restroom question

[LaurenT]

My opinion on using companion restrooms is this: they may have been built specifically to accomodate people who would not be able to use a stall, but if there is no handicap person waiting to use it, I don't think you should be prevented from doing so..., it's not a handicap parking spot, where you'd be tying it up a long time. I used to use the handicap stall on the thruway when my dd was little -a woman with a walker actually got nasty with us - saying we had no business in there - well I disagree!
It's not supposed to be held empty in case a handicapped person walks in. They can wait till my daughter is done just like the rest of us wait if the stalls are occupied. It exists to give handicapped a more accessible option - I feel the same about companion rooms. The people who really need it should get it at it's earliest availability, but it shouldn't be kept empty in anticipation of their possible arrival. But I do agree that you should not bang on the door or try to rush whoever is in there - that would be pretty rude!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Beauty & the Best, I guess I wasn't aware this was a hot topic. I don't see him changing much in the next 2 months, so I guess he'll have to use the ladies room while we're there for that afternoon.

No problem Bearybear! Its amazing what kinds of threads get out of control on here, but I guess this is something that people have strong feelings about. Anyhow, it looks like you have your solution! I doubt anyone will look twice at you when you come into the restroom w/ your son, its pretty common.

Have a great trip

 

[CTDisneyfan816]

I think it's easy to say "a kid is 8 years old so he should be able to go in by himself". This may be the case for many or even most 8 year olds, but not necessarily all. Like others have said, all he would see are some legs under the stalls and women washing their hands. Also like others say because of the urinals in the men's room where it's out in the open, no way would I bring a 7 year old girl into the men's room. If a companion room is handy, that would be better but if not I don't see any harm IF there is reason to believe going in alone is not a good idea.

 

[peg2001]

You do what you need to do with the least impact on the other guests. I personally have no problem with seeing a 7-yo boy in the women's room. I used to kind of wonder when I saw much older boys (10 and up) in the women's room but have since become more aware of invisible disabilities that may be at play in such situations.

I used to do the "let me see your shoes under the stall door" with my children when they were toddlers but I do think I'd let a 7-yo stand quietly just inside the bathroom door.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
Peg

 

[LaurenT]

Also, while I don't care personally, my 7 yr old daughter who has aspergers, could very well ask something to the effect of "why are you in the girls room? Don't you have a *****?" she is not good at figuring out what is and is not appropriate to say....

 

[wmharley]

When I go with my DD6, if I can make it to a companion, we go there. Or else we try the baby care center and she goes in the kids one there. i already have a feel for when she needs to go, even if she doesn't want to. better safe than sorry.

I try to avoid a regular men's room. Some folks are idiots. I went to the Epcot restroom outside of the Itnernational Gateway entrance. When we went in, we were all alone and as we exited a stall (I make enough noise when people come in saying her name so folks know there is a girl in there).this idiot and his boys (under 10) started acting up. "Hey, there aren't any girls supposed to be in here" several times.

I looked at him and he was smilling as if it was a joke. I ignored him, washed our hands and left. Afterwards I wished I would have told him that there wasn't anything to worry about, She's seen more from her 2yo brother than she'd possibly ever see from him.

 

[proud_canadian]

We were just at WDW in September and we have two girls, 6 and 3.5. I was taking both girls into the ladies bathroom with me, but it just got to be too much, as it was taking so long for me and the two girls to get done in there, that we decided to divide and conquer. DH took one DD with him in the mens and I took one DD with me in the ladies. But we did switch, so DD6 did go into the men's many times during that trip. She didn't have any issue with it, nor did anyone else that I heard about. But it wasn't very busy when we were there either. DH did use the companion washrooms with one of the DD"s a couple of times, but we didn't realize they were for wheelchair use only. I can't remember exactly what it said on the door, but we figured it was a family washroom or for whoever felt they couldn't use the main washrooms, either man and daughter, woman and son, people needing assistance, etc.

As for the companion washrooms, don't forget that all the ladies and mens washrooms also have wheelchair stalls that can be used for those in need.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

As for the companion washrooms, don't forget that all the ladies and mens washrooms also have wheelchair stalls that can be used for those in need.

yes and those are great for those in wheelchairs that can assist themselves. They are not sizeable enough for some companions, wheelchair and person using wheelchair to move around and sufficiently take care of thier business.

and to throw a little fuel on the fire, by the time all the mommies and their little snowflakes take up those so they can be in the stall w/ them the availability isn't as great as one might think.

