DL Flu Precautions?

[SmoothDisneyH2O]

Does anyone know if DL is taking any precautions to protect their guest and CM from the Swine flu? Such as making hand sanitizer available or handing our masks or anything like that? And does anyone know if DL has ever shutdown due to a virus like the one were seeing now? We have a trip planned to DL May 8th-17th and it would suck if DL was closed due to this stupid flu. Im getting worried.

 

[wdwrich]

I don't recall DL ever closing for an outbreak like the swine flu thing. That being said, I would certainly not depend on DL (or anyplace else for that matter) to provide hand santizer, masks, etc. If I were that concerned, I'd simply bring my own.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[teatime]

There not expected to provide this, there is soap in the bathrooms and a good hand scrubbing is all thats needed. if you need sanitizer which I carry, I sugest you carry it at all times in your pack. I use it between rides. and before any food I wash my hands thoroughly and then sanitize again. face masks in disneyland? I do not think so. I would hope if people are so sick, they need to stay home.

 

[carolannec]

Most likely DL will not provide those items for guests and CMs. You could bring hand santizer and use it when you feel it's needed and bring wet ones to wipe down where you'll sit, handle bars, or anything before you touch them.

 

[Leofoenget]

Does anyone know if DL is taking any precautions to protect their guest and CM from the Swine flu? Such as making hand sanitizer available or handing our masks or anything like that? And does anyone know if DL has ever shutdown due to a virus like the one were seeing now? We have a trip planned to DL May 8th-17th and it would suck if DL was closed due to this stupid flu. Im getting worried.

Use common sense, don't touch your hands to your face, use hand gel, if you feel like you are getting the flu go to the Dr. Despite what the MEDIA is telling you, all HELL is not breaking loose. Myabe in Mexico but not here.

 

[swimrsal]

You know, I'm really nervous about this too... to be honest. I'll be there at about the same time as you.

I have three young boys and keeping their hands off their faces is pretty impossible, kwim? We're painting the anti-thumb sucking stuff on our oldest to discourage him from putting his hands in his mouth all the time and plan to continue to do that in Disneyland. We're also packing Handi-wipes to wipe down hands after rides... I don't know that we'll wipe down the ride too, but not a bad idea. We'll also have hand sanitizer and will make a point of going and washing hands before meals.

I'm also really nervous about it on the airplane. I plan to wipe our seats down before we sit... ack!

Perhaps the locals will stay home from Disneyland for fear of getting sick and crowds will be lower? Ugh... just trying to see a bright side.

 

[CanadianPaco]

I work in infection control (and just came back from DL) and all I would say is bring your own hand santizer and .. this is the one thing the media doesn't say ... don't touch your face!!!! I mean no nose touching no eye touching and "wash"your hands beofer eating. Viruses enter the body through the mucous membranes of the body - eyes, nose and mouth. Keep your hands away from your face and you reduce your risk. And have fun!

 

[Stacerita]

Bring your own sanitizer and use common sense. Wash hands throughly and you should be fine. I dont think we are at the need for masks and what not. And those who feel that is necessary, maybe should stay home. If I was that concerened, I wouldn't put myself at risk.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I read a post some time ago about hand sanitizer on this board... it said that Purell type sanitizers do nothing to prevent certain illnesses (I think the poster was actually talking about rotovirus or norwalk), but that Wet-Ones do kill those germs. So, we use wet-ones after every other ride usually. And it feels good to be wiping everything off our hands, and then throwing away the wipe, rather then rubbing something into our hands...

Anyhow, that's our plan, wet-ones often, and a good hand washing after each potty break (which with a 5 year old, is about every 2 hours.)

I also bring travel sized lysol with me, and zap the hotel room remote (which is the dirtiest thing in a hotel room), head-board, phones, toilet, sink handles, door knobs and light switches--as soon as we arrive.

And (yes, I am a little germaphobic), I also bring a baggie with clorox wipes for on the airplane, and do the airplane trays, arm rests, seatbelt clips, and knobs above our head, as well as around the window where dd sits.

With all of this, we don't get sick when we are on vacation. We also make sure we eat pretty well, and drink lots of fluids.

