With flu season coming up, anyone else avoid buffets?

[ptrbryant]

I didn't realize I'd done this until all my ADRs were finished and I saw we had no meals at buffets, then thought, "Just as well.". It will be our first Dec. trip---week before Christmas--and I know I want to do our best to avoid getting sick.

Not sure if I did it to avoid flu or if the images from our last dinner at Chef Mickey's are still seared in my brain (children coughing over dessert table, adult licking his fingers, then grabbing the serving spoon, child wiping runny nose with hands and touching things around buffet, etc.). In the last case, his mother did scold him, but...

Karla B.

 

[Lmichele]

I avoid buffets in general...no matter where I am. Buffets just give me the creeps, all those people touching, coughing, sneezing and who know what near the food. No thanks - not for me!

 

[kimberh]

When we stayed Concierge at AKv's Kids were doing this at the food section. What's up with the Parents these days? I get the flu shot. I will go get it next week, Hubby already has. We have a trip to Europe on 11/1, so we are not going to Disney until next May. I always walked my kids through the Buffet lines.

 

[Lmichele]

When we stayed Concierge at AKv's Kids were doing this at the food section. What's up with the Parents these days? I get the flu shot. I will go get it next week, Hubby already has. We have a trip to Europe on 11/1, so we are not going to Disney until next May. I always walked my kids through the Buffet lines.

OMG, I didn't even think about that when I booked our club level stay! Well, I'm an early riser - so hopefully I can hit up the morning spread before others get their hands on it.

 

[kimberh]

OMG, I didn't even think about that when I booked our club level stay! Well, I'm an early riser - so hopefully I can hit up the morning spread before others get their hands on it.

I am so sorry, Maybe you'll have a better group of parents. We were there in May. I came real close to saying something once. It was the same family. The dad finally did come over, he saw me watching his little angels. I love kids, don't get me wrong, but...

 

[catz821]

You just changed my mind. I had the Crystal Palace booked for dinner but was thinking of changing it, I'm not sure to what yet. I will be there in January and it will be flu season. My husband had a kidney transplant last year so we try to avoid buffets. Thanks for making my mind up!

 

[brergnat]

Um, if you're worried about getting the flu at a buffet, but NOT anywhere else at Disney World, you're truly fooling yourself.

Germs are EVERYWHERE!

I haven't eaten at a buffet in YEARS.

My 4 year old just had the flu last week. My 2 year old and I are sick this week. We went to Disneyland for 3 hours 3 days prior to my 4 year old getting the flu. He probably picked it up there, amongst the plethora of surfaces he touched within that 3 hour window, even with all the hand washing and "wipes" we used.

I think it's one thing to avoid buffets for the "gross out" factor of just seeing what goes on there, but to try to avoid them to avoid getting sick? Please.

 

[disnut8]

I don't think you can completely be safe from germs even in non buffet restaurants. You just have less people with access to your food.

As for the flu shot, I just read an article that says the vaccines are developed months in advance and they guess at what strain will be active in that particular year. So even if you get the flu shot, it might not be the one for what is going around this year.

Personally, I don't take extra precautions and I don't get the flu shot. I haven't been sick in over 20 years (I'm 46 with one son and two grandkids).

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

You're worried about the buffets as opposed to every railing, bannister, ride handle, door knob, surface you touch? Or when standing in line with people all around you? And let's not even discuss the plane -- close quarters and extremely dry air.

You either have good immunity built up or not.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Chefs get sick too.. And waitstaff, and busboys... Yes, a buffet is open to more people, but it only takes one....

 

[engle]

I know you hate to hear this but I haven't been sick with a flu, cold or stomach ailment in over 7 years. I eat at buffets all the time....WDW and otherwise. And I am not a handwashing freak nor do I get a flu shot. I work with kids everyday so you know I come in contact with every germ imaginable. I say, go for what you want to do and have fun!!! Getting sick happens, buffet or not. I think sometimes a positive attitude can go along way and worrying about it sure doesn't help!!!

 

[ptrbryant]

You're worried about the buffets as opposed to every railing, bannister, ride handle, door knob, surface you touch? Or when standing in line with people all around you? And let's not even discuss the plane -- close quarters and extremely dry air.

You either have good immunity built up or not.

True, but I don't put door knobs and ride handles in my mouth, as I would with a roll/slice of cake/piece of fruit from a buffet that may or may not have been coughed on.

Of course I'm not saying by avoiding buffets, I can't get sick. But, I do maintain that it reduces the opportunities a bit.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We have 2 buffets booked, but only for the characters. We're taking a 1st timer, or we wouldn't have booked them. I booked the earliest ADR time & will be getting everything I want the 1st time I go through. For me, it's the gross out factor. We don't worry about getting sick, but I do consider buffets nasty in general. Personally, I'd rather pay an extra $ per person & have employees serve the food. Our favorite cruiseline does this & it works much better, IMO.

 

[TDC Nala]

As far as flu season is concerned, what would be the advantages to avoiding buffets while still rubbing up against a lot of people in the parks and hotels? Influenza doesn't need to be ingested.

Maybe it increases the odds of remaining healthy, but it must increase those odds by such an small amount that I don't see going out of one's way to avoid buffets for that reason. Makes more sense if you're looking to avoid food-borne viruses and pathogens, which can occur anywhere.

 

[princesswendy720]

I have...3 buffets (had to count in my head) booked for our upcoming trip (1900, CP, Boma) and I'm not worried. As PPs said you're going to come in contact with germs on banisters, in bathrooms, on rides, basically everywhere, so I don't think a buffet is any more dangerous than anywhere else in the parks or resorts.

 

[RMulieri]

When we stayed Concierge at AKv's Kids were doing this at the food section. What's up with the Parents these days? I get the flu shot. I will go get it next week, Hubby already has. We have a trip to Europe on 11/1, so we are not going to Disney until next May. I always walked my kids through the Buffet lines.

I got news for you it is not just parents with children that are bad at buffets.I have seen grown adults pick food up and put it back after its on their plate, pick up food with hands while touching the serving tray,and I even saw an older man taste the food off the serving spoon I have seen adults wipe their nose than touch the serving spoon, and cough or sneeze near the food.

 

[kimberh]

I got news for you it is not just parents with children that are bad at buffets.I have seen grown adults pick food up and put it back after its on their plate, pick up food with hands while touching the serving tray,and I even saw an older man taste the food off the serving spoon I have seen adults wipe their nose than touch the serving spoon, and cough or sneeze near the food.

NOOOO! Tell me it's not so! I'm about to get sick!

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

i think the more you worry about germs the more you get them...go have fun and don't worry

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

We're supposed to be talking about Disney...not biology.

But the bottom line is you stengthen your immunity by exposing yourself to more germs. THat's why the previous poster who works in a pre-school stays so healthy. She has built up her immune system through constant exposure. (I work from home; I can get sick from one trip to the mall. )

I'm not suggesting anyone lick the handrails, but all that germophobic behavior of wiping the world with anti-baterial towelettes isn't really helping you in the long run.

 

[SnowWtch]

It's not just buffets but any restaurant that you have a problem. People in the kitchen could be sick too. Anytime you're not personally preparing your food you run the risk of catching germs. What about the silverware or the dishes or napkins? Anything could carry germs. I try not to think of it and just enjoy myself.