Subtracting from the Magic?...(Or, Can we get this fixed please?)

[ricktib]

- The big overhead fans in the lobby of POR

- Each time we go, it seems there are more and more 'pixels' not working on the Illuminations globe. Speaking of Illuminations, I hope they soon bring back the 'Inferno Barge'.

 

[ksdave]

I think all of the parks at both WDW and UO are showing alot of wear as they get larger and larger crowds while still cutting costs to make up for the losses from 2002 and 2003. If enough repeat customers start to voice their displeasure, and maybe even cancel reservations, etc. and state that it is due to the deterioration of the parks, the companies will get the message and put some $$$ back into maintenance.
One of the things that came about from the 9/11 slowdown was the elimination of many fulltime employees at both themepark companies. This shows in the lack of care for the facilities at both themepark complexes. I think it is alot harder to get contract labor and part timers to care as much about their place of work than it was with the full timers.
Only time will tell if these two companies still truly care about their paying customers.

 

[Cosmic_Charlie]

One thing I noticed is how bad some of the cast member uniforms and costumes are. Some looked just plain gross, I wouldnt think that Disney would allow these castmembers to go onstage looking like they do.

 

[Lyndarella]

I thought Peter Pan used to be DARKER inside, so you could not see all the machinery so well, and the town you fly over seemed brighter by contrast. And I thought the Pirates of the Car. used to be LIGHTER toward the beginning when you go between the two fighting ships. The last time we were there, you couldn't see that there were cannon balls landing beside you in the water.

 

[Earstou]

I'm still perturbed about 20,000 Leagues, I know it's been a while since it's been gone, but it is one of the few things I remember from my childhood, and would love to be able to share it with my son.

I've heard, in Disneyland, that the submarines are coming back as a Nemo attraction. Don't know if this is rumor or if it's been confirmed yet, but I saw the lagoon was being worked on in June. I think it's supposed to open next year.

 

[misskrystal]

I was in a bathroom at MGM and there was a huge dead dragonfly (about 7 inches) right by one of the sinks.

It's a small thing and I'm sure it was cleaned up right away, but it made a few small children cry. Not the best was to start your day!

It's just another small thing that takes away a little more magic with each trip.

 

[seashoreCM]

Write a System Technical Action Request. At least that is what we at work called those one page reports we wrote when finding bugs in each other's computer programs. Hand it in to Guest Relations when you leave the park, or sooner, or report it to a cast member at the attraction if the problem is particularly egregious.

(Sample Only)
Location: Splash Mountain
Date: October 27, 2005
Time: 9:30 AM
Severity: 1 (showstopper)
Description: Snakelike jets of water that every now and then criss cross the boat travel path consistently hit guests in the boats.

I suppose that severity 4 (cosmetic) STAR's will also get reasonably quick attention if several people write up the same thing. Who will be first?*

Unfortunately some stiches (sic, pun intended) are better taken nine at a time instead of in time because of the time it takes to "thread the needle". Examples: replacing burned out bulbs on marquees or burned out pixels on the Illuminations globe.

Can't help the dead dragonfly. Someone may have swatted it 30 seconds ago and the sanitary imagineer doesn't come every five minutes. Now if it was a half dead real mickey...

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

*Line from "Roots" I think said by O.J. Simpson playing a high ranking official.

 

[challada]

I've heard, in Disneyland, that the submarines are coming back as a Nemo attraction. Don't know if this is rumor or if it's been confirmed yet, but I saw the lagoon was being worked on in June. I think it's supposed to open next year.

Yes, it's coming back as Nemo...don't know how much of the old subs are going to be used, but would be nice to see that big hole in the ground getting some use!

 

[akfan]

The last time that we were there (April/04), we were surprised by how much WDW had gone down hill in terms of cleanliness. Particularly the smelly monorails. It was so bad that we didn't want to sit down in them, and my daughters had to plug their noses. I hope they've cleaned it up by now.

 

[bigmac5]

The last time that we were there (April/04), we were surprised by how much WDW had gone down hill in terms of cleanliness. Particularly the smelly monorails. It was so bad that we didn't want to sit down in them, and my daughters had to plug their noses. I hope they've cleaned it up by now.

We were there the end of Aug and I didn't have any problems with the monorails except one time we found a dirty diaper there. Can you imagine!! I don't blame WDW for that--they can't pick up every minute. People take your garbage with you!!!

 

[eclectics]

Yes, what's up with Splash Mountain? People have been complaining for a long, long, time. While the mechanics were okay when we rode, it was kind of grungy with peeling paint etc. It needs a facelift.

 

[Tigger714]

You know I'm furiously packing and made the mistake of reading this thread before leaving. Kinda taked the enthusiasm out of a person, maybe we should rename the thread "Danger....Don't read before you leave!" I will be interested to see if any of these items are fixed and I really like the programmers idea of a written report......I'll sick my Engineering DH on that one! DW Here I Come!!!!!!!

 

[PneumaticTransit]

I know that park maintenance has been going under a lot of changes. The maintenance bases have been moved several times in the past few years. They are also changing the dispatching and reporting systems, which will take a while for everyone to get used to.

I also think DISer's might be a little too observant. Problems have existed for years, but people from this board go often and know the rides pretty well therefore they are quick to point out what wasn't working compared to the last time they went.

