What ever happened to cleaning & sanitizing ride vehicles after each use?

[SpacemanSpiff]

I was visiting Universal Studios Hollywood over the weekend and had a short conversation with the ride operator for the Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride. I noticed that an employee was sanitizing and wiping down a ride vehicle on the loading platform. I asked if they had to wipe down every ride vehicle, and the operator said they only have to do it when they notice a rider has taken off their mask while on the ride.

Then I realized that for every ride I had been on that day, employees make sure you wipe down your hands with a foam sanitizer right before you get on the ride vehicle (Secret Life of Pets, Jurassic World, the Mummy, Transformers, Simpsons, the Studio Tour, Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff).

When the covid standards were being discussed last summer and fall, one of the standards was that a ride vehicle would have to be wiped down **for every new rider**.

I think we all realize how much of an operational issue this would have been for hourly ride capacity. Instead, it looks like Universal Studios Hollywood (the only theme park I have been to with operational rides) has made the process more streamlined by enforcing mask wearing, requiring hand sanitization before riding, and wiping down the vehicle only if riders have removed their masks and possibly contaminated the surfaces of the vehicle.

[lemuth0922]

I'm currently in WDW and they're handling it with hand sanitizer at the queue entrance, usually right before boarding (sometimes also midpoint in the line) and again at the exit. I've only noticed a cast member wiping down a ride once before the empty ride vehicle came up to the boarding platform. They're constantly reminding guests to keep their masks on and to follow the queue markers for social distancing.... However, most guests are standing closer than the markers but still with gaps between groups.

Depending on the sanitizer they're using it may be not be necessary to wipe down after every run of the ride vehicle.

[ClownLoach]

Depending on the sanitizer they're using it may be not be necessary to wipe down after every run of the ride vehicle.

There are now many disinfectant products that last 24 hours or longer, and the CDC has walked back the constant cleaning requirements. You can even purchase 24 hour disinfectants for home use now like Microban.

[Deez Nutz]

I think what happened is that scientists determined that surface transmission is not a significant risk for spreading COVID. Now if we can just eliminate the separate cups of 'clean' and 'dirty' pens everywhere I need to sign a bill...

[brian11811]

I’ve been saying the plexiglass and hand sanitizer is just “duck and cover” for the covid age, its not really helping. Its the air-born stuff that is the danger, just don’t rub your eyes if your hands aren’t sanitized. Masks or vaccines is what is needed. The plexiglass just helps if someone sneezes or something.

[lemuth0922]

There are now many disinfectant products that last 24 hours or longer, and the CDC has walked back the constant cleaning requirements. You can even purchase 24 hour disinfectants for home use now like Microban.

Exactly. Airlines spray down the planes after deplaning. No need for a cast member or two to be wiping down every surface constantly.

[TacAlert]

I was visiting Universal Studios Hollywood over the weekend and had a short conversation with the ride operator for the Harry Potter Forbidden Journey ride. I noticed that an employee was sanitizing and wiping down a ride vehicle on the loading platform. I asked if they had to wipe down every ride vehicle, and the operator said they only have to do it when they notice a rider has taken off their mask while on the ride.

Then I realized that for every ride I had been on that day, employees make sure you wipe down your hands with a foam sanitizer right before you get on the ride vehicle (Secret Life of Pets, Jurassic World, the Mummy, Transformers, Simpsons, the Studio Tour, Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff).

When the covid standards were being discussed last summer and fall, one of the standards was that a ride vehicle would have to be wiped down **for every new rider**.

I think we all realize how much of an operational issue this would have been for hourly ride capacity. Instead, it looks like Universal Studios Hollywood (the only theme park I have been to with operational rides) has made the process more streamlined by enforcing mask wearing, requiring hand sanitization before riding, and wiping down the vehicle only if riders have removed their masks and possibly contaminated the surfaces of the vehicle.

All this and now we know it is hardly transferred from touching surfaces.

[TacAlert]

The plexiglass thing cracks me up. For example, it separates you and a cashier. But then that cashier will come out and talk to you or use a hand scanner to scan things in your cart. Or the worker at let's say a sub shop (won't mention a specific brand). There is no glass separating you and them while the sandwich is being made, but then magically it gets dangerous at the cash register and the plexiglass appears.

[Sukie Norman]

I hope these disinfectants don't have a harsh effect on us. Regular cleaning and sanitation will help fight diseases to spread. And regular cleaning does not mean that every hour you have to wipe and apply disinfectant.

[TacAlert]

I hope these disinfectants don't have a harsh effect on us. Regular cleaning and sanitation will help fight diseases to spread. And regular cleaning does not mean that every hour you have to wipe and apply disinfectant.

I have been to USH a few times....I actually bring my own sanitizer and won't let them spray theirs on me.

[mightyduck]

I have been to USH a few times....I actually bring my own sanitizer and won't let them spray theirs on me.

That's a good tactic. I hope everybody is doing the same. Me, as well, is bringing my own wherever I go.

[TacAlert]

That's a good tactic. I hope everybody is doing the same. Me, as well, is bringing my own wherever I go.

The first visit to USH I was not comfortable with what they were spraying on me. Plus some had the bottle on stream and it was overspraying onto my clothes. After they sprayed me I would just shake it off my hand onto the ground. They need to realize people could have a reaction to whatever brand they are using. Hopefully though USH will realize the science that transmitting the virus via touching something is almost zero. They should just encourage hand washing which is what we always did when we got off a ride, pre covid.

[Ryan120420]

The first visit to USH I was not comfortable with what they were spraying on me. Plus some had the bottle on stream and it was overspraying onto my clothes. After they sprayed me I would just shake it off my hand onto the ground. They need to realize people could have a reaction to whatever brand they are using. Hopefully though USH will realize the science that transmitting the virus via touching something is almost zero. They should just encourage hand washing which is what we always did when we got off a ride, pre covid.

They use Zep hand sanitizers spray.

Most hand sanitizers on the market have an alcohol content over 70%, Universal uses a gentler sanitizer with a 66% alcohol content.


https://buyzep.com/products/new-zep-...36216614224030