This Old Park: Sentinel expose on maintenance

[cherrynegra]

Let me tell you something, even a person who isn't into Disney would agree after reading that article that Disney is in deep, very deep, denial mode. The way they keep denying the fact that the parks are crumbling around them even when shown proof almost seems like a skit worthy of Monty Python.

And didn't you just laugh at the comment by Bill Warren, vice president of public affairs and community relations.

"Even diamonds have flaws if you look close enough."

Well, excuse me Mr. Warren, that may be true, but diamonds with flaws in them DECREASE in value, whereas the maintenanced flawed parks you supervise just INCREASED park admission!! There's a big difference there buddy!! Start slashing prices accordingly to the upkeep of the parks and then you'd make sense.

 

[CTXRover]

Come on guys, even as I was reading that article and looking at the pcitures I was thinking to myself...you've got to be kidding me.

For starters, I was there the week the DIS went out on the Walt Disney World entrance sign. We went through that entrance three nights during that week. First night...it was on. Second night...it was off and we all remarked on it. Third night..light was fixed. What do you expect, someone to be out there at all times until it burns out and then rush out and over traffic to fix it? I was relieved they fixed it so fast.

The thing I would definetely agree on is the parking lots. The lines are truly faded and they do need a repaving job. Since some actually have to pay $7.00 to park, the parking lots should really be in better conditions. But the rest of the stuff? Anyone could easily take a million pictures of similar "little things" and they would show up being 100% perfect? It all depends on what you want to "prove".

I don't think I'm in denial either....my last trip in March I thought everything looked great...and this is coming from the guy who was on the boat that nearly sank in Bay Lake! Sometimes I went looking for problems to see what all the complaining is about and usually I find myself quite surprised that MOST times you REALLY have to look for problems. There were exceptions, but nearly 95% of the time things looked great. For a nearly 35 year park, that is pretty darn good.


I also went to IOA and Universal during my March trip. I thought Universal Studios was in great shape and easily as well maintaned as Disney...but IOA looked terrible! Dr. Doom's Fearfall struck fear in me...because the entire ride was rusted to the point the paint was literally peeling off in rusted chunks all around the towers. The Hulk's queue was a mess and the coasters needed some cosmetic repairs, the Jurassic Park dinos had definetely seen better days, the Dueling Dragons Coasters and cement dinos out front looked really faded and Suess's landing looked downright shabby and faded from the bright and colorful way I remembered it from a trip there a few years ago. They even replaced portions of the colorful pathways in that land with a plain brown cement, probably because they didn't want to keep re-painting it. After my half day there....I realized just how great Disney's maintenance was...and it was definetely NOT the other way around.

I know there are imperfections that can be found all around the whole Disney resort. And I commend articles like this that make sure Disney keeps on its toes on fixing even the smallest of things, but it was a poor article in my mind since the goal of the writer was to go and find as many problems with the park as they could....and just think about what they found as their best examples.

 

[GaryT977]

Originally posted by CTXRover

I know there are imperfections that can be found all around the whole Disney resort. And I commend articles like this that make sure Disney keeps on its toes on fixing even the smallest of things, but it was a poor article in my mind since the goal of the writer was to go and find as many problems with the park as they could....and just think about what they found as their best examples.

The authors said at the beginning of the article said that they were going to be actively looking to find things that ordinary guests probably wouldn't notice.

That being said, Walt set a standard, and that standard is no longer being met. Just as an example, when I was a kid I was always amazed at the number of street sweepers around. It was like no garbage could made it to the ground for very long. I never see them anymore.

IMHO, Disney is an escape, and an expensive one to boot. Seeing burned out lights, peeling paint, dust and dirt (my last visit to IASW and Peter Pan immediately spring to mind), etc., ruin that escape and spoil the magic.

 

[Dayma]

Like I've said, Disney should not raise its ticket prices if the parks are in constant disrepair, decreased quality, etc.

You have to raise prices to deal with the repairs. Overtime stuff will degrade and we are at a point where it is happening faster and faster due to the age of the rides.

