Bathroom Paranoia

[Lawndart1971]

Hello everyone, my family is pondering the late August WDW trip we've scheduled in terms of COVID risks. One of the biggest unanswered questions is about how safe or risky the theme park bathrooms might be. I have seen zero information about how WDW plans to handle public bathrooms once the parks re-open. Are they filtering the air in the HVAC system or are they just planning to clean them furiously every fifteen minutes? We're hoping that the lack of smelly bathroom experiences at WDW means there's already some kind of air filtration going on, but that might be wishful thinking.

Any reassurances or information would be super helpful. Thanks!

 

[TheConsciousness]

If you're worried about public bathrooms being the issue, this may not be the best time to go. But I would suspect that surfaces would be cleaned much more frequently, as is the rest of the park.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Ok, I get you are worried, but take a step back and think about a couple things:
Why are you scared of the air in the bathroom and not in the lines or rides?
Cleaning all the surfaces in the bathroom does nothing for the air. So if you are worried about the air then no amount of cleaning will fix that problem.

I’m confident Disney has looked at their air filters on all of their HVAC systems. But even upgraded filters can only do so much, so you need to decide if it is worth the risk.

 

[Lawndart1971]

Bathrooms are enclosed spaces where people are most likely to take off masks.

The risk of being in a properly socially distanced and cleaned ride or line seems lower than the risk of using a public bathroom.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I guarantee you people are going to take their masks off on dark rides where they think people can’t see them and you are going to move right through the air the just exhaled (Haunted Mansion, Pirates, The Seas with Nemo and Friends) etc. I’m sure they will use the same precautions in the bathrooms as they do everywhere else. depending on crowds they may do every other stall alternate : one being clean, one occupied. But there isn’t more they can do and you are goi g to have to accept the risk.

 

[Victoria3]

Bathrooms are enclosed spaces where people are most likely to take off masks.

The risk of being in a properly socially distanced and cleaned ride or line seems lower than the risk of using a public bathroom.

There's always a risk of others taking off their masks. I'd advise not going if you're paranoid.

 

[Lawndart1971]

I appreciate the argument that folks are trying to make that rides and lines are just as risky as bathrooms. I'm sorry, I respectfully disagree and consider spending a larger amount of time inside a small, enclosed space with recirculated air to be riskier than, say, spending a few minutes inside a moving ride vehicle inside a large indoor space. It's the same reason we won't be flying to Florida or going to sit-down restaurants, and perhaps won't be riding Mission Space.

I was hoping someone would know if Disney filters the HVAC systems in theme park bathrooms, since that would make the risk of using them more acceptable to my family.

So, as respectfully as I can be, if your response is "Well, if you're so paranoid about public bathrooms, what about rides?", then you're not really being helpful. Thanks.

 

[VandVsmama]

You yourself titled the thread "Bathroom paranoia," so that is why other posters are using the word "paranoid" in their responses. I understand your concern. The situation with corona virus has a lot of people on edge and that can be very stressful. However, if you are seriously concerned over the possibility of catching the virus while using a Disney bathroom, then you should be asking yourself that same question for **any** public bathroom that you use...anywhere...at a Disney park, at home, etc.

Frequent & thorough hand washing & not touching your face (this includes not fiddling with your mask) are a couple of great ways to reduce the odds of infection...in addition to staying far away from people, of course.

Only YOU know what you and your family would be most comfortable with. Every family has to weigh the odds and decide what works best for them. And that can definitely vary a lot from one family to another.

The best way to find out would be to call Disney directly and ask. Your question might not be a very common one that the CMs in the customer service phone center encounter. However, it's certainly worth a shot.

 

[cakebaker]

There's always a risk of others taking off their masks. I'd advise not going if you're paranoid.

Being concerned about the use of public bathrooms during an active pandemic is not paranoia. It's being careful and making sure you're taking proper precautions. Nevermind the response is just rude and isn't helpful.

Bathrooms are damp, people will take their masks off and they will congregate at the sink and mirror areas. Much as Disney might clean, they are not going to clean stalls after every use. I think concerns are justified.

 

[Miffy]

Being concerned about the use of public bathrooms during an active pandemic is not paranoia. It's being careful and making sure you're taking proper precautions. Nevermind the response is just rude and isn't helpful.

Bathrooms are damp, people will take their masks off and they will congregate at the sink and mirror areas. Much as Disney might clean, they are not going to clean stalls after every use. I think concerns are justified.

