2/9/2020 trip to cancel due to Coronavirus concern?

[fuman]

We live in the USA and have a family trip to WDW in Orlando coming next week with 2 kids (9 years and 7 years old) . Kids really wanna go as Disney World is their dream destination. However, the US has declared a public health emergency. We are evaluating the risk and main worry/concern is about the risk to the kids. I know eventually it is our own decision. Just not so sure about the risk of potential virus case/transmit in airport, on plane (flight is more than 5.5 hours) and in the parks (as there are a lot of tourists). How is the sanitization in WDW parks? Worth cancelling the trip? Any way we can do ourselves to reduce/mitigate the risk? Many thanks!

 

[snappy]

We washed our hands with soap and water in the bathrooms in every park. After each ride and definitely before eating a meal or snack. Cleaned my cell phone a lot too as a trip to Disney is almost impossible with the ever at hand phone these days. I try to not touch my face or nose and if I am aware of anyone coughing sneezing or generally looking unwell, I avoid them at all costs. I cleaned all the surfaces you typically touch on my hotel rooms. Did all of this In December, still caught something about 2 days before we returned home and was coughing like crazy through Christmas. Sore throat and upper respiratory, no flu. There really isn’t any way to avoid the airborne germs. Good luck.

 

[lifesavacation]

I wouldn’t cancel. There are very few cases in the US right now. I don’t think this is going away anytime soon so I’d just be vigilant about hand washing and make sure the kids keep their hands away from their faces. Use hand sanitizer when you can’t wash with soap and water. Wipe down tables with hand wipes. Common sense things that work for colds/flu.

 

[Disneylover99]

We live in the USA and have a family trip to WDW in Orlando coming next week with 2 kids (9 years and 7 years old) . Kids really wanna go as Disney World is their dream destination. However, the US has declared a public health emergency. We are evaluating the risk and main worry/concern is about the risk to the kids. I know eventually it is our own decision. Just not so sure about the risk of potential virus case/transmit in airport, on plane (flight is more than 5.5 hours) and in the parks (as there are a lot of tourists). How is the sanitization in WDW parks? Worth cancelling the trip? Any way we can do ourselves to reduce/mitigate the risk? Many thanks!

I wouldn’t cancel.
Have fun!

 

[loves to dive]

I wouldn't cancel. As others have said do whatever you normally would do to avoid cold/flu on a trip. Personally, I'm don't do as much as some, I wash my hands with soap and warm water after the bathroom and before eating and that's about it. I guess if I were flying I might wipe down the tray top but that's it. I don't wipe down the room or anything else. When my son was little I did carry little packets of wet wipes with me but that was more for grimy little hands and face than anything else. We just got back a week ago and I'm currently down with a cold but I think I got it from honey when I got home as I didn't start getting sick until a few days after I got home. He didn't go with us. He told me he laid around not feeling well a few days after we left and we had just gotten home from a camping/work trip for him to SC so I suspect he picked up something at the client's office since the dog and I didn't leave the RV that much.

 

[TeacupsForever]

If you want to take extra precautions on top of general hand-washing hygiene, I'd purchase those medical face masks for your family. My dad works in a healthcare clinic, and he wears one every day during flu season for his own protection. They would especially give me more peace of mind on the airplane with all that not-so-fresh air.

 

[GoingSince1990]

There have been over 10,000 deaths in the US from ordinary flu since October 1, 2019, while there have been 8 cases of Coronavirus and zero deaths. If you are worried enough about Coronavirus to cancel a trip to WDW, you should never, ever visit there during the flu season.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are going to DW in late feb and then to Africa in late March. I’ll take precautions but I’m certainly not going to let a virus change my plans.

 

[Avasmama]

We're heading to Animal Kingdom Lodge / visiting the Animal Kingdoom before a seven night Disney Cruise at the end of Feb. We're going and the only way we're not is if they shut down Disney World or the cruise.

