Reduction in Air -Conditioning Usage?

[DAK1928]

Has anybody else noticed a reduction in air conditioning usage across WDW?

I was at Disneyland for D23 this August and commented that despite the hot temperature, the Park seems to run more more warm than WDW.

Fast forward 2 months and I've been in WDW this week (with outside temperatures in the 90s) and have noticed most buildings have been uncomfortably warm. The exceptions have been resort lobbies, character greetings, and some restaurants and shops.

I always remember being hit with a "wall" of cold air in most WDW buildings on previous visits, something that is largely missing now. I would imagine it costs a pretty penny to keep buildings cold, but yuck the indoor climate has been gross this trip.

On a related note, last year we had to request maintenance remove AC limits from our on-property room (thermostat would not turn below 70). This was during cooler months but the temperature still was in the upper 70s outside.

Has anybody else noticed cutbacks in AC across property? Is this a cost savings move like removing entertainment only more stealthy?

 

[TinkerBelle8878]

Noticed it May 2018 in Epcot. I was there only a day and it was one of those humid, rain on /rain off days in the 80s. No sun. And it was pretty warm waiting on line for Soarin inside a pavillion that one would expect to be well air conditioned. Spaceship Earth was also very warm. I wondered what would happen if there's an uptick of people near passing out from the heat inside these attractions/pavillions due to the lack of air/hot temps. Bad PR and maybe restoring the AC to what it should be? I think this AC issue has been mentioned on the forums before but you'd have to do a search. Disney is probably claiming its to 'be green'. It makes me want to only visit during a cold snap when winter coats are needed.

 

[Yert3]

I’ve been noticing it for a while. https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/what-is-going-on-with-the-air-conditioning-at-wdw.939087/

it’s ridiculous how hot it can be sometimes indoors. If it’s hot enough indoors that you’re sweating while not doing any physical activity, the ac isn't low enough. I remember years ago, when it would feel like the arctic inside every building. Miss those days.

 

[Moka]

I noticed it in August while at Hollywood Studios. Sister and I were walking into the shops and literally you’d just be hit with a hot wall of air. To make things worse the humidity was already bad due to it raining earlier in the day.

 

[Lilofan]

We noticed the merchandise shops to be not as cool. Probably the front doors being propped open, or doors opening and closing doesn't help. The attractions with robots seem to be much cooler perhaps those areas cannot be at higher temps, and the dining areas hit and miss. The hotel industry got smart in setting thermostat in hotel rooms not to go below a certain level to save on power bills. The restrooms at times were a sweatbox with the AC barely making a dent.

 

[mdcpr]

A lot of buildings, and not just WDW are being kept at 72 degrees because it saves energy and it is considered a comfortable environment for most people.

 

[mdcpr]

Saved energy code for saving money for Disney Corp

It is not a Disney thing. It is an energy saving method across the US.

 

[John park hopper]

With the volume of people moving through the buildings and doors open and close continuously I don't think it ever reaches 72 the system can't keep up. On our last trip there did seem to a lack of AC ---just thought it was me

 

[Jon81uk]

Also I don't like it when restaurants are harshly air-conditioned, the food goes cold quicker!

 

[wombat]

I’ve been noticing it for a while. https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/what-is-going-on-with-the-air-conditioning-at-wdw.939087/

it’s ridiculous how hot it can be sometimes indoors. If it’s hot enough indoors that you’re sweating while not doing any physical activity, the ac isn't low enough. I remember years ago, when it would feel like the arctic inside every building. Miss those days.

It is, I think better that the air conditioning is not too cold. Going between extremes of temperature just makes you feel bad. I visited the Cypress Gardens a long time ago and there was a Christmas shop/attraction that was so cold, I was rushing through it just to get back into some warmth

 

[xdan0920]

FWIW it has been confirmed multiple times over the past year or so that WDW is actively reducing their AC usage. Temps are higher across the board. This is new reality.

 

[networkpro]

I havent noticed it, but then again I live in Georgia and Texas year-round and am in decent health. When I'm not at work, I'm outside.

 

[Yert3]

It is not a Disney thing. It is an energy saving method across the US.

Like my parents always told me when I was young, it’s not a waste of money if you enjoy it, and I enjoy my 60° air greatly.

 

[Yert3]

With the volume of people moving through the buildings and doors open and close continuously I don't think it ever reaches 72 the system can't keep up. On our last trip there did seem to a lack of AC ---just thought it was me

I don’t think it’s that the system can’t keep up. Remember the 90s-early 00s? Buildings were kept so cold you would be shivering. And that’s with the doors being kept open too.

 

[mdcpr]

Like my parents always told me when I was young, it’s not a waste of money if you enjoy it, and I enjoy my 60° air greatly.

This is when my only answer is...good for you.

 

[Lilofan]

Like my parents always told me when I was young, it’s not a waste of money if you enjoy it, and I enjoy my 60° air greatly.

Instead of an ice cold shower can I just hang in your house?

 

[thomas998]

A lot of buildings, and not just WDW are being kept at 72 degrees because it saves energy and it is considered a comfortable environment for most people.

If they wanted to save energy they might start by having doors on some of the shops that have none, or at the very least the air walls.

 

[thomas998]

Noticed it May 2018 in Epcot. I was there only a day and it was one of those humid, rain on /rain off days in the 80s. No sun. And it was pretty warm waiting on line for Soarin inside a pavillion that one would expect to be well air conditioned. Spaceship Earth was also very warm. I wondered what would happen if there's an uptick of people near passing out from the heat inside these attractions/pavillions due to the lack of air/hot temps. Bad PR and maybe restoring the AC to what it should be? I think this AC issue has been mentioned on the forums before but you'd have to do a search. Disney is probably claiming its to 'be green'. It makes me want to only visit during a cold snap when winter coats are needed.

Yes nothing is more annoying than the claiming to be green PR spin when everyone knows the real reason is a desire to cut costs... like the trying to get you to reuse towels and skip maid service... I like to think that for the price they charge I should get daily maid service and never reuse a towel. I call it my little attempt at insuring that Disney doesn't layoff any more workers plan... because if enough people skip getting towels daily you know Disney will be cutting the number of workers they have.... and those savings wont pop up in reduced ticket prices or cheaper mouse ears.

 

[Lilofan]

Yes nothing is more annoying than the claiming to be green PR spin when everyone knows the real reason is a desire to cut costs... like the trying to get you to reuse towels and skip maid service... I like to think that for the price they charge I should get daily maid service and never reuse a towel. I call it my little attempt at insuring that Disney doesn't layoff any more workers plan... because if enough people skip getting towels daily you know Disney will be cutting the number of workers they have.... and those savings wont pop up in reduced ticket prices or cheaper mouse ears.

A big cost savings is also not changing your hotel bed sheets daily unless if it is stained. Other hotel companies adopted this cost savings also.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I can't speak for DL, haven't been there since 2005, but I was in WDW just three weeks ago, it was hot out, but all the rides and buildings were quite comfortable. Places don't need to be qualified to hang meat to be cool enough. The temperatures have dropped now so there is no need to have the AC all that high.