Update department: Well, the new dryer has been christened. Yesterday morning I found a nice little puddle of pee.
I guess I shouldn't be too surprised, but I was sooooo hoping.

With just one puddle to go on (pun!), it may not be too bad to just give in and clean up and less chance that the moisture can get at the controls. This dryer top actually curves up a bit at the back (kind of like a lip) before it meets the control panel, unlike the old one flat top with the control panel just coming down to meet the flat top which just allowed the liquid to seep under the crack and to all the electrical goodies.

I'll see how it goes before I have to go to the cover up when not in use.