Public Toilet Privacy

Experiment 629 · Mar 12, 2018

Perhaps it's a strange question but I'd really like to know!
I'll be visiting WDW for the first time this year, even my very first trip to the states.

Now I am aware that many toilet stalls in the US have wide gaps on both sides of the door. How is this in Disney? Which bathrooms will offer most privacy and which are better to avoid?

HopperFan · Mar 12, 2018

Not sure where you are from but my DH is currently in a European country where men and women use a singular bathroom, at the same time, so perhaps that falls into your concern.

Here men and women have their own bathrooms. Men’s room and Women's room. Any place that shares are one person bathrooms.

I have never been in a bathroom with wide gaps next to the doors so not sure where you saw that. Gap enough for door to open and sometimes for you to know someone is in there ... but often no way too see anything.

Regardless they are all pretty standard construction so no reason to seek out one over the other.

Klayfish · Mar 12, 2018

Welcome. Yes, that is quite an odd question.

I can't say I've paid a ton of attention to it. There are gaps between the bottom of the door and the floor, for safety reasons...but that's true in pretty much all public bathrooms. Gaps on both sides of the door? There aren't "gaps" that I can think of.

As far as privacy...they're public bathrooms in Disney World...there isn't going to be a ton of absolute privacy anywhere.

Nettlelondon · Mar 12, 2018

Speaking as a Brit, I know exactly what the OP is referring to. Down each side of your cubicle doors there is a gap of approx. 1/2 inch that to those of us from Europe feels much, much bigger as our cubicle doors are designed to be flush either side, often actually overlapping.

How do we know if someone is in there or not? A lock that has an engaged / vacant or red / green label on the outside. Occasionally that isn't obvious so then you just give the door a little push.

OP - all of the facilities are much the same and the earlier responses should suggest that it is unlikely to change as no one "local" even notices this. I have had numerous conversations with people around the subject (generally as part of a wider discussion on the things that are similar but somehow completely different in the two countries, I am not toilet obsessed, honestly).

Just focus in the middle of the door and try not to think about the edges.

NJlauren · Mar 12, 2018

Are you referring to the article circulating recently that says something like things non Americans find strange in America or what not? I’ve seen it and if that’s what your referring to I think it’s exaggerated (the toilet one atleast). Then again I’m American.

Sometimes the first or last stall has a large gap against the wall depending on how it is constructed. There are small gaps in the side where the door has to swing open, but really so small no one can see in. If it bother you there are companion restrooms available but there will be a longer wait.

Here is the article or one of them. http://www.businessinsider.com/weird-things-about-america-reddit-2016-3

CeruleanMoon · Mar 12, 2018

I know what you are talking about OP, and I'm an American.

Most of the gaps are small enough that I don't notice them, but everyone now and then you find one big enough to drive a car through and I hate that too.

Actually, though that rarely happens. Many times the gaps aren't that big, and if they are most people are so used it to that they don't notice and/or know to avoid looking too closely at those gaps. If it makes you feel any better, you can chose a single room "family" restroom, or you can go to the last stall in the row. People aren't going to be passing that stall regularly, so the chances of someone standing or walking too close to the gap is less.

Elle :) · Mar 12, 2018

Nettlelondon said:
Speaking as a Brit, I know exactly what the OP is referring to. Down each side of your cubicle doors there is a gap of approx. 1/2 inch that to those of us from Europe feels much, much bigger as our cubicle doors are designed to be flush either side, often actually overlapping.

How do we know if someone is in there or not? A lock that has an engaged / vacant or red / green label on the outside. Occasionally that isn't obvious so then you just give the door a little push.

OP - all of the facilities are much the same and the earlier responses should suggest that it is unlikely to change as no one "local" even notices this. I have had numerous conversations with people around the subject (generally as part of a wider discussion on the things that are similar but somehow completely different in the two countries, I am not toilet obsessed, honestly).

Just focus in the middle of the door and try not to think about the edges.

Great response! I'm from the states but I'm still toilet obsessed. I like my privacy. Ive been places where the gap in the door is 1"-1.5". That's a lot of space and I feel super uncomfortable. Who likes to be caught with their pants down...literally.

I don't think that the gaps in Disney are too bad. A pretty standard half inch or so. I usually keep my head down so I don't feel weird.

Side note: I've actually avoided certain Caribbean resorts because there are no walls for the bathroom. Just a tub & toilet right in open site of the bed. I love my DH but that's never gonna happen. :crazy2:

Shanti · Mar 12, 2018

Experiment 629 said:
Perhaps it's a strange question but I'd really like to know!
I'll be visiting WDW for the first time this year, even my very first trip to the states.

Now I am aware that many toilet stalls in the US have wide gaps on both sides of the door. How is this in Disney? Which bathrooms will offer most privacy and which are better to avoid?

No decent person is trying to look into the gaps & watch others do their business in public bathrooms. I've never seen anything like that happening at Disney World (or anywhere else). You'd have to try to look & really get your face up close to see anything. American bathrooms are separated by sex, anyway.

There is nothing to worry about.

marcyleecorgan · Mar 12, 2018

People are at Disney, that's what they are there to see, not you in all your full-mooned glory

It's not an issue... don't make it an issue...

