The Bathroom Post Part I: Magic Kingdom
Anyone who has traveled with me knows that I have a very small bladder. So small, in fact, that some of my favorite traveling companions call me Tinkerbell (get it?). Needless to say I need to “powder my nose” a lot even when I’m touring Disney theme parks. My need to use the loo so often has made me something of an expert on Disney’s bathroom offerings. Do I need a park map to tell me where the nearest lady’s room is? Never. Give me any attraction and I can tell you the closest one. I go so often that when I can’t join my usual crew in the parks they text me pictures of entrances to restrooms around the parks and I can identify them without a problem. Hey, everyone’s got to have a special talent… this just happens to be mine.
So I’ve decided to make the best of the situation and write about some of my favorite and not so favorite rest rooms throughout Walt Disney World. Here at the Unofficial Guide we like to be prepared for all aspects of a WDW vacation so bathrooms shouldn’t be overlooked! Everyone’s got to go so why not know which bathrooms are best? First, I’ll cover the four main parks with an entry for each and we’ll see where I go from there. So without further ado let’s start with the Magic Kingdom:
Favorites:
Main Street near Town Hall – I like this one because its the first stop after arriving to the park. I always have to make a pit stop after making the trip into MK and the morning coffee never helps this situation. Its huge so there is never a queue, and usually well kept. An added bonus is that there are plenty of shady spots for my friends to wait or they can dash into Town Hall or the Emporium until my business is done.
Tomorrowland near Space Mountain – I’m not sure what it is but I always have to go after the very bumpy Space Mountain. I was very worried it would disappear with the old Skyway building. But, alas, my fears have been put to rest and they are remodeling it.
Between Main Street and Tomorrowland near the Noodle Station – It doesn’t seem like a lot of people know this one exists so its always clean and quite and is an essential stop before settling in for Wishes.
Adventureland near Pirates – Conveniently located near the exit of Pirates makes stopping off here before the next attraction quick and easy.
Least Favorites:
Between Adventureland and Frontierland – This one’s not always the cleanest since its in a busy spot. You’re better of heading to Peco’s Bills or the ones near Pirates of the Caribbean.
Mixed Reviews:
Fantasyland near Peter Pan’s Flight: I like that they are labeled as Princes and Princesses (I’m a sucker for good theming), but they are very busy and often the custodial CMs can’t keep up.
Is it strange that I have so many favorites? So what are your favorite bathrooms? You know you have some.
Next week, in the spirit of baseball playoffs (Go Yankees!), football season, and whatever other sports you might enjoy, I’ll take a look at a great place to grab a beer and watch the big game…
Update: Check out the next chapter in the series: Epcot
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Thank you so much for this super useful article and all of you for the comments. I wonder if much has changed since 2009? Any updates? We are going for the first time in March and I’m dreading taking my kids to dirty restrooms. Public restrooms are nightmares for germaphobes like me.
My favorite at MK is the Queen of Hearts themed bathroom near the Tea Cups. Always clean and the location puts them under the radar.
An additional worst – right outside Mickey’s Star Traders and Cosmic Ray’s. It’s always a mess and there’s always a line.
I’ve also had bathroom discussions with friends going to Disney. The one coming off from Splash is a regular stop of mine and always good. I hate the one between Adventureland and Frontierland, but someone in my group nearly always HAS to go then. I steer them away from there if at all possible. Can’t wait for the rest.
“The Bathroom Post Part I: Magic Kingdom”
Thanks for sharing
Pete’s Garage in Toon Town is the worst bathroom in WDW if not in the entire state of Florida. It’s like an attraction itself, one where you are required first to wait in line, navigate a small lake, and then make the ultimate Hobbesian choice–whether to squat . . . or sit.
I found this post and all the comments hilarious! When our family went this year my mom was constantly stopping for bathroom breaks. I told her she could write a guide on which were the best bathrooms to visit. I’ll have to tell her she is not the only frequent-bathroom visitor. I should save this post for our next visit. Thanks for the help Kristen!
I’m glad you liked it! Tell your mom she’s not alone. Every time we pass a bathroom walking around WDW my friends ask me if I have to use it.
All these comments about bathrooms only look at the merits of space and cleanliness. The bathrooms in the Animal Kingdom are so wonderful, sometimes I visit when I don’t even need to use them. My fav, I think it is near the Flame Tree resturant, is beautifully colored in greens and blues and has blue scarab tiles. The restroom in Africa is themed to that area also. There are other nice themed ones in the park as well.
I will get to AK in a future post so stay tuned
I agree with the others that the worst MK bathroom has to be the one at LTT. Good grief, what were they thinking?
As far as favorites go, I agree about the City Hall bathrooms and the ones near the noodle station being nice.
Also, if you’re looking for the nicest bathroom in all of Walt Disney World, then head over to the Grand Floridain. On the second floor in an alcove of the hallway that leads to Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s, there is an entirely automated bathroom. The toilets flush automatically, the sinks turn on automatically, and the soap even dispenses into your hand automatically! Plus, each stall is nice and private with marble walls and wooden doors. Two major thumbs up for this one!
I may write about my favorite resort bathrooms at some point too. I’ll keep GF in mind!
My favorite restroom is between Casey’s Hot Dogs and the Crystal Palace restaurant. It is always clean. There is also a separate nursing station there.
While not at the Magic Kingdom, I found the mens room at the TTC to be amazingly clean. All I could think of was what an excellent first impression for new arrivals on “The Disney Way” of doing things.
