Guests who Destroy the Magic

WaltsApprentice

New Member
Original Poster
I have been thinking about this through out the years of being a Big Disney Fan like many of you, and I do not understand why Guests that come out to the parks physically try to destroy the magic. What I mean by destroying the magic is, putting gum on statues, messing up pieces of artwork during the Flower and Garden show, throwing trash in places other than trash cans, and feeding animals food. There are many times I go out the “World” and I notice these things. Here are a few examples:

n There are those amazing Zodiac topiaries of the animals in China. They were designed with seed, branches, leaves and other things from nature. They look amazing every year they are always designed differently. Well I know sometimes birds may pick off of them or nature works its magic to destroy it that can be fixed. But there was one time I actually saw a father and his son reach over and start picking the seeds off the topiaries. Is this necessary??
n This year there are Mosaic statues in the Dupont pavilion in the back of the World Showcase. There is the beauty Rooster, Key West Cat, and the Fish. Recently someone removed the whiskers from the statue of the Key West Cat, and on the Fish statue some of the tiles were chipped off. Now I’m not saying that a guest removed them but those whiskers were grouted in and would not just fall out.
n Tinkerbell’s Fairy houses, very detailed with pots and pans and other items from nature. Well because of the placement in the kiddy area parts of the details like the little tables and chairs and cups were pulled off or destroyed… is this necessary??
n There are a couple of times I have seen gum placed on the Busts of the Stars (Walt Disney, Opera, Bill Cosby) at DHS, and also the sword in the stone and the Disney Characters by the partner statue at MK.
n Through out all the parks I see people putting trash in bushes, on the ground, through out the ride lines. I don’t understand why people do this… it is a fact that Disney places their trash cans every 100 feet…so there not fair apart why do guests feel necessary to trash the place up. This is also similar to people who just leave all their food on their table at a QSR thinking the Castmember will make it in time to clean their mess, even at a busy time as lunch.
n And finally one of my big pet peeve is guests who think the parks are just one big wild Zoo and try and feed the wildlife through out the parks. For example, when I go to MK all through Frontierland guests are feeding the Storks and White Ibis and other birds …TURKEY LEG MEAT!! It’s Silence of the Lambs!! Or when I went to DAK my girlfriend and I were sitting out by the Flametree BBQ, and there was a family feeding a wild stork French fries!!! Because of the food throwing these animals have come to be accustom with human foods and it changes their natural eatting habit. (Yes I know on disney part, building a theme park on a swamp land already intrupts their natural habit and living area. Yet Disney has worked to fix this with the DWCF please go to disneywildlife.com to find out more info. And also the Walt Disney Wildlife preservation north of WDW its a great place they have help to preserve what we have left in this world!)

Do people do this because of ticket prices and they feel “I paid this much, I should be allowed to do whatever I want!” or its just plan carelessness??

Let me make it clear before I start to get bashed on here, I’m not saying ALL Guests, there are those select few who respect their surroundings, their fellow guests, and the environment. And let me also say, there is some parts that are Disney’s fault in of where they place the statues and the cleaning crew. But, Am I the only one who feels this way, or am I just crazy. Again in advance, I’m sorry if I offended anyone, it was not meant to be like that. AGAIN I’m Sorry…I just it bothers me to see this happens to a place that is suppose to be magical!!
 

westie

Well-Known Member
Sorry for bringing a salad back to the bunnies everynight. I was nice enough to give it to them dry. But, the turkey leg eating birds, there is nothing you can do about it. Last time I had one I had to eat it on the run. Those birds are way to carnivorous! Talk about being Mel Brooks in High Anxiety?!?!
 

Eyorefan

Active Member
Sadly, while I agree that the things you mention are "magic killers" I don't think they are any different than how people behave in anyother public situation. Just visit your local park, mall or zoo.... and you will find the same kinds of things. I think people in America have a general disregard for public spaces.
 

PotteryGal

Active Member
On the subject of littering, I would venture a guess that most people that litter at WDW instead of using a trash can, do so in their everyday lives as well. One only has to get in a car and see the garbage people spread along the side of any road in this country. :brick::brick:
 

WaltsApprentice

New Member
Original Poster
Sadly, while I agree that the things you mention are "magic killers" I don't think they are any different than how people behave in anyother public situation. Just visit your local park, mall or zoo.... and you will find the same kinds of things. I think people in America have a general disregard for public spaces.

I hate to see it in local parks and zoos too... But You think that they might have the mindsent that because Disney is bigger and no offense to local parks or zoos...It more "magical" meaning fancy. You think you would want to keep it fancier.:shrug:
 

banimall

New Member
Those birds are cannibals, they would eat anything short of a rock and at that, I'm sure if there were a rock in the turkey leg they would eat it.

The best thing I saw and not sure if it fits into guests being rude, but I saw this kid with his family try to pet a squirrell. I could not stop laughing, they paid $$$$ to take this vacation and you would think they never saw a squirrel before. They were very lucky the squirrel didn't bite the kid. They were actually coercing the kid to pet it. I kept waiting for the squirrel to run up his arm and just go nuts, no pun intended.
 

ccmuffin2

New Member
Gotta agree if the people didn't feed the wild life . I would not of had a the terror of a squirl jumping on my lap while eating outside at the Flametree BBQ 3 years ago and I would not of scared the heck out of the little girl eating at the table next to me when I jumped up yelling from the suprise...
 
