everyone tries.

I would also not ever ask I would just stop before longer ride lines and have everyone try.

Many of the lines are really difficult in my opinion to get in and out of and some may be a ways away from a restroom.

I am for being proactive on this and trying before and regularly.

Liz

 

[Hannathy]

May I add that as an Aunt who has taken my nephew to Disney 4 times when he was little. She will be 100% better for you than when she is with her Mom. Kids switch to I'm with my Aunt mode and forget all the junk they know they get away with their Moms! I loved taking him when he was little we had some great trips.Including having popcorn for lunch everyday for a week(made up for it at dinner) One trip he had to miss a day of school in first grade and we told him him he had to learn 2 vocabulary words pertaining to Disney- he learned topiary and idle banter(jungle cruise) I mention this because he is 25 now and if I mention what did you learn at Disney he smiles and says those 2 things! He also grew up and did the Disney College program. You'll have fun, back to the first question just remind her that once you get in line thats it if you get out you have to start again(whether it is true or not) say it like you mean it and ask about the Bathroom, kids are smart she'll understand.

 

[ladycollector]

LOL oh God this is exactly what I go through....some of the toliets are so high and she cannot get up there and of course she has to paper the heck out of the seat and god forbid some paper falls into the toilet then we have to start all over again.....and then she has a field day with the soap dispenser and the water at the sink...and it takes her forever to dry her hands.....she is a riot

If she likes to toilet paper the seat then I suggest getting some of those purse packs of the seat covers. Should make it much less stressfull!

Have a great trip!

 

[momamy]

whenever we see a potty we try to go! sometimes those lines can be long! its not usually reccomended to wait till they have to be rushed to the potty!! usually by then ill will power to hold it is being used during the great potty search hehehe!

besides it can also be a pain to look for bathrooms in certain areas!

Amy

 

[rbork]

Be PROACTIVE. - Insist on regular potty breaks like 1/2-3hours. This solved the "I have to go potty just before boarding the ride thing." I have boys but still keep those toilet covers in my bag just in case they HAVE to sit!
Best part of raising boys is standing them on the toilet and aiming down neatly.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I use the "I have to go now, so you might as well try while we're here" bit, and it does help cut down on emergency trips. - They don't want to waste time coming back. (I still get the same tone and look the previous poster mentioned if I actually ASK if DS has to go, and he's 5!)

But I definitely think people will understand if you do have to step out of a line in a pinch, especially if it's just one adult and one child from your group, and you mention it to the people behind you.

One other thing. If she's scared of the auto-flush toilets, those little mini sticky notes work for covering up the sensor!