Which Restrooms to Use to Assist DS7 ???

[Rylee]

Our youngest son was born with a very rare birth defect (5 surgeries already, with more planned in the future) and requires our assistance in public bathrooms. DS's condition is not visible... he walks, talks, looks, acts, etc., like any other healthy child.

Are we able to use the companion bathrooms or the Baby Care Center's? If so, what type of reactions might we receive from others? I don't care what others think, but I do care about the comments our son might overhear.

We normally use the regular restrooms, however, the conditions are often not desirable, and this makes changing him very difficult. If the floor is "wet," and it usually is, he has to place both hands directly on the seat, in order to balance himself while we remove his clothing, or he ends up with urine soaked socks, (from the wet floor) etc.

Any suggestions or experience to share, is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Tissa]

You can use the companion restrooms and the baby care centers too. The problem I ran into is that there is only one companion restroom at each location and it always seemed to be occupied. Sometimes ds 12 could wait, sometimes he couldn't. When he couldn't I took him in the regular womens restroom. You gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[ireland_nicole]

Absolutely use the companion restroom when available; your son has a disability (visible to onlookers or not) and requires a companion for assistance. Situations including your are why there are companion restrooms. I believe the guidebook for guests w/ disabilities has them marked (but I can't tell you for sure, b/c even though I've repeatedly requested/ordered them, they never arrive LOL). Have a magical trip, and don't worry what someone with nothing better to do than stare at you and make assumptions thinks.

 

[Disney1976]

Absolutely you can use the companion restrooms. You should know there aren't that many in the parks, however. And, while some of them are really nice and spacious and clean (I think one of the nicest ones I've seen is near Expedition Everest at AK) others are very small, and filthy! (I'd especially avoid the one in Toontown, if you could). Epcot by far has the most companion restrooms.

You mention changing your son -not sure if you meant a diaper or not, and don't want to presume so. If you did, you could ask the first aid stations in the park (if you are close to one) for a private room to use. They have a comfortable padded table in them (similar to what you'd find in a doctor's office maybe) and are clean and comfortable. They are covered with a disposable paper sheet that the nurses change out after each guest is finished with the room. There is a garbage can usually marked for disposable diapers/wipes as well. Plus, the rooms are air conditioned and some are themed (the ones in AK have an African theme to them, and the ones in DHS have Pixar movie posters hanging in the rooms, etc).

Almost all of the regular restrooms have very large stainless steel type changing tables in them as well. Your son might not be agreeable to that (so it might not work), but as an AP holder, I am at Disney a lot, and can tell you that I've seen many older kids changed in there. Several years ago, I also would change my 6.5 year old former stepson in the restroom (didn't know about the first aid stations) as he had some issues that required him to wear a diaper/pullup. No one ever said anything, and if they did, I would have told them in no uncertain terms to mind their own business. That's how you have to look at things -your child has a need that you are addressing in the best way possible. If people don't like it, tough, next time, maybe they'll learn to mind their business.

 

[Rylee]

Thanks, Tissa, ireland_nicole & Disney1976.

ireland_nicole - Is this guidebook available at the parks, or would the locations be marked on a map?

Tissa - Silly question... Can my husband take him in the baby care centers, too, or is it just for women... "Mom's?" In all our trips to Disney, I don't believe we ever used one.

Disney1976 - Thanks for the tip about the first aid stations.

In June we took the kids to a game at Yankee Stadium. We were not aware of their backpack policy. At bag check, the security man said we would not be allowed to bring in a backpack... only backpacks with diapers were allowed in. As we explained, we did have diapers (pull-ups) with us, he glanced at the size of the children (DS7 is the youngest of 5) and made a huge fuss, (complete with eye rolling and long drawn out sighs) of how there was no way any of our children wore diapers!

We realize our son will have to deal with all sorts of people, reactions and sometimes, ignorance, but we would like to avoid any scenes, if possible, until he has the "tools" to handle these situations.

 

[BeckyScott]

The guidebook is available at Guest Relations at all of the parks. When we got our GAC it was at Epcot and the CM there gave me the guidebooks for all four parks, so if you're going to more than one park you won't have to go to Guest Relations at every one.

I took DS8 into the women's restroom several times and nobody batted an eye. When DH was with us he'd take him into the men's, but a few times we split up and there wasn't a convenient companion restroom. When DS says he needs to pee, he means now.

