Staying healthy – It’s all the rage right now!!
Okay, in all seriousness, it’s important to protect ourselves from germs while traveling, and people are especially concerned about the coronavirus (COVID-19). And while the majority of the population is not at risk, especially in the U.S., it’s good for everyone to revisit some tips about basic hygiene and cleanliness in public spaces to avoid contracting and spreading illnesses.
Obviously I’m not a doctor, so I cannot give individual health advice. If you are concerned about coronavirus or the flu, be sure to chat with your doctor or a healthcare professional about your situation. When it comes to these viruses, elderly people and those with already weakened immune systems are most susceptible. But it’s up to all of us to keep our communities safe!
Here are some best practices for staying healthy while visiting Disney. Honestly, I do all these things while traveling and while I’m visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World. It’s good to get into the habit of doing these things all the time!
I’m also including some links to products I love and recommend. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn commission if you click the link and make a purchase. The money I earn helps keep my website running, so thank you!
How to Stay Healthy while Visiting Disneyland or Walt Disney World
- Use disinfectant wipes on the airplane and hotel room. I love these wipes by Herban Essentials (and lemon scent is my fave) because they come in individual packets which is great for traveling. At home I use Lysol wipes, and sometimes I’ll put a few in a ziploc baggie when I’m doing a day trip to Disneyland.
- Wash hands frequently and before meals. If I’m being honest … I never used to use soap when washing my hands. And guess what? I used to get sick ALL THE TIME. I am now a converted 20-second soapy hand washer. It’s especially important to wash before handling food. Fun tip – the following section of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah is just about 20 seconds long:
Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder
It’s the truth, it’s actual
Everything is satisfactualZip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay - Greet with a fist bump. Fist bumps, elbow pats, and foot taps are cautious ways to greet people. Sure, hugs are nice and hi-fives are fun, but there’s something really special about tapping shoes together. Like a secret handshake without using your hands!
- Cough into your elbow. But not the same elbow you use for greeting people.
- Avoid touching your face. This one is really tough for me. I never really paid attention to how much I touch my face until the news started telling me to stop doing it. Turns out I’m constantly scratching, rubbing, & wiping without really thinking about it. I also for some reason like to touch my face when taking photos for Instagram. WHY?? So I’m doing my best to break the habit. And so should you.
- Avoid touching the hand rails while waiting in queues and riding escalators. Or just touching anything in general. We’ve all seen that viral video of the kid licking the hand rail while waiting for an attraction in Tomorrowland, right? But if you must touch …
- Use hand sanitizer liberally. When you can’t wash your hands, the CDC recommends using hand sanitizer made with at least 60% ethyl alcohol. Pay attention to the ingredients because a lot of hand sanitizers are alcohol-free. I use Purell Hand Sanitizer with Aloe at home, and the smaller Purell bottles for travel. If you only have alcohol-free sanitizer on hand, it’s better than nothing. But, alcohol-based sanitizer is better, and washing hands with soap and water is always best.
- CLEAN YOUR PHONE! Your phone is filthy, seriously. If you have a newer, waterproof phone you can clean it with a Lysol wipe, just avoid the ports (speaker, microphone, power jack). Or you can put a little alcohol-based sanitizer, or good old fashioned soap and water, on a microfiber cloth and give your phone and tablets a good rub down. And don’t touch your phone between washing your hands and eating. Take your food photos first, then go wash your hands, and then eat.
- Try to avoid crowds in close quarters. This is practically unavoidable when visiting Disney, but just be smart about it. If you don’t have to join the crowds at rope drop, then don’t. If you have the luxury of renting a car or using ride share options during your trip, verses riding on crowded buses or shuttles, that will help. Otherwise be sure to follow best practices: use a face mask if you’re sick, wipe down your seat, and cough into your elbow, not your neighbor.
- Take vitamins. Before and during travel, I like to boost my immune system by taking B & C vitamins and elderberry. I also use Thieves essential oil blend at home (similar oil blend here) during the days leading up to my travel and whenever I’m feeling a cold coming on.
- Stay hydrated. A good tip for life in general, but especially when traveling. Drinking plenty of water helps your body flush out toxins and bacteria which can lead to illness.
- Use a face mask if you are already sick. Or better yet, avoid traveling altogether. If you can avoid traveling while sick, that’s obviously the best option. But I realize sometimes we must travel while sick. If you are already sick and must travel, please wear a face mask.
What other tips do you have for staying healthy while visiting Disney parks?
