What does Disney do to deal with Norovirus?

[thewestfam]

Hi there, I am totally new to this, so I hope I am posting in the correct forum. My family has been to disney least 20 times. I have gone every year since since I was 10 years old.

We have dealt with the dreaded stomach virus a couple times in those years. It ruined 2 trips because its always more than one person who catches it. I always wonder how housekeeping deals with the room cleaning if they don’t know the people who were there were sick? As well as, what they do to clean when they are notified that the people were sick. Norovirus being extremely contagious. Not to mention the people coming off the cruise ships - especially with Disney having its own issue with Norovirus this year.
Having that many people in one place obviously brings the likelihood of any disease. So now that I am bringing my children, and I know how horrible it is to catch that virus and waste your time being there as well as a lot of money, I just want to know what extra steps I need to take to ensure this does not happen to us.



I know that hand sanitizer gels don’t do anything. I know that washing your hands with soap and water are ideal. But maybe not at Disney.

I already have the clorox hydrogen peroxide wipes, as well as, the clorox bleach free hand sanitizer.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

I know you can ask (before arrival) to have your room deep cleaned.

Avoid eating at buffets. Wash your hands a lot.

 

[lizabu]

I think it's up to you to be cautious. Disney keeps things clean but there is only so much they can do. I cringe every time I see a child licking the bars on a bus or a ride. I see it a lot. I always have disinfectant wipes and antibacterial hand lotion. I wipe down tables before we eat and make sure everyone gets a squirt of the antibacterial hand lotion before eating or touching you face. Washing hands is best but inevitably you end up touching half a dozen surfaces between the washroom and the dinner table so you just do your best. I made sure we all had our flu shots too.

 

[Kitty 34]

Hi there, I am totally new to this, so I hope I am posting in the correct forum. My family has been to disney least 20 times. I have gone every year since since I was 10 years old.

We have dealt with the dreaded stomach virus a couple times in those years. It ruined 2 trips because its always more than one person who catches it. I always wonder how housekeeping deals with the room cleaning if they don’t know the people who were there were sick? As well as, what they do to clean when they are notified that the people were sick. Norovirus being extremely contagious. Not to mention the people coming off the cruise ships - especially with Disney having its own issue with Norovirus this year.
Having that many people in one place obviously brings the likelihood of any disease. So now that I am bringing my children, and I know how horrible it is to catch that virus and waste your time being there as well as a lot of money, I just want to know what extra steps I need to take to ensure this does not happen to us.



I know that hand sanitizer gels don’t do anything. I know that washing your hands with soap and water are ideal. But maybe not at Disney.

I already have the clorox hydrogen peroxide wipes, as well as, the clorox bleach free hand sanitizer.

Just following the Rule.

 

[Hikergirl]

I assume that Disney does not do anything other than their regular cleaning. I would bring a can of Lysol spray for the room, and just make sure your kids wash their hands frequently and keep them out of their mouth.
I don't think there is much else you can do, but remember lots of people go and don't end up sick so its not a given that you guys will

 

[clutter]

Wow! I've been to Disney way too many times over the last 16 years. (well there's no such thing as too many times until your child becomes an older teen ) We've occasionally picked up all sorts of illnesses over the years, but never a stomach ailment. But we've never been a family that worried much about germs.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Expose yourself to germs all year round. Build up your immune system that way. Then maybe your body will fight off a virus better? I'm not a crazy germ person and my kids rarely get sick. Fingers crossed that we never get sick at Disney.

 

[robinb]

I know you can ask (before arrival) to have your room deep cleaned.

It's my opinion that deep cleaning should be reserved for people with allergies.

ETA: I don't take any kind of wipes or sprays to WDW with me. I live dangerously, LOL.

 

[Hikergirl]

It's my opinion that deep cleaning should be reserved for people with allergies.

ETA: I don't take any kind of wipes or sprays to WDW with me. I live dangerously, LOL.

I'm kind of a germaphobe when it comes to some things (food) but it never occurred to me to bring anything when traveling to clean the room. I figure we have just as much of catching something here at home as we do when we travel.
Aside from sticking yourself in an actual bubble there isn't much you can do, you are going to be exposed to germs.

