Lighting maintenance-a sign of the times?

[jeffdlong]

We were at the World last week & had a fabulous time. Free dining plan, stayed at WL, all in all a great trip. However, when it comes to Disney I guess I am picky at times & noticed at both the parks & hotels, especially GF that many lightbulbs & Xmas tree lights were out. Now I'm not expecting them to be replaced the second they go out, but for example on the HS & AK Xmas trees there were sizable sections of the tree where lights had gone out so that from a certain side you really could not take a picture of it because it was quite obvious in the picture. Also, at night the GF has the outline of white lights along its roof lines & there were many bulbs out that sort of made the look "cheap". Am I being too picky or do you think Disney is just slipping on the maintenance aspect of things?

Just seeing how others feel on this, if you've even had the thought.

Thanks!

 

[realityland]

I agree that this lack of attention to detail is unacceptable. But, as you mentioned, perhaps it is a sign of the penny-pinching times. Attention to detail can distinguish a resort and its management from every other motel and hotel in the area. Perhaps Disney is getting a little complacent and feel that they no longer need to focus on the details. In my opinion, that would be a very short-sighted management approach.

 

[Micca]

One of the things that makes WDW so special is that they take care of the small things. Stuff like this is just sad and even in penny pinching times should be avoided.

 

[disnut8]

Sorry but I"m going to say this is way too picky. So a few light bulbs were out. It's not the end of the world and no one's vacation is totally ruined by it. If it weren't the holiday time, no one would have cared.

I think everyone needs to understand that Disney still does everything a heck of a lot better than any other theme park in the world. A few burnt out light bulbs is no big deal. Did you go up to Universal and see how many were burnt out up there? Or go to your local amusement park and see what's going on there?

 

[Robo]

Did you go up to Universal and see how many were burnt out up there? Or go to your local amusement park and see what's going on there?

I don't expect other operators to be as proficient and meticulous as Disney.

The Boardwalk area has lots of lights incorporated into the building facades and signage. All part of the design scheme.

I've seen far too many of those bulbs burned-out during some of our visits, too.

And, those are supposed to be operational every day.

 

[Planogirl]

Why continue to bring other parks into these discussions? What they do or don't do has nothing to do with Disney.

As for the burned out bulbs, I agree that a few is no big deal. A lot would be a bigger deal particularly if they stayed that way for the whole vacation.

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I don't expect other operators to be as proficient and meticulous as Disney.

The Boardwalk area has lots of lights incorporated into the building facades and signage. All part of the design scheme.

I've seen far too many of those bulbs burned-out during some of our visits, too.

And, those are supposed to be operational every day.

Though I agree that it would be best or most pleasing for all those bulbs to be working all the time you are also talking about a guest resort area. Would you like to have the necessary lifts/cranes/people outside your room at night during your vacation to replace these, especially during this time of year when Disney is at is highest occupancy ?

I do believe that they are aware of all this - they have been doing this for decades. When this subject has been discussed in various padcasts - sometimes with maintenance cast members - it has been stated that Disney doe it's best to maintain the parks and facilities as it always has. It's just simply easier in these days for guests to scrutinize every detail and then pass it along on the net as "did you see this?" It's a common human trait to discuss the negative more so than the positive, so the negative gets reinforced.

My personal experience from multiple trips per year since 1999 is that the parks and resorts look as nice the last time I went (last week) as they did a decade ago. And I vote with the most important statement - my $$.

 

[KellyNY]

I do not think it is really big deal, although definately disapointing just a bit. Guess it is sign that they have less people working and they just cannot cover everything on time. Although I wonder what is the lifetime of those bulbs, is it possible they were off when installed and nobody checked them.

 

[KellyNY]

BTW, last May we noticed that housekeeping was slower with requests then usual, I guess it was also sign of less people working.

 

[seashoreCM]

When a section of a tree goes out, we're dealing with "series" Christmas lights where it is incredibly difficult to find the burned out lamp (bulb).

Although those miniature lights are advertised as the rest staying lit when one goes out, the mechanism is not foolproof and also if several go out before any are replaced, the entire string will go out. If someone goes around and replaces individual burned out bulbs then the chances of a section going out are greatly lessened.

