restroom question

[msd1962]

I am a father of a 4 month old girl, I have thought about this for a long time. She will be going out with me when I go out and mom stays home so going to the bathroom will be an issue, can not be avoided. You do not plan on having to go, your body just tells you it is time. Once she starts asking question about what she has seen in either the mens or womens room we will have a talk and see if she is ready to go on her on and explain what is proper behavior. And the first several times we do let her go by herself it will not be at disney, malls, or any other places that are packed with thousands of people it will be resturants and department stores, untill we feel comfortable.

As for the companion bathrooms, if one is not available take them in with you and go to the handicap stall, there is no difference and they can not even try to look in another stall. and if you do not want them to see you going what is the difference between the handicap stall and the companion room?

As for girls in the mens room, the urinals usuall all have a wall seperating them and 99% of men zip up before stepping away. We do not go the sink and washup with it out, do not mean to be blunt.

My thought is simple, it is my child and at the end of the day I do not care what others have to say. Is the safety of your child worth worring what a stranger, you will never ever see again, has to say or think.

Like a new pair of shoes, do not try this for the first time at Disney, break this in will before you go.

 

[livndisney]

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.

I too have asked and have been told they are listed in the "Guidebook for those with Disabilites" for a reason.

There are not "many" as several have claimed. And often due to wheelchair size and mobility issues may be the ONLY toilets a person can use in the park.

 

[mjkacmom]

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.

And we have to teach our children how to spot one. Seriously, our children are WAY more likely to be sexually assaulted by neighbors, friends, clergy, etc. That is why we need to teach them how to be confident, and know what to look out for, and what to do in certain situations. Why? Because there is going to come a time when they will be on their own, and those predators can spot the timid, sheltered, nervous kids a mile away.

 

[Hannathy]

never mind

 

[robinb]

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!

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.

Again ... why leave them outside the stall? Take them in with you! Better safe than sorry, I always say .

 

[Pats Dragon]

Just my 2 cents: Don't take a little girl in a large men's room where urinating is in public. 7 and 8 yr old boys can go in a women's bathroom but please tell them not to try to peek into the other stalls. I've seen more that one little boy do this and its just not polite!!!

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Again ... why leave them outside the stall? Take them in with you! Better safe than sorry, I always say .

You are on to something there. There is not a separate area in the companion restroom, so if you or your child are shy about being in the same stall together then the companion restroom won't really help. I say any parent who is concerned about there child alone in the restroom needs to bring them into the stall with them regardless of gender. If you are worried about your kid wandering away, they could just as easily wander will you are busy and they are not in the locked stall with you.

 

[Planogirl]

I personally consider a large crowded restroom way more safe than a quiet more secluded restroom. I doubt that a predator would want other people to witness anything.

But do whatever makes you feel good. I just ask that you be reasonably quick because all of these kids that go into the ladies room now just makes an already crowded mess even worse. I know that our son would have trouble waiting in these long lines when he had to go.

 

[mrsltg]

Again ... why leave them outside the stall? Take them in with you! Better safe than sorry, I always say .

You know why! It's because our daughters and their comfort are nothing next to the comfort of a mom and her little boy! The son, who can (and apparently will) wander off in the mens bathroom, will be perfectly fine and will stand completely still while mom is on the pot in the ladies room. A kid who wanders and is curious certainly won't be looking around and, as we all know, those stalls are hermetically sealed so there is not problem...

It seems the perfect solution here is for the mom to take the son into the stall with her. My husband takes the girls into the stall with him when they're out, too. Of course, my oldest is nearly 10 and has been using the bathroom by herself since she was about 5...

 

[LaurenT]

I too have asked and have been told they are listed in the "Guidebook for those with Disabilites" for a reason.

There are not "many" as several have claimed. And often due to wheelchair size and mobility issues may be the ONLY toilets a person can use in the park.

I have not called guest services and I have no idea whatsoever how many companion restrooms there are....what I do know is that we have used them with my daughter when she was younger and I don't think I ever came across a line for one. If I did come across a line and someone who was unable to use a regular restroom got in line, I would, of course, let them go ahead of me. There! Problem solved

 

[princessmom29]

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.

ITA! You could totallycapitalize on that idea. People will read/look at anything. Just look at peopleofwalmart!
Seriously, I wok hard to raise an independent, aware, confident child. Like a pp said, a predator is looking for the timid, unsure, sheltered, and marginalized not a child who will scream to high heaven! I say, rather than shelter them, let's give our childrne the skills to be confident, aware and capable!