It's distracting, I know. If it really bothers you, you should report it to a Cast Member - they may be unaware of the situation. I've been working in maintenance for the past 5 years, and that is problem #1: We can't fix it if we don't know it's broken. I hear it time after time that such and such hasn't been working for X days but they never reported it because they assumed someone knew about it.

Budget, staffing, and items on backorder also play a major role in repairs. As you can imagine, much of Disney's stuff is custom made so parts and materials are hard to come by and very expensive. One little broken sign can cause havoc to get the blue prints, color matching, and approved vendor to make the repair. Lots of stuff has to go through many channels of approval.

 

[Mcmouse]

My only other complaint was the dirtiness of the MK restrooms. I guess it was just that there was so much traffic (maybe unexpected and unplanned-for on Disney's part since it was mid-October) but I have NEVER seen WDW restrooms in this type of gross condition. Definitely detracted from the magic a bit for me. However we found the restrooms at the other parks were sparkling as usual.

I agree. When we went to WDW in 2002 I noticed that the restrooms were always very clean (it was so nice that it stuck out in my mind). In 2003 there were a couple of dirty stall experiences. In 2004 I actually found a restroom that had no clean stalls and left to find one in better shape. It seems like a deteriorating situation.

Another cleanliness issue is just the overall grounds cleanliness. I remember going to WDW as a kid and seeing someone drop some popcorn on the ground that was almost immediately swept up by a CM on skates. As hard as you looked, you couldn't find any trash. It was magically clean,
Now it's not too hard to see trash on the ground, in the landscape etc. (sad)

Another totally unmagical and NASTY thing is all of the blackbirds and even sea gulls flying around the Frontierland bridge by Splash Mtn. Last year they were dive bombing people walking by. Two of my sister in laws got splattered on (if you know what I mean) which really took the fun out of eating that turkey leg (I know, Gross. But true)

Sorry for grossing anyone out, but these things definitely take the magic away.

 

[frndshpcptn]

We acutally saw a white trash bag filled with trash next to a trash recepticle on the line for Big Thunder Mountain. It seems the CM who emptied the bin just left the bag on the ground instead of removing it. He could have been coming back for it - but I'm not sure why it was left there in the first place. It was gross.

I agree - the trash just doesn't seem to be as "invisible" as it used to be.

 

[k5thbeatle]

I agree. When we went to WDW in 2002 I noticed that the restrooms were always very clean (it was so nice that it stuck out in my mind). In 2003 there were a couple of dirty stall experiences. In 2004 I actually found a restroom that had no clean stalls and left to find one in better shape. It seems like a deteriorating situation.

Another cleanliness issue is just the overall grounds cleanliness. I remember going to WDW as a kid and seeing someone drop some popcorn on the ground that was almost immediately swept up by a CM on skates. As hard as you looked, you couldn't find any trash. It was magically clean,
Now it's not too hard to see trash on the ground, in the landscape etc. (sad)

Another totally unmagical and NASTY thing is all of the blackbirds and even sea gulls flying around the Frontierland bridge by Splash Mtn. Last year they were dive bombing people walking by. Two of my sister in laws got splattered on (if you know what I mean) which really took the fun out of eating that turkey leg (I know, Gross. But true)

Sorry for grossing anyone out, but these things definitely take the magic away.

Just got back on 10-24 and I must concur with this post.

 

[greg126]

Agree, while I can dredge up specific memories of our first visit maybe 15 years ago they get fuzzy and confused with subsequent trips but one consistent overriding impression was of cleanliness and aggressiveness of CMs keeping it that way - sad to see it deterioriate so.....

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I've only been going since 2002 and I noticed these last 2 trips that there seemed to be a lot of trash everywhere. Either people are getting really messier and less respectful of places and tossing more trash around (probably) or they just aren't staffed as well to keep up with the trash.

(Sample Only)
Location: Splash Mountain
Date: October 27, 2005
Time: 9:30 AM
Severity: 1 (showstopper)
Description: Snakelike jets of water that every now and then criss cross the boat travel path consistently hit guests in the boats.

Is this not part of the ride? I know this was an example you wrote but I'm just asking... is it not really supposed to do that? Because it did it to me on both trips this year and I really do not like getting soaked by a jet of water coming from the side like that. Getting wet on the ride is a given- smacked in the side/face with a jet of water (always seemed to get me! Maybe because I always sit further back and not up front ) is different.

The only other thing I noticed was a poor sad little birdy that was like in half (half broken off and laying down like someone cut him in half and you could see the mechanics of him inside) at Small World. It was kinda disturbing. I mean for a second there you think oh poor bird. LOL Then you remember it's not real- but then the illusion is messed up because now you're reminded they are all animatronics. LOL Who wants to see the inside of a bird? Small World is a happy place.. no insides of birds (mechanical or not) please!
LOL
(ps. that was in June that I first saw it and that was right after refurbishment of that ride- right? Maybe that's why I noticed it- wasn't expecting something so visible and so noticable right after Small World was opened back up)

 

[CAD3655]

I've heard, in Disneyland, that the submarines are coming back as a Nemo attraction. Don't know if this is rumor or if it's been confirmed yet, but I saw the lagoon was being worked on in June. I think it's supposed to open next year.

Nemo won't open until 2007...sorry if someone else already answered.

 

[kydisneyfans]

The cars on the Buzz ride need some help-lots of lime green scraped off and dirty looking. The lasers seemed inconsistent. aw: