ParkHopper, thanks so much for starting this thread. I found the article in the Orlando Sentinel somewhat interesting although, overall, I agree with the folks who think it was overly critical. Frankly, I do not think that the newspaper should have enlisted a professional building inspector and a horticulturist to inspect the parks. I do not think that their observations reflect the general observations of the park's guests.
Pictures do "speak" loudly though. The photo of the burned out bulbs was very sad. I sure hope that those bulbs have been replaced by now!
As far as the cleanliness of the park(s) is concerned, I have two comments. One, on my last visit in Dec., I did notice that the parks were not as clean as they had been on previous visits; however, I think that they are still more than a notch higher in this regard than any other parks I've visited. Secondly, I had the same thought as neday as I read the thread. neday wrote:
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What's with us as visitors!!! Gum on sidewalks or counters shouldn't be a problem if someone didn't put it there. Where are our manners? No doubt there will be soda and popcorn spills, but on the whole, can't we all do better?
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Sure, accidents happen (such as spilled sodas, etc.), but why do some folks (too many, in my opinion!) think that it is okay to throw cigarette butts, gum, trash, etc. anywhere except in a trash receptacle?!? There are plenty of them all around the parks. I am dismayed when I see a child throw trash on the ground, but I cringe when I see an adult do it. People need to take responsibility for their bad behavior and manners.
One other thing that Brumcg touched on: quality costs $. WDW needs to pay its CMs a "living wage". I admit that I do not have first hand knowledge of what WDW pays its employees, but I have heard second-hand and read stories that the majority of jobs are low-paying. CMs need to be able to make a living working at WDW.
After I read "The Magic of Disney has never been better By Al Weiss" (the article that Mickey posted from the Orlando Sentinel), I was slightly ticked off. I definitely think that "The Magic" has been better even though I do not think that it is bad now. Also, Al stated that
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following Sept. 11, Walt Disney World preserved cast members' jobs
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; what a misleading statement! Although some CMs were able to continue working, hundreds got pink slips. Sheesh! Anyway, Al's response is part of his job. The positive spin he provided was required.
The bottom line regarding both articles though is 'take it with a grain of salt'. We must be skeptical about communications whether they are newspaper articles, TV news, 'he said/she said", etc. Most things in our world are not just black and white.:hmmm