What may have to happen is the entire tree (if small) is taken away and a spare tree like it put in its place. The bad tree is then taken backstage and the defective string is disengaged from the branches and discarded and a new string installed about the branches. Now that tree becomes the spare for next time.

Hardly anyone nowadays actually takes a bulb out of a socket and inserts a new one, then if it doesn't work takes the next bulb out of the socket and inserts the bulb that was just taken out, and so on down the line.

Another th ing that can be done is take all the bulb out of the string and put in all new bulbs all in one sitting. Now all the bulbs are beginning their lifetimes as opposed to having a few go out each night. In turn this avoids the need to go out and service the tree multiple times to replace just a few bulbs. Something like this may be appropriate for roof edges where the cherry picker only has to be brought out once. The downside is baskets of discarded bulbs most of which have not burned out yet.

Just after the lights are put up for the third and succeeding times there is a good chance of finding several per string burned out. Partly worn filaments are more fragile and likely to break with the power off from the vibration of being moved around and installed.

Yes I have seen the Osborne Lights display with sections of trees or say two foot sections of lighted areas here and there dark.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

We were at the World last week & had a fabulous time. Free dining plan, stayed at WL, all in all a great trip. However, when it comes to Disney I guess I am picky at times & noticed at both the parks & hotels, especially GF that many lightbulbs & Xmas tree lights were out. Now I'm not expecting them to be replaced the second they go out, but for example on the HS & AK Xmas trees there were sizable sections of the tree where lights had gone out so that from a certain side you really could not take a picture of it because it was quite obvious in the picture. Also, at night the GF has the outline of white lights along its roof lines & there were many bulbs out that sort of made the look "cheap". Am I being too picky or do you think Disney is just slipping on the maintenance aspect of things?

Just seeing how others feel on this, if you've even had the thought.

Thanks!

I remember seeing years ago on TV the maintenance involved on Disney properties, so yes, this would bother me as well, we just expect perfection from Disney. You should send this email to Disney at WDW guest relations, here is the email address-- <wdw.guest.mail@disneyonline.com>

 

[DisneyNDecember]

I don't expect other operators to be as proficient and meticulous as Disney.

The Boardwalk area has lots of lights incorporated into the building facades and signage. All part of the design scheme.

I've seen far too many of those bulbs burned-out during some of our visits, too.

And, those are supposed to be operational every day.

Completely agree, Disney has set the bar for a high level of excellence & burnt out bulbs not being replaced looks cheap & tacky.

 

[DVCPAT]

We were at the World last week & had a fabulous time. Free dining plan, stayed at WL, all in all a great trip. However, when it comes to Disney I guess I am picky at times & noticed at both the parks & hotels, especially GF that many lightbulbs & Xmas tree lights were out. Now I'm not expecting them to be replaced the second they go out, but for example on the HS & AK Xmas trees there were sizable sections of the tree where lights had gone out so that from a certain side you really could not take a picture of it because it was quite obvious in the picture. Also, at night the GF has the outline of white lights along its roof lines & there were many bulbs out that sort of made the look "cheap". Am I being too picky or do you think Disney is just slipping on the maintenance aspect of things?

Just seeing how others feel on this, if you've even had the thought.

Thanks!

I noticed half the large Christmas lights on Minimouse’s house in toontown were out. Disney’s attention to detail has slipped. During the summer, I was surprised to see heavy trash around Thunder Mountain Railroad area.

Our recent trip over Thanksgiving week, I noticed quite a few Disney workers keeping the parks clean. It was nice to see an improvement in overall park cleanliness.

 

[MinnieLuvsMickey09]

Reading this thread then thinking back to what I've read prior and what I watched the other nite on TV ( that HGTV special on how they set up for Christmas). A few things came to mind...

If a strand of lights for example went out during the Osborne show would anyone expect the engineering CM's to come out and "fix" it right then. I bet it was noticed and corrected....

We all want the magic time to be perfect but just as in the "real" world the MK has it's hiccups too I'm sure... The important thing is to keep the special times in front of you and not dwell on the negative...

