Inspired by a couple posts...bathroom question

[Laugh O. Grams]

One note on public mens' room ettiquite for sons, and this may seem kinda gross, but moms who are concerned about men flashing their sons might want to suggest to their boys that when peeing at the urinals, keep their eyes forward and not look into others urinals. I can't tell you how many times I've had to tell little boys "Hey little man...keep your eyes forward!" as they're looking all over the place. Not all kids do this mind you, but it definitely is not appreciated by fellow urinal users.

 

[pampam]

I think some people have a problem because the moms go in the stall, and if the children are not properly supervised, some boys have been looking under the stalls or between the cracks by the door. I thought the idea to have your son stand at the sinks is a good idea, but honestly, I've never been in that position, so I've never tried it.

Also, MommytoMJM was correct. The companion washrooms are for disabled persons. For example, if a husband has to help his wife use the toilet, they use a companion restroom.

 

[BluOrchid2]

Also, MommytoMJM was correct. The companion washrooms are for disabled persons. For example, if a husband has to help his wife use the toilet, they use a companion restroom.

It seems to me that a companion restroom would be available to use for anyone needing a companion in the restroom.

 

[Harligirl]

I may be odd in this but I look at it this way. If he's old enough to go by himself at home and at school then he's old enough to go into a public restroom alone. You'll be waiting outside and ready to rush to his aid if something terrible happens. You'll be watching the exits. Just let the poor kid take care of himself.

I know I waited many times outside of the Ladies room for my daughter. I don't think it's that bad a thing to do.

There is a BIG difference between at home and at school.....

ok - asking this question in reverse - what do you do w/ a 6-8 yo girl who is alone w/ her father & HE needs to use the restroom? Does he take her in w/ him? At what age is this just "awkward"? I think it's fine for dad to have her close her eyes as he takes her into a stall & she does her business... but I'm not sure about the reverse? & at what age it becomes innapropriate?

Excellant question.....

 

[funcinderella]

I had never thought much about this (I have twins who are 4, one boy, one girl) until my husband took the kids to Burger King by himself and my son had to go to the bathroom. He ended up taking them both in to the mens room, into a stall. No one else was in there, so it was no big deal, but this thread has started me thinking about when they get older...

 

[brettb]

A family restroom and a companion restroom are two totally SEPERATE things!
[/size]

So what's what at Disney World? The list on allearsnet says "Companion or Family Rest Room locations" and offers a picture of a "typical companion rest room." Doing some googling, I can find references to "family restrooms" but none are specific about locations. One mentioned that in the MK, they have a normal-sized toilet and a smaller toilet in the same room; this is obviously not a "companion" restroom.

BTW, I too am wondering about what a father should do when he's got his daughter with him and has to go.

Brett

 

[BillSears]

BTW, I too am wondering about what a father should do when he's got his daughter with him and has to go.

I picked a nice safe looking spot right outside of the restroom. She was to put her hand on a bench(pole, fence, wall etc) and not to remove it for any reason till I was out. If anyone tried to get her to leave she was to scream for me. It worked out fine and we never had a problem.

Sometimes I do wonder about how much we're protecting our kids. Abductions by strangers are very very rare. Molestations by strangers occur rarely also. It's a matter of opinion but I'm not worried about it happening. You can take basic precautions and still live your life without fear. WDW is a very safe place and to me it's safer in a WDW bathroom then some school bathrooms. We all know the harrasment that can take place there and we all know of instances of Teachers abusing students.

But of course your child is your child. Do what you feel is best for them. I'm just stating how I feel about it with my child and what I have done.

 

[MommytoMJM]

So what's what at Disney World? The list on allearsnet says "Companion or Family Rest Room locations" and offers a picture of a "typical companion rest room." Doing some googling, I can find references to "family restrooms" but none are specific about locations. One mentioned that in the MK, they have a normal-sized toilet and a smaller toilet in the same room; this is obviously not a "companion" restroom.


Brett

To my knowledge there are NO family restrooms in WDW Parks (can't speak for other parts of WDW)

And to a PP, no, companion restrooms are not for anyone needing a companion. They are for those of us who may need help in a restroom by an opposite sex person for some reason.

I was at MK this weekend and had to wait outside the companion restroom for about 15 minutes, turns out it was a mother and a (what looked to be) 3 yo girl child in there...... Needless to say, it was really upsetting.

Deb Wills Site is in error in referring to Companion restrooms as Family restrooms. I wonder if anyone has ever writeen her about that, hmmmm. Maybe I should do that.

 

[BluOrchid2]

And to a PP, no, companion restrooms are not for anyone needing a companion. They are for those of us who may need help in a restroom by an opposite sex person for some reason.

