Are rides cleaned at night?

[princetongirl]

I'm kind of a germophobe and I do bring hand sanitizer and fast hands frequently when I'm in the parks but I'm wondering if they rides are sanitized(disinfected)/cleaned at night? Maybe a former cast member can shed some light on what 3rd shift janitorial staff do? Thank you!

 

[Tom]

They're not sanitized...

 

[sxeensweet]

I think they are cleaned of course (not sanitized unless there was a bodily fluid accident) but regardless if they are cleaned at night will not cause you to use sanitizer any less frequently. By the time you could get on the ride many many hands could have been all over it. I am a germaphobe myself and religiously wash my hands properly and use alcohol based hand sanitizer often while in WDW.

 

[wdwmagic]

Just look at this way - theme parks help build a thriving and healthy immune system!

 

[marni1971]

If you're worried keep your hand off the rails and stands in the lines. Especially at the end of each switchback.

 

[Jon81uk]

Just look at this way - theme parks help build a thriving and healthy immune system!

Exactly, use soap and water before eating and after going to the toilet but you don't need to sanitise hands the rest of the time. A small contact with bacteria is good for the immune system, builds resistance.

 

[sxeensweet]

If you're worried keep your hand off the rails and stands in the lines. Especially at the end of each switchback.

Yep I try to never touch the rails or not often at least and DH does the same. But if I do touch rails or handle bars I usually sanitize after I get off the ride. Also remember to not touch your face at all esp eyes, nose, mouth without your hands being washed or sanitized (the easiest way we get unwanted germs in our body's that is preventsble) Great rule of thumb for us germaphobes.

 

[sxeensweet]

Exactly, use soap and water before eating and after going to the toilet but you don't need to sanitise hands the rest of the time. A small contact with bacteria is good for the immune system, builds resistance.

Using alcohol based sanitizers regularly/often is not harmful (does not affect future resistance/immunity) Only ones that are harmful/can be harmful contain triclosan that a lot of products are not using that ingredient anymore. So if it makes a germaphobe feel better to use alcohol based sanitizers often while in WDW than that is perfectly okay. But yes great rule of thumb is to wash hands properly/sanitize before eating especially.

 

[NormC]

Better stay off of Everest because of all those cootie infested hair ties from the ignorant unwashed slobs that fling them around.

 

[JIMINYCR]

I met a woman several trips ago who was a germophobe too and she wore light weight vinyl gloves. They were transparent and she had peace of mind that she was safe touching rails, ride surfaces etc. Hey, I've encountered CM's that were wearing plastic gloves to protect themselves from guests passing germs. So why not bring a box with you and be stress free.

 

[sxeensweet]

I met a woman several trips ago who was a germophobe too and she wore light weight vinyl gloves. They were transparent and she had peace of mind that she was safe touching rails, ride surfaces etc. Hey, I've encountered CM's that were wearing plastic gloves to protect themselves from guests passing germs. So why not bring a box with you and be stress free.

Haha! I'm bad but not that bad! My DH would think I'm more crazy than I already am!

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

If you're worried keep your hand off the rails and stands in the lines. Especially at the end of each switchback.

This.
I'm not phobic, but I like to be clean and I'm well aware of the germs floating around a theme park which hosts hundreds of thousands. After watching a 10 year old lick a monorail pole back in '09, it sunk in for me. Just wash your hands and don't touch things unnecessarily. I Clorox our resort room down before using anything too.

 

[marni1971]

This.
I'm not phobic, but I like to be clean and I'm well aware of the germs floating around a theme park

Look at the sculptured top of the last stanchion in the HM queue before you do a u turn to head back up the hallway.

See how smooth it is. That's been worn by hands touching it. It had to be regularly replaced and is fondly called the most touched space in the park.

 

[Jon81uk]

Using alcohol based sanitizers regularly/often is not harmful (does not affect future resistance/immunity) Only ones that are harmful/can be harmful contain triclosan that a lot of products are not using that ingredient anymore. So if it makes a germaphobe feel better to use alcohol based sanitizers often while in WDW than that is perfectly okay. But yes great rule of thumb is to wash hands properly/sanitize before eating especially.

It's not that the gel is harmful, washing hands too often with soap/water also decreases the amount of bacteria you are exposed to and therefore can affect gaining immunity. Some bacteria exposure is good as the more you are exposed to things the better you can fight them when there are too many.

Some people believe that the reason there are more kids with allergies and asthma in recent times is that we have more anti-bacterial products compared to 50 years ago and the fact that kids aren't exposed to germs and the outdoors enough is what is causing more cases of allergies etc. I'm not sure on this theory but if we managed without alcohol gel 50 years ago I don't see a need to over use it now. But anti-bacteria soap is a good thing!

 

[Larry Mondello]

I'm kind of a germophobe and I do bring hand sanitizer and fast hands frequently when I'm in the parks but I'm wondering if they rides are sanitized(disinfected)/cleaned at night? Maybe a former cast member can shed some light on what 3rd shift janitorial staff do? Thank you!

Maybe the reason that they unload passengers out of sight of where they load them is so that you can't see who was just sitting in the seat you are about to occupy. Then you might insist on sanitation every ride cycle.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Maybe the reason that they unload passengers out of sight of where they load them is so that you can't see who was just sitting in the seat you are about to occupy. Then you might insist on sanitation every ride cycle.

Good point. When I go to the gym I'm required to wipe down the seat on the weight machine before I vacate it. Now youve just got me thinking of the sweating, and who knows what else the guest before me is leaving behind for me, the next rider to immerse myself. Uggggh.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I prefer to just live my life and not worry about the small things. I don't even own any hand sanitizer and I never worry about what I touch. Made it 67 years so far and it's been close to 4 years since I last had a cold. I believe in washing hands, but, not constantly. I'm not buying the fecal matter flying upward when a toilet is flushed because of gravity and and the vacuum created by a flushing toilet. But, whatever, if it makes one feel good, do your thing. I don't want to break your bubble but, you are eventually going to die of nothing. That's is going to be embarrassing.

 

[jaklgreen]

Always wash your hand after being in the bathroom, cuz that's just gross! Plus do not touch any food until you wash your hands(not just sanitize but wash with soap and water). This is how we live. And we are freakishly healthy. We are still exposed to germs but do not ingest them unnecessarily. I work in a restaurant that serves cafeteria style so the people get their food and then pay. It grosses me out when people come in touching the door and the menus and who knows what else and then start eating in line, lick their fingers, and then try to hand me their cash.

 

[Bairstow]

Assuming your kids have had their shots I think there are bigger things to worry about.
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/me...break-traced-disneyland-declared-over-n343686

 

[mikeymouse]

I hate it when u wash your hands thoroughly and then have to grab the restroom door handle to exit. blahh!! I usually open it with the paper towel still in hand. If u ever pop a squat, its ridiculous how many leave without washing their hands. eww!!