 

[PeterAlt]

Originally posted by GaryT977
It's obvious that Eisner just doesn't get it anymore. Part of the Disney magic is the feeling that you're somwhere different, special and timeless. Mildew, peeling paint and trash everywhere shatters that illusion.

What I don't understand is why he doesn't get it anymore. Animal Kingdom is a beautiful, amazingly detailed park, and that was his baby. It kills me watching One Man's Dream when Walt says "quality wins out" and Einser comes on immediately afterwards and says "we will never forget". That's right up there with "we know exactly where the weapons are", "I did not have ______ with that woman" and "wardrobe malfunction".

Could it be that Eisner is sheltered and that his cronnies keep him away from seeing deterioration, and only guide him to the newest and latest of what is shiny new? Because of this, maybe he really thinks the parks are kept the best they have been in years!

 

[cloudboy]

You have to raise prices to deal with the repairs.

No, you don't have to raise prices. You have to allocate those funds, which have to come from somewhere. So how about compensation to the upper management? It is really hard to have faith in the argument that costs have to be watched and that is why quality is slipping when the executive is getting bonuses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Do you realize that if they gave up 100 million of that, you could give everyone in the park a couple dollar raise? Or imagine what 100 million could do for repair?

It's not the thought that there are repair problems - it the thought that there are repair problems and that Disney is less interested in fixing them than big salarys.

EDIT

Wow, it must be getting late. I really screwed that up, didn't I. Two things - first the executive is NOT getting bonuses in 100 million, I was thinking in terms of the executives overall. And I also decided to double check that and realized that I was looking at numbers that were definitley out of date and had to do with executives who are no longer with the company. I also screwed up in my math, so no, it would not give every employee a couple dollar raise, but you would be talking about some serious money still. I figured I would add this note here so everyone can see my mistake before I get flamed on it. Sorry.

 

[Dizknee_Phreek]

Originally posted by EpcoTim
When I was there recently, I noticed the big things, ie, the Imagination crane, and all that. And yes, that was a bit odd and not fitting with the image. But I wasnt hanging over guardrails to find chipped paint and what not. I do see the need for a change, but some people take this way to far. I bet the same people who scrutinize Disney with a fine tooth comb have houses that are in dire need of some work. Its easy to say how someone else should be doing something, but not that easy to do it for ones self.

while i see your point, i must agree with GaryT. Walt did indeed set a standard; we all know that, i think. he wanted even the smallest details to be taken care of. personally, i don't think anyone is taking this too far...i just think they're getting into a Walt state of mind. how much you wanna bet that Walt would be looking over guardrails if he were still alive?
here's a little thing to think about: when the Frontierland Shooting Arcade first opened, it used actual BB guns and the scenery had to be repainted every night. with current Disney management/maintenence, does anyone really think it would get a new paint job every night if it still used real BB guns?

 

[Senderella]

I almost wish I hadn't been nosy enough to check out this post. It makes me sad. In all honesty, (having worked jobs where I should've been very happy & helpful & all that fun) I can see why the CMs are not enthused to be there if they're not getting great hours or pay. When you feel like you're busting your tail for your health -because the pay is bad- you're not the most chipper person on the block. This is no excuse for bad, rude, mean, etc. service though. I think the head types should quit worrying about their extra fat paychecks so their wives can buy brand new Porsche Cayennes to go to their weekly pretentious "lady's luncheon" and start paying the people who matter. The people the guests interact with. Without them, they wouldn't have a pot to tinkle in. I think a lot of high ups completely forget this. Without the CMs... the servers... the Imagineers...the monorail drivers.. the people who take care of the landscaping.. the shopkeepers.. EVERYONE... they wouldn't be making the big bucks. There would be no WDW without them. I'd like to see some of them -the big wigs- trying to serve food or prune a hedge. :lol:
I'd also be willing to pay more for Disney if it meant the $ would be going to the repairs and CMs paychecks. Not into some corporate's pocket.
For some insane reason, this thought sticks out in my mind. If Walt himself knew of the things going on, I'd be willing to bet he'd pay out of his own pocket to do the things needed whether it be repainting something or making sure his CMs are happy.

