Observation from My Recent Trip

[dawgsgirl]

First of all, I am NOT a germaphobe. I had a great time on my recent trip watching the small kids interact with the characters. But every little kid kissed, slobbered and otherwise went crazy over the character noses. How nasty do you think those noses are?? It was really interesting to watch!!

 

[WsPrincess]

I am going with that the germs on character noses are kind of like calories on vacation, they don't exist. It is now I work in my special place in my mind. I also apply this to when my kids get pictures with Santa

 

[Colleen27]

I'm with WsPrincess on this one - germs on Mickey's nose are in the same category as vacation calories. My 2yo talked the whole time we were planning our last trip about how she wanted to kiss Mickey "right on the nose", and sure enough she did just that both times we saw him. Now she's going on and on about doing the same thing next trip!

Besides, if you stop to think about it there are much, much worse things at WDW... the railings and door handles and ride restraints and interactive queue/ride/post-attraction elements (ever think about how many people touch those controls on Dumbo in an average day? ). Fortunately I don't stop to think about it! We just wash hands at every bathroom stop & before meals/snacks and hope for the best, and so far that's worked for us.

 

[TinkStitch]

It drives me crazy when I think about everything that might be on those noses. I work in costuming & when I have a Mickey who I know will want me to kiss their nose, I make sure to wipe it with a disinfectant before they get there.

 

[grandmadebby2]

I have never really thought about all the germs at WDW. Guess I better get a big bottle of hand sanitizer because now I'm thinking about it. Geez, why did I ever open and read this post? Just 68 more days until I'm at WDW with my wonderful family and gallons of hand sanitizer.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

My DH & I noticed this last trip, and he told me not to let our baby touch the noses. Well, good luck with that! When the characters see a baby, they are really sweet and interactive, but they literally shove their noses at the baby to touch and kiss. They do make adorable pictures, but I cringed at the thought of the germs. lol This happened repeatedly, so I just hoped for the best germ wise and focused on how awesome the characters were being to my little one. What else could I do? I'm pretty sure the handler would have stopped me from rubbing Purex all over Mickey's nose.

 

[RMulieri]

Doesn't bother me at all ...but then again I work in a hospital where in the span of my shifts I come in contact with all manner of foulness

 

[mrsR123]

It drives me crazy when I think about everything that might be on those noses. I work in costuming & when I have a Mickey who I know will want me to kiss their nose, I make sure to wipe it with a disinfectant before they get there.

It's been nearly 8 hours, and no one has questioned you about this "costuming" idea?

Surely Mickey washes his own face, nose, and hands before he meets guests.

 

[wehavesix]

Doesn't bother me at all ...but then again I work in a hospital where in the span of my shifts I come in contact with all manner of foulness

Me too! Except I'm a pre-k teacher! If I come home clean, I didn't do my job that day. After 22 years in the classroom, I rarely get routine illnesses like stomach bugs and colds. I'm convinced it's because my immune system is very strong from fighting all those germs every day.

 

[revdon64]

It's an interesting observation because we just came back from the World with a 16 month old and I don't recall any of the characters sticking their noses in his face. We have plenty of pics, most all of them cute, but none with him handling character noses. JMHObservation I guess.

 

[DustyPixie]

Germs are a fact of life for kids who handle, slobber on, eat with, taste, and even kiss the same things. It's just as rampant in daycare and Kindergarten as at Disney. Actually, studies show that the more kids are exposed to bacteria, the stronger their immune systems become, so consider your children's interaction with the Disney characters just another step in increasing their ability to fight off infection! Please don't let bacteria phobia interfere with your Disney character experience!!!

 

[goofyernmost]

Germs are a fact of life for kids who handle, slobber on, eat with, taste, and even kiss the same things. It's just as rampant in daycare and Kindergarten as at Disney. Actually, studies show that the more kids are exposed to bacteria, the stronger their immune systems become, so consider your children's interaction with the Disney characters just another step in increasing their ability to fight off infection! Please don't let bacteria phobia interfere with your Disney character experience!!!

 

[disnut8]

I agree 100% with the posters about letting kids build up their immune system. My son grew up without all these hand sanitizers and constant washing of hands. His wife didn't. My son and his wife just went through the same sickness. His lasted one night. Her's lasted an entire week. I haven't used a hand sanitizer in my life. The last time I was sick enough to take any kind of medicine was about 20 years ago when I had strep throat. And then I was fine in a day.

 

[GeorgiaDawg7]

First of all, I am NOT a germaphobe. I had a great time on my recent trip watching the small kids interact with the characters. But every little kid kissed, slobbered and otherwise went crazy over the character noses. How nasty do you think those noses are?? It was really interesting to watch!!

Nothing to add but a BIG GOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Well, the noses don't bother me.

But did you ever notice how everyone takes photos wearing the hats in the World Showcase? No WAY will I let anyone in our group do that!

 

[Colleen27]

Well, the noses don't bother me.

But did you ever notice how everyone takes photos wearing the hats in the World Showcase? No WAY will I let anyone in our group do that!

That one gets me too! My kids are healthy and rarely catch the bugs that go around so I trust in their immune systems to handle the germs that they'll no doubt be exposed to at WDW, but there's no defense against head lice. And after one nightmare bout with the &*%^ bugs when my oldest was in preschool, that thought bothers me a heckuva lot more than the idea that they might catch a cold from kissing Mickey's nose.

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

Yeah, our kids are always wanting to try on the hats, and we tell them not to. Once after riding Maelstrom, we were getting our picture by the giant troll, and my girls were aiming swords at his nose. They wanted to put on the helmets with the braids too. Just as I was saying, "No, do you know how many people have tried those things on?" I looked over and saw a man who had put one on his head. Not sure if I embarrassed him or scared him...

 

[CastleGazerMom]

It's always important to try to limit germs the best you can, but honestly - there is no way to avoid them altogether.

Those same people that avoid trying on hats at all costs - just think, you put your head on how many ride head rests while at WDW?

Avoid kissing Mickey's nose? How about all those hand rails and wait queue barriers your touching?

Standing in lines all week next to people who may be sick, using restrooms with others that are too much of a hurry to wash hands, its everywhere.

Do your best with your hand sanitizer and try to focus on fun! There are no more germs at WDW than there are at school, work, or the mall!

 

[mom2rtk]

Those same people that avoid trying on hats at all costs - just think, you put your head on how many ride head rests while at WDW?

It has occurred to me. But I don't have to put hats on. If I want to enjoy Disney, I DO have to put my head on ride head rests.

It's about limiting exposure!

 

[revdon64]

Well, the noses don't bother me.

But did you ever notice how everyone takes photos wearing the hats in the World Showcase? No WAY will I let anyone in our group do that!

Said something like this to my wife on our trip a couple weeks ago. I would never buy a hat from Disney after watching so many people put those hats on their heads and take pics.