 

[livndisney]

Thanks, Tissa, ireland_nicole & Disney1976.

ireland_nicole - Is this guidebook available at the parks, or would the locations be marked on a map?

Tissa - Silly question... Can my husband take him in the baby care centers, too, or is it just for women... "Mom's?" In all our trips to Disney, I don't believe we ever used one.

Disney1976 - Thanks for the tip about the first aid stations.

In June we took the kids to a game at Yankee Stadium. We were not aware of their backpack policy. At bag check, the security man said we would not be allowed to bring in a backpack... only backpacks with diapers were allowed in. As we explained, we did have diapers (pull-ups) with us, he glanced at the size of the children (DS7 is the youngest of 5) and made a huge fuss, (complete with eye rolling and long drawn out sighs) of how there was no way any of our children wore diapers!

We realize our son will have to deal with all sorts of people, reactions and sometimes, ignorance, but we would like to avoid any scenes, if possible, until he has the "tools" to handle these situations.

I'm not Ireland_nichole, but I think I can answer the question. The guidebooks are available at Guest Services in the park. (I picked up the guides for all the parks in Magic Kingdom). There is also a list of the restrooms on the Disneyworld website.

 

[Disney1976]

Thanks, Tissa, ireland_nicole & Disney1976.

ireland_nicole - Is this guidebook available at the parks, or would the locations be marked on a map?

Tissa - Silly question... Can my husband take him in the baby care centers, too, or is it just for women... "Mom's?" In all our trips to Disney, I don't believe we ever used one.

Disney1976 - Thanks for the tip about the first aid stations.

In June we took the kids to a game at Yankee Stadium. We were not aware of their backpack policy. At bag check, the security man said we would not be allowed to bring in a backpack... only backpacks with diapers were allowed in. As we explained, we did have diapers (pull-ups) with us, he glanced at the size of the children (DS7 is the youngest of 5) and made a huge fuss, (complete with eye rolling and long drawn out sighs) of how there was no way any of our children wore diapers!

We realize our son will have to deal with all sorts of people, reactions and sometimes, ignorance, but we would like to avoid any scenes, if possible, until he has the "tools" to handle these situations.

You'll have no problem with the bag check at Disney. They've seen it all and will not bat an eye. Also, if you think you're going to just be headed back to the First Aid Station for changes every time (or most of the time while at a park) inquire about leaving the backpack or some of the supplies with them. I know they've offered this in the past.

And go Yankees! =)

 

[MinnieVanMom]

When DS is napping in his stroller I have gone to First aid where they have a huge restroom and facilities. I am sure they can assist you with almost everything from a roomy restroom to supplies.

 

[Schmeck]

Want to second the notion that the companion restrooms can be just as wet and dirty as the regular bathrooms - actually the one I used was in EPCOT (nearest one to Test Track, where the spray mist thing is?) and it had water all over the floor, most likely from wet people from the spray mist thing... and there were a lot of paper products on the floor too.

Shame on the security guy for making a fuss about the diaper/child's age - if karma works out, he'll be in diapers some day! Honestly though, I'd contact yankee Stadium and tell them what happened - they need some sensitivity training for their security guards, that's for sure!

 

[mechurchlady]

You said he acts and looks normal so there is no reason to even think of someone being rude to him based on his condition. It is not like he had 4 eyes and drooled purple slobbers. Nobody will know he is disabled.

Dad can go into the Baby Center. There might be some people who make a fuss but then again they fuss over girls in hot pants, boys showing their briefs, and women in spandex. Fussers fuss over anything they can find to complain about so just ignore them and if they keep it up then either get a Cast Member or politely explain your rights.

As for changing your kid in restrooms again do not worry. Lots of parents take kids up to age 10 into a restroom. They often fear strangers so they accompany their kid. You may use the handicapped stalls which are wider. You are legally allowed to take your son, or any person even adults, into the restroom if they are disabled as long as one of you is of the gender of the restroom. If anyone fusses about you using the companion restrooms ignore them as they will soon be pointing out the sins of others and fashion foibles. Do not ever let what others may thing be a weight on your mind or a hinderance in your trip.

Big Hugs

 

[LindaDVC]

I found a companion restroom at downtown disney recently which was good to know they exist there too!

