AIBU to think periods are normal? Disney take note!

[StripyHorse]

We've just returned from a few days in Disneyland Paris. Things were a bit manic before we went away so typically I forgot something - sanitary towels. I came on while I was there and ran out of the emergency supply I have in my rucksack and needed some more. Despite being a family resort with plenty of teenagers and women of childbearing age Disney seem to think periods are something to be ashamed of. There are no dispensers in the toilets and the shops there only stock Disney tat rather than any essential items. Instead you can only get them from the stroller hire place at the front of the park - cue a 20 minute wait in my case. I got to the front of the queue to be told they had run out -
in my limited French I managed to ask if they had any sanitary products because I needed them. Reluctantly the woman checked the stock and found some. When I finally did get some they were reminiscent of the maternity towels I used but needs must.

AIBU to think that Disney really could do better?

[CoteDAzur]

“somewhere the size and profile of Disneyland should have NO sanitary protection available in its loos - I honestly thought that was a basic provision, not a rare luxury.”

I’ve been living in France for a very long time and don’t remember ever seeing sanitary product dispensers in public toilets. It’s certainly not a basic provision here.

[Ilovechocolatetoomuch]

SDTG the train station is right next door to the park. We stayed on site and this was the only place we found.

[Sprogletsmuvva]

To be fair OP, the OP says the Disney shops “just sell Disney tat not any essential items “. Which suggests there’s any amount of things someone might need they can’t get (diarrhoea tabs and painkillers are the particulars ones for me ). Making the point about provision is one thing, thre “something to be ashamed of” line is a bit pass-agg though (rather like the value-laden phrase about “decolonising” a curriculum rather than just broadening its sources).

[JacquesHammer]

I don't think that would work for us with really heavy periods

I think I'd have to just put an entire loo roll, complete with cardboard tube in my pants to even go near to coping . You know, those public loo "industrial size" ones.

[Sallystyle]

Frankly you could have wodged up a load of loo roll and made do until passing a likely shop or the guest services.



I don't think that would work for us with really heavy periods.

[dancinfeet]

YABU as the shops in the train station sell just about everything, not cheap but they definitely have them. The Disney shops in the Parks sell Disney merchandise because they are gift shops and all hotels sell sanitary items. You can't criticise Disney - it's magic!!! (currently got our 7th trip booked)

[frieda909]

And I can't believe complaining about the size of sanitary towel! Who cares?! Surely it would be worse if they only had tampons when someone - perhaps young girl - hadn't used them before.

If it was the type of sanitary towel I’m thinking of (and which I got from a machine at Disneyland myself years ago) then they really are awful though. It’s not just a jumbo always/bodyform/whatever. It’s a huge thick pad the likes of which I had never seen before (or since!)

I use reusable pads now which thankfully means I never have to run out and buy more, as long as I keep up with the laundry!

[TSSDNCOP]

In the interest of research I just recce'd the ladies airside in Paphos airport. 1 unbranded tampon available for €2. Nothing else.

[DeleteOrDecay]

It's hardly Disney's responsibity.

Maybe they should stop providing loo roll too. After all it’s hardly Disney’s responsibility to cater for those who may need to relieve themselves during their visit. People should be organised and bring their own.

[SoupDragon]

To say you're lucky to find public toilets isn't "nonsense" it's accurate, certainly around here.

No, it's nonsense. There's no luck about it. I'm amused at the assumption that everyone lives somewhere there are no pubs/cafes/supermarkets...

Oh, and let's not forget that the OP is in Disneyland where there are loads of public toilets. Most likely a block on every street corner. It is not unreasonable to expect them to have a sanitary dispenser.

[Goshthatwentwell]

YANBU OP. A mega global corporation catering for tourists shouldn't have any problems supplying a selection of San pro.

[LadyinCement]

OP is making a bit of a fuss. Sanitary products etc are definitely sold in Disney shops, especially at hotels. There's usually a small section stocking these and painkillers, plasters etc.

And I can't believe complaining about the size of sanitary towel! Who cares?! Surely it would be worse if they only had tampons when someone - perhaps young girl - hadn't used them before.