 

[Dorisk3]

Yeah, I'm sure a 7 year old would love to be locked in the stall with his mom.

 

[Shock13]

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.

I completely agree. So many times have I seen little girls changing in the bathrooms and the thought of a young boy witnessing this makes me very uneasy. Especially since it is a female restroom.
Also, it does make me uncomfortable for a boy that old to be in there. If it doesn't make you uncomfortable then by all means, keep him in the stall with you. It will keep his wandering to a minimal too.

 

[Planogirl]

I completely agree. So many times have I seen little girls changing in the bathrooms and the thought of a young boy witnessing this makes me very uneasy. Especially since it is a female restroom.
Also, it does make me uncomfortable for a boy that old to be in there. If it doesn't make you uncomfortable then by all means, keep him in the stall with you. It will keep his wandering to a minimal too.

I wonder about that too. I see women and girls drying removed clothes in restrooms close to Kali River Rapids. Imagine a boy standing there watching that.

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

Yeah, I'm sure a 7 year old would love to be locked in the stall with his mom.

It's not about what a child likes or dislikes; It's about their safety.

 

[phyllis1966]

I'll just say this (the same thing I always say when this question is asked): As a parent, I understand your concern and my daughter (11) and I wouldn't be scarred for life to see your 7-year-old son waiting by the exit in the ladies' room. He's only 7, for the love of Pete. As long as he's not a peeker, no big deal to us.

 

[Dorisk3]

It's not about what a child likes or dislikes; It's about their safety.

Other than not washing hands properly, I can't really think of too many unsafe things a kid will encounter in the restroom.

 

[livndisney]

I have not called guest services and I have no idea whatsoever how many companion restrooms there are....what I do know is that we have used them with my daughter when she was younger and I don't think I ever came across a line for one. If I did come across a line and someone who was unable to use a regular restroom got in line, I would, of course, let them go ahead of me. There! Problem solved

Seems pretty simple to me:
From the "GUIDE FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT"

RESTROOMS

Companion-assisted restroom facilities are located at all First Aid locations, as well as at:

.Return To Top ..Magic Kingdom Park

· Lower level of Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant

· Mickey's Toontown Fair area

· Next to Space Mountain attraction

· At the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction

· At the Splash Mountain attraction

· At the Transportation and Ticket Center near the East Gate of the Theme Park

· Next to Pinocchio Village Haus

..

Out of the all the Bathrooms in Magic Kingdom only 6 are companion. Doesn't sound like "many" to me. And they are spread all over the park. Not like you can walk a few feet and use the next one.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I would have no problem with seeing a 7 year old boy in the woman's room waiting for his mom.. I might have a problem allowing my 7 year old daughter going into the men's room waiting for her dad.. they have urinals.. no doors.. and that I would object to..
If someone wants to bring their 7 year old son into the woman's .. I say go for it.. it is your child and you are only doing that to be sure he remains safe. As a mom of a now 24 year old son.. I hear ya & I understand ya

If there is a companion room.. by all means, use it. He is your companion and you have him in there with you for safety reasons.. I understand what Cheshire says about it being a wheel chair companion room.. but there is nothing wrong with using it as a family room.. it may be the "only" bathroom for companions, but giving the figures of guests Disney has, chances are if you go into a regular bathroom.. you have to wait for a stall, so why not have to wait for a companion bathroom as well....

 

[LaurenT]

Seems pretty simple to me:
From the "GUIDE FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT"

RESTROOMS

Companion-assisted restroom facilities are located at all First Aid locations, as well as at:

.Return To Top ..Magic Kingdom Park

· Lower level of Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant

· Mickey's Toontown Fair area

· Next to Space Mountain attraction

· At the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction

· At the Splash Mountain attraction

· At the Transportation and Ticket Center near the East Gate of the Theme Park

· Next to Pinocchio Village Haus

..

Out of the all the Bathrooms in Magic Kingdom only 6 are companion. Doesn't sound like "many" to me. And they are spread all over the park. Not like you can walk a few feet and use the next one.

And I stand by my comment that even if there is only one in all 4 parks and no one is using it...go ahead....if you are about to go to one and you see a person in a wheelchair approaching the same one, I agree that beating him there and slamming the door in his face would be rude. But if you wait until he's finished, and no one else is waiting who needs it, go ahead and take your child in there - what's the problem?