I don’t think I’ve ever used this one. I’m always in such a rush to get onto the next train. I’ll have to give it a shot on my next trip.
My vote for worst in MK is in the castle halfway up the stairs. Small, always a line and when my daughters were small I seemed to always be in the way while waiting for them to exit. CP is a close second, although if you want you can head over to the one’s by Casey’s. Not to far a walk. In fact I can recall being at CP once and you HAD to use the outside facilities.
Best in MK, at the exit to Splash. Never a long line, and always clean.
the one at splash is a good one too and i often visit it
Like Pete’s in Toontown. When in the World, all of the bathrooms are referred to as Pete’s (and for a few weeks after too). LTT bathroom is horrible. Upstairs, 2-3 stalls, TINY and the door is always propped open since there is always a line. So, just hit another “Pete’s” somewhere else to “wash up” before dining.
the general icky-ness of LTT seems to be a trend. I’ll try to avoid it!
Upstairs at Columbia Harbour House – we have always found these to be very clean and never crowded.
I have photos of WDW restroom signs in my bathrooms at home. It’s interesting to see the variety and themes.
Favorites: MK between Frontierland and Adventureland.
MK beside Cosmic Ray’s, accross from Tomorrowland Speedway. Spent way too much time in this one with my five year old son cleaning up an epic embarassment at the Speedway. He’s 14 and just now begining to admit to the humor of it all. EPCOT just outside the International Gateway. Huge and empty.
I was catching up on back podcasts of WDW Today, and thought of Kristen’s article when I listened to Episode 569: “When You Gotta Go.” Len and the gang break down their favorite WDW rest rooms. Informative, and funny!
One of the worst has to be in Liberty Tree Tavern. 🙂
The LTT bathroom is AWFUL isn’t it?! That and the one at Le Cellier in Epcot. I’ll quote the mad hatter and say, “No room! No room!” 🙂
Kristen,
Hi!!! I must have a little bladder, too, because I have memorized where most of the restrooms are in the 4 parks!!! MY favorite 3 in MK are the following: the one near the exit to pirates, the one in the front near City hall, and the one not too far from the Mad Hatter Teacups!
Can’t wait for the next posts in the series, KH!
My favorite is the one between Casey’s Corner and the Baby Center in the MK. NO idea why…I like the way it smells in there, I guess.
There was a site a while back that was attempting to get photos of every WDW bathroom…I wonder where that’s gone. It was quite clever, and we all clearly have a lot to say about the bathrooms in the World!
AJ asked:
>> There was a site a while back that was
>> attempting to get photos of every WDW bathroom…
>> I wonder where that’s gone.
Article about that site here: http://thewebgangsta.com/index.php/2009/07/a-walt-disney-world-bathroom-photoblog/
Thanks for the link! I’ll have to check this out later today.
Thanks AJ! I’ll post my favorite Epcot bathrooms in a couple weeks.
I’m going to have to check out this one it seems to be popular.
The one in the baby center is a favorite of ours- at all 4 parks… and we use a lot of bathrooms, I’ve been pregnant for 2 of our past 3 trips.
oh i think you get the prize then! thanks for pointing out the baby care centers the thought never even crossed my mind since I never use them.
My Favorites:
At EPCOT–a hidden gem is at the back of the now “Festival Center” (formerly known as Wonders of Life pavilion). There is a stall all the way at the back with a sink. Nice for cleaning up messes such as spilled food (or wine.)
At the MK–around the corner from Casey’s and just before the baby care/first aid center.
At the Studios–just around the corner from Pixar place. Makes it easy to ride Toy Story Midway Mania over and over and over again.
At the Animal Kingdom–I do not have a fave. Looking for suggestions. Any comments on the loo just outside “Finding Nemo?” Hubby tossed his cookies in the men’s room there. I’ve never tried the lady’s and was wondering how it was since all the others were uh, ‘er . . . unpleasant.
not to worry… i will cover all of the parks (and maybe some other places) in time!
This is funny, we were just talking about bathrooms at Disneyland last weekend.
If you ever go to Disneyland, try the one between Innoventions and the Disneyland Railroad – Tomorrowland Station…I’ve heard it is the best. There is almost never any traffic there as no rides save the train exit near it, and you have to backtrack from that one to even see it. =) Clean and empty and not small either.
one day I’ll make it to Disney geek Mecca and I will try any bathrooms which are recommended. thanks!
I have to say my least favorite bathroom has consistently been inside The Crystal Palace. It is super tiny, always busy, and very dirty since it is seemingly impossible for custodial to keep up. I know that Crystal Palace is going down for a refurb and I hope they make a larger bathroom to accomodate this popular character meal restaraunt.
the bathrooms in the table service restaurants are often tiny. I’ve never eaten in CP, but if I do I’ll try to take my bladder issues elsewhere.
Don’t know the Magic Kingdom, but at Disneyland the best restroom is at the entrance to the Enchanted Tiki Room. Located inside the queue, it is virtually unknown to most visitors since it isn’t on the maps.
Agreed! Definitely a hidden gem.
The bathroom on Tom Sawyers island is always clean & very nice, of course you have to be ON the island to use it 🙂 I have a peanut bladder as well so I understand…
ohhhh thats a good one! can you believe I haven’t been to Tom Sawyer’s Island in my adulthood? I think I’m going to have to go just for the bathroom now. I’ll have to give it the stamp of approval
I agree abotu Tom Sawyer’s Island. We were there last June and it was the quietest, coolest, cleanest basthroom we visited ( and visit I do!) the whole seven days we were there.