Disney World for germ-conscious individuals

[Lynne M]

Some friends of ours are talking about maybe accompanying us to the world next year on vacation. They are very germ conscious, not to say that we are not, but not as much as they. We are avid handwashers, hand sanitizing, keeping hands away from face, etc... But the areas that worry me most, and I mentioned to them, are with respect to eating, things like plasticware not being individually wrapped and sealed, straws not being sealed, difficulty finding a clean table during lunch/dinner rush. I mentioned that they could bring their own plasticware from home, as well as straws, and we usually wipe off the tables with sanitizing wipes, but I just don't want all this to have such a negative mental affect on them that they don't enjoy DW.

Anyone out there germ conscious and how do you handle DW? Any other suggestions so they don't arrive unprepared?

Thanks!

WDW is absolutely no different than other public places. How do they handle dining at restaurants, fast food places, shopping in malls, going to a sporting event at a big stadium, visiting other theme parks, staying in hotels, flying on commercial airlines? A trip to WDW is just those things collected in one vacation.

I assume they have their ways of dealing with all of those situations. I don't see any need to advise them to make special arrangements for WDW?

 

[SDSorority]

I'm honstly trying to understand this, but how come you would bring in your own utensils for some meals, but use Disney's for others? Or do you bring your own to all meals, even the table service ones? In that case, how come using the plate doesn't squick you out?

Sorry. We bring in our own lunch and snacks into the parks, so we use our own utensils. At TS meals we use the real utensils at the table. We're more about not touching the food with our bare hands than anything.

 

[nytimez]

Would you send a claustrophobic spelunking on their vacation? or how about recommend an acrophobic to spend their vacation on a trip to scale the Empire State Building? Then why recommend your germ phobic friends go to a place that is crawling in germs?

I have a niece that is terrified of costumed characters and parades. As much as I want her family to get to go to WDW and have a great time like we do I can’t in clear conscious tell her parents to take her there and that they will have a great time. We are hoping she will outgrow it and one day they will get to go but until then if they ask me if there are parades and charecters around (anywhere, giving a schedule of times and places to avoid isn't good enough to calm her fears) I cannot lie to them and tell them there is no way they will run into a charecter or two.

Would I send a claustrophobic person spelunking? I don't think I'd "send" anyone anywhere -- but if I knew a claustrophobic person who wanted to go spelunking, I wouldn't discourage him or her. Similarly, if a friend came to visit with a fear of heights and wanted to visit the Empire State Building, I'd take him. It's not like he'd be surprised when he got there are found out it was a very tall building... so my conscience would be pretty clear.

Similarly, I don't think OP is "sending" his/her friends anywhere, they seem interested in joining him/her in a trip to Disney World. At least, that's how I read the question... and I gave my advice, which he/she is free to take or ignore.

 

[RMulieri]

This may not be what you want to hear, but there is no way to avoid touching germy things at WDW. For starters, you have to put your finger on the finger scan to even get in the park. Not to mention you have to touch seat restraints and railings and such. If any of those things freak out your friends, then you are in for a long, stressfull vacation.

Even if your friends bring their own silverware, what about plates? They can't possibly pack their own plates or glasses. At some point they will need to use the dinnerware Disney provides. Not to mention they won't be able to bring in plastic wrapped silverware or straws into the Animal Kingdom at all. That sort of stuff is deadly to the animals and not allowed.

I think frequent handwashing and sanatizing is the best you can do. Also being careful not to touch your face (which is harder than it sounds) helps to keep germs from getting into your system. Maybe pack some Airborne for your friends to help their immune system.

I wish you luck.

2nd this..Disney,like ANY public place is germy. I don't get this fear of all germs(UNLESS you are immunosuppressed in which case it is justifiable)..Not all germs are bad, in fact some are quite neccessary .I swear I wish I invented hand sanitizer..I would be WEALTHY.

 

[WicketsMom]

I don't get the fear of germs either, but to each his own. I do wish though that people would refrain from using the hand sanitizers when they are seated at a table in a restaurant. The strong smell from them is horrible (to me) and very unappetizing when I am trying to enjoy my meal. If you feel the need to use these before eating, please go to the restroom to do so!

 

[luvthemouse71]

I wouldn't go on a vacation with these people- the trip is going to be about their OCD.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't get the fear of germs either, but to each his own. I do wish though that people would refrain from using the hand sanitizers when they are seated at a table in a restaurant. The strong smell from them is horrible (to me) and very unappetizing when I am trying to enjoy my meal. If you feel the need to use these before eating, please go to the restroom to do so!