 

[Christine]

We've been pretty lucky with all of our trips. Never caught Noro at all during our "land" trips. I am fanatical about handwashing. Not sure if that's helped or not because I think most people are pretty vulnerable when it comes to Noro.

Now, my parents took my kids on a Disney cruise once and my son (who is one of those kids that licks handrails and touches his face constantly), got Noro. Coming out both ends, in the cabin. My mother reported it to the health center at the ship. They sent a woman down in a hazmat suit (no lie) and she cleaned the room from top to bottom with something. No one else got it.

 

[MillauFr]

I wouldn't worry about it and just pray instead. We have gotten nasty stomach bugs before. Not sure if it was Noro or not??? My son who has Downs Syndrome, licks every surface even the ground. I am shocked he doesn't get sick more often. He is even on medication for a thyroid condition that suppresses his immune system.

 

[Lynne M]

I don't know that they do anything different in cleaning the rooms, but honestly, that's the least of your worries. Norovirus is ridiculously contagious, just a few virus particles are enough to infect someone. So, any surface you touch in a store, any grab bar on a ride, any door handle...anything you touch could be contaminated. They can't bleach the counter in a store every time someone touches it, or the ride restraints. And then there's the airport. The bins at the security checkpoints. Seat belt buckles on the plane.

So, it's on people to protect themselves, and frequent handwashing really is the best thing you can do. Especially before you eat.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

It's a fecal-oral route transmission. Proper hand washing in the bathroom and prior to eating are essential. Don't share anything that goes in the mouth (drinks, utensils). That's pretty much all there is to it.

 

[anniemae]

Yeah, it's up to you to be vigilant I think. I usually take clorox wipes to give the room a quick cleaning (as well as the airline tray on the plane). I have seen waaaaaaay too many dateline episodes about how dirty hotel rooms are. I always wipe down the remote, the bathroom, and doorknobs. I usually take some lysol spray to spray the room a bit.

I also make us all wash with soap and water before eating a meal. You touch so many surfaces on the rides, in the stores, the buses etc.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

For norovirus honestly you can get that anywhere...like anywhere. A theme park is no different than a cruise ship or a get together with people.

Just as an example here in my area there is a theater-restaurant place. In January 2016 it got hit with a massive norovirus breakout....over 600 people got sick over a 5 day period though I believe the entire time period was expanded to 13 days it's just the majority happened in a consecutive 5 day period. I don't think anyone thought they would get sick. Most food is buffet style but drinks and desserts are brought to your table.

IMHO your best bet is to wash your hands the proper way. ETA: Though you may still come in contact with norovirus no matter how diligent you are.

 

[thewestfam]

ETA: I don't take any kind of wipes or sprays to WDW with me. I live dangerously, LOL.[/QUOTE]

Haha! I wish I were as brave as you are! After being sick those couple of times my whole family has become crazy about hand washing/wipes etc!

 

[thewestfam]

It's my opinion that deep cleaning should be reserved for people with allergies.

Also, to touch base on this. Yeah I probably wouldn't call and make them deep clean. However, my mother has breast cancer and she was going through chemo when we went 2 years ago. She was getting Nulasta injections for immunity at the time. But it is good to know that we could call and possibly have the room deep cleaned jic.

 

[Disney_traveler]

The only ailment/illness I ever get at Disney is I always end up with contact dermatitis from the bus hand rails. I always nod off on the bus as we head back to the room. Twice I've fallen asleep with my cheek on it while standing. And recently on a full bus I had my arms wrapped around the horizontal bar at the front of the bus. I end up with some tiny bumps and put some cortisone cream on it and the next day it's fine.

 

[aristocatz]

I know you can ask (before arrival) to have your room deep cleaned.

Avoid eating at buffets. Wash your hands a lot.

Wow, I didn't know you can request to have the room deep cleaned!

 

[xlxo]

Avoid eating at buffets. Wash your hands a lot.

Along those thoughts....

Use your hand drying towel to open the public washroom door. I see too often inadequate or no hand washing after using the restrooms.

I feel cabins don't really extra cleaning. Disease is more likely spread on handrails and door knobs.

I do use a blacklight on the first time I enter my cabin or hotel room to see where I need to direct staff to do some "spot" cleaning on walls, carpets, or other surfaces.