I just got back from DL. Some things I noticed....

[Disneyland1084]

Downtown Disney: Good grief, what happened to that place? It used to be so lively and entertaining. Do bands still play there? I didn't see any. It's so filthy there. The grounds were dirty, and I noticed a lot of the shop windows were dirty with a lot of dust. How much of the janitorial staff did Disney let go? I'm STILL confused as to what the plan is for that area as far as Disneyforward goes. If it's to resemble Disney Springs in Florida, it can't happen soon enough.

Disneyland: I had a wonderful time, despite being ready to have my feet chopped off at the end. I would have killed to ride the train from point A to B. I wouldn't really say DL is filthy, but I've seen it cleaner. It seemed to me DL is doing half the job they used to. Its kind of sad. The only unpleasant experience I had was walking back to my hotel three nights ago. Me, along with a bunch of people get the ok to cross the street when all of a sudden a big truck speeds through. I raise my arm and very loudly yelled some foul words. Luckily nothing happened. I don't remember what year it happened, but some people were hit by a car while crossing the street there. There were some injuries, and sadly a young boy lost his life.

 

[BriannaRuth]

When we were there (late July), there was some live music down by the DLH security entrance in that big green area, but I didn't notice any others.

 

[crystal1313]

We noticed the parks seems dirty too. We were there 7/29-7/31. Meaning we noticed more trash on the ground, gum stuck on the ground, etc. It looked like they needed to pressure wash. We also noticed dusty queues and spiderwebs more than we have in past. I hardly ever saw anyone out sweeping up trash on the ground. On the plus, the restrooms seemed a lot cleaner than our last trip.

 

[AndrewC]

Eh, just visit Knott’s during the same trip and suddenly Disney will seem like a pristine sparkling paradise, lol.

Disney experiences (mainly their parks) were down this last quarter and are expected to be down next quarter, so I’m sure Disney is in all hands on deck cut funding mode.

I’ll hold judgment until I go in October, but I suspect I would be more than fine with a little “less pristine” Disney if it means half the wait times everywhere… I’m actually cautiously optimistic that this will be a fantastic year with a lot of wait times of 25-35 minutes… could be wrong though, but we’ll see.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I’ll hold judgment until I go in October, but I suspect I would be more than fine with a little “less pristine” Disney if it means half the wait times everywhere… I’m actually cautiously optimistic that this will be a fantastic year with a lot of wait times of 25-35 minutes… could be wrong though, but we’ll sesee

I sure wish this changed the wait times for the better, but not a chance, lol. It was so crowded last week, but I'm used to crowds.

 

[AquaDame]

Eh, just visit Knott’s during the same trip and suddenly Disney will seem like a pristine sparkling paradise, lol.

Disney experiences (mainly their parks) were down this last quarter and are expected to be down next quarter, so I’m sure Disney is in all hands on deck cut funding mode.

I’ll hold judgment until I go in October, but I suspect I would be more than fine with a little “less pristine” Disney if it means half the wait times everywhere… I’m actually cautiously optimistic that this will be a fantastic year with a lot of wait times of 25-35 minutes… could be wrong though, but we’ll see.

I feel like they’d just run less ride vehicles and have less staff unless they’re already doing that.

 

[mom2rtk]

I feel like they’d just run less ride vehicles and have less staff unless they’re already doing that.

I think that's been standard operating procedure for some time now.

 

[akadada]

we just returned too. I did not think it was overly filthy compared to WDW years ago. But it wasn't pristine either. We did have a reasonably good time though despite that and despite tons of rides going down randomly. DL is so much better than WDW that I'm just always pleased because I benchmark to WDW.

 

[ClaraOswald]

Downtown Disney: Good grief, what happened to that place? It used to be so lively and entertaining. Do bands still play there? I didn't see any. It's so filthy there. The grounds were dirty, and I noticed a lot of the shop windows were dirty with a lot of dust. How much of the janitorial staff did Disney let go? I'm STILL confused as to what the plan is for that area as far as Disneyforward goes. If it's to resemble Disney Springs in Florida, it can't happen soon enough.

Disneyland: I had a wonderful time, despite being ready to have my feet chopped off at the end. I would have killed to ride the train from point A to B. I wouldn't really say DL is filthy, but I've seen it cleaner. It seemed to me DL is doing half the job they used to. Its kind of sad. The only unpleasant experience I had was walking back to my hotel three nights ago. Me, along with a bunch of people get the ok to cross the street when all of a sudden a big truck speeds through. I raise my arm and very loudly yelled some foul words. Luckily nothing happened. I don't remember what year it happened, but some people were hit by a car while crossing the street there. There were some injuries, and sadly a young boy lost his life.