I have to say I'm sorry, but I'm not going to go to the bathroom to sanitize my hands. Then you either have to grab paper towel and use it to open the door, or you have to touch the door which defeats the purpose of the sanitizer. They do make sanitizer that doesn't have that awful smell though, so hopefully that helps you out a bit.

I may not "get" someone's fear, but that is the thing about fears and phobias, they don't always make sense. You can't rationalize them away. For instance I know that if try and ride Soarin I will have a bit of a freak out once strapped in. It doesn't matter that I climb ladders higher than 15 feet tall at work, I still feel I am up way too high and am going to fall out of my seat. It isn't rational, but I still get the shakes once my seatbelt clicks on.

People could try and be a bit kinder and more understanding. People don't choose to have phobias and fears.

 

[MrRomance]

Without wishing to offend anyone being germaphobic to this degree is really unhealthy. Being so preoccupied with "germs" that you put off or deliberately avoid doing things is not being germ conscious, it's a phobia.

I have helped many people deal with the phobias over the years and I would urge anyone who has such deep rooted worries about "germs" to get some help to overcome it.

Firstly, we build our immune system by being exposed to germs. Those who "over clean" and obsessively wash their hands have weaker immune systems and therefore get sick more often. It then becomes a unbreakable circular system of belief. I have to wash my hands every 5 minutes or I will get sick > get sick > I have to wash my hands every 2 minutes.

Secondly, you can not avoid "germs" and you can't run your life around trying to. Whereever you go whatever you do, you will be exposed to bacteria and germs, the more you go to huge lengths to avoid it, the more likely you'll get ill.

 

[SaraJayne]

WDW will be a nightmare for them. Seriously.

I'm not a germaphobe by any stretch of the imagination and some things there squick me out.

I can't see them (and by extension, you) having a good time at all.

 

[chartle]

Stay away from the Buffets.

Not because there are any health issues with the buffets but people like this always post they stay away from them. You don't want to surprise them.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

I lived in a hole in the ground for a year and went for 90 days with out a shower when I was 20 years old( Vietnam). I will be 60 next month and I aint dead yet. Wash your hands , take a flue shot and Mickey on!

 

[TDC Nala]

If they would feel more comfortable bringing their own plastic utensils there isn't any reason why they can't do that. No need to use straws (they can bring in wrapped straws, but plastic straws will not be allowed in Animal Kingdom) or go to buffets. They can even wear gloves and masks if it comes to that, they can also use a grocery service and have all packaged food delivered...exactly how phobic are they? If they're REALLY phobic they won't have a good time no matter what you do. It's their job to see that their needs are met, not yours.

 

[pbrim]

I'm honstly trying to understand this, but how come you would bring in your own utensils for some meals, but use Disney's for others? Or do you bring your own to all meals, even the table service ones? In that case, how come using the plate doesn't squick you out?

Speaking as the ex-wife of a OCD germ-phobe: The difference is between the plastic flatware used at counter service, and the metal flatware used at TS.

Plastic flatware that is not sealed in plastic has not been washed since it was made. It has rattled around in who-knows-what conditions for who-knows-how long, and it has sat at the counter where it may have been touched by all kinds of people.

Metal flatware at a sit-down restaurant may have been used by a number of people, but is sanitized between uses. After cleaning, it is handled by a limited number of people with at least some training in cleanliness standards. It may be laid on a table, but that table is probably cleaned between groups of diners.

I'm not saying that QS places are filthy, but they don't have the same standards of cleanliness (or the same health dept inspections) as TS places. Any place where you bus your table yourself, as opposed to having people whose job it is to clean up after each group of diners, is not going to be quite as clean. As someone with a healthy imune system, I have no problem with exposure to a certain amount of germs; I think it helps keep your imune system strong. But people who are germ-consious, for whatever reason, will usually have different routines for QS vs TS places.

 

[danabalana]

WDW is absolutely no different than other public places. How do they handle dining at restaurants, fast food places, shopping in malls, going to a sporting event at a big stadium, visiting other theme parks, staying in hotels, flying on commercial airlines? A trip to WDW is just those things collected in one vacation.

I assume they have their ways of dealing with all of those situations. I don't see any need to advise them to make special arrangements for WDW?

This. They'll be fine
Don't let it be your problem. Enjoy your trip

 

[MsTinkerChele]

I lived in a hole in the ground for a year and went for 90 days with out a shower when I was 20 years old( Vietnam). I will be 60 next month and I aint dead yet. Wash your hands , take a flue shot and Mickey on!