I agree.

I was in a public bathroom last weekend--a necessity. Fortunately it was a large room, there were maybe 3 other women in there at the same time I was, and, interestingly, the doors to most of the stalls had been removed. One less thing to touch. Everyone was wearing a mask, but this is New York, and people here are hyperaware of the risks. No air dryers, just paper towels, although I'd brought my own.

I have no idea how WDW is going to handle this. Many of the restrooms there have a door to the room that you have to pull open, so there's no not-touching possible, unless you wait for someone else to do it for you--and then you aren't social-distanced. Many of the toilets (maybe all of them) have turbo-flush mechanisms, some of which are automatic. This is apparently a problem for reasons I'd rather not go into in a public forum. But, uh, human waste contains a hefty does of the coronavirus (if a person is infected, of course) and the turboflush tends to aerosolize this, spreading the virus throughout the area.

Further, the air dryers also aerosolize the virus.

So, yeah, I'm concerned too. I think the OP's paranoid is actually legitimate, measured concern. Paranoia is in another category altogether.

BTW, I didn't just invent all these ideas. They've been documented in several places. I read an extensive newspaper article about this a few weeks ago and I'd post the link, but it's a paper you need a subscription for. I'm sure you can Google this stuff.

 

[wilkydelts]

Disney is going to do the best they can. Disney is not going to protect you and isn’t going to pretend that they can. If you are worried or believe Disney should, then you will be happier staying home.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I appreciate the argument that folks are trying to make that rides and lines are just as risky as bathrooms. I'm sorry, I respectfully disagree and consider spending a larger amount of time inside a small, enclosed space with recirculated air to be riskier than, say, spending a few minutes inside a moving ride vehicle inside a large indoor space. It's the same reason we won't be flying to Florida or going to sit-down restaurants, and perhaps won't be riding Mission Space.

I was hoping someone would know if Disney filters the HVAC systems in theme park bathrooms, since that would make the risk of using them more acceptable to my family.

So, as respectfully as I can be, if your response is "Well, if you're so paranoid about public bathrooms, what about rides?", then you're not really being helpful. Thanks.

Why do you think the AC is different in bathrooms than in the ride queues, restaurants, or shops? You should also read up on how AC actually works in relation to COVID. I hope responsible places like Disney will switch their system to inject fresh air. Either way bathrooms do not have unique systems that are inherently safer or more dangerous the systems in shop or ride queues.

https://www.greenbuildinglawupdate....-the-risk-from-recirculated-air-in-buildings/

 

[SaintsManiac]

A bathroom visit should take less than 5 minutes. I was in a busy public restroom on Thursday where I had to wait. I stayed 6 feet away, used a napkin to close and lock/open unlock the stall. Washed my hands and got out. Never felt it was a problem. People who did have masks on did not take them off.

I was worried about using public restrooms on this road trip, but both times I did it was fine. In and out. I don’t think you need to worry too much with such a quick situation. Prolonged indoor crowding is the thing to be most concerned with.

 

[robinb]

The OP has the word "Paranoia" in the subject. I don't see why people are getting all upset when other people use the word in their response.

 

[cakebaker]

The OP has the word "Paranoia" in the subject. I don't see why people are getting all upset when other people use the word in their response.

As I said, being concerned about using the bathrooms is not paranoia, whether it's the OP saying it or anyone else. I'm not upset at all though. lol

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are concerned, then I would make sure your family members know to leave their masks on when they are inside the restroom. And also make sure they are taking the required time (20-30 seconds) to carefully wash their hands. Also, use paper towel to dry your hands as studies have shown that is the cleanest way to do so, instead of the powered air dryers.

I bet Disney will be doing a very thorough job of cleaning the bathrooms. But even so there is no guarantee something won't be in the air.

 

[maxiesmom]

I would also try your best to avoid using a stall that you see someone exiting. Try to give the air a little time to settle between guests, it at all possible.

 

[soniam]

I like the idea of the tall restroom stalls. I don't know. I can't think about it too much, or I will become a hermit in my house. Use hand sanitizer before using the bathroom, wear your mask, socially distance, and wash your hands before leaving the bathroom.

 

[maxiesmom]

I also have purchased some of the higher grade sanitizer that is supposed to keep germs from sticking to your hands. That way, the minute you touch something you are not instantly germy and carrying those germs around with you.