Pin Trading Cancelled Recently?

[mumto2]

I am the wife/mom of avid pin traders. We leave in just over two weeks and the lanyards have already been prepared. I thought I saw something in a recent post about changes to self-serve and buffets procedures designed to reduce germ transmission, and that this also meant no pin trading.

Can a recent cruiser confirm or deny this? We are on the Dream.

Thanks!

 

[SrisonS]

I was on the Fantasy last week, and you were still able to get your own food at the buffets. The only place we couldn't do that was during brunch at Palo.

I don't think it would affect pin trading either way though. I think the big fear comes from putting the food in your mouth; not just the general touching of things (and I did see pins available for trade). Unless the fear is where the pins have been or something. But I could think of a ton or more worries to spread germs than pin trading.

On that note, it did appear that the busier bathrooms on the ship had someone who would open the doors for you.

 

[karriemouse]

We were on the Wonder 26-31 October, and yes pin trading was cancelled due to the fear of Ebola.

We were given wipes to handle all serving implements with (made it very tricky for me as I already have a weak right hand due to MS!) right up to the last day, when this was withdrawn.

In the shops none of the CMs were wearing lanyards, and there was no vinylmation trading box so I asked, and was told these had been removed to reduce the risk of infection. There was no Officer Pin Trading on the last night which was very sad. However the CMs outside the dining rooms handing out the wipes DID wear lanyards, presumably as they had a ready supply of antibacterial wipes.

So yes there should be some trading, if not as much as usual, and hopefully the restrictions will be relaxed before your visit.

 

[BrookeMQ]

We were on the Wonder 26-31 October, and yes pin trading was cancelled due to the fear of Ebola.

We were given wipes to handle all serving implements with (made it very tricky for me as I already have a weak right hand due to MS!) right up to the last day, when this was withdrawn.

In the shops none of the CMs were wearing lanyards, and there was no vinylmation trading box so I asked, and was told these had been removed to reduce the risk of infection. There was no Officer Pin Trading on the last night which was very sad. However the CMs outside the dining rooms handing out the wipes DID wear lanyards, presumably as they had a ready supply of antibacterial wipes.

So yes there should be some trading, if not as much as usual, and hopefully the restrictions will be relaxed before your visit.

We will be on the wonder soon and I am making my packing list. could you fill your own cups at the drink station? Don't want to pack our large cups for no reason. Thanks!

 

[PaDisneyCouple]

We were on the 10/18 Fantasy, and noticed there was no officer pin trading night listed in the Navigators. About Wednesday, we asked in one of the stores if there would be pin trading, and were told it as because it was "cold and flu season". They then pointed out that nobody in the stores was wearing a lanyard to trade either, but that each of the 3 stores had a book of pins one could trade with.

 

[cris0809]

No pin trading (or vinyls) on the Dream this week still due to "viral illness concerns"many of our group were unhappy and wished they at least had a book available.

 

[erikharwell]

I was on the 10/25 fantasy sailing and there was no pin trading. There was not even a book offered as some have said on other sailings. The "cold and flu season" excuse was given as well.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Are they going to have CMs on each elevator pushing the buttons so no one has to touch those? Will they hand out wet wipes by the stairs so people can wipe their hands before using the handrails?

What an incredible overreaction!

 

[erikharwell]

I really think it is an over reaction too. They could even sanitize the pins if they were that worried.

 

[Jhnny407]

We were on the 10/25 Fantasy - Mickey's Mainsail had a book for trading, but you had to ask for it.

 

[Bear3412]

We were on the 10/25 -11/1 Fantasy and you could fill cups yourself at the drink stations after using a wipe handed out by the CM standing right there.

Never seen so many wipes being handed out. Prior to Cabanas and MDR's as usual, but the drink stations, outside the busy bathrooms, WDT, BVT, Clubs, etc.

Wow. But I'm OK with it.

Are the condiments on CC always dispensed into little individual use cups?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We will be on the wonder soon and I am making my packing list. could you fill your own cups at the drink station? Don't want to pack our large cups for no reason. Thanks!

You can't fill your own cups at the drink station directly (never could......well, were requested not to). What you do is use their cups, fill it up and pour it into your cup.


In Cabanas:

And from our Wonder cruise:

 

[karriemouse]

We will be on the wonder soon and I am making my packing list. could you fill your own cups at the drink station? Don't want to pack our large cups for no reason. Thanks!

They always ask that you use fresh cups to refill, but you can use a paper cup and pour it into yours. We usually do this, but this cruise I didn't bother taking our cups, as I thought the rules would be more strict.

 

[karriemouse]

Are the condiments on CC always dispensed into little individual use cups?

Yes they are, that hasn't changed!

 

[jjje]

Pin trading cancelled because of ebola? That's crazy.

 

[Snowwhyt]

Pin trading cancelled because of ebola? That's crazy.

no not Ebola but "flu season". Disney knows that are as many people upset about the hype as there are people who are in fear of an epidemic. As every, Disney super skilled at walking the tight rope. Pin trading will come and go throughout the winter it all depends upon what the media is all hopped up about, or if the ships doctor sees an influx in medical conditions on the ship.

 

[lbgraves]

...

I don't think it would affect pin trading either way though. I think the big fear comes from putting the food in your mouth; ....

Are they going to have CMs on each elevator pushing the buttons so no one has to touch those? Will they hand out wet wipes by the stairs so people can wipe their hands before using the handrails?

What an incredible overreaction!

Whenever the status on the ships has been no self-service at buffets, pin trading has been suspended as well. This is not a new thing. We experienced it in 2006.

 

[cris0809]

Whenever the status on the ships has been no self-service at buffets, pin trading has been suspended as well. This is not a new thing. We experienced it in 2006.

That I would expect but every buffet was self service on our cruise, even the late night snacks one in District Lounge. The only other possible precaution I noticed was condiments on Castaway Cay were being pre-dosed in paper cups.

Truly everything seemed normal. Didn't add up.

 

[lbgraves]

... The only other possible precaution I noticed was condiments on Castaway Cay were being pre-dosed in paper cups.

...

The condiments have been available that way on CC since our first cruise in 2003. I always figured it was a portion thing to try not to have a lot wasted.

 

[cris0809]

The condiments have been available that way on CC since our first cruise in 2003. I always figured it was a portion thing to try not to have a lot wasted.

I've dosed it myself many times but in the last two years we've spread out our CC dining at Cookie's, Cookie's Too and Serenity Bay so I couldn't tell you which was which.