 

[POOHsie]

I worked for a lady who was trying to also be my friend. She was so high-maintenance that no-one could keep up with all her personal drama. And that's what it was, more than actual issues. She was one who needed hotel rooms super-allergy cleaned, and air filters replaced with Hepa filters. If she ordered bottled water, and it was opened before arrival at her table, she sent it back (she claimed they were refilling empty bottles with tap water). Of course, she was a super germophobe, and had boxes and boxes of Kleenix so as not to touch stuff. Also tons of hand sanitizers. I was a rare person allowed into her home (to do computer work). Her front room was stunning, complete with white carpet. But the rest of the house looked like something from the Hoarders TV show. You actually walked down aisles in her rooms, with stuff crammed to the ceilings. She sold Real Estate and she was so scatter-brained that she couldn't manage her cell-phone, and the inbox would stay full. So she got another phone to pick up the slack. And another. She had 3 that I knew of. Two fax machines bc one would always be out of paper and faxes overflowing on the floor. Once I moved her purse off the car floor when I got in her car one day, and she said to be careful bc there was a loaded .45 in there!

You have to stay at arm's length from nutty, drama people. They are constantly craving attention and they are Hollywood stars of their own personal dramas. They are looking for the nearest sympathetic audience. Don't volunteer.

 

[FosterA]

I lived in a hole in the ground for a year and went for 90 days with out a shower when I was 20 years old( Vietnam). I will be 60 next month and I aint dead yet. Wash your hands , take a flue shot and Mickey on!

Listen to this guy
I'm 39 and have never bought hand sanitizer. Ever. I have 2 kids and one was a thumb sucker and God only knows the germs he picked up and directly stuck in his mouth. (hello...McDonalds playland then thumb right into mouth before I could catch him) ugh. But....I can honestly say that nobody in my family is EVER sick. My thumb sucker is now 11 and has probably only missed 4 days of school his entire life from being sick. So...one can live a long healthy life without bathing in hand sanitizer, as a matter of fact I think by not being so phobic you can work up a much better immunity. We are living proof of that.
HOWEVER OP....if these people have a true phobia/OCD problem than that is a whole other story and Disney would not be right for them at all. I understand phobias because I absolutely go bonkers when I see a snake and start to sweat and get nauseous and basically have an anxiety attack and that's if it's just a garden snake! Logic tells me it wont hurt me but there is no reasoning with somebody with a phobia.
Good luck!

 

[GCM]

I want to thank everyone for their responses. I only have a quick minute, so I will respond to a few and try to respond more later.

To begin, let me mention that my family did not invite them to go with us, but when we recently returned, they were asking questions and said they would like to go, but would rather go with someone who has been several times and has an idea of when and how to get the most bang for their buck. However, my only child is very close friends with their child and wants them us to go together. I am just trying to prepare them so THEY can make an informed decision about whether or not they would enjoy it. I don't have the right to tell someone they can or cannot go, but if they are forewarned, I won't feel bad if they encounter things that make them uncomfortable.

They do eat out and they shop in stores and malls quite frequently (weekly or more). They work in the public. The deal with the food service and utensils is that the utensils are left open in containers where anyone can touch them. I will admit I have seen people get an extra spoon or fork, put it on their tray and then realize they have too many and put it back, therefore touching a utensil that someone will be using. Also, the straw dispensers have been touched by who knows how many people throughout the day and then the straw that will be used touches the area that has been touched by others. I know this will bother them.

I am confident that they will use Purell after any ride in which they have touched a bar or lasar gun, etc., just like they do after touching a shopping cart, but they still go shopping and they still use a shopping cart. However, they have learned over the years how to handle these issues and I want to help them prepare for an unknown environment to them.

I appreciate all the suggestions and plan to copy them and give to them.

Thanks!

 

[Mrsjvb]

2nd this..Disney,like ANY public place is germy. I don't get this fear of all germs(UNLESS you are immunosuppressed in which case it is justifiable)..Not all germs are bad, in fact some are quite neccessary .I swear I wish I invented hand sanitizer..I would be WEALTHY.

I am immunosupressed but I do nothing different in WDW than I do at home or any other public space. I do keep hand sanitizer to cover any instances where soap and water is not an option/available.

Truth be told my doctor has repeatedly told me that only minimal precautions need to be taken.. such as the flu shot. this obsession with germ warfare is what is preventing us from building the immunities we need to stay healthy and beat back super bugs.

 

[Mrsjvb]

I don't get the fear of germs either, but to each his own. I do wish though that people would refrain from using the hand sanitizers when they are seated at a table in a restaurant. The strong smell from them is horrible (to me) and very unappetizing when I am trying to enjoy my meal. If you feel the need to use these before eating, please go to the restroom to do so!

the ones from Scentsy and Bath and body works smell yummers