Bathroom Dilemma

[H20Babie]

A question for those of you single parents, or parents who may take their children on their own, (of the opposite s e x) :

My son will be 7 (Grade 2) when we go to Disney in December. What do I do when I have to use the bathroom in a park? As you can understand, I would be very uncomfortable leaving him on his own outside the bathrooms, yet he is past that pre-schooler stage where it is acceptable by others for him to wait inside the bathroom.

Is there any way around this? Perhaps, the family bathrooms ... but there is only one in each park, correct?

Much thanks

 

[DisneyGigi]

A question for those of you single parents, or parents who may take their children on their own, (of the opposite s e x) :

My son will be 7 (Grade 2) when we go to Disney in December. What do I do when I have to use the bathroom in a park? As you can understand, I would be very uncomfortable leaving him on his own outside the bathrooms, yet he is past that pre-schooler stage where it is acceptable by others for him to wait inside the bathroom.

Is there any way around this? Perhaps, the family bathrooms ... but there is only one in each park, correct?

Much thanks

I think that there is only 1 family RR, but I am not 100% sure.

Personally, if you don't feel comfortable leaving him outside then I would take him in. He is only seven, I don't see a big deal about him waiting inside for you.
Alot of people don't realize what a stressful situation that this can be for a mom. I know from my own experience that when I let DS go into the men's restroom alone the first few times I freaked. (or if left him outside the ladie's room) I may be way overprotective but I still make DD wait inside the stall next to mine until I exit. I have to be able to see her feet. ( well actually I guess I really am :lookaroun)
Anyway, I would say, Do what you, as a mother feel okay with. :wave:

 

[maggiegrace1]

At every park and also at DTD they have Family restrooms..where it would be just you and him.....or take him with you and have him stand right at the entance/exit..I do not think anyone would object.

 

[Monty]

If he's too young to be left alone [and IMO 7 is too young], then other people's opinions be damned, take him with you. It's not like he's going to see anything but women washing their hands. Your child's security of person is much more important than women who "think" the know better. To say nothing of the importance of him seeing you taking care of his security of person.

 

[happymom52003]

If he's too young to be left alone [and IMO 7 is too young], then other people's opinions be damned, take him with you. It's not like he's going to see anything but women washing their hands. Your child's security of person is much more important than women who "think" the know better. To say nothing of the importance of him seeing you taking care of his security of person.

I agree.

I had a lady yell at me for taking my son into the ladies restroom after his swimming lessons at the YMCA the other day. My son is nearly 7 as well. There is no way in _ell I'm sending him into a men's restroom by himself, or leaving him outside while I go into the ladies restroom. It is just not happening, period.

Do what makes you feel comfortable. Your child's security is the most important thing.

 

[danpam1024]

I don't think you'll find anyone here who will disagree....take him with you!!!!! Safety is the # 1 priority and any parent knows that!!!!

 

[eagles]

my 2 cents here: if you feel he is too young and i agree 7 is, then you bring him right in with you! do not care what anyone else thinks about it. he is your son and your job is to protect that child no matter what.

wait to you first couple of times he goes into the boys/men's room alone

i would stand almost right inside the door and listen to everything, i watched like a hawk the guys walking in and the guys walking out.

good luck and have a magical trip!

 

[H20Babie]

wait to you first couple of times he goes into the boys/men's room alone

Already been there. He's growing up much too fast :lookaroun He insists on using the men's room by himself and we have established ground rules (ie. something or someone doesn't look right, etc., scream!). When we both "have to go," we go at the same time and meet right between the two entrances, water fountain, etc. Lol, yes, safety definitely comes first. If the opportunity presents itself, I usually ask a dad going in with his own son(s) to keep an eye out. Haven't had a dad yet who hasn't understood and refused.

Thanks everyone. Wish you would all be there with us :lol:

 

[wdwmomof3]

The last time we went down my son was about to be seven and I took him in with me. The next time we go he will be eight, and I am still not going to send him in alone. Most of the time my Dh will be there so it should not be an issue, but if not, I am not going to take a chance. I think I will look for family bathrooms then.

 

[KC82271]

AK has at least 2 family ones that are coming to mind - one by the safari and one on the way to dino land. As for the other's I can't even think right now. However, I have taken my 7, 8 year old godson. He wasn't fond of going in with me, but he had no choice. I let him go in his own stall. Then when I went, he had to stand at the door and not move - I watched his feet at all times. He was good and never moved.

Don't let other's intimidate you from doing what you feel is necessary. I for sure wouldn't let me own child in the opposite bathroom at that age!