Frankly you could have wodged up a load of loo roll and made do until passing a likely shop or the guest services.

[Excited101]

Well why not? That's what most people would do without thinking too much about it. And I did say that the train station is right on top of Disney anyway.

When op started her period and realised she didn't have enough she could have sorted something out via a local shop either by car or by train. There's no need to be dramatic about it, its an inconvenience but shit happens. It's hardly Disney's responsibity. As far as I remember they didn't have any pharmacys or supermarket type shops in the park so it's hardly like they're not providing sanpro to make a point or something.

[User843022]

'There's a decent supermarket about 10 mins drive away. It's hardly a massive struggle.'
No, just massively inconvenient.

'Can't buy nurofen or any medication anywhere except in a pharmacy for example'

Yes take note anyone going to France. Also they don't have squash

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Excited
Cos op is just going to leave the park, go all the way back to the car park (assuming she drove), get in the car, buy sanpro and drive all the way back to the car park and walk back into the park. That would take her all of an hour and a half minimum. She could have gone to Paris on the train waaay faster. Really not inconvenient at all to do that.

[MerryMarigold]

I haven't RTFT but has anyone done a spoof conversation between Belle, Cinderella and Snow White about periods and PMT? I'm not clever enough but I'd love to read it.

[sweetbitter]

Never been to any Disney, but I'd say France is less "commercial" than the UK in that shopping is much more regulated (strict rules around when you can have a sale, still loads of restrictions on Sunday opening or evening opening) and it is a country much less geared around providing conveniently accessible services and goods than the UK. Can't buy nurofen or any medication anywhere except in a pharmacy for example. Way, way fewer discount stores generally and fewer and local shops in residential areas and suburbs. Even airports have a much narrower range of stuff available to buy than UK airports. So in that way it doesn't surprise me that Disney Paris doesn't sell sanitary products on site, it just sells Disney stuff.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Not exactly a convenient option for the OP, though, @Ilovechocolatetoomuch.

[JacquesHammer]

Nonsense. There are public toilets in every department store and, crucially, all over Disney

Amused at the assumption everywhere has "department stores". When the council close the last public loos around here, the nearest will be a 15 minute drive/train ride (trains which come every 30 mins) to get to the closest supermarket. To say you're lucky to find public toilets isn't "nonsense" it's accurate, certainly around here.

[Ilovechocolatetoomuch]

I bought them at the train station shop when it happened to me. They didn't have a massive supply but they were fine.

[HornyTortoise]

I havent seen a sanitary dispenser in any resturant, pub, theme park, zoo, or public toilet in the UK for years. Condoms and paracetamol by the bucket load, but no sanitary wear.

They seem to be all over here.

Though a lot of what was tampon machines have now been replaced by the likes of vibrators. Because clearly, one is much more likely to need a vibrator in an emergency, than a tampon

[Excited101]

I am aware of where it is squishee having been there a few weeks ago. It's on top of a train station that'll take you anywhere about, and funnily enough there are plenty of taxis too. There's a decent supermarket about 10 mins drive away. It's hardly a massive struggle.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

You sound very entitled btw Stripy. For the love of god. Just leeeeaaaak. Let it go, let it go. Can’t hold back anymore. Let it goooooo. I don’t care what they’re going to say. Let the storm rage on.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Indeed Handmaids tale. Thoroughly enjoying it second time around. Well, Disney is very squeaky clean and does feature characters, who are worked hard.

Oh I missed the centre of Paris comment. Ha ha ha ha ha. I think it may have won the weekly stupidity award. I used to live near Disney. The closest shops are val d’europe and not exactly just round the corner.

[StripyHorse]

I did have to pay for products (as I naturally expected to), which of course being Disney cost far more (again I expected this). My issue with the wait and inconvenience of trying the loos, asking in the shop then going to the entrance area and waiting again was that my period was heavier than expected and I was aware of leaking.

Had it been toothpaste I had stupidly run out of I would have been in less of a hurry to get it!

I am sorry if I appear entitled to not want to visibly leak all over my clothes in the middle of a public place. It is not a big ask for more facilities.