Where is a bathroom when I need it?

[diputs]

I have this "thing" about traveling to unknown places.

It comes down to two things. Being trapped on public transportation, or stuck in a line and not being able to "get out" and get to a bathroom. The other is just knowing where they are.

So, What's the bathroom situation like at the parks?

Are there bathrooms on the park buses?
Are there bathrooms outside the parks while waiting to get inside the parks?
Are there lines for the bathrooms inside the parks?
Are the bathrooms clean?
Is there a trick to finding the bathrooms.

I am thinking I made a huge mistake going to the parks over Thanksgiving because of the additional travel time to and from the parks, and the lines to get into the park and attractions. Trying to get some info to potentially calm my nerves.

When you have to go, you have to go!

Thank You for any thoughts.

 

[MariDisney]

I have this "thing" about traveling to unknown places.

It comes down to two things. Being trapped on public transportation, or stuck in a line and not being able to "get out" and get to a bathroom. The other is just knowing where they are.

So, What's the bathroom situation like at the parks?

Are there bathrooms on the park buses?
Are there bathrooms outside the parks while waiting to get inside the parks?
Are there lines for the bathrooms inside the parks?
Are the bathrooms clean?
Is there a trick to finding the bathrooms.

I am thinking I made a huge mistake going to the parks over Thanksgiving because of the additional travel time to and from the parks, and the lines to get into the park and attractions. Trying to get some info to potentially calm my nerves.

When you have to go, you have to go!

Thank You for any thoughts.

There are no bathrooms on park buses.

I can picture bathrooms outside of Epcot, but I can't picture them outside of any of the other parks. I could be wrong.

Sometimes there are lines, sometimes there aren't. Depends on how busy things are overall.

On the whole, the bathrooms are very clean.

There is no shortage of bathrooms. They are listed clearly on park maps, and you can always ask the nearest CM.

 

[vicki_c]

There are bathrooms outside DHS I know as well. They may also be at AK and MK, just never looked.

There never seems to be any shortage of bathrooms at WDW. The longest I ever waited was about 6 people in front of me, and that was at the Poly bathrooms by Captain Cook's (and even there, there are other public bathrooms right upstairs).

 

[a1tinkfans]

Agree with above...they are plentiful IMHO and clean for the most part.

Have a WONDERFUL trip and don't stress over this detail, no need too!

 

[Tiresius]

There are definitely bathrooms outside the gates of each park. Sometimes they are around the corner a bit, but they are there (I always use them before getting in line/on the bus back to the resort).

And there are plenty in the parks. I have never had a problem finding one within a reasonable distance of where I happen to be.

As for on the bus, that's the only time I get nervous. You can always get out of a line if needed, but you can't really get off a bus on the side of the road. If you go right before getting on the bus, that's about the best you can do. Every resort (along with the parks, above) has bathrooms in the lobby, so even if you are coming from a meal in another hotel or something, you don't have to worry about being "in your room" or so forth. I struggle to use traditional bathrooms often (preferring the genderless-single-stall bathrooms) and the bathrooms while traveling issue is always something that I worry about. Disney is one of the few places that I have little trouble with. Hopefully you will have a similar experience.

 

[familyS]

The park maps in "The Passporter" include restroom locations. We love their maps and wouldn't go to WDW without them

 

[Micca]

WDW has a very good layout for bathrooms. I believe they are noted on the park maps available all over the parks. You can also ask any CM...they know the answer because they are only asked this several thousand times each day. You are never far from one at WDW.

 

[wmharley]

1. Are there bathrooms on the park buses?
2. Are there bathrooms outside the parks while waiting to get inside the parks?
3. Are there lines for the bathrooms inside the parks?
4. Are the bathrooms clean?
5. Is there a trick to finding the bathrooms.

.

1) no.. imagine the smell
2) yes. I think the MK is at the transportation center though.. and there is a rest room right before you leave next to guest services
3) like crowds, it fluctuates...
4) like crowds, it fluctuates.. sometimes yes, sometimes no. just like your mall, or restaurant
5) look at a map

seriously.. look at a map. and the key is go BEFORE you need to. I travel alot with my DD and as a guy, I need to use the family restrooms often to avoid standing in line and hearing, "Oh daddy...."

 

[Rockmtn]

Our fav is the ones right between caseys and crystal palace.
clean and never crowded.

 

[lucas]

I have this "thing" about traveling to unknown places.

It comes down to two things. Being trapped on public transportation, or stuck in a line and not being able to "get out" and get to a bathroom. The other is just knowing where they are.
So, What's the bathroom situation like at the parks?

Are there bathrooms on the park buses?
Are there bathrooms outside the parks while waiting to get inside the parks?
Are there lines for the bathrooms inside the parks?
Are the bathrooms clean?
Is there a trick to finding the bathrooms.

I am thinking I made a huge mistake going to the parks over Thanksgiving because of the additional travel time to and from the parks, and the lines to get into the park and attractions. Trying to get some info to potentially calm my nerves.

When you have to go, you have to go!

Thank You for any thoughts.

I have exactly the same bathroom issues. Good to know I'm not the only one.

Here is a fantastic link with descriptions and pics of every bathroom in WDW:
http://www.cassworld.ca/photosbathrooms.htm

 

[Orlando313]

It sounds like you have a bit of an anxiety issue about bathrooms. I'm the same way, except mine is with crowds. I have serious claustrophobia so I have to avoid long lines or crowded areas. I also have a bit of a digestive problem so I am very familiar with Disney bathrooms. Not to worry, there are bathrooms all over the place with plenty of stalls, and most of them are kept fairly clean. Due to my crowd problem, I like the less used bathrooms in the park so there's not so much commotion while I'm trying to go. Just pick up a map and you'll always know the closest one.