 

[tigsmom]

If he's too young to be left alone [and IMO 7 is too young], then other people's opinions be damned, take him with you. It's not like he's going to see anything but women washing their hands. Your child's security of person is much more important than women who "think" the know better. To say nothing of the importance of him seeing you taking care of his security of person.

I agree with Monty. Take him inside with you and have him wait at the door of the stall you are using. Believe me, I have seen boys older than 7 in the ladies' room with their moms. While WDW is a safe place, you just cannot be too careful with your children. If anybody give you grief just ignore them, you owe nobody any explanation.

 

[lilclerk]

I don't think it's a big deal for a little boy to go in the ladies' room considering all he'll see are women washing their hands, but what do dads with daughters do? That's gotta be a more awkward situation...

 

[got2lovedisney]

From www.wdwinfo.com

RESTROOMS
Most restrooms at Walt Disney World have wheelchair access. Additionally, several restrooms throughout Disney World have companion assisted restrooms. These can be found at:

All First Aid locations (See below)
Magic Kingdom-- the lower level of Cinderella’s Royal Table, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, restrooms at the Pinocchio Village Haus, restrooms near Space Mountain, Mickey's Toontown Fair, and the Ticket and Transportation Center East Gate
Epcot -- near Canada, near Morocco, near Germany, near Norway opposite the Viking ship, Future World West Block opposite The Land, Future World East Block opposite Test Track and the east side of Spaceship Earth
Disney-MGM Studios -- opposite Star Tours, Soundstage 3, Rock 'N' Roller Coaster, opposite The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and at Fantasmic!
Animal Kingdom -- Discovery Island opposite the Flame Tree Barbecue, Harambe Village in the Mombasa Marketplace, Conservation Station at Rafiki's Planet Watch, Asia near Maharajah Jungle Trek, and Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures in Dinoland U.S.A.
Blizzard Beach--On the north side of Main Change to the rear of the locker room
Typhoon Lagoon--Near Guest Services

 

[Laura]

A question for those of you single parents, or parents who may take their children on their own, (of the opposite s e x) :

My son will be 7 (Grade 2) when we go to Disney in December. What do I do when I have to use the bathroom in a park? As you can understand, I would be very uncomfortable leaving him on his own outside the bathrooms, yet he is past that pre-schooler stage where it is acceptable by others for him to wait inside the bathroom.

Is there any way around this? Perhaps, the family bathrooms ... but there is only one in each park, correct?

Much thanks

I'm not a single parent, but I take my kids by myself a lot because my husband is always deployed. My son is also 7 years old. Him and my 5 year old daughter just stand outside my stall door so that I can see their feet while I go to the bathroom. No one ever gives my son any funny looks, and in fact I'll have people approach me once in a while when I'm coming out of the stall to tell me what a well-behaved young man I have. :lol:

 

[kstella]

Another option might be the baby care stations. The bathroom situation might be a little more comfortable there.

 

[Phonedave]

Its your choice and if you dont feel comfortable leaving him outside the bathroom, then by all means take him in at 7

My daughters wait for me outside the bathrooms, and go to bathrooms by themselves. They are currently 6 and 9, however most of the time my 9 y/o goes in with her sister just in case.

I put them in a spot, tell them I am going to the bathroom, and not to move from that spot. They know that if I come out of the bathroom and they have moved from the spot, there will be hell to pay.

Its all a matter of what you are comfortable with.

-dave

 

[figmentmom]

In all my (many!) trips to WDW, I've never seen anyone even give a second glance to a young boy with his mom in the ladies' room. Safety first!

 

[Montyboy]

I don't think it's a big deal for a little boy to go in the ladies' room considering all he'll see are women washing their hands, but what do dads with daughters do? That's gotta be a more awkward situation...

You would be surprised at how fast a man can get in and out of the men's room. I asked her to stand by the doorway and yell if anyone touched her.

By the way - If we got separated, I told her not to be embarassed, just yell "Daddy!" very loudly as soon as she couldn't see me. I figured I wouldn't be more than a few feet away.

 

[RebeccaMA]

I don't think it's a big deal for a little boy to go in the ladies' room considering all he'll see are women washing their hands, but what do dads with daughters do? That's gotta be a more awkward situation...

I agree that is a more awkward situation, and I feel badly for them.

We are in the midst of potty-training our 2 year old dd, and there have been times when the ladies room had a long line when we have been out. I have sent my DD with my DH to the men's room for a diaper change or to use the potty. I'm not quite sure how he handles it since I never go with them, but I think he has done a great job of shielding her eyes from anything she shouldn't see so far. I know it is more challenging for him, but sometimes it's just necessary and he handles it.