I understand that that is YOUR interpretation of the word, as well as other peoples', but I want to know where the official meaning is written. To me and lots of other people the terms companion and family restrooms have the same meaning. If the official meaning cannot be provided, then all we have here are our OPINIONS, which should not be stated as FACTS.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I understand that that is YOUR interpretation of the word, as well as other peoples', but I want to know where the official meaning is written. To me and lots of other people the terms companion and family restrooms have the same meaning. If the official meaning cannot be provided, then all we have here are our OPINIONS, which should not be stated as FACTS.

Is it supposed to sound less offensive if you add 's o it?

 

[brettb]

Though this may add fuel to the fire, when I had hoped for the opposite effect, I just called 1-407-WDW-INFO.

I asked if there were family restrooms at the them parks. "Yes."

I asked how I could find them. "They are with the other rest rooms."

I asked if there was a difference between a family rest room and a companion rest room. "They are the same."

Now, I've gotten my share of misinformation from cast members before so I don't take this as WDW gospel. But the answers came very quickly - the CM didn't have to think about them at all. There were no lengthy consultations while I hummed along to hold music.....

MommytoMJM: "And to a PP, no, companion restrooms are not for anyone needing a companion. They are for those of us who may need help in a restroom by an opposite sex person for some reason."

So by your definition, is it appropriate for a dad & daughter or a mom & son to use them?

I guess what we really need are some one-holers - a child old enough to go by themselves but "too young" to use a public restroom alone could even go by themselves. My only concern in that case would be if the child locked him/herself in....

Shoot, maybe having our kids pee in the bushes or the parking lot makes sense after all....

Brett

 

[MommytoMJM]

While Disney cannot stop nayone from using any restroom, I would HOPE and pray (knowing that they were put there for disabled guests) that people (especially the great ppl from the Dis) armed with this information would not use them.

 

[MommytoMJM]

I also called Disney and was told that while they cannot STOP anyone from using a restroom they are put there for their disabled guests and they would hope that their guests would exercise restraint in using them since they are put there for the use of thir disabled guests (and my CM DID check with a Manager)

to the PP.....it would be acceptable for a dad and daughter or mom and son if the child was disabled in some way (and yes, things like autism where the child can't take care of themselves counts as disabled)

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Please pardon me if I sound naive, but why is there a problem if a father/daughter, mother/son use the companion restrooms if there are no disabled guests there to use them? If a disabled family needs to use it, they get first dibs, but if noone is there, why not share?

 

[cocodog]

You are the Mom, and you can do what you are comfortable with-- no need to apologize to anyone !

 

[meandtheguys2]

Please pardon me if I sound naive, but why is there a problem if a father/daughter, mother/son use the companion restrooms if there are no disabled guests there to use them? If a disabled family needs to use it, they get first dibs, but if noone is there, why not share?

Your siggie makes me smile! Theoretically, of course, it would be nice if everyone were sweet, polite and considerate. We didn't find that to be the case the year we had my mom in the WC, in need of the companion room on occasion. The one at Epcot was occupied for 10 mins., only to find it taken by a lady who wanted to change clothes. Another time, we were pushed out of the way by a woman and her 3ish daughter, because she didn't want to walk all the way into the bathroom o change her daughter. (her words)

OTOH, we had one gal in a WC yell at my mom (in a rental ECV, 71 yrs old) because she could walk a bit and shouldn't need it! It would be so much nicer if folks would only use them when necessary, even though those stadards are individual.

 

[BluOrchid2]

Is it supposed to sound less offensive if you add 's o it?

yeah, just like yours is supposed to sound less b/witchy because you added the

 

[undertheseas]

Do the restrooms have more than one entrance/exit? I could see my DD going out the wrong door (she's as directionally challenged as I am LOL) and DH could be waiting by the first door. In that case I agree with whoever said cover her eyes and run into a stall fast! And I agree that it's better for a boy to go into the ladies room than a girl to go into a men's room if there are urinals.

 

[meandtheguys2]

yeah, just like yours is supposed to sound less b/witchy because you added the

Well, you've go a point... You could just hear your teeth gritting as you wrote! Sorry for getting a laugh at your expense. There are some issues that make me feel that way too. I just don't try to friendly them up!

 

[Disneymommie]

Ok I am really not trying to get evil here or mean in anyway. My Father in law is a disabled person so I can feel for those who need help. However, we have to wait in lines all the time to use that facilities, so If I happen to pass by a Family/compainion bathroom with noone waiting for it and my child HAS to go why should I not let him use as? In case in the 3 minutes it will take him or her to use someone disabled comes along to use it? I am sorry you are disable but please understand that people have the right to use an open bathroom!

We used to camp with my Father in law at fort wilderness and there are only 2 shower stalls in those bath houses. 2 Reg. and 1 handicapped. He got mad when people used the handicapped stall because he then had to wait to shower...well guess what more often then not everyhad to wait in a line to shower no matter who you are. It is part of life sharing! So why can we all be comsideret of others and share?