VandVsmama · Mar 12, 2018

At my work place in the ladies' room, there are a couple of stalls with so much gap between the stall door and the side that it feels like everything is on display. I've learned to just avoid those stalls.

Using 1 of the stalls at the end of a row is an excellent idea.

Not every bathroom stall is like the ones I described above, though.

It is true that, in general in the US, you will not find bathrooms which have a stall door that completely covers the whole door opening. I've encountered those in an airport in Chicago once.

I guarantee you that here in US bathrooms, nobody, I mean NOBODY is going to want to peek in to see you doing your business. We all look everywhere BUT any possible door gaps. Even when WE are in the stall doing OUR business.

MaryLovesPoohBear · Mar 12, 2018

VandVsmama said:
At my work place in the ladies' room, there are a couple of stalls with so much gap between the stall door and the side that it feels like everything is on display. I've learned to just avoid those stalls.

Using 1 of the stalls at the end of a row is an excellent idea.

Not every bathroom stall is like the ones I described above, though.

It is true that, in general in the US, you will not find bathrooms which have a stall door that completely covers the whole door opening. I've encountered those in an airport in Chicago once.

I guarantee you that here in US bathrooms, nobody, I mean NOBODY is going to want to peek in to see you doing your business. We all look everywhere BUT any possible door gaps. Even when WE are in the stall doing OUR business.

That is an interesting claim. And not one that anyone would be able to hold you to.

Yes, I've been in restrooms where the space is quite large. I've also had boys, in the restroom with their mother, but not in her stall, peek in.

Does that normally happen? No. But it certainly has happened. And I was none to pleased about it.

tsme · Mar 12, 2018

The only full door stalls with no gaps that I’ve seen were at Bucee’s, gas stations throughout Tx. They have great bathrooms. The ones in Target are horrible for cracks. But I find at Disney the stalls aren’t bad. I have had a little boy (zoo bathroom) who was in there with his mother who was actively staring thru an abnormally large crack at me. When his mother noticed she just laughed and pulled him away, I was not so amused. Little boys can be a bit too curious in a lady’s bathroom. Honestly though bathroom stalls should be the last thing you should be worried about when it comes to a Disney vacation.

Shelly F - Ohio · Mar 12, 2018

Its not like people will be lined up at your stall door staring at the door wondering what you are doing in there and when you will be done. So there is nothing to be worried about.

Tiki_Sara · Mar 12, 2018

As a Brit who now lives in New Jersey, I know what the OP is talking about, in fact it was one of the first and oddest things I noticed when I moved to the US. I’m used to it now and I know you can’t really see anything through the gaps (and that no one is looking anyway) but I did find it disconcerting at first. Not to mention it took me a good while to work out which toilets flushed themselves and which you had to manually flush yourself!

Having just spent a few days in the various parks, I can say that I didn’t notice any particularly wide gaps. You’ll be fine. If it is something that really bothers you, go for the end stall, often an adapted space for disabled, which no one walks by and the doors are often at a different angle so you can’t see the actual toilet from the door. There are also a few completely separate bathrooms for disabled/ families (eg in Epcot) with no door gaps.

I found the bathroom facilities across Disney to be very clean and well-maintained

jjjones325 · Mar 14, 2018

Just please make sure you don't do what DW did. She came out of a restroom at Hollywood Studios. I noticed some toilet paper sticking out the back of her waistband. Being the good DH, I grabbed it, rather than just laughing at her walking through the park. Welp, the paper was wet. From what...I can only imagine.

Makes a funny story now, but wasn't funny then.

DaisyDuck001 · Mar 14, 2018

Eeeeewwwww, TMI @jjjones325.

UrsulaTime · Mar 15, 2018

Experiment 629 said:
Perhaps it's a strange question but I'd really like to know!
I'll be visiting WDW for the first time this year, even my very first trip to the states.

Now I am aware that many toilet stalls in the US have wide gaps on both sides of the door. How is this in Disney? Which bathrooms will offer most privacy and which are better to avoid?

Although not 'toilet obsessed,' I'm a bit privacy obsessed (that's why I clicked on this thread title!), and OP, the gaps on the sides of the doors usually don't make me uncomfortable. However, it's probably because I'm used to them - I can understand your concern.

Interesting issue to read about!

So, the UK's "Mind the gap!" refers to the subway system; America's "Mind the gap!" refers to the stall system. :ssst:

Mousemom234 · Mar 15, 2018

Shelly F - Ohio said:
Its not like people will be lined up at your stall door staring at the door wondering what you are doing in there and when you will be done. So there is nothing to be worried about.

Well -- there might be, depending on how busy it is :rolleyes1

But honestly, they're not staring at YOU - just the door, hoping it will open in time

WDW_Ding · Mar 19, 2018

Are there gaps? Yes.

Are they wide enough to be easily seen through? Typically, no.

WDW_Ding · Mar 19, 2018

UrsulaTime said:
So, the UK's "Mind the gap!" refers to the subway system; America's "Mind the gap!" refers to the stall system.

LOLOLOLOL!

Public Toilet Privacy

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