Bathrooms better?

[lenshanem]

Here's a part from a trip report I did on another board -

Both resorts our SaveDisney bumper sticker was a hit with the CMs. I did think the bathrooms were cleaner this time around. (I had sent numerous emails to WDW guest services in the past in regard to bathrooms within the parks.) Only once on our nine day trip did I come across a bathroom that was out of toilet paper. Every other time, toilet seat covers, toilet paper, soap and paper towels were filled. Definitely an improvement.


Anyway, just wanted to share my observation!

 

[Goofy4Mickey]

I agree that they seemed much better than last year. We were at WDW from 6/2-6/11 and I'd say ~50% of the time I visited the restroom at the 4 main WDW parks there was somebody in there cleaning.

What was painfully obvious this time is that people can really be pigs. No sooner had a CM cleaned a sink, picked up a towel on the floor, etc. there was somebody right behind him slobbing the place up again. At MK especially, it seems that there would have to be 1 full-time CM/ bathroom to keep the place clean.

For Disney's part though, I was pleased. It seems that things are returning to Disney "normal".

 

[manning]

it seems that there would have to be 1 full-time CM/ bathroom to keep the place clean.

That's the way it was at the Old (quality) Disney.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by manning
That's the way it was at the Old (quality) Disney.

While there was a much higher CM-to-bathroom quotient in the old days, there was never a "one CM per bathroom" thing. There were more CMs per zone, but no one CM just hung out at a bathroom all day, keeping it clean.

 

[All Aboard]

Memorial Day weekend was extremely crowded. So, I'm willing to give WDW a little benefit of the doubt. But, we encountered an unusaully high number of unacceptable restroom situations. Meaning, the volume of paper towels in the garbage and overflowing onto the floor gives an indication of the period of time since the restroom was last attended to - and we found this to be higher than normal. The restrooms between Mouse Gear and Test Track really need a full-timer since they are so heavily used. The family restroom there was a disaster all weekend.

 

[manning]

While there was a much higher CM-to-bathroom quotient in the old days, there was never a "one CM per bathroom" thing. There were more CMs per zone, but no one CM just hung out at a bathroom all day, keeping it clean.

You weren't around in the 70s/80's

 

[WDSearcher]

Well, actually, I was. As a guest for many years, then as a CM. However, a very good friend of my father's was in custodial for a couple years during the mid-to-late 1970s. We always used to hunt him down at MK to say hello, and we would often walk with him while he "patrolled his zone," as he called it. He would deputize kids to "stand guard" in front of the ladies rooms, to make sure that no women came in while he was cleaning. He and his co-workers (I think there were six of them on the team) handled every bathroom, trash can, and food area between Skyway station and the Mickey Mouse Revue.

 

[manning]

we would often walk with him while he "patrolled his zone,"

Then they were a heck of a lot better at it then than now. Today you are lucky to see an attendant in the wash room. Back then just about every time I went into one I would see an attendant.

 

[WDSearcher]

I agree that they were a lot better back then, but then there was a lot less territory to cover and I think guests in general were less messy than they are today. People don't think twice about letting their kids play with the toilet paper and then leaving it all over the bathroom floor or changing a kid's diaper and leaving it hanging out of the trash can. You didn't see as much of that kind of thing 20 years ago.

 

[grinningghost]

Without question, alot of the problem lies with the sloppy guests. I don't know that it lets Disney off the hook though. It's unfortunate, but I guess they need to roll with the changes and do what's best for the sake of the neat guests.

 

[WDSearcher]

I think they try to do that. But even if you had two CMs per bathroom these days, they'd still have to deal with the guests who think nothing of leaving a disaster behind. Some of the messes Disney Custodial CMs are asked -- and expected -- to clean up would make the rest of us retch. More CMs in the areas will only solve part of the problem. And I don't know to train people to just clean up after themselves a little bit. I'm not saying they need to be wiping down counters or cleaning out toilet bowls, but making sure the toilet is flushed or that the paper towels make it into the trash can instead of onto the floor would help.

 

[All Aboard]

Searcher, agreed. But, when the basket is full to the top and overflowing onto the floor - that's an indication that a CM has not been in that restroom in a while. Not until the past 2 years had I experienced that at WDW. It seems a bit better lately, but Memorial Day weekend was not a banner for WDW custodial.

 

[lenshanem]

I know people are slobs more than ever. We were on the boat going from BWV to MGM last week. Talking to the family next to us on the ride. They seemed nice. They were all eating candy bars and as soon as the ride ended they threw down the empty wrappers on the boat floor. My hubby and I were amazed! They couldn't wait to get to the trash can on the dock? Geez... Great thing to teach their kids. Maybe they should come back out with those litter bug commercials, remember the American Indian crying? Or I guess these days it wouldn't be PC?

Regardless, even though people are slobs I still except for the prices in admission we pay to have a stocked bathroom with toilet paper and soap at least. In past trips over the last couple years I was noticing this more and more, despite them being dirty I still wanted toilet paper and soap!

I must say I was pleased this trip. I'm glad I emailed those times. It does make a difference if alot of people complain.

 

[manning]

Boy, would it be nice if it was possible to invent a wrapper that when thrown down would pop up back into the hand and in a loud voice say slob throw it into the trash can.


Wait a minute, there is such a thing. It is called

RESPONSIBLE PARENT!!

 

[AllisonG]

When I see some one throw trash/litter, I can't seem to keep my mouth shut. How did you watch that and not lose your mind? I give you credit.
I know for a fact I would have started something.....
I can't stand slobs/litter bugs.

 

[neosnightmare]

i wish i was around in the 70s to get an outlook on this. the problem almost always lies in the disciplinary factor of it. everytime i littered when i was younger, i had to pick it up and hold on to it until i found a trash can. these days i dunt usually litter unless it drops out of my hand or if i have no choice, such as im walking on the side of the street with no can in sight. its all about shaping ppl into what they will be down the road.

 

[JFS]

As bad as it may be, the worst days at WDW are infinitely better than the best days at other theme parks (Universal, Six Flags). The restrooms I've encountered at those parks were gross.