 

[KellyNY]

We were just at WDW in September and we have two girls, 6 and 3.5. I was taking both girls into the ladies bathroom with me, but it just got to be too much, as it was taking so long for me and the two girls to get done in there, that we decided to divide and conquer. DH took one DD with him in the mens and I took one DD with me in the ladies. But we did switch, so DD6 did go into the men's many times during that trip. She didn't have any issue with it, nor did anyone else that I heard about. But it wasn't very busy when we were there either. DH did use the companion washrooms with one of the DD"s a couple of times, but we didn't realize they were for wheelchair use only. I can't remember exactly what it said on the door, but we figured it was a family washroom or for whoever felt they couldn't use the main washrooms, either man and daughter, woman and son, people needing assistance, etc.

As for the companion washrooms, don't forget that all the ladies and mens washrooms also have wheelchair stalls that can be used for those in need.

It sais, "Companion Bathroom", nothing else and technically everyone who need to take bathroom together can use it. There is no restrictions.However, those bathrooms designed so some people who cannot use any other bathroom could use it. There is a limited number of those bathrooms and I would say if someone can possibly use other bathroom, keep companion bathroom free.

 

[maxiesmom]

My opinion on using companion restrooms is this: they may have been built specifically to accomodate people who would not be able to use a stall, but if there is no handicap person waiting to use it, I don't think you should be prevented from doing so..., it's not a handicap parking spot, where you'd be tying it up a long time. I used to use the handicap stall on the thruway when my dd was little -a woman with a walker actually got nasty with us - saying we had no business in there - well I disagree!
It's not supposed to be held empty in case a handicapped person walks in. They can wait till my daughter is done just like the rest of us wait if the stalls are occupied. It exists to give handicapped a more accessible option - I feel the same about companion rooms. The people who really need it should get it at it's earliest availability, but it shouldn't be kept empty in anticipation of their possible arrival. But I do agree that you should not bang on the door or try to rush whoever is in there - that would be pretty rude!

I sort of agree with you. But I do think if you can use another stall, you should leave the handicapped one for those who cannot use the regular stalls. Same thing with the companion restrooms. If you don't have to use it, then you really shouldn't. The handicapped stalls and companion restrooms are not meant for you(in general) and your 3 kids to hang out it, or to change clothes in. If you use them you should get in and out as quickly as possible so that those who don't have another option can use the space.

 

[okeydokey]

I emailed Disney and specifically asked them if the companion restrooms were only for people who were disabled and was told they were for anyone who felt they had a need for them. If you feel more comfortable in one of these restrooms, feel free to use it. I am sure you will not dally as there is too much fun to be had.

 

[rhondag508]

Also, while I don't care personally, my 7 yr old daughter who has aspergers, could very well ask something to the effect of "why are you in the girls room? Don't you have a *****?" she is not good at figuring out what is and is not appropriate to say....

Well, 8 year old boys in the girls' bathroom is not something we've ever encountered at home, so I will definitely tell my 8 and 4yo girls that "for safety's sake some moms may bring their sons into the ladies' restroom at Disney". Because yes, they definitely would say something-not the p**** word, but it would surprise them.

Thanks for the warning-it wasnt something I thought to tell my girls.

 

[PoohBear]

I don't think there is anything wrong with bringing a almost 7yo into a ladies room,
They are all stalls, its not like he will see anything

and if you think he will wander, you cannot take the risk of leaving him outside

But, i do not think i would let my almost 7 yo daughter (although i only have boys) into a mens room.

