Disney World has new trash cans – and some longtime park goers aren’t thrilled

Disney World has new trash cans – and some longtime park goers aren’t thrilled The new trash cans are getting a chilly reception as Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival approaches - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Disney World is giving its trash cans a high-tech makeover, but some longtime fans aren’t exactly singing “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” about it. The resort recently rolled out solar-powered trash cans across its parks that automatically compact garbage, allowing them to hold more before needing to be emptied. Disney says the upgrade will help cast members – the company’s term for employees – manage the mountains of trash generated by parkgoers while spending less time emptying bins and more time focused on guests. But there’s one surprisingly controversial catch: the trash cans’ flat tops are gone. That may not sound like a big deal, but those surfaces have long doubled as unofficial tables, particularly at Epcot. Guests have grown accustomed to balancing plates, snacks and drinks on top of the trash cans while making their way around the park. The makeshift tables are especially popular during Epcot’s seasonal festivals, when food and drink booths fill World Showcase and seating can be hard to come by. Guests often grab dishes from multiple booths and use the flat-topped bins as convenient spots to set down their food, turning an ordinary trash can into an unlikely, but beloved, part of Epcot’s dining experience. Theme park experts told Fox 35 that the practice became popular enough to develop its own following. Tharin White of EYNTK.info said using the cans as tables became common among festivalgoers, while theme park expert Jeremiah Good noted that a small cottage industry even developed around the unusual dining setup. At one point, Disney fans could buy tablecloths specifically designed to fit over the tops of the park's trash cans, according to the outlet. The new trash cans, however, have a more modern design, with taller bodies and sloped or curved tops. They also feature foot pedals or front-opening doors, with covered openings to better hide trash. Disney plans to keep their themed designs, matching each area of the resort. The new bins arrive at Epcot shortly before the Food & Wine Festival, which runs August 27 through November 21 and often leaves guests short on table space. Therefore, parkgoers aren’t exactly enchanted by the new bins, jokingly mourning the loss of their favorite “tables” and wondering whether Disney will add more outdoor seating. “Not flat on top, so no more eating on trash cans. Hope they install more tables, especially in Epcot during festivals,” one fan commented on Walt Disney World Cast and Community video showing off the updates. “Rounded tops make terrible tables,” another joked. “Yeah but where am I supposed to eat? Y’all are going to have to install more tables now!” a third agreed. “That’s fine, but give us more tables and benches!” another mourner wrote. The Independent has contacted Disney for comment. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments