restroom question

[claryche]

Fortuniately my DS is only 4 right now. I have no idea what I will do when he is 7 or 8. Now I do know that I have allowed both him and his 7 year old cousin to go into a bathroom at a local McDonald's by themselves. But that is not Disney World. I even get confused at some of the restrooms at Disney World, because they have two entrances and it's hard to remember which ones have two entrances. And isn't there even that one that as one entrance in one world at MK and another entrance in another world. Talk about confusing.

I really do feel like Disney World is a safe place, but all it takes is a split second and they are gone. So I plan on continuing to let my DS go to the ladies restroom with me until I'm at least 99.99% sure of his safety.

As far as the companion restrooms, that's good know as far as what Disney has to say about those restrooms. Because I have always wondered about them. And if my DS and I was to use one, we would get in get it done and leave. I would do it for two reasons. 1) because there might be others waiting and 2) I personally want as much time as possible at Disney riding rides and doing other things. Not sitting in a restroom.

 

[mjkacmom]

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.

You are right!

 

[KellyNY]

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.

Easy? To pay almost $100 for a ticket, then try to get out of the park, I do not think so. Yes Disney has lots of kids but for some crazy animal it is not a perfect place, streets are much more dangerous.

 

[bwilcox]

This thread may make some people feel better while at WDW. Bad things can happen even at WDW, but Disney has undercover security EVERYWHERE! They blend in so well you usually don't even know they're there.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2465936&highlight=undercover+security

To the OP, I would use the companion restrooms in your situation. I would just make sure I didn't spend too much time in there in case a disabled person needed the restroom.

 

[HLAuburn]

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?

I never noticed that all the changing stations in the companion bathrooms are at a wheelchair-accessible height, like a sink might be. I've never paid attention whether they are on a "regular" map or not, but as PPs mentioned, it isn't marked as a handicapped restroom when you walk up, and apparently Disney leaves it up to the discretion of the user whether they feel like they need them or not. If they are vacant and I am with my daughter as a "companion", we'll probably use it.

 

[Leajess99]

There are a lot of companion bathrooms. I don't think there is one at every bathroom location, but a bunch of them come to mind, so you definitely could make it a point to find those. If they are vacant, I always take my 6 year old in there. In a public restroom, I feel like she needs "help" still since you never know what you might come across although the DW bathrooms always seem very clean. The restrooms that have companion restrooms that come to mind are at the front of Epcot and near Germany and Norway, Dinoland in AK, and I'm sure there are many more.

As for your other question...I'm not so sure since I have girls, but I might raise an eyebrow with a 7 year old boy in the women's bathroom. I wouldn't freak out of anything, but it seems a little weird to me. Just my 2 cents though!

Actually, no there are not a lot of companion bathrooms. There are more guests that need these companion bathrooms due to disABILITIES and are unable to use regular bathrooms. Please be considerate in your useage of them. One example is an older child with severe disabilities that still wear diapers and cannot fit on a regular changing table. The companion bathrooms have larger changing tables for this specific reason. It also helps make the child more comfortable so that random strangers cannot stare at them.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

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?

Malls or stores. Parks. Suburban streets. Bus stops. Pools.

The only instances I have heard of with predators at Disney was at the water parks (I believe in the wave pools).

 

[missmun52]

I have a 5 year old (will be 6) , and he would be outside the stall in the Ladies bathroom, he would be there at 7 as well. These are terrible days we are living in, with some awful people out there. Its not like a girl in the mens where there are urinals where they may see something, In that case I would use the companion bathroom. He wont see anything, as I never have. Most women do there business in the stalls with the door closed He will be using the ladies bathroom as well, no way would I let my little boy go into a mens bathroom alone!

 

[bwallace]

not in reference to the OP,

but it looks like there are still lots of copies of Free Range Kids needing to be sold.

 

[disnut8]

I did a google search on companion restrooms and all the non-Disney ones (like at Dallas Cowboy Stadium and Lincoln Field) are designated as family/companion restrooms. My physician father-in-law said it best - handicapped stalls and restrooms are handicapped assessable, not exclusive. Obviously, you don't want to be waiting for a companion restroom and take your turn should a handicapped person be waiting for it. Neither should you take a handicapped stall should a handicapped person be waiting for it. And obviously, you shouldn't waste time in one should there be a handicapped person needing the stall or restroom after you entered it.

It's just common sense and if we all used a little more of it and weren't so darned judgmental about it all the time, life would be so much easier.

 

[troynkasey]

Actually, no there are not a lot of companion bathrooms. There are more guests that need these companion bathrooms due to disABILITIES and are unable to use regular bathrooms. Please be considerate in your useage of them. One example is an older child with severe disabilities that still wear diapers and cannot fit on a regular changing table. The companion bathrooms have larger changing tables for this specific reason. It also helps make the child more comfortable so that random strangers cannot stare at them.

Contact Disney. Companion bathrooms are for those who need them. Yes, they are for those with disabilities that rely on a companion to assist in taking care of them. They are also used for single parents who have opposite sex children with them or multiple children. Like PP said...it's not exclusive of just people with disabilities. Just like people need to be considerate of those who need the companion bathroom out of necessity or handicapped stall out of necessity, we must also be considerate of those who want their child to experience Disney and not let their age or opposite sex effect it.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Contact Disney. Companion bathrooms are for those who need them. Yes, they are for those with disabilities that rely on a companion to assist in taking care of them. They are also used for single parents who have opposite sex children with them or multiple children. Like PP said...it's not exclusive of just people with disabilities. Just like people need to be considerate of those who need the companion bathroom out of necessity or handicapped stall out of necessity, we must also be considerate of those who want their child to experience Disney and not let their age or opposite sex effect it.

Well said. You can never make everyone happy. Some people will be mad if you take your seven year old in the ladies room, some will be mad if you use the companion restroom, some will be surprised to see a seven year old standing without an adult at the entrance of the restroom. I say do whatever makes you comfortable.

 

[Lees3rwe]

My boys are 7 & 8 years old and if there is no family washroom they come into the women's with me. I don't care what anyone else thinks, and I don't care if the boys don't like it. There safety is my # 1 priority and if that makes me an overprotective parent then so be it!

Amen, sister...

The very first time that I let my son (he had JUST turned 9) go into a men's restroom alone (at Target with me standing right outside), he was assaulted by a group of teenaged boys (punched in the face).

Let's just say that I have just now started letting him go to public restrooms again (I would always make sure if it was just the two of us that he went before we went out somewhere).

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

At a place as large as Disney, I wouldn't think about letting a 7 year old go in without me, or wait outside for me. I'd have him stand right outside the stall so I can see his feet. Maybe I'm overprotective, but to me, it's a risk not worth taking.

 

[si-am]

I think 7 is okay. That is still pretty young.

A few weeks ago, however, I walked into the restroom at Target and there was a boy of about 10 or 11, maybe even older, hanging out in there. THAT was a little odd.

 

[tinkandpete]

I have a ds 7 and agree with Sugar Jones that was how i feel. I live in the city and you can never be to careful.

 

[princessmom29]

I have a 7 year old. She is perfectly capable of going to the restroom by herself when out with DH, and of waiting outside while he goes without wandering off. I don't get why a 7 year old wouldn't be?? Just send him inot the bathroom while you go ans show him where to wiat when he gets out if he beats you. For batrooms with 2 enterances, make sure he is aware there are 2, and which one to use. & is too old to be in the opposite sex RR IMO.

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

Malls or stores. Parks. Suburban streets. Bus stops. Pools.

The only instances I have heard of with predators at Disney was at the water parks (I believe in the wave pools).

Seriously??!! Do you really think that of the 16 million people to visit WDW each year, there are only a few predators? Predators are everywhere, and you should never be so naive to think otherwise.

I'm really not one to throw flames, but I just had to here... sorry.

 

[Dorisk3]

not in reference to the OP,

but it looks like there are still lots of copies of Free Range Kids needing to be sold.

I agree!

Not in reference to the OP, but to some of the other posts I thought a more appropriate title for this thread is "you know you are going to raise a snowflake when..."
the answer being your 10 year old is unable to go to the bathroom without mommy.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I agree!

Not in reference to the OP, but to some of the other posts I thought a more appropriate title for this thread is "you know you are going to raise a snowflake when..."
the answer being your 10 year old is unable to go to the bathroom without mommy.

That's great. I can see a whole new line of jokes, books, and stand up routines based on that.