On another note -- the folks at the EPCOT care centers are great!!
Once we had stopped at the beach in route to our disney arrival.
Our service dog had gotten into some sand burrs and his fur and feet were covered with these prickly things-- we headed to the care center since I thought they might have scissors I could borrow -- too many to pull out and they hurt my fingers. (poor Ned had been walking on them without complaining) anyway they gave us a room to work in and the scissors.

They checked on us -- brought Ned a bowl of water and were so nice !!!
They were willing to do whatever we (including Ned ) needed!

Linda

 

[SueM in MN]

First - I have to agree with the other posters that the Companion Restrooms are often no cleaner than the other restrooms. People do leave towels and toilet paper on the floor and the floor is often wet. The advantage over regular restrooms is that you have paper towels and a sink to help you clean. I often have to clean before I can safely get DD out of her wheelchair.

You can get the WDW Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities at Guest Relations at any park, but there is also a link to the website version of them in post #3 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. There is a list of Companion Restrooms in the Guidebooks - they are not marked on the park maps.

You have at least 4 choices, and what might work best might vary in each park.

First Aid: Each park has a First Aid station and the locations are well marked on the park maps. There is a Companion restroom in First Aid in each park. They have raised seat toilets and grab bars. Each one is a bit different - the one at MK is fairly small (but is big enough that I can get DD's wheelchair inside).
They have rooms with exam tables that can be adjusted in height. They also have individual rooms with cots if you need to change clothes. This is one of the rooms at First Aid at MK:

Baby Care:I don't have experience using them, but they are located next to First Aid in each park.

Handicapped stalls in restrooms: The ones at MK and Epcot are mostly small. They would have a raised seat toilet and grab bars.
The ones at the Studio and AK are the best - most are large, with a raised seat toilet, grab bars and a sink. Those might work well for you in the Studio and AK since there are more of them than there are of Companion Restrooms. This website (by a DIS poster!) has great pictures/locations of all the WDW restrooms.

Companion Restrooms: Here's a link to the allearsnet.com page about Companion Restrooms. It has links to some pictures of Companion Restrooms. There are only 5-6 in each park, so they may not always be convenient to where you are. They all have raised seat toilets, grab bars and a sink. The MK ones tend to be the busiest in my experience and there are either often waiting lines or people knocking to use them. (Don't even try to use the one in Cinderalla's Royal Table. They are VERY busy with people changing their children into Princesss dresses and they are not very patient with people who need the restroom because of disability, at least IMHO).
Because MK is the oldest park, they tend to be the smallest. Because there are many kids, they tend to be the busiest.
Epcot has quite a few with toilets and urinals, if that would help your situation.
AK and the Studio, being newer, in general have the best Companion Restrooms, but they don't seem to be very conveniently located in our experience and some of them get quite busy because they are located next to the regular restrooms (be prepared for knocks on the wall).

 

[GrumpyMom25]

OMG Rylee ... I thought maybe my husband had signed on to the board and posted ... we had the same experience of them hesitating to let us bring a backpack into Yankee Stadium. They also separated our older kids from us (they were holding the backpack) and wouldn't let them come in the handicapped entrance. I saw the guards lecturing them and was finally able to get their attention from the other side of the gate so I could explain what was going on. They finally did let the backpack in but geez, what a hassle. The same guard who split us up going in wanted to know why the older kids didn't come in with us. Yankee Stadium seriously needs to get their act together.
As far as Disney ... on our last trip my husband took our son into the First Aide Center to change his diaper ... he was 7 at the time. We'll be using it as well this time. It's much easier then dealing with the hassle of the park bathrooms.

 

[SandrainNC]

My oldest is 7 and has Down syndrome. I have only had to use the companion bathroom once with him at Epcot. He was 5 at the time. Nobody else was in line, so I took him in. When we came out I got the evil eye from a woman waiting to use it. And Down syndrome is visible. She didn't say anything (lucky for her) but she did look mean at me. Usually I just take him in the regular bathroom. We did visit the baby center at MK for the first time this past trip and it was very nice. Just inconvenient lots of times.

I have gotten very good at changing Ryan's #2s without him touching anything in the bathrooms. Man I can't wait until he is potty trained!!!!

Sandra

 

[scottsod]

this is a 3rd we took my son dos yankee stadium and he had the
same deal with secuirty and backpack he in a wc and wasnt trained at
the time but luky a boss was standing near buy and just said to let us in

dont worry at disney use what ever u want and need

 

[Rylee]

Thanks, everyone, for all the info.

It's good to know we have a few other options.