Is it only just portapotties at RFest?

Anonymous wrote:Yep. I have a son who is very picky about where he pees, so for him, that would definitely pose problems!.

Your son needs to man the F up. And you better start helping with that. Otherwise, he's going to have a very lonely, very frustrating, life.

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Anonymous wrote:Renaissance festivals are insufferably low class. I can't even.

Really? Why? Serious question - I’ve never been.

Because of the curly fries.

Not the gigantic turkey legs that people walk around gnawing on?

When you gotta go, you gotta go. a few years ago we stopped at a rest stop off the highway because everyone in the car really had to go. We didn't realize until after we stopped that the rest stop building was being renovated and they only had portapotties, with long lines. I pooped, and then I laughed and laughed in the car. Surprise, everyone on that line!

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Anonymous wrote:Why is it a dealbreaker?

Not OP, but portapotties make me dry heave. Not just me using them but helping my kids use them. So total deal breaker for em. And I sit on public toilets without one of those stupid paper things. I am not a germaphobe, but the smell of waste and strong disinfectant makes me hurl.

NP.
This PP and others freaking out about portapotties will make their kids worried and uptight about them too. Hope your kids don't want to go to any camp that uses unplumbed toilet blocks or portapotties. Yes, even in our "civilized" area and not out in the sticks. Do you all think that camps provide flush toilets? My DC was on staff for a camp right here in the NOVA suburbs and it uses toilets that are over pits--not plumbed, flush toilets. And the kids' duties include sweeping out the toilet blocks and replacing paper etc. The universe doesn't have sewer lines everywhere you want them to be.

Your kids will pick up your antipathy toward smells and simply assume that they too will feel sick if they get a whiff of waste. I get it--the smell can be awful. But unless you actually do hurl--frankly, learn to hold your breath better or do what some camps have kids do: Fill a tiny container, one with a flip-top lid, with a cotton ball soaked in an essential oil you like and keep it with you on a string around your neck. Open it when you're in the portapotty. But I'm betting you'll think that's too much work.

Amazing how people let a few minutes of unpleasantness take precedence over hours of potential fun events.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. There are 3 banks of bathrooms. One in the parking lot (only a few and use those as you are coming in before getting tickets) and two large banks inside. One by the front and one further in. They are fine and behind a wall. I’ve gone in in costume (corset and long skirt), 7 months pregnant, 1.5 year old and will go with my 2.5 year old this year. I manage fine.. I do bring my own packet of tissues and wipes and sanitizer as they run out towards the end of the day. But I now go from entry until about 1 pm so no issues then.
Also bring cash as there are atms but long lines for them.

We go every year, this is solid advice with minor correction. There is a section in the parking lot, just inside the gate, by the tavern, by the slides, in the middle (with running water for hand washing) and by the elephant. So that is six banks of ports potties. Be smart about where the crowds are what time and when, and don’t settle for the first door you open. I’m picky, and can always find a clean one. Sometimes it helps that there is one without toilet paper, as everyone else stopped using that particular one mid-day...all you need to do is grab tp from one next door. Ladies in hoop skirts use the handicapped ones, men prefer the “men only” side where I believe they can go without going “inside”. The hardest year was with my 2yo while potty training. I brought a little collapsible one and set it up inside the bathroom areas without going into a porta potty. (It could be used with a plastic bag that gets tossed.)

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Anonymous wrote:I mean, it's a bit unpleasant but I wouldn't go writing off entire events because of portajohns.

I would.

Really? Butlers Orchard only had port a potties but I took my kids for the Halloween festivities every year and so did many others. Same with apple picking at another farm.

People are generally sh*t faced at butlers. People make a huge mess inside these things and they really are rank by the end of a hot day. The portapotties at the ren fest aren’t cleaned particularly often, not sure if they’re cleaned daily.

Who gets drunk at an apple orchard?

We went Saturday and had a great time. We used the bathroom at Burger King before going in and did fine. I see what you mean about the bathroom situation though. We didn’t use it there so I can’t tell you but yes they are all porta potties. But the festival itself was really well done. The performers were good and there is lots to do. I like that the area is pretty wooded so we get some shade. As far as people dressing up, lots of pretty tacky outfits. I feel like most people need to cover up more than anything but hey, it makes them happy so I don’t mind. I just like that we had a great time! Had very light lunch and went out to eat after. Nothing there really but fried food.!

And I thought DCUM was so "worldly" and "well traveled."

If you can't handle porta pottys, how in the world do you tolerate those "hole in the porcelain" toilets in most of Asia and some of Europe?

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, it's a bit unpleasant but I wouldn't go writing off entire events because of portajohns.

I would.

Really? Butlers Orchard only had port a potties but I took my kids for the Halloween festivities every year and so did many others. Same with apple picking at another farm.

People are generally sh*t faced at butlers. People make a huge mess inside these things and they really are rank by the end of a hot day. The portapotties at the ren fest aren’t cleaned particularly often, not sure if they’re cleaned daily.

Rennfest is fun overall, but the portapotties suck, and I don't enjoy the overall heat/dust/grit of the day. And costumes can indeed be more trashy than evocative of any actual Renaissance clothing.

Anonymous wrote:It's confusing that they have permanent structures there, but not, you know, bathrooms.

Probably no sewage lines?

And for some reason people take dumps like they're trying to create cave paintings. Seriously i don't care how drunk you are--just squat.

Yep. I have a son who is very picky about where he pees, so for him, that would definitely pose problems! One of the many reasons why we don't go anymore, plus the crowds, and sand/mud situation - when it's dry, it's super dusty, when it rains, it's super muddy.

Anonymous wrote:Why is it a dealbreaker?

Not OP, but portapotties make me dry heave. Not just me using them but helping my kids use them. So total deal breaker for em. And I sit on public toilets without one of those stupid paper things. I am not a germaphobe, but the smell of waste and strong disinfectant makes me hurl.