Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yesterday, while strolling the MK during my preview visit to POTC.. I noticed something unusual.. Very clean surroundings. Lots of Custodial CMs (sometimes up to 3 in one single look).. Not one single item of leftover trash around or below benches. A Very clean and debris-less Rivers of America and castle moat waterway. A neatly scrubbed MK all over..as if the park had just been preassure washed the night before, something that doesn't happen often nowadays... I also noticed a certtain lack of soliciting photographers around Main Street. Hmmm... But the oddness of it all didn't start at the MK but on the "express" monorail from TTC to the MK... for once, we *never* had one of those dreaded "waiting for traffic clearance" stops on my way over or back from the MK to TTC. Even better, on both trips, the actual conductors were doing some PAs and not playing those constant spiels we are assaulted with on a regular basis. For once, it was great to have a live CM tell us we were about to enter the "World Famous" A-framed Contemporary Resort where we could dine with Mickey at Chef Mickey or try CA cuisine at the Californa grill. That was *wonderful*!! PA's were kept to a minimun and straight to the point. Then she said... "we'd be arriving at the "World Famous" MK shortly" and by golly we DID! without delays!! All in all... it was a very good day at the MK. While the amount of guests in the park didn't seem to exceed 16,000, I have to say the park looked one degree away from being perfect. KUDOS!! This is the type of maintenance and caring I want to see at the MK on a more constant basis. It didn't hurt also the park seemed well staffed with several custodials, and I even caught 3 of them being trained by a more senior one. KUDOS again! Again... the few lines I did seemed to move well, and POTC line was very clean and without the usual degree of litter you'd expect there since they stopped stoppping guests from accessing lines with food items and drinks in hand. No comments on restrooms since I didn't use them on this visit but I would hope for them to be in such wonderful conditions as the rest of the park seemed to be. Only one negative thing I must point out (after all I am TDLFAN) There seems to be a bit too many spots around the park where water seems to accumulate and create mildew problems, which could make for slippery conditions on those walking areas. This problem with water accumulation is most evident everywhere there is a vending cart offfering drinks or ice cream products, and also at merchandise stands that sell those water cooler bottles with mits spray, since these items are displayed in big tin cans filled with water and ice. Also, more water residue seems to come from leaky drains off the side of buildings. These issues still need to be addressed. But all in all... the MK was 99% perfect yesterday. KUDOS to both guests and CMs for keeping it clean and decent looking. On the way back to the TTC.. more surprises on the monorail.. Doors close, and driver comes on.."Welcome aboards monorail Yellow to the TTC.. Hang on to handrails.. jada jada, and will be there shortly" Then silence. No more announcements came until we actually turned into the TTC. "We are now arriving at the TTC...etc Have a nice day" INDEED! With minimal live announcements and a clean MK park all around... it was a NICE day indeed!! Thank you
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire Sorry if you said it in one of the POTC posts - im just going to be there on Friday and want it to be a surprise.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yes I did mention in my review.. around 4pm, I waited about 10 mins. Don't expect it to be that slow later this week though.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire Great - Thanks! Good review too. Glad to hear the MK is doing pretty well. Cant wait to see it on Friday.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire Hopefully it will stay clean! With the Fourth of July this week, I expect crowds to be higher and custodians working just as hard to keep it clean. I hope crowds wont be so bad at the end of the week. Usually it seems like they start to die out after the 4th. Last year was pretty bad though but the year before that there was hardly a wait for anything (we go this time every year for my brothers birthday).
Originally Posted By pixiedust1 <<With minimal live announcements and a clean MK park all around... it was a NICE day indeed!!>> Well maybe they are paying attention, and this could be the beginning of something good... you never know... did the cm's cringe as you walked by... the changes could be a little of your doing... you never know... LOL...
Originally Posted By Labuda Glad to hear you had such a nice day at the MK, TDLFAN! Here's to more of them!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>did the cm's cringe as you walked by<< Actually they do.. They bow to me and say welcome!!! No, wait! That's in Tokyo Disney. Here, meh.. they just continue to lean against the nearest stand/wall and carry on with their reading/ pin traiding/ smoking... etc.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 If the MK was that clean, they must have been told by corporate that I was going to visit this week.
Originally Posted By pixiedust1 <<reading/ pin traiding/ (SMOKING) etc. I have to respond to this one... SMOKING wow... I asked my husband and we thought about it... we don't remember ever seeing a cast member smoking... that is bad of course... almost reminded me when I was 8 and saw my teacher smoking ... you never thought they did anything like that LOL... at least, was the CM in the smoking area?? LOL...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN On two ocasions I have seen CMs in costume in the MK and EPCOT Center parking lots smoking. They think we guests are too far from them to notice but there they were, smoke in hand waiting for cars to start rolling towards them on the next car line.
Originally Posted By Skylardad TDLFAN, on Saturday my son and I took the monorail from the TTC to EPCOT and realized that the monorail beam well at the EPCOT station has been cleverly disguised as a trash receptacle. Next time you're over there can you work some magic and scare them into cleaning the well? It was pretty bad. I don't understand how that much garbage can accumulate down there when there are CMs "patrolling" the waiting crowd who are behind a gate, a couple of feet away from the well. Maybe the parade-waiting-entertainment brigade from the MK have come over to EPCOT and are having coke bottle tossing competitions.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Oh Skylardad... If I only was a Pixie with a magic wand.. I'd grant you your wish and that of many others, but I am a queen without magic powers and all I can do is go to Guests relations and complaint. I know... it doesn't do much, but the bigger the number of complaints, the better the chances to effect change. But one hint: tell them you are a tourist from Iowa. DO NOT mention you are from Orlando or if you have an AP, otherwise they won't give your complaint the light of day or respect/concideration it deserves.
Originally Posted By pixiedust1 Oh My... I thought TDLFAN would appreciate this photo of Main St in MK..... I thought you would get a kick out of my little photo editing... Hope Main St never gets this bad... LOL.. <a href="http://www.picturetrunk.com/uploads/be8514efd7.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.picturetrunk.com/up loads/be8514efd7.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By TDLFAN No. I have never seen Main Street get that bad. But Amsterdam and London? Yes.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^I think Amsterdam is the dirtiest city I've ever been to. It makes NYC look pristine.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 The MK did look somewhat better than it has looked of late, especially considering the crowds. BUT there's not nearly the custodial presence you find in Anaheim. I can't recall the last time I was in an attraction in Orlando and had to step back because a sweeper was doing his/her job. That happens all the time in DL. I also saw things of concern like huge ants all over the walls of the Main Street Candy shop, huge streaks on pavement where the garbage carts have been dragged dropping food/drink remnants all over the park. And just walk thru the PhilharMagic queue and theater at 11 p.m. Filthy. Disney is just so inconsistent nowadays. But I suppose that's still an improvement over the nadir of 3-4 years ago. I wonder how long that cup sat in the middle of the Fantasyland walkway!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I also saw things of concern like huge ants all over the walls of the Main Street Candy shop, huge streaks on pavement where the garbage carts have been dragged dropping food/drink remnants all over the park.<< Yes I believe you since we were in the middle of our quality control walk together... and didn't that huge dead bug in the candy shop window gross you out???