I don't mean to step on any toes or anything with this post, but it's really upsetting to hear about a place that's got the reputation and standards such as WDW being allowed to go to poo because of... no good reason. A man's dream -one thats brought joy to billions- is being let slide quality wise. It's really sounding like bigwig greed to me. Then again, what do I know? I don't know the innerworkings of the company.

shutting up now so I don't get flamed for any reason. :zipit:

 

[Dayma]

No, you don't have to raise prices. You have to allocate those funds, which have to come from somewhere.

That works also but you can only do that so much. They are still building new rides which is very costly. You have to adjust for inflation and to cover your costs of building these new rides.

Look at their Anual Report. It very intersting to see the breakdown in costs.

I still think its more the CM's fault than anything else. I just feel from all my visits there that the CM's just dont care like they used to. People keep saying pay them more but this is NOT how it works. You get paid for being a good worker not because you think you deserve more.

 

[prberk]

Thanks, 'Lil Buford. Great to hear from you again. Great post, great pics: especially the Donald Duck figure that is there for youngsters to play on....

I think the ticket price increase is more for raising quarterly earnings (so Michael can continue to fend off critics, althought it may also help fend off Comcast) than it is for maintenance, IMHO. Right now earnings are under serious scrutiny, and this happens to be a RECORD 5% increase....

But I do hope that this article gets some things moving in maintenance, and I think it can't help but do so.

 

[hoppypooh]

This article and the subsequent photos and posts have just left me rather stunned. I guess I must have been wearing rose coloured glasses on my trip. It was my first time and I was struck by the beauty and magic of WDW. I certainly didn't notice any of the problems that have been mentioned. Also, all the CM's we met went above and beyond, from the lifeguard who tried to find my husband's wedding band at the bottom of the All Star Music pool to the one who helped me after a very rough experience on M:S. As a newbie, I don't know enough about the Disney Co. to make comments about their business practices - but I'm glad that the magic wasn't spoiled for me.

 

[pan11435]

I guess I must have been wearing rose coloured glasses on my trip.

All articles like that do is point out the negatives. Never do they make a mention of the millions of positive things throughout WDW. It will take a lot more than those problems listed in the article to out weight the greatness of WDW. Although those problems need to be addressed. It is important to realize that anything can be made to look really bad when that is all you choose to show. Trust me there is still much, much more good than bad throughout WDW.

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

How *embarrassing* was the photo of the DIS out on the entrance sign?

If you run across a CM that lacks the "Magic" of Disney, report them to City Hall. Also report the great CMs that do their best to keep the "Magic" alive. It goes both ways. I have done that. Trust me, Disney would rather hear the good rather than the bad.

I was at WDW in February and the parks looked okay. I have mixed feelings about the article because I know alot needs to be done to get the parks back to where they need to be but some of the stuff they found needed some effort to find. The average person (not anyone who reads or writes to this website) doesn't know (or probably care) about what they found. They only care about having a great time. I thought the picture of the toilet paper in the bathroom was nitpicking. How long was it there? Come on.... The pictures of peeling paint and rotting wood were legitimate as was the entrance sign. That picture just blew me away. Who lets that happen!?

Hopefully the article will "force" Disney to take some steps to get back on track in the upkeep and care of the park.

Thanks for reading...

 

[pan11435]

Who lets that happen!?

Nobody, not even Disney can prevent a light from going out. It has since been fixed. I don't understand your comment, how do think they could have prevented it.

 

[GaryT977]

Originally posted by tigsmom
(maybe the patrons should be a little neater? Oh wait, I know...sombody else will pick it up. ).

That is such an excellent point! What kind of mentality makes someone think it's OK to throw an empty bottle into the water at Splash Mountain, or just drop trash on Main Street? In the past, I don't think people did that. Nowadays....

:brick:

That being said, You can't blame guests for dust covered (I'm talking layers), non functioning animatronics, missing ceiling tiles, etc (again, IASW and Peter Pan in particular).

I tend to agree with an earlier post about the allocation of funds. If the parks weren't making money, maybe I could understand it. But when the executives are getting bonuses in the millions, I don't buy it.

 

[LudwigVonDrake]

Originally posted by pan11435
Nobody, not even Disney can prevent a light from going out. It has since been fixed. I don't understand your comment, how do think they could have prevented it.

Ok...THREE lights were OUT. Hmmmm, three lightbulbs decided to "die" at the exact same moment in a HIGH PROFILE spot? The minute the first letter went out Disney should have had someone out there replacing it. The author of that article didn't need to be "searching" for that problem.

When I went to Pleasure Island in February, lights were out in the Pleasure Island sign for at least the two nights I went and they WERE NOT consecutive nights. So, for all those years that I read that Disney replaced bulbs BEFORE they went out is no longer the norm?

Let me ask YOU, how bad does it look that the entrance sign heading into Walt Disney World had MULTIPLE lights out? GREAT, they replaced them and the sign is fixed. Any Disney manager or supervisor driving into the park should see that and nip it in the bud before it gets to be more than one light. I hope the lights were replaced BEFORE they knew of the upcoming article.

Disney has bragged for years how well maintained and clean their parks are. So now there are budget cutbacks and those boasts are coming back to bite them. They need to do what needs to be done to fix the items that are in disrepair. A full trash can or toilet paper on the floor in the bathroom is nitpicking nonsense. Rotting wood needs to be addressed.

The main problem is we have come to expect a certain standard of excellence (for lack of a better word) from Disney. Now that it may have fallen a notch, doesn't mean we won't support them or like them any less.

The people on this website (and others like it) look at WDW differently than the average person. Maybe I'M being a nitpicker? I love WDW and can't wait for my next trip. But that article pointed out SOME legitimate items that should concern everyone. Hopefully things will be taken care of.

Thanks...

 

[pan11435]

I find it impossible to believe that three consecutive letters all had their lights go out at the same time. It is far more likely that those three were on the same circuit or that the problem was not a bulb. I seriously doubt the statement that it could have been fixed when there was only one letter out. Since I don't think this was ever the case.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by blackride
I still think its more the CM's fault than anything else. I just feel from all my visits there that the CM's just dont care like they used to. People keep saying pay them more but this is NOT how it works. You get paid for being a good worker not because you think you deserve more.

you've obviously never been told to act in a professional manner, while being expected to support a family at $6/hour

 

[cloudboy]

I still think its more the CM's fault than anything else. I just feel from all my visits there that the CM's just dont care like they used to.

If by CM you mean not just the on stage workers but lower management as well, yes I will agree with you. And that comes right down to company managment again. What are they doing to train the employees? What are they doing to motivate and appreciate the employees? If your employer is your enemy, are you going to go out of your way to do a good job?

It's a much more deeper problem than whether or not they fix something. Sure, none of these issues is particulalry severe by itself, But it is a bad indication of the direction that things are headed - a bad indication of a lack of training and motivation by management, and a lack of attention to functionality iinstead of the bottom line by management. What needs to be fixed is the management, then.

 

[CTXRover]

Originally posted by LudwigVonDrake
Ok...THREE lights were OUT. Hmmmm, three lightbulbs decided to "die" at the exact same moment in a HIGH PROFILE spot?

Actually, you are correct. The three "letters" DID go out on the same night. I know because I saw it. From one night to another the sign was on and the very next night the "DIS" was out. Not more than a few days later when I went through that entrance again, it was fixed. The DIS is probably on the same circuit or something and are not lite by 3 individual "light bulbs". For all I know, it was off for only one night. Again, no excuses can be made for this "bad show", but let's be honest, it was fixed quite promptly and I don't expect someone to be there every night the sign comes on and if something is out to crawl out and over traffic to fix it....Perhaps what ever went "out" could/should have been replaced before it "expired"....but for all we know, it might have "expired" earlier than anticipated...