I never thought about Dad's with their daughters. I only have boys, too. And when it comes to their safety, I could care less what anyone else thinks or says. When all is said and done, my bladder is relieved and so am I

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I never thought about Dad's with their daughters. I only have boys, too. And when it comes to their safety, I could care less what anyone else thinks or says. When all is said and done, my bladder is relieved and so am I

I agree, my son is only 5 and I take him to the ladies room and he is fine. When we go out we see other moms bring other kids that are older than him and I'm ok with it b/c in the ladies room we have the doors.
To me it takes one second for a child to get lost or something worst (my friend is chief of police and he always tell me...it took me 7 years to have a child so take ever caution as possible b/c its not a safe world as we used to know).
I was reading last year someone was walking their child out of Honey I Shrunk the kids (they have 4 kids and she left her husband and sister to watch the kids...but a man saw her leaving and took her daughter by hand). She came back to the bathroom and asked her husband where the child is and they were looking around and she decided to leave the area and started screaming her child name and her daughter screamed and man ran away and they found the child. She posted this to help others out...that even in Disney where 2 adult was watching 4 kids that a child can still be walked out by a stranger. We teach our kids not to talk to stranger or go with stranger. Then we bring them to school and tell them not to cry and its ok they are not stranger. We take them to Disney and other fun parks and its ok to say hello to CMs and people giving our kids stickers (CM was giving our son and looked at me if its ok to get them and then he goes to gift stores CM offers him lollilpops). Sometimes a child can be confuse and its not there fault and as a parent its our job to protect. Sorry for so long

 

[MrsJD]

I will take my child, no matter what age, with me *everywhere* I go , until I am comfortable with this child being able to be left alone.

And all this "Disney is safe place" talk makes me wonder....if I were a pedofile/kidnapper, where would be the best place on earth to find easy targets?

These types of people live everywhere, don't let your guard down just because you're in a happy place. Never do anything that makes you uncomfortable as a parent.

 

[amy-momofthree]

My son is 7 almost 8 and I would still take him in with me especially at Disney where there are crowds of people and he could certainly get distracted. Maybe at a local restaurant where people know us and i feel more comfortable then maybe my son would wait outside but not at crowded places.

 

[mjkacmom]

Don't all the companion restrooms have baby changing stations in them? That would lead me to believe they are intended for people who need a "companion" for various reasons and may need more space than the average stall, not necessarily just wheelchair transfers.

Because disabled people might have babies? I really don't think they're supposed to be family bathrooms - they're not even on the regular map, just the map showing options for those with disabilities. Why wouldn't WDW put them on the maps if they're for everyone?

OP, if you insist on taking him into the ladies room (ds7 would be mortified), please have him wait close to the door, and not just outside the stalls - some of us with young ladies don't want them to be uncomfortable, because it's very easy to see things through the gaps.

 

[tlbwriter]

We teach our kids not to talk to stranger or go with stranger. Then we bring them to school and tell them not to cry and its ok they are not stranger.

That's why I didn't teach my child not to talk to strangers. It's confusing and counterproductive. Protecting The Gift is a really good book that explains why teaching "stranger danger" can do more harm than good.

 

[2disneyboys]

OP, I think youve made the right choice for you. If you don't feel comfortable sending him in alone to the men's room, than dont. its all about what makes you as the parent comfortable. Use the companion rooms or take him into the women's with you. its not just about the AGE. my oldest, @ 7, I would have prob let him go into the restroom alone with me waiting outside... but his personalitiy is a lot different then my youngest. no way my youngest would be going in alone.

Over the past year I have seen lots of thread about various things that make people "comfortable vs uncomfortable" It's not about good parent/bad parent. People have differences on what THEY feel is acceptable and it does not make it right or wrong, but it's what is comfortable enough to the parent that they can sleep at night. There are some things that I do that some of my friends/family/strangers just don't understand why I am so strict about this but lax about that. I can say the same thing about those friends/families/strangers and some of thier parenting choice.

The only thing I have seen that I agree with is some posters have mentioned that when older boys are in the womens room they have seen them "peeping" into stalls. I have never witnessed this happening, but I always remind my son when he goes into the restroom with me to keep his eyes down and to respect everyone's privacy.

 

[robinb]

OP, if you insist on taking him into the ladies room (ds7 would be mortified), please have him wait close to the door, and not just outside the stalls - some of us with young ladies don't want them to be uncomfortable, because it's very easy to see things through the gaps.

Actually, I would recommend that she bring her son INTO the stall with her. If one is truly worried about safety the stall is the best place for an older boy. He can't wander away or be snatched while Mom is busy relieving herself.