 

[tinkerjo]

Just make sure you use good hand washing and use hand sanitizer as needed. If you wash your hands after EVERY ride, you will get nothing accomplished but running to the bathroom to wash. Just use the same common sense you would at home. There are germs everywhere, they can’t be escaped. As long as you and your family have a normal immune system, you will most likely be fine. There is no greater chance of catching something at WDW as they do at school, and at 7 and 9, it’s not like they are putting things in their mouths and you can remind them not to touch any unnecessary handrails etc. Go and have a magical time!!!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

No way would I cancel. Take normal precautions and enjoy your trip!

 

[brockash]

We live in the USA and have a family trip to WDW in Orlando coming next week with 2 kids (9 years and 7 years old) . Kids really wanna go as Disney World is their dream destination. However, the US has declared a public health emergency. We are evaluating the risk and main worry/concern is about the risk to the kids. I know eventually it is our own decision. Just not so sure about the risk of potential virus case/transmit in airport, on plane (flight is more than 5.5 hours) and in the parks (as there are a lot of tourists). How is the sanitization in WDW parks? Worth cancelling the trip? Any way we can do ourselves to reduce/mitigate the risk? Many thanks!

You said you live in the US right? If so, and probably regardless; this wouldn't give me a 2nd thought. We'd wash hands well etc., but no way would we even consider canceling the trip in this situation.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Yes, they have deemed it a public health emergency but the way I read it was that they called it that an banned travel to China. Not within the US.

Hand hygiene is important ( like it is everyday ) and I'd make sure I brought wipes and hand sanitizer. I also agree that if you are flying investing in the masks is a good precaution.

 

[Avasmama]

Just to note, face masks especially for children may do more harm than good. Genreal masks don't protect from the virus. Also, people who are not used to wearing a mask tend to touch it and readjust, which actually can contaminate it.

 

[jmetz1028]

I would be more concerned about the flu. 61,000 people died from the flu in the US last flu season. Get your flu shots and have fun.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

We live in the USA and have a family trip to WDW in Orlando coming next week with 2 kids (9 years and 7 years old) . Kids really wanna go as Disney World is their dream destination. However, the US has declared a public health emergency. We are evaluating the risk and main worry/concern is about the risk to the kids. I know eventually it is our own decision. Just not so sure about the risk of potential virus case/transmit in airport, on plane (flight is more than 5.5 hours) and in the parks (as there are a lot of tourists). How is the sanitization in WDW parks? Worth cancelling the trip? Any way we can do ourselves to reduce/mitigate the risk? Many thanks!

if you cancel your trip I assume you are also pulling them out of school as they are more likely to catch it there. from what i have read biggest problem for schools if it spreads before you know you have. that used to be a big problem for daycares where I used to work. bigger worry for me would be catching a stomach bug and being able to fly home

 

[a1tinkfans]

Safe travels OP. I agree with others, common sense cleanliness and being vigilant. Have a great visit!

 

[Disco Lemonade]

I would do some homework as far as your healthcare plan if your family gets sick, if that is your concern. Our daughter came down with a fever while we were there and they put us on a shuttle to an overwhelmed urgent care. I don’t necessarily fault that place, but they had too many patients in a small place. I asked the driver if all of the Disney parks send people to that same urgent care, and he confirmed that they do. We were there for 3 hours before a doctor looked at her. I would find an alternative plan if that concerns you. There have to be others you could take an Uber/taxi to.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We are heading down tomorrow. I'm not worried at all. We have been taking airbourne the last few days and will continue to until we get back from our trip. In addition we wash our hands a lot. Just normal prescautions. Not worried at all.

 

[mkla2015]

I wouldn't cancel... I'm not canceling- we fly out on Thursday! Just use normal precautions, we plan on bringing Clorox wipes to wipe down the room and we'll wash our hands frequently in the parks and of course before eating, try not to touch things so much- like ropes/walls in ride queues, etc.

I'm just happy my kids are older and don't feel the need to put everything in their mouths now!