You already know what I am talking about. From their following on Instagram to the Park exclusive salt and pepper shakers and now ornaments, Walt Disney World trash cans have become their own phenomenon. They have existed forever, in their unique glory. Easily, one could toss one's refuse and move along, ignoring the design changes as you move across lands. And really, you are probably supposed to do just that. The story is so strong in Disney World that even trash cans become part of developing the lands; they are supposed to feel so ingrained and natural that you don't draw attention to them, because they're just part of the world. And yet, Disney fans are determined to draw that attention to the point of flipping out more than a little. We have started something even we must admit is pretty strange. I mean, trash can fanboys or fangirls? Weird.Before I go on, I will confess to being a part of this infatuation. I have taken more than my fair share of Disney World trash can photos. I wouldn't mind owning some trash can ornaments in the future.

So why is this a thing? How did this happen? I have some theories to pose. I don't know if they are true for everyone, but here's my take on why I think we love these cans. First, there is a need to show our superior fandom. Second, and less offensive, it all comes down to Imagineering Appreciation. (Can I trademark that RIGHT NOW, please?!)
I think we have to start with a need to feel superior. I know that is harsh, but it is true for me. We are the creme de la creme of Disney Parks fans, right! When you love something as obscure as WDW trash cans, you are essentially saying, "Look at me, I love and know everything about WDW down to the garbage." We aren't the casual guest who buys a pair of Mickey ears. Oh no, how dare you! We are so much more! Our ideal merchandise to bring home is a piece of the parks, a really random piece of the parks. We want to set ourselves apart from those other people who really know nothing about this place they keep visiting. We are the next level Disney fans and we want everyone to know it. We have a sincere passion for Disney that we need everyone else to know we possess.Hey, I am right there as guilty as anyone else! It's kind of sad, isn't it? (And glorious! Bow to my knowledge!)

I think we have come to be this way, because we have learned something special about Disney Parks that others haven't yet discovered (until we teach them, right?). This gets to the nicer, more specific reason I think this phenomenon has occurred - Imagineering Appreciation. There is a large body of Disney Parks fans, young and old, who have gotten and embraced a Disney-specific education. You have heard about Art Appreciation. Well, I doubt anyone reading this would argue with the idea that Imagineering is a high form of art and storytelling. Through books, T.V. specials, blogs, social media, etc. many of us have been taught to appreciate the subtle work of Imagineers that surround us in Disney Parks across the world. We have stopped and smelled the roses after someone has taught us to do so. We have made Legends of men like Marty Sklar, Bob Gurr, Tony Baxter, Joe Rohde, etc. considering them revolutionary artists in the same vein as Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Dali, among others. We have learned to appreciate the hard, creative work of men and women who have designed the Parks down to the smallest detail.When we Imagineering Appreciation students go to the Parks, we go to study the masters. We want to pinpoint the countless ways Imagineers have made us believe that each land is a genuine world of its own. We love the bicycles and homemade business signs of Harambe. We squeal over the peanuts in the cement of Storybook Circus. There are a million minuscule details we are supposed to overlook, to silently absorb as we pass through each land. On the other hand, the Imagineers revel (as they should) in pointing out how every shade of paint, every mark of aging, every conscious choice was made to put guests in the story. While most casual guests are too busy looking at their Park guide maps and My Disney Experience app to notice these things, students of Imagineering Appreciation are off to the side taking literally hundreds of photographs of the artistry all around us in the Parks. Students of Imagineering Appreciation are an unabashed community of super fans. Maybe we have a right to flaunt our superior passion for the Parks and our heroes who have created them. After all, we've put in the time, research, and photos to prove it. Now, we have also invested our hard earned cash for collectibles that let us put our Imagineering Appreciation on display for others to see and for us to savor. Even the trash cans at Walt Disney World are art, part of the story, part of the immersive experience. We want others to see what we see and appreciate what we appreciate. If flipping out over trash can ornaments helps others to stop and think, "Wow. The trash cans are all different depending where you are in Walt Disney World. That's neat," then we have been good, little students, passing on what we have learned in Imagineering Appreciation.

Do you love the Trash Cans of Walt Disney World? Why have you become a fan? We'd love to hear your theories on the subject.