A small but telling change has hit the queue for Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom Park, where Walt Disney World Resort has removed some of its newest waste receptacles and brought back the older metal ones.
The Trash Can Rollout That Sparked Debate
For months, Walt Disney World Resort has been replacing the metal trash cans at its theme parks, hotels, and Disney Springs with a redesigned model. The new bins have curved lids and hands-free foot pedals. The outdoor versions also have solar panels that power an internal compactor, which means custodial cast members don't have to swap bags as often.
Not everyone embraced the upgrade. At crowded EPCOT festivals, including the International Food & Wine Festival and the International Festival of the Holidays, guests have long treated flat-top cans as makeshift tables. The rounded lids make balancing a food tray or a wine glass nearly impossible.
Operating the bins also proved confusing. Many overflowed because guests didn't step on the pedal and instead jammed trash into the handle rather than opening the receptacle fully. The issue grew common enough that Disney released a video showing guests and cast members how to use them.
Even so, the rollout continued, with themed versions of the new design appearing throughout the resort. That held until October 4, when some of the new cans were gone from Magic Kingdom Park.
Old Bins Return to the Tiana's Bayou Adventure Queue
WDWNT reported on Sunday that the updated trash cans had been removed from the Tiana's Bayou Adventure queue. Photos from the outlet show the older metal bins back in place along the Frontierland attraction's line.
Disney hasn't said why the swap happened or whether the new cans will return. Versions of the redesigned receptacles are still in use at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney Springs.
More Changes Ahead for the Ride
The move comes just days after Tiana's Bayou Adventure closed for several hours as maintenance cast members drained the water from the log flume to address an unknown technical issue. The attraction eventually reopened.
A larger change is also on the horizon. The reimagined Splash Mountain, which debuted in 2024, is scheduled to close for its first-ever refurbishment on November 2, 2026. It's expected to reopen sometime in December, though Disney hasn't announced an exact date.
What do you think about the new solar-powered trash cans throughout Walt Disney World Resort? Disney Fanatic would love to hear from you in the comments!