 

[swimrsal]

Good idea on the Clorox wipes... I'll have to bring some. I wonder if they sell Lysol in the Hojo's store? I don't think I can bring a can of it on the airplane!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Walmart and some grocery stores sell travel sized lysol! I put it in my quart sized baggie for carry-on for the airplane--works great!!

 

[jenjersnap]

Good idea on the Clorox wipes... I'll have to bring some. I wonder if they sell Lysol in the Hojo's store? I don't think I can bring a can of it on the airplane!

They make a travel size, Lysol To Go. I've brought it on planes with no problem, just needs to go in your 3-1-1 bag.

Please do not depend solely on gel sanitizer over frequent handwashing. Here's a quote from a friend who works the front lines of public health when I asked her about hand sanitizers:

BASICALLY....they can be useful against the flu IF used correctly...which means you need to wash your hands first and use a 60% or based alcohol gel and use enough...well over a TABLESPOON. They do nothing if your hands are grimy to begin with.

HTH....soap and water are by far the BEST THING EVER!

Thought this might help someone. I know I never use over a tablespoon but I will now. (I might need to bring a case of the stuff!)

 

[Gisele]

Ah............. I can see it now........... mommy why is that pirate wearing a weird lookin' mask over his mouth?? Huh.....

 

[Vixen]

 

[jemilah]

Hand washing is really the best , I told my boys you should always wash if you are in contact with someone who appears ill ..........even the common cold can be avoided this way.

 

[glendalais]

Please rest assured that the Disneyland Resort continues to operate normally at this time. Both Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park remain open according to their previously posted schedules, and all Entertainment offerings are continuing to be offered at their scheduled times.

As always, the safety and well-being of our Guests and Cast Members remains our top priority. The Disneyland Resort will comply with the recommendations, guidelines and orders of the World Health Organization, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as Local, State and Federal Authorities.

Guests who feel ill at any time while visiting a Disney Park may visit any First Aid station. These are listed on Park Guidemaps or you can ask any Cast Member for assistance.

Face masks are currently not being distributed at any Disney Park. However, Guests may purchase hand sanitizer at select Merchandise locations.

 

[kiwitravel]

Does anyone know if DL is taking any precautions to protect their guest and CM from the Swine flu? Such as making hand sanitizer available or handing our masks or anything like that? And does anyone know if DL has ever shutdown due to a virus like the one were seeing now? We have a trip planned to DL May 8th-17th and it would suck if DL was closed due to this stupid flu. Im getting worried.

I wouldn't be making any decision other than planning your trip as normal for now. With the way this virus is running more will be known by the end of next week ie how contageous and how wide spread it is.

The WHO still have the alert level at 4 (out of 6) but many experts believe the level should already be at 5 and will be officially by the end of this week. Having said that I believe on the evidence so far we should not be panicing or making huge livestyle changes yet

 

[ballarinamom]

The reason that Wet Wipes work better than Purell is because Wet Wipes actually WIPE the germs off. Purell only stunts the germs for a bit and then they wake up. If you use Purell, wipe it off with a tissue to get the germs OFF.

 

[Eeee-va]

I've never heard of Disneyland closing for pandemics. If Anaheim had as many victims as Mexico City, I wouldn't be shocked if Disneyland chose to shut down, but as long as attendance is high and the government hasn't mandated they close, I think they'll stay open.

The flu pandemics in 1957 and 1968 killed around 100,000 total people in the US. I don't know that there were any park closures at all due to that, but I can't find any reference to them and looking at the statistics, I'd guess not.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gzz357patY4-QaJFvo9O95zMM_EQD97RNDR00

Flu deaths are nothing new in the United States or elsewhere. The CDC estimates that about 36,000 people died of flu-related causes each year, on average, during the 1990s in the United States.

So realistically the swine flu could get a lot worse and still not be outside the range of a "typical" flu season.

Since I'm within driving distance I'm fortunate in that I can book a refundable room and cancel if necessary. I'm keeping an eye on things but don't have any plans to cancel unless things get significantly worse in the US.

 

[MAH4546]

I would hardly worry about a flu that has killed nobody in the United States and infected only 41 out of 300,000,000 people.

http://shouldibeworriedaboutswineflu.com/

This is one of the most disgusting instances of the media blowing things out of proportion that I have ever seen.