Sadly, while I agree that the things you mention are "magic killers" I don't think they are any different than how people behave in anyother public situation. Just visit your local park, mall or zoo.... and you will find the same kinds of things. I think people in America have a general disregard for public spaces.

Totally agree with this. Disney just happens to be much better than others in keeping their parks clean. Imagine if Disney stopped cleaning after guests for just one day. It would be a nightmare
 

banimall

New Member
That's two squirrel incidences in two posts, this could be an epidemic. Reminds me of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation


SQUIRREL...!!!

Where's Eddie, he eats these darn things for breakfast.

Oh, not any more, his doctor said they're high in cholesterol
 

Cynderella

Well-Known Member
Two non-magical words: cigarette butts.

:mad:

And to go with that Cigarette Smoke :fork:. One time we were in line for ITTBAB and some guy in front of us was smoking the whole way throught the line. So I stayed back a bit thinking to myself what an A****** he was and I hoped he choked on it (sorry I hate smoking). So when we got closer to the entrance and "traffic" was backed up a bit I left like 10-15 feet between me and them. Well a foreign group behind me was confused by what I was doing so I told that the guy in front of me was smoking where he wasnt supposed to and I couldnt stand the smoke. Well I said it loud enough so the jerk could hear it and he got all y and then put it out on the ground and left it there! :fork: I hate rude people.

ok my rant is done :D
 

Fun2BFree

Active Member
Yep, it's a generational thing. It's no understatement to say that I'm ashamed of fellow teenagers and young people who simply don't care about others' property. It's the sort of people that do things like this: http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk...dog-is-tied-up-and-set-on-fire-name_page.html (not for the faint hearted).

And the sad thing is that if graffiti and littering isn't removed, others somehow think it's okay to add to it. People simply have no respect, even for a magical place like WDW. And it's because of us- our music, films, video games and culture as a whole. And I see no easy solution. :(
 

DisneySam

Active Member
Another place it really annoys me is in the food courts or the quick service restaurants when people leave ALL thier trash on the table and just leave. It's not a new concept...you know how it works you put your trash in the trashcan and the tray on top. It's not rocket science!
---

Oh I had a different kind of Magic Killer on my last trip I have to share.

I was on DME and the lady who sat next to me (a perfect stranger-- her daughter and husband sat in front of our seats) and when the video was playing which I LOVE and actually look forward to, she turned to me and said in the most snarky voice "So annoying how many times do you have to say the word magic?" and did an annoyed laugh...talking about the video.

I was so mad! I mean come on everyone else was watching and all excited about their trip, it was so unnecessary. Why even come to Disney if you are just going to be a hater the whole time. I just grabbed my purse and turned to her and said "If you'll excuse me, I am going to go sit next to someone who is happy to be here and on vacation" and changed seats.

Stuff like that just kills me. Even thinking about it now gets me all 'riled up. I wish we could have pulled the bus over on the highway and left her there!
 

Eyekimore

New Member
As a teacher- I have seen a huge change in the lack of respect for propery and lack of manners. I just got back from the world yesterday. I can't tell you how many people walked right into me and didn't say a simple "I'm sorry".

It's really sad that in our country- through trying to make a free society with equal rights - we ended up with people feeling free to do anything they want with no repurcussions- and worse- no conscience. (sp?)
 

WaltsApprentice

New Member
Original Poster
Another place it really annoys me is in the food courts or the quick service restaurants when people leave ALL thier trash on the table and just leave. It's not a new concept...you know how it works you put your trash in the trashcan and the tray on top. It's not rocket science!
---

!

Your telling me...I was in the Land at Epcot...during lunch rush hour and a large family got up from their table (I was sitting eatting with my gf and mother) and they left all their trash! I was so mad... well I saw a family trying to look for a seat and they had food in their hands and I know how it feels when you just don't have a place to sit. I got up and helped them clear off the messy table!! This was before the pixie dust pins back in 2007!! And for the ones that said its between ages 10-30...I'm 22 and one of the few that care :D

Thats the one reason why I love going on the Disney cruise all the guests on there area always soo friendly and understanding! I have no idea must be something in the water!!
 

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
As a teenager I wasn't messy, didn't litter, or anything like that. At QS restaurants I always clean up. Even at TS restaurants I pile things neatly and pick up any straw papers or empty Splenda packets off the table. When I was 16 I worked at a Burger King and I was assigned to dining room clean-up. I lived in a house w/5 kids. It was always beyond me how 2 seconds of picking up after yourselves was so hard for other people (and at the time it totally perplexed me to see adult piggies). After having that job and cleaning up after others I've always been extremely aware of what I leave behind. Now that I'm a parent it translates. The example I set now teaches my 2 kids how to be decent human beings. It's not hard to figure out if you leave a mess some poor soul (paid or not) has to come along and pick up after you. Geez, just yesterday my 12 year old son (who has just discovered that he enjoys clothes shopping) was in a hurry, saw clothes others had left in the dressing room, and said to me, "Mom, I think it's okay to leave the stuff you don't want." I corrected him right away. If we take it off the rack or off the hanger we can take a moment to put it back the way we found it. There are enough slobs for these kids working here to clean up after. They don't need another. So today when we were in the stores to grab a few more things he needed it wasn't something I had to say a word about. Between the two of us (and him with a broken wrist) we managed to go about our business without leaving any messes behind. :)

I agree with the OP tho. In WDW you'd think people would be more aware of their surroundings than in their everyday life. I guess it goes to show that some people truly are oblivious to their surroundings. Sadly, I don't think these people really "get" the magic as some of us do, either.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom