What would you do?

[DissyLove]

OK, I have a parent-related question. I am travelling to Disney by myself with my two kids in June (DS-very responsible, 8, and DD-kinda rambunctious, 5).
I am wondering about eating at restaurants-Do you think it is necessary to keep them with me in line at counter service restaurants, or can I let them sit at a table and wait (if I can see them?) as I get our food.

Or, when we go to restrooms, do I take my DS with me, or let him to go the bathroom solo, or make him wait with us in the ladies room if my DD has to go?

I am married and usually have the extra set of hands, so I am looking for advice from those who have done this kind of travelling with your kids.

I doubt I will be comfortable leaving them alone (or say, out of my site while using the restroom either) but I am not sure how difficult this all will be when we get to Disney.

Looking for thoughts and advice. Thank you!

 

[oogieboogie]

I have a 7yr old DS and a 4yr old DS. When I'm by myself with these 2, I make them sit at the table while I get the food as long as I can see the table. If it's not in my line of sight then they stay with me in the line.

As for bathrooms, the 7yr old doesn't want to go in the ladies room. So, he goes in the mens room by himself, and I wait just outside the door. If the younger one needs to go, I will sometimes drag him along too to the ladies room. If not, depending on where we are, I make him wait on a bench or right outside the door.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

There have been some interesting threads on the boys in bathrooom issue and you might want to read some of these too. My thoughts are they are fine at a table IF you can see then. As for the restroom I would all go together. You will see lots of boys that age in the womens room at WDW. The problem with standing right outside is what to do with him while your DD & you have to go. My DS was 9 the first time I let him go alone at WDW. I asked a dad looking man if there was any other exits and gave DS strict rules on getting in getting done and getting out. I RAN to the women's while he went. Looking back I should have just taken him with me.

Good luck and have fun.

Jordan' s mom

 

[frndofpooh]

My DS 7 has been going to the men's room on his own for about a year now. He became uncomfortable going into the ladies room at around 6y/o - the product of some stares given to him by older ladies I believe. What a shame that we can be so uptight about these things! Anyway, we have always told him that he must go as fast as possible and never speak to anyone in there. We also periodically review the "make an enormous noise if you are grabbed" rule. If I have to go at the same time I just go as fast as possible and we pick a spot to meet at outside of the bathroom. To be honest, I am much more concerned about him using the men's room at the mall than at WDW - I hope that is not too naive.

 

[the kabuki]

DS 7 does not want go into the ladies room with me anymore. Last time we were at the mall, I had to literally pick him up and take him in there with me. I hate having him go into mens' bathrooms' alone, but if it's an absolute must, I have stood there, right in the doorway with the door open talking to him the whole time-"You ok?, You alright?". I don't care if anyone's in there or not. Nothing in there I haven't seen before!!

 

[DissyLove]

Thank you all for your advice. So far my 7 year old has not complained about going in the ladies room with me, so I will try to do that and see if sensitive CM's at WDW will take pity on me and sit me close to the buffets, etc. (we plan to eat at the CP buffet) so I will try that. I just wanted to see if this could all be done without too much stressing on my part. Good to get feedback from others on this!

 

[Anne MN]

You could always try- (if you are close) the family restrooms.

 

[DissyLove]

Are there many family restrooms at WDW? I didn't really look for them last time but I will keep my eye out. Thanks!

 

[sskem96]

http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/restrooms.htm
I've never posted a link before so I hope this works. It lists all the family restrooms at Disney. There is one in every first aid station, plus several other locations. I would encourage you to use these, or wait just outside the men's room for your son. My girls (ages 5&8) have been using the restroom by themselves since they were tall enough to reach the sink as my husband takes care of them in the evening while I work and didn't want to take them into the men's room. When I saw some of the threads on here about this subject, I warned them that there might be boys their age in the girl's room, and they were very uncomfortable with that thought. If your son has never used a public restroom by himself before, practice at home in a controlled situation. Have him use the restroom at Walmart or Kmart or somewhere like that while you wait outside the door so he gets comfortable with it and you have an idea how long it will take him so you don't get nervous while waiting for him at WDW.