Help solve a spouse debate on germs, sickness and Disney

[hope23]

Please help solve a little debate for DH and I. We have very different approaches on germs and Disney.

DH approach: touch lots of things without concern, don't wash hands after rides or at all throughout the day, wash hands before meals if it is convenient, hope you don't get sick, but if you do it's just a part of life.

My approach: try not to needlessly run your hands along handrails, etc, use hand sanitizer/wipes after rides, wash with soap and water before eating, try to avoid sickness by doing what you can (while knowing that you can't avoid everything and want to have fun in the process).

We're truly curious your thoughts and experiences on this and if either approach really makes a difference... what approach do you/your family use and what have been the results on getting sick or not during or after your vacation? Thanks!

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I do the exact same things at Disney that I do in the rest of my life - wash hands before eating and after using bathrooms, and don't lick handrails or strangers' faces.

 

[PrincessJo]

We don't worry about it or stress over it. In all the times we've been to WDW or on cruises, I am the only one who has ever gotten sick, and only once. A couple of years ago I caught the flu and spent the last 3 days in our resort hotel unable to even get out of bed. I'm certain I caught the flu from a guy at the airport who was hacking up a lung. I didn't move seats fast enough I guess

*And I cannot get a flu shot because I am allergic (for all those who love to preach about getting the flu shot).

 

[Emagine]

It would depend on your family and their needs and immune systems. Go about your daily routines as normal. We take extra care because we have a crash kid and we know people go to the parks sick. We spent a bus ride with a family who had a pukey kid with a virus and they were a-ok with it because they said he was near the end of it and he wanted to go to the park. Some are ok with spreading germs, some are not. Some families have kicking immune systems, some people do not. Do what works for you. We are going soon too. We are the ones many comment about in threads who have the wipes, the hand gels etc.. but we have to and it is recommended even in the public at home.

 

[Karin1984]

I have a colleague who use a piece of toilet paper to open the door to the bathroom and to turn on the water to wash her hands afterwards. I open the door and turn on the water with my bare hands. Neither one of us has called in sick the entire year or last year. Before dinner and after using the bathroom, that's when I wash my hands. And that's it for the day. To be honest, untill you mentioned it, I had never thought about washing my hands after a ride.

If you do all what you mentioned at home, do them at Disney too. But to me, I don't think Disney is cleaner or dirtier than any other place where a lot of people come together.

 

[Canuck16]

We usually carry small bottles of hand sanitizer in our pack so we can use them any time we feel. We have been able to stay heathy on our trips.

When we were at DHS and we were in the basement of ToT waiting in the line there was a little kid in front of us that kept licking the railing as everyone moved up the stairs and across the walkway getting to the elevators. His parents were not watching and were not aware.......that would be a little tough to wash.

 

[nilla]

I'm going the unconventional route and saying that adequate sleep and a positive, non-worrying attitude are the best defenses

 

[Stoneking]

My wife and I are in the parks a fair amount and we haven't gotten sick so far. Just wash your hands a lot and try not to touch things you don't have to

 

[LATJLP]

I do the exact same things at Disney that I do in the rest of my life - wash hands before eating and after using bathrooms, and don't lick handrails or strangers' faces.

Gee, no fun huh?

 

[DebbieB]

I wash my hands after the restroom and use sanitizer before meals. I do use the seat liners in the ladies room, mainly because of women who "sprinkle". Other than that, nothing. Don't wipe down the room, don't sanitize after every ride. Never get sick.

 

[larryz]

Common sense should prevail. Take care of yourself, but you don't have to go all Howard Hughes.

 

[Satchmo128]

After a few trips in which either DH or I caught a stomach bug and were out of commission for at least a day, we have decided to do more than just the normal hand washing after using the bathroom or before a meal. We try to use hand sanitizer more often (when we get off rides, specifically) and that has really helped! It is especially important on the airplane as well since I think that is where we pick up the most germs.

 

[Farps]

If it doesn't kill ya, it'll make ya stronger !

 

[Chelley00]

I am crazy OCD about germs at Disney because our youngest DS gets pneumonia easily and unfortunately is a nail biter. I'd douse him in sanitizer if I could. I wash and use hand sanitizer often because I'm on a medication that lowers my immune system so I do everything I can to keep healthy. For him and i even wipe down tables before we sit.

Everyone else I just make sure to make them wash before meals and use hand sanitizer after.

 

[msmama]

I do what I do at home. Wash hands after using the bathroom, of course. If it's been awhile since washing my hands, and if it's convenient we wash before eating, but...I'm not going to lie, we've probably forgotten more than a few times.

We've all had a day of rough tummies at Disney, but I don't think it's been germs, I think it's more likely food that were not used to eating.

We've never gotten colds or flu or anything though.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Worse flu I ever had came after being at WDW in 2002 so we get flu shots before going. Got one last week! Wash, wash, and wash your hands after every ride. Have not had a cold in years.

 

[disney world dreamer]

i take your DH's approach for the most part.
i wash hands with soap after using the bathroom.
i only wash my hands before eating if i went to the bathroom just before eating which often times does happen at disney because we don't feel like getting up during our meal.
i don't avoid hand railings. if i did i'd probably fall down more often than i do lol.
i hate hand sanitizer.

one preventative measure i do take though is about a week before i take a couple doses of airborne which in my mind helps boost my immune system so that i can avoid getting sick before i go or during my trip.

 

[Jennasis]

I've done both ways and ALWAYS wind up with a bad cold within days of returning home from Disney.

 

[SureAsLiz]

I take the same approach as your husband and I basically live at the parks. I use all the railings, wash my hand whenever I leave the restroom (which is maybe once a visit depending on how long I am there), but I don't go out of my way to wash off other peoples germs. 10 months in and I have yet to get sick.

 

[Annadesu]

Washing your hands too much can be bad, too. Yes, wash your hands before meals, and things like that. But washing your hands after every ride is excessive.