Has the train been closed? We used it for transportation a lot in June. It was actually the first time I've ever really done that and it was a life saver.

I didn't notice the parks being dirty when we were there. Like someone else, I compare it to WDW (which we were at in January) and DLR always seems a lot cleaner to me.

 

[Tinkaboo]

What I have noticed on recent trips is that people do seem to be messier…leaving more trash, garbage around for the CMs to clean up, perhaps part of the “entitlement“ they feel they are owed for the high price of admission. Spilling food on the ground, throwing wrappers on the ground…a child dropping food and parents not bothering to clean it up.

We all know that nearly every business today is operating with fewer employees that they had pre COVID, it’s just the new norm. Disney is no different.

Just an observation…

 

[keishashadow]

Downtown Disney: Good grief, what happened to that place? It used to be so lively and entertaining. Do bands still play there? I didn't see any. It's so filthy there. The grounds were dirty, and I noticed a lot of the shop windows were dirty with a lot of dust. How much of the janitorial staff did Disney let go?

That’s disappointing to hear as we returning in two weeks after a long lapse. Typically, managed a trip there every other year or so and lapped it up as such a different experience @ our home park-WDW.

Curious as to year of your last visit, which I assume you are using as basis to compare your recent experience. Mentioning as on all our pre-covid trips, thot DL was immaculate

Apples to oranges, we visit WDW multiple times X year. It’s still generally clean looking. Rides need lots of maintenance, that’s another thread lol

Can’t say I’ve inspected the window frames on Main Street up close & personal. Have seen some bathrooms in disarray starting mid-afternoon. generally DW parks look well-kempt, except for garbage cans now often being quite full. Guessing, it’s likely less rotation per site for staff, that is being stretched further to get it all done.

Live ‘street’ entertainment was declining well before covid, at least the barbershop quartet is still on Main Street @ DW. The performers @ HS have pretty much disappeared although there are DJ’s now & again.

 

[Disneyland1084]

That’s disappointing to hear as we returning in two weeks after a long lapse. Typically, managed a trip there every other year or so and lapped it up as such a different experience @ our home park-WDW.

Curious as to year of your last visit, which I assume you are using as basis to compare your recent experience. Mentioning as on all our pre-covid trips, thot DL was

We go to DL every year. We've skipped some years, not many. I remember last year there were bands at DTD. Live music really makes a difference. I don't remember how clean it was last year, it's just that the dust, dirty windows,etc were really noticeable this time.

 

[Disneyland1084]

we just returned too. I did not think it was overly filthy compared to WDW years ago. But it wasn't pristine either. We did have a reasonably good time though despite that and despite tons of rides going down randomly. DL is so much better than WDW that I'm just always pleased because I benchmark to WDW.

I had a great time, but have noticed rides break down more than they have in the past.

 

[Disneyland1084]

What I have noticed on recent trips is that people do seem to be messier…leaving more trash, garbage around for the CMs to clean up, perhaps part of the “entitlement“ they feel they are owed for the high price of admission. Spilling food on the ground, throwing wrappers on the ground…a child dropping food and parents not bothering to clean it up.

We all know that nearly every business today is operating with fewer employees that they had pre COVID, it’s just the new norm. Disney is no different.

Just an observation…

OMG I can't stand entitled people, and not just at Disney, it's every where. Don't even get me started on movie theatres. If people can carry their drinks and snacks to their seats, then they can carry them to the trash. I despise people who have no respect for the cleaning staff.

 

[Disneyland1084]

Has the train been closed? We used it for transportation a lot in June. It was actually the first time I've ever really done that and it was a life saver.

I didn't notice the parks being dirty when we were there. Like someone else, I compare it to WDW (which we were at in January) and DLR always seems a lot cleaner to me.

The train is currently closed. I've only been to WDW once, back in 2017. I'm SO glad I was able to experience my first trip there before the pandemic.

 

[foolish_mortals]

shop windows were dirty with a lot of dust.

This one is because of the construction.

They try to keep construction dust down as much as possible but it doesn't make sense to wash the windows everyday as it's a lot of work and they aren't done with the DTD construction.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I just wish they would fix the cute main street windows.

 

[DisneylandFan22]

I just wish they would fix the cute main street windows.

Are they still not working? I was disappointed last trip to see them down. They add a touch of magic.

 

[SpaceMan5]

@Disneyland1084 Having been there this past January I got the same feel from Downtown Dis, different vibe than previous visits.

What were some positive things you experienced that maybe you didn't before or some things that were as good as you remembered them?

 

[BriannaRuth]

If anyone is worried about cleanliness for their upcoming trip, I was there in late July and there was nothing as far as cleanliness went that impacted my visit. Not saying anyone is incorrect, only that I didn't notice anything was any different than usual. It may be that I am just less observant than others