By Emily Borra

With your help, theme park guests can help increase Disney's environmental stewardship.

Going on a Disney vacation could be a sustainable act in itself. As Walt Disney himself said, “Conservation isn’t just the business of a few people, it’s a matter that concerns all of us.”

The Walt Disney Company has been committed to being environmental stewards for over 100 years, and this value informs many of the company’s decisions. For instance, in 2009, the company set out to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions. Disney is committed to acting on how their company impacts the environment and how they can be a leader in driving long-term environmental strategy.

At Walt Disney World, they “focus on putting possibility into practice and inspiring optimism, for a brighter, cleaner, and more sustainable future – a unified commitment we call Disney Planet Possible.” Planet Possible is a company-wide imitative that encourages cast members and guests to learn about sustainability and to incorporate those practices at theme parks and while at home. With your help, theme park guests can help increase Disney's environmental stewardship.

The Walt Disney Company is committed to sustainability and has identified five areas to focus their efforts: emissions, water, waste, materials, and sustainable design. These efforts are grounded in science and data, and some of the goals include achieving net-zero emissions for direct operations, purchasing or producing 100% zero-carbon electricity, achieving zero waste to landfills, and reducing single-use plastic in parks and resorts. As a guest, you can also follow these collective efforts regarding sustainability during your next Walt Disney World vacation.

What You Can Do:

By following these tips, you can have a fun-filled and sustainable vacation at Walt Disney World while supporting the environment at the same time. And remember, these tips aren't just for your vacation – you can implement them at home too!

Ways to Reduce Your Emissions:

The Walt Disney Company is making efforts to reduce its dependency on fossil fuels and invest in green energy. Here are some ways you can support their efforts during your next Disney vacation.

1. Use Disney Transportation

Utilizing Disney transportation options not only saves you time and money but also promotes sustainability. At Walt Disney World, guests have access to various public transportation methods, including the monorail, the Skyliner, buses, and water taxis. Disney Transportation is not only fun and practical but also free for all Resort guests!

While each transportation mode can take you almost anywhere within the Walt Disney World Resort, they differ in terms of sustainability. The Walt Disney World Monorail System and the Disney Skyliner operate on all-electric energy, which is part of Disney’s goal to purchase or produce 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2030. On the other hand, the buses at Walt Disney World either run on R50, a cleaner renewable diesel derived from used cooking oil and non-consumable food waste, or on a half-and-half combination of RD and ultra-low-sulfur diesel.

Tip: Use the My Disney Experience App to see Disney transportation information.

2. Reduce hotel room utilities

When you're at home, you're likely already mindful of reducing your utilities, but it's easy to become less conscientious about it while on vacation, especially since the hotel covers the cost. However, many of the sustainable habits you practice at home can also help minimize your energy consumption while at the Resort. These include simple actions like turning off lights, TVs, and unnecessary electronics when not in use; unplugging devices to eliminate vampire energy; turning off water facets; and opting to reuse linens.

We're all familiar with Orlando's hot and humid climate, making it tempting to leave the air conditioner running all day for a cool return to your room. However, consider adjusting the thermostat a few degrees higher and closing the curtains to block out the intense Florida sunshine. Not only does this approach help maintain a comfortable room temperature, but it's also an effective way to reduce your emissions during your Walt Disney World vacation.

Tip: Use "Hey Disney" to order more towels instead of using daily housekeeping.

Ways to Conserve Water

A fundamental aspect of the Company’s environmental mission is to safeguard local, regional, and global water and ocean resources for future generations. You too can contribute to water conservation during your next Walt Disney World vacation.

3. Learn About the Water Cycle

Disney’s Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, more commonly known as EPCOT, is renowned for its unique combination of education and entertainment - also known as "edutainment" The newest addition to EPCOT's attractions, Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, is a fascinating journey into the transformation of water throughout its lifecycle. The attraction is a reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve and protect our planet, just as Moana discovered her connection to the sea. As stewards of the earth, it is essential to learn about the water cycle and how we can all make a difference in preserving it.

Tip: Use waterproof shoe covers to keep your feet dry during this attraction.

4. Eat Sustainable Seafood and Plant-Based Meals

Food production is the largest driver of habitat and biodiversity loss, with agriculture utilizing almost 40% of the world’s total land and over 90% of our total freshwater. The Walt Disney Company works to reduce this impact by thoughtfully selecting and sourcing sustainable seafood and plant-based meal options for your enjoyment. In fiscal 2022, their U.S. theme parks sourced nearly 100% sustainable seafood, and you can find seafood and plant-based options at nearly every dining location on property. Look for the leaf on the menus, Disney’s specialty symbol for denoting plant-based meal and snack options.

Tip: Note any dietary requests in the My Disney Experience App.

Ways to Waste Less

You can witness the Walt Disney Company's ongoing efforts to achieve zero waste, such as diverting operational waste from landfills, which increased from 49% in 2015 to 57% in 2019. As a guest, you can contribute to these initiatives by being mindful of resources and recycling whenever possible.

5. Follow Disney's Trash, Recycling, and Composting Guidelines

Walt Disney World has always been committed to waste management, with Walt Disney himself initiating the practice of placing trash cans every 30 feet throughout the park. Even though Magic Kingdom alone generates over 80,000 pounds of garbage daily, sustainable practices are a priority for Disney to reduce its environmental impact.