Don't feel like your vacation during Thanksgiving is a mistake. It's only a mistake if you make it a mistake. Just know it's going to be busy, and make the best of it. I think people make their vacations. You can make it bad, or you can make it good. That was our Disney time of the year to go for 15 years and I have so many good memories. Now we live in Orlando, and still head over during that week.

Have fun!

 

[CLR4321]

I can totally relate to your situation, being one who needs to use the restroom often, especially when drinking a lot of water like I do at WDW.
There are restrooms all over the place at WDW. I would suggest grabbing a map as you enter all parks, so you can familarize yourself with the locations. You can also ask any CM, who will gladly direct you to the nearest one. The CM's are everywhere else course.
As far as buses go, there are no restrooms on them. I would suggest using the restroom right before heading to the bus. The same goes for when you are waiting in line. I would use the restroom first if the line is longer than you think you can wait without going. In the case that you are in line and need to go, just walk backwards through the line queue. If there is a fast pass or single rider line queue that you are able to jump into, this may be faster and easier than walking through the standby line queue. I would suggest letting the CM at the line entrance know that you need to use the restroom and that you left your group in the line, and that you will need to catch back up with them when you are done. I have yet to have a CM say that I couldn't do this, and I have had to get out of line many times to use the restroom.
Don't worry...you will be fine!

 

[TinkerbellinLouisian]

I used to have this fear....but I have been able to calm myself down by asking myself... "now when in the past have I truly embarrassed myself because I needed a bathroom and couldn't get to one fast enough"...and the answer is always "NEVER"....

So I have more control over myself than I was giving credit for....and so do you...

After visiting WDW so many times with small children...particularly the youngest...who will leave the house with me for Walmart...and right after leaving....has to "go".... (Well why not before we left the house?)

my advice is to do the whole "Oh there's a bathroom....who needs to go....?" as you pass them up...all day long....with 5 of us...that has worked.

Also... if you need one and look at a map....never fear...the maps (to me) make them seem far away BUT they NEVER are....

Also - I promise you...if you were to get in a jam on a Bus (and you won't ...but remind yourself of this)....Disney's Superior Customer Service would get you to one pronto if need be....

Have a Magical Visit !

Mary

 

[siugoalie78]

after a few visits to the parks, you'll discover the "good," "secret," out of the way and little-used bathrooms. Of course, i'm not going to tell you where they are, because I don't want the secret to get out and them to get crowded!

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

i have colitis- and it never seems to fail- it alwasy acts up when at disney(must be all that yummy popcorn!). this nose knows and i have always been able to find a bathroom no prob. keep a couple of maps in hands(in case as in my case young ones take one or two or three of yours! lol) then you can pin point them. ive alwasy found them clean, and have never had to wait except at the hotels.

 

[diputs]

Thank You for all the replies

I used to have this fear....but I have been able to calm myself down by asking myself... "now when in the past have I truly embarrassed myself because I needed a bathroom and couldn't get to one fast enough"...and the answer is always "NEVER"....

The above quote is very true for myself as well. If I can remember to breathe, I am ok.

If I have nothing to do, or I am not engaged in an activity, such as waiting in line, my mind starts telling me stories that aren't true. Then I panic.

For me, I do not go to the bathroom and then know I will be ok for an hour or two or four. If I get nervous and panic, I could need one 5 minutes after the last stop.

I am going solo, so it will be important for me to find something to focus on to keep my attention.

Again, thanks for all the help.

 

[diputs]

i have colitis- and it never seems to fail- it alwasy acts up when at disney(must be all that yummy popcorn!).

Having a discussion about food an intolerances is an entire discussion in itself.

Something I can eat when I am calm, I cannot eat when stressed, and vice versa. Being terrified to eat unknown (not previously eaten) food is a huge impetus for asking my bathroom question.

One of the reasons I chose disney as a vacation spot is because I keep reading that they are accommodating to picky eaters.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

Having a discussion about food an intolerances is an entire discussion in itself.

Something I can eat when I am calm, I cannot eat when stressed, and vice versa. Being terrified to eat unknown (not previously eaten) food is a huge impetus for asking my bathroom question.

One of the reasons I chose disney as a vacation spot is because I keep reading that they are accommodating to picky eaters.

yes from what i have heard they are. but you may want to have your travel agent add it to your booking just so they know. there is a wide variety of food there to eat, some being bland(which helps me out when i flare). i'd avoid the popocrn for sure- trust me! just the smell of it gets my mouth watering tho. i steer away from the nachos and tacos and such in the mexican pavillion as well. : (

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Bathrooms are everywhere---except Liberty Square. Since there was no indoor plumbing so no bathrooms. But not to worry, there are bathrooms between LS and Fantasyland and others nearby. The bathrooms at LTT and CHH are actually not in Liberty Square, but over the line in Fantasyland.

 

[dis-happy]

One nice thing to remember...when you get off the bus (which will usually get you to where you need to going pretty expediantly) there's no need to worry about waiting in long lines to enter the park first....all the parks have handy dandy bathrooms outside the front gates. They also have bathrooms just inside the gates.

I took a teen 2 years ago who had physical bladder urgency problems. We did run into one issue. She had to leave the AK Nemo Show and go to the restroom. It was near the end of the show and the CM's at the door won't let people leave early (there are also times during the show you can't move around because the actors perform all over the theatre). She was stuck there at the blocked door and extremely uncomfortable and I felt very bad for her. If you go to this attraction, I would sit near the exit and realize you may not be able to pop out at will. You can use the exit befor the show starts and use the restrooms (they are right outside the door there).