I can tell ya I've not been down to Disney since HS and that was many years ago so I am considering this my "first" trip down as I know soooooo much has changed... I try my hardest to not allow negativity ruin what I know will be a very special time and this is why I am looking forward to being a kid again.

 

[gokenin]

150 semi trucks of decorations are used to decorate WDW during the Christmas season.

15 miles of garland are to decorate at WDW during Christmas season.

300,000 yards of ribbon are used for decorating at Christmas.

1,500 Christmas trees are used all around the WDW property for decorating.

8 million lights are used to decorate the 4 parks for Christmas.


I dont know about you but I am willing to cut them some slack about a few lights out here and there

as for cleanliness I can understand how some may make its way to the floor

194,871 miles of toilet tissue are used annually at WDW.

24,409 miles of paper towels are used annually at WDW.

 

[mousefan215]

150 semi trucks of decorations are used to decorate WDW during the Christmas season.

15 miles of garland are to decorate at WDW during Christmas season.

300,000 yards of ribbon are used for decorating at Christmas.

1,500 Christmas trees are used all around the WDW property for decorating.

8 million lights are used to decorate the 4 parks for Christmas.


I dont know about you but I am willing to cut them some slack about a few lights out here and there

as for cleanliness I can understand how some may make its way to the floor

194,871 miles of toilet tissue are used annually at WDW.

24,409 miles of paper towels are used annually at WDW.

I'm NOT cutting them any slack for anything with the kind of money I spend there year after year. I hold them to a higher standard than anywhere else because they're DISNEY! They have prided themselves in being #1 and that means keeping the light bulbs changed. I agree that they have been slipping. This past January I was disappointed at all the YOMD banners that were still up at our resort. They set the bar high and it reflects badly on them when the "little" things slip. Just my 2 cents worth!

 

[Glenn]

I have to agree with the poster. First this is the GF, the most expensive, top of the line Disney offers. Its one thing if you see a bulb or 2 out, maybe they just burned out the evening before. But if you see many bulbs out it tells me they have a problem & are seeing how much they can get away with. If the attitude is to just let it go because its disney i can see other cutbacks. Maybe lawn care every few weeks, vacum the halls every other week and so on. When you are paying top dollar you should not give them slack because the quality will probably really fall. Motel 6 anyone?

 

[gokenin]

I will say that these threads always strike me as fanboy style threads. "I hold Disney to a higher standard" "I expect perfection from Disney they set themselves up for it" "I paid top dollar for this vacation". This I am sure will get me flamed but if you really feel this way about Disney boy you are in for a continued world of dissapointment. I love Disney but do I expect them to be perfect on every little thing no I dont I cant. The size of Disney alone makes it impossible for everything everywhere to be perfect all the time. I hate to think that this site is simply becoming a place for rabid fans to do nothing but nitpick everything wrong with Disney as it has slowly become over the years I have been coming to this board.
I again say it Disney is a THEME PARK with multiple hotels attached to them it is not a perfection on Earth. OK flame away

 

[Resseda]

150 semi trucks of decorations are used to decorate WDW during the Christmas season.

15 miles of garland are to decorate at WDW during Christmas season.

300,000 yards of ribbon are used for decorating at Christmas.

1,500 Christmas trees are used all around the WDW property for decorating.

8 million lights are used to decorate the 4 parks for Christmas.


I dont know about you but I am willing to cut them some slack about a few lights out here and there

as for cleanliness I can understand how some may make its way to the floor

194,871 miles of toilet tissue are used annually at WDW.

24,409 miles of paper towels are used annually at WDW.

As PP have noted, by setting the bar so high-that Disney is as close to perfect as anyone int he industry can be, that they have high expectations for their resorts, that they strive to have everything Diseny "perfect"-that I think if you go with any frequency, you can see the decline in service and appearance. I'm not talking about a few Christmas lights so much as overall. There are things that need to be painted, there are fewer employees doing more work (the story of the country right now, I know), etc. I will still go to Disney, but when I have definitely seen a decrease in overall service/appearance in the past few years.

Ress

 

[dioxide45]

We noticed a similar issue at the Spectro Magic Parade last week. Lots of bulbs on the floats were not lit and one float was completely un-lit.