Walt Disney World Resort is overwhelmed with a health and safety hazard, according to guest reports from the Central Florida theme parks.
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and Disney Resort hotels are known for spotless, immersive environments.
Walt Disney famously studied how far guests were willing to walk before throwing litter on the ground–now, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort guests will never go more than 30 feet without encountering a trash can. The trash cans themselves are so clean that some Disney theme park guests will use them as tables!
Custodial cast members work tirelessly to keep the Disney parks, Disney Resort hotels, and Disney Springs clean. Still, since Walt Disney World Resort reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Florida theme parks have struggled to maintain their pre-pandemic cleanliness.
Cleanliness at Walt Disney World Resort
Inside the Magic has covered sanitary issues at the Disney parks multiple times over the past few years. Many guests hoped that cleanliness issues would subside as Walt Disney World Resort rehired Disney cast members and brought staffing levels up to pre-pandemic numbers.
Unfortunately, Disney Park guests and cast members say the cleaning situation has worsened. Last week, Redditor u/ADTR9320 shared these photos of overflowing trash cans at Walt Disney World Resort:
What’s going on with trash maintenance at the parks?
What's going on with trash maintenance at the parks?
byu/ADTR9320 inWaltDisneyWorld
The trash poses multiple health hazards–animals and young children can easily access things they shouldn’t eat. Pests attracted to the garbage also leave waste that poses sanitary risks, especially in restaurant settings and spaces where infants and toddlers are crawling around. Slippery items, like banana peels or liquids, are tripping hazards.
Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom guests shared their similar experiences.
“I only see this right after the fireworks at closing,” u/AfraidMeasurement892 commented. “I’ve never seen it any other time. It is sad because I didn’t pay thousands to go to Six Flags.”
“I was at WDW last March and my family and I always eat at ABC commissary at [Disney’s Hollywood Studios,” u/RememberThatDream replied. “Dust layer on the napkin holders, floors/carpets dirty… we’ve been 7-8 times and I’ve never seen it like that. With how expensive it is and the amount of money Disney makes, it’s time to re-raise their standards to pre-covid levels. As dumb as it might sound the cleanliness is part of the great experience of going to the parks!”
“It’s all maintenance,” u/BZI agreed. “Rides, bathrooms, garbage, hotels have all gotten worse the last 10 or so years…The shine of the Disney Parks experience is wearing off.”
Custodial Cast Members Share Their Perspectives
Former custodial cast member u/nilenellie shared their insight into the phenomenon:
Have you noticed maintenance or cleanliness issues at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney Springs? Share your story with Inside the Magic in the comments.