I have some positive news to share! DH and I just returned from one week at WDW and conditions were much improved over our last three trips (May 2021, October 2021 and April 2022).
Resort: We stayed at CBR. We requested a room on the first floor near the Skyliner and got what we requested. The room was very clean, unlike last October. We declined housekeeping because we just don't need it and they left plenty of extra towels, toilet paper and tissues under the vanity so we didn't have to call for anything. I know someone was in the room each day because they would leave the entry light on, but we were never disturbed when the occupied sign was out. No knocking on the door on checkout day, even though we left just minutes before 11 am. Resort common areas were well-tended.
CBR food court: This was a huge surprise. We ordered the ham and cheese omelet last October and got something more resembling a crepe with a skimpy portion of burned breakfast potatoes. This time the omelet was completely different - thick, filled with a good amount of ham and cheese and a ton of very well-prepared potatoes. The portion size was large enough for DH and I to split. The food court was immaculate. There were CMs cleaning tables as soon as someone left - in fact, one swooped in and took my half-empty hot sauce packet before I was done with it.
Park cleanliness: They must be hiring a lot more workers to pick up trash because the parks were noticeably cleaner than our last few visits. Workers were picking up trash from walkways and quick service restaurants seemed to have enough staff. Most of the larger bathrooms had someone stationed in there keeping up with things - haven't seen that in quite awhile. No overflowing trash cans, even Sunday night at Epcot when it was packed with food and wine guests.
Crowding and rides: We didn't experience any rides being delayed or broken down, which was a big change over the last two visits. We always visit during less crowded times of the year so I can't speak to crowds at other times. I needed to take frequent breaks and was always able to find a place to sit and rest a few minutes.
Table service restaurants: We went to Jaleo, Hollywood Brown Derby, Boma, Cali Grill, Yak and Yeti, Topolino's, and the Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining. Table service at WDW is what it is - we didn't notice too much of a change here as far as staffing or menu variety. The manager at Topolino's stopped by and when I asked him if the patio bar was open, he gave us an earful about being unable to hire sufficient quality staff members.
Parking at resorts: Not an issue at all. Most guards checked for dining reservations; the one at Boma just asked to see ID. When we went for dinner at Cali Grill, I asked if we should valet if we wanted to take the monorail and make a couple of stops, then go back to Top of the World Lounge at the end of the evening. He said to save the money and not worry about parking the car.
Water park: Typhoon Lagoon was much cleaner than on our last visit, bathrooms included.
Fairly recent improvements: There are a few things that, in my opinion, have actually improved the WDW experience over the past few years. Mobile ordering has made it much, much easier to find a table at quick service restaurants. The demise of bag searches is much appreciated. The Skyliner is an exceptional way to get to the parks it services.
Sorry if this turned into more of a trip report. I do have things to say about Genie+, park reservations, etc. but there are dedicated threads for that.