To reduce food waste, Disney sends it to an off-site commercial composting facility, where it decomposes into nutrient-rich soil for gardening, farming, and landscaping purposes. In 2021, an impressive 15 million pounds of food scraps were composted by Disney. Glass bottles are also recycled into sand, which is used for road repairs, walking trails, beaches, and more across Florida. By following Disney's waste guidelines, guests can actively contribute to reducing the volume of trash that may harm ecosystems.

Tip: Learn more about Disney Trash Cans by visiting Designing Disney Parks on the My Disney Experience App.

6. Plan Your Meal and Dining Options

When planning a vacation, it's important to consider where you want to eat and how you can minimize waste. Opting for table-service restaurants or lounges that offer food service is one of the best ways to be mindful of waste. These establishments typically use reusable dishware, silverware, and drinkware, with many also using cloth napkins. Splitting meals or ordering from the kid's menu is another strategy to ensure that food isn't wasted.

Disney is known for its unique dining locations that prioritize sustainable practices. For instance, Sunshine Seasons and Garden Grill serve fresh vegetables and seafood grown directly at EPCOT. At The Wave in the Contemporary Resort, the menu rotates with the season, ensuring the restaurant takes advantage of Florida’s agricultural seasons.

Tip: Look at menus and make reservations on the My Disney Experience App.

Ways to be Mindful of Materials and Packaging

While visiting Walt Disney World, you'll find that any item you may need is readily available at one of the many stores throughout the property. While the company is actively working to reduce the environmental impacts of its products, there are also steps you can take to minimize your impact.

7. Bring reusable items from home

It's important to be mindful of the impact your choices can have on the environment. One simple way to reduce your environmental impact is by packing reusable items from home instead of purchasing single-use plastic items that end up polluting our oceans and waterways.

Here are some items you might consider bringing on your trip to reduce your waste:

For Dining: Bring a utensil kit, reusable straws, and a cloth napkin. While dining locations can't accept items across the serving area due to food service laws, you can bring food storage kits for your leftovers.
For Being Out-And-About: Bringing a refillable water bottle will be very useful, as there are many locations available for refills. Also, consider bringing backpacks or reusable shopping bags for any purchases you make at Disney stores.
For Personal Needs: Knowing how often it rains in Florida, it's a good idea to pack a raincoat instead of buying a poncho. Additionally, consider packing travel-size toiletries and doing laundry during your vacation to avoid over-packing.

Tip: Use a white water bottle (and a paint pen) as a unique character signature memento.

8. Buy plastic-free souvenirs

Disney offers a wide range of souvenirs to help you cherish your trip. But if you wish to reduce plastic usage on your vacation, there are alternative options to bubble wands and balloons. In addition to the conventional items, Disney also sells unique options such as artwork by Disney artists, and personalized glass or wood mementos. You can even collect coins to create your own pressed coin souvenirs.

But instead of focusing on buying gifts, why not focus on creating lasting memories through experiences? Disney offers unique tours of attractions, such as the Wild Africa Trek where you'll go behind the scenes at Kilimanjaro Safaris. Here, you'll have the opportunity to observe animals up close while contributing to the Disney Conservation Fund with a portion of your ticket cost. For the Disney history buffs, consider going on Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour at Magic Kingdom. This 5-hour tour is full of fun Disney facts and gives you a chance to visit the secret tunnels under the park.
Tip: Ask your travel agent for help booking experiences in advance.

Ways to Support Disney's Sustainable Design Initiatives

Buildings and their construction account for a significant portion of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions annually, consuming a large amount of natural resources. This is why Disney is highly intentional about designing, constructing, and operating structures to minimize emissions, water usage, and waste. Here are some ways you can support Disney's efforts in creating sustainable buildings.

9. Stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Property

The Florida Green Lodging Program, an initiative of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), designates and recognizes lodging facilities that voluntarily commit to conserving and protecting Florida’s natural resources. All hotels at the Resort have earned this prestigious designation for their dedication to energy efficiency and facility management efforts. Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort property not only provides you with a magical experience but also supports environmentally responsible practices.

Disney is dedicated to minimizing waste in their guest rooms by reducing and reusing as much as possible. To achieve this, each day, cast members collect used soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotions from hotel rooms. These items are then donated to Clean the World, an organization that recycles and donates them to help people in need locally and globally. In 2018, over 13 tons of these items were recycled and kept out of landfills. Additionally, the Walt Disney Company has reduced plastics in over 15,000 guest rooms by 80% by replacing disposable toiletries with bulk amenities.

Tip: Use a TSA-sized toiletry travel pack to transfer what you need into smaller containers.

10. Ride Living with the Land

Disney's Living with the Land attraction at EPCOT is more than just a boat ride; it's an immersive journey that offers insights into our relationship with the environment and our impact on the world. Once you enter the greenhouses, you'll explore innovative agricultural practices being tested at Walt Disney World. You'll see a diverse array of food and plants being grown, some of which may even end up on your plate during your vacation meals. Extend your visit with Living with the Land by going on the Behind the Seeds tour. Here, you will walk through the greenhouses with a knowledgeable guide, giving you a more in-depth look at agricultural practices and our human impact on the land.

Tip: Stop by Garden Grill after your tour to see the chefs use vegetables from the ride in their dishes.

About the Author

Emily the Travel Genie is an independent travel consultant with Genie Travel Company, a division of Riverdale Travel. She is passionate about travel and all things Disney. She loves providing knowledge and resources to help make the planning process stress-free.

Plan Your Trip With Emily!