Today I realized that I have never really shared much about my actual job in Epcot. You might say, "Maddi. You're a custodian. You bump into people with a mop bucket and jingle keys around all day." And I might reply, "I'm sorry sir/ma'am. You're sorely mistaken. You forgot the part where I clean toilets and disinfect vomitey sidewalks." And then you might reply, "Well, then. Please tell me more." And so I shall.
I really do love my job. It's probably a good thing that my dad is such a clean freak because I grew up to be a natural organizer and perfectionist in that sense. And the things that I'm about to discuss make up about 35% of my time working. The other 65% of my time is spent standing or walking around the World Showcase with my pan and broom, keeping things tidy and answering hundreds of guest's questions every single day. Those are the things I usually blog about, so here are the tasks that make up the 35%!
Bathroom Mirrors - This floored me during training. Do you want to know how Disney keeps streak-free mirrors? Water and paper towels. That's it! And it works! So save yourself some money and toxic inhalants and stick with a moist paper towel next time.
Dispensers - When it comes to paper towel dispensers, soap dispensers, trash can holders, and all of the stainless steel hardware in the restroom, we have very specific instructions. I was never aware that this happened, but apparently some guests like to check the cleanliness of the restroom by opening anything they can find. I don't know about you, but when I'm in a public restroom, the last desire I have is to touch an extra handle to see how grimy the employees let the inside of the trash can get. But, that's not important. So, when we clean the restroom every 45 minutes, we wipe these down inside and out. Check it out next time... if you dare.
Trash Liners - When it comes to the plastic trash liners, the more the merrier. At the minimum, there should be three in each trash can. Do you want to know why? Here is an example. The other day I went to pull a trash can and my eyes beheld an overflowing can. Those are lovely. This one happened to be filled with a couple hundred half-full soda cups and weighed about 80 pounds and leaked out of the bottom a mixture of beer, strawberry icee, and diet coke. If there were only one liner I would have been in trouble. However, I was just able to pull two more liners out with the top bag and carry a non-leaking, more sturdy bag to the trash compactor. And I was excited about that... Winning!
Trash Wipe-Downs - As the trash gets pulled every hour and a half or so, we wipe down and disinfect the trash cans. Those things are cleaner than your hands, people.
Sidewalks - Every night after the park closes, a crew comes in a power washes every square inch of the park. Also, every time there is a wine, soda, vomit, beer, poop, ice cream, gum, coffee or food spill (and yes, I have experienced each and every one of those) someone is radioed to take care of it. We don't just leave it to wash away naturally, we make sure the sidewalk is as good as new before any staining happens. When you're in a Disney Park, take a good look at the ground and keep in mind that it is, for the most part, the same spotless cement poured 29 (Epcot), 40 (Magic Kingdom), or 56 (Disneyland) years ago. Dang impressive.
There is much more but those are my favorites at the moment :) So the next time you're child touches a trash can or crawls on the floor in a restroom, lower your voice when you yell at them. I know it's a disgusting thought and I would probably yell about how dirty it is too, but it's a stab in the heart to the custodian standing behind you holding towels and disinfectant who had been slaving away for an hour straight on that floor. I've held my tears in though ;)
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