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?

[Sugarcoma]

Just to add, the Disney Parks employee reluctantly checking stock only after you asked is classic Disneyland Paris - in Disneyland US or Japan they would move mountains to help you.

[Excited101]

YABU. They let you leave Disneyland you know, just go to another shop, there are a couple to choose from, in Paris!

[icclemunchy]

If your the posted from the dlp4b group you were given a list of places you could buy it from there.

Mildly annoying to have to go for a wander to get some yes (and I say this as someone with a mobility disability) mildly annoying that staff weren’t sure where you could get some. But you were provided with what you needed (for free what what I can gather) in the end! A quick email suggesting better training/more pos yes accusing Disney of being anti periods? Bit of a stretch

[BlackBanana]

I say again. I am chronically ill. I have a disability. It isn’t a short stroll for me. Do I not count?

I don't understand your point. Are you saying that you couldn't walk for 15 mins in the disneypark? Surely then you would have problems accessing everything?
your argument seems to be that you could not get to where OP bought hers so they should be nearer to you...but wouldn't that be the same for everything in the park, like food, drinks, toilets, the rides. everything?
wouldn't you have the same issue at home, the shop being a walk away as well?
Sorry if I misunderstand.

[Fosterquestions]

If you want to get outraged over toilets at Disney get outraged there isn’t a single changing facility for severely disabled people in the WHOLE of Disney Paris (including hotels) AND Disney Florida

[whiskyowl]

Banana - for someone who can't walk, it is more convenient if the sanitary towels are located near to the toilet. Just as it is more convenient for ALL women, in fact. Disney are a multi-billion pound company, they can afford this.

The levels of contrariness on this thread are extraordinary. I'm waiting for the person to turn up and say that it's completely reasonable that people should walk 15 minutes to obtain loo roll from a kiosk, even if they have diarrhea, because they'll get some lovely fresh air in the process.

[whiskyowl]

foster - again, the two things aren't diametrically opposed. That's a disgrace TOO, it should be sorted.

[Lemoncurd]

This reminds me of the time DS slipped in a huge pile of vomit on the way into the park. Covered from head to toe!

Not wanting to miss out on our day, we tried to clean him up as best we could and then set about finding him some new clothes. Despite countless shops full of merchandise could we find a pair of boys trousers in any of them? Tops were easily sorted but the only option for bottoms was a skirt, dress or pyjamas!

[BlackBanana]

Banana - for someone who can't walk, it is more convenient if the sanitary towels are located near to the toilet

Yes of course it is but that doesn't actually answer my question. It's more convenient for everyone.
It would be more convenient for me if Tesco was at the end of my road too but that doesn't mean I expect them to build one there!

[applesauce1]

Disney seem to think periods are something to be ashamed of

They don't! Walt Disney released a movie called The Story of Menstruation in 1946.

It's not one of the more popular Disney films, to be honest...

[whiskyowl]

Building a Tesco at the end of your road is not the same thing as big, wealthy global corporations going to a tiny bit of effort to put sanitary dispensers in their loos, and making provisions to allow proper changing for disabled people etc. Jesus Christ, how is this hard?

[crochetmonkey74]

It's not the same as Tesco at the end of the street

[BlackBanana]

I don't think you understood my question.
Never mind though.

Isn't this all just one of those very minor irritants that you notice and then just get on with your day? Sanpro is not and never will be avaiable everywhere you might need it. Even if there were machines, OP might not have had the correct change, or they might only have regular and not superplus, or only scented towels etc?
Not really something to get all worked up about. C'est la vie.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Unihorn
No I can’t just hire a wheelchair or scooter if I’m feeling shit. Because I have ME and I need to rest my head. You have to buy such scooters as they have a minimum back rest, which is totally unsuitable. I saved up my spoons and walked around Disney earlier this year. Had I been in need of sanitary wear, it would have been a hell of a thing to go all the way back to the entrance and queue. Ok dh could have gone.

As is, I ended up collapsing for an hour prostrate on a bench while I recovered. Then very slowly made my way back to the car. I have to take risks with myself regularly. Idk when I’m going to collapse. ME is such an invisible illness and not treated seriously, which is why there is so little understanding.

The piss easy stroll comments really fuck me off.

[crochetmonkey74]

as half the population, with no control over if we menstruate, why is it outlandish to suggest we could be more catered for?

[BlackBanana]

Someone above compared it to toothpaste. We all have teeth, much more than twice as many people need toothpaste as tampons. I don't see anyone demanding that toothpaste is available in all bathrooms?

[SoupDragon]

You're very lucky if you see public toilets these days.

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

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

Even if it is only a minor irritant, @BlackBanana, it is a minor irritant that could be eliminated with very little effort or cost by the resort. And I would argue that, if your period starts unexpectedly, and you are caught short, it is a bit more than a minor irritant, if you have to stuff your knickers with loo roll, find where, on the Disneyland park you can obtain a sanitary towel or tampon, go there, queue, then go back to the loos to use them.

[whiskyowl]

"Not really something to get all worked up about."

It probably isn't for the lucky women who barely suffer at all with periods. For those of us with heavy bleeding/flooding, it's a nightmare because of the indignity and humiliation of being caught short, which is preventable with proper san-pro provision in loos.

Loos have loo roll provided because it's seen as a necessity. San-pro is just as necessary for many women, and convenient for anyone who bleeds. (I'd support the provision of incontinence pads for the older population too). Common issues with common solutions can easily be catered for.

I just think it's not that much to ask a huge, multi-billion dollar company to do one small thing to make womens' lives that bit more comfortable. Especially as they are the ones pushing their core market out of their vaginas.

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

And it is different to toothpaste because you can wait to clean your teeth, whereas if you have started your period, you can't just put off dealing with that - not if you don't want big blood stains on your clothes, that is.

[whiskyowl]

"more than twice as many people need toothpaste as tampons. I don't see anyone demanding that toothpaste is available in all bathrooms?"

OK, you're a troll. I get it now. I was stupid to take this long to see it.

[BlackBanana]

Even if it is only a minor irritant, @BlackBanana, it is a minor irritant that could be eliminated with very little effort or cost by the resort

I agree. But why not keep some perspective instead of saying its the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard of?

[crochetmonkey74]

because brushing your teeth is a much less immediate need, and doesn't result in indignity at times. It has also not become a thing that is required to be kept discreet or hidden from view, but that's a different argument too, so I won't get sidetracked : )

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Whisky
Your last sentence made me laugh. I’d just like to interject, the problem with that argument is if you’ve got your period, you’re not breeding .

[whiskyowl]

" if you’ve got your period, you’re not breeding"

That would be a very Handmaid's Tale version of Disneyland, wouldn't it?!