Since Walt Disney originally conceptualized Disneyland the idea was to create something that wasn’t dirty and was well maintained to differentiate itself from local fairs and carnivals. For years, that standard is what made Disneyland and, eventually, Walt Disney World the golden standard. The clean and well-maintained parks let guests stay immersed in the parks’ themes and distracted from the flaws of the outside world. This remained true until about the mid-2000s when some parks started at Walt Disney World in particular to show some wear and tear but nothing egregious enough to warrant many Disney guests to complain. Noticeable, but not concerning.
In 2024 this is unfortunately no longer the case.
Take EPCOT, for example. The Morocco pavilion in the World Showcase once offered a cultural experience with vibrant markets, making it one of the more authentic of all the World Showcase pavilions. Now, it’s almost like a ghost town. The pavilion is nearly empty, with a closed restaurant and missing shops that used to make it feel like a lively snapshot of Morocco. Nearby, the Wonders of Life pavilion, which once focused on health and wellness, was supposed to become the Play Pavilion, a new space filled with interactive activities for families. But that plan seems to be indefinitely paused, leaving the building in an awkward limbo and missing the purpose and vibrancy it once had. While Disney had announced a big refurbishment for Spaceship Earth a few years back, those plans have also since been scrapped.
Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland is also showing signs of neglect. The Stitch’s Great Escape attraction closed in 2018, but nothing’s replaced it yet, and the space just sits empty. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, while still running, is also showing some age. The once-vibrant colors and details now look faded and a bit grimy, which takes away from the immersive, futuristic feel of Tomorrowland. It’s not a great look and a shame because I love that ride.
These aren’t just isolated issues. What makes this decline feel even more noticeable are the small things—chipped paint, worn-down railings, and delayed repairs that used to be taken care of almost overnight. Years ago, maintenance crews worked through the night to make sure every detail looked fresh for guests each morning. Now, guests are seeing small issues linger for days, even weeks. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but for regular visitors, it’s hard to ignore these little signs that Disney World just isn’t keeping up with its old standards. Also, I am positive it is not the fault of the maintenance cast members, as they are a hard-working bunch.
The real issue might come down to the staffing of these cast members. For a place as complex and vast as Disney World, you need almost an overstaffed number of maintenance cast members to keep it running smoothly. Disney theme parks were built on a foundation of constant upkeep, and these cast members are essential for keeping that magic alive. More maintenance staff would mean quicker fixes, fresher paint, and a return to that meticulous attention to detail that made Walt Disney World a golden standard.
