Is WDW Environmentally conscious or not?

Post by **Len90** » Jan Tue 20, 2009 12:56 am

boilerbabe wrote:Yes, the last time we were there (11/08) we did not get wrist bands for EMH, they don't harass you if you're just walking around the park, but if you try to go on a ride and you don't have a roomkey for a WDW resort, you get booted.

Whether they're doing it to cut costs or if it is truly for the environment, I'm glad it's helping the environment.

I doubt those wristbands were the mose environmentally unfriendly thing at disney. And I don't think it required more CM's since it seemed like the wristband distribution stations were always manned by random park CM's. There was never only one "costume" present. Seems like a real pain now to hang around during EMH. I know my room key is always tucked away in my wallet, so this makes a real pain.

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Jan Tue 20, 2009 7:54 am

Len90 wrote:I doubt those wristbands were the mose environmentally unfriendly thing at disney. And I don't think it required more CM's since it seemed like the wristband distribution stations were always manned by random park CM's. There was never only one "costume" present. Seems like a real pain now to hang around during EMH. I know my room key is always tucked away in my wallet, so this makes a real pain.

I doubt that they were the most unfriendly thing either, but think about it... how many people use the EMH... thousands? Now think about that EVERY NIGHT... FOR YEARS. Even with just a little material for each band, that REALLY does add up.

I am sure that it helped thier bottom line as much as it helps the environment, but like someone posted above, I am just glad that they are doing it, no matter what the reason, money or the environment, both are good reasons.

Also, it seems like the best solution to having your key handy is to get one of those badge holders that hangs around your neck. If it is clear plastic. I bet you dont even have to take it off, just as long as they can see it. That way, you don't even have to think about it.

Mr.ToadWildRider · Post by **Mr.ToadWildRider** » Jan Tue 20, 2009 12:58 pm

My girlfriend actually pointed out how disappointed she was that WDW wasn't more eco-friendly. After she mentioned it, I noticed it too. The only park that really had many recycle bins paired w/ trash bins was EPCOT - and I figured that was more or less to not be seena as hypocritical with a show like the Circle of Life at the Land promoting recycling then have only trash bins. Don't get me wrong, I saw recycle bins at both DHS and MK (hadn't paid attention at AK as it wasn't until after the AK visit), but there was a ratio of something like 8 trash bins to every 1 recycle - possibly even worse. Even at EPCOT it was something like a 1 to 2 ratio of recycle to trash, but at least they were commonplace. Then I thought about that fleet of buses, which correct me if I'm wrong, guzzle diesel fuel running pretty much round the clock. Yikes. Somehow with Walt's theories on transportation (monorails and peoplemovers, which I believe are quite eco-friendly?) I don't think he envisioned hundreds of buses swarming any of his properties.

It's sad that a place like Disney which likes to endorse eco-responsibility (among other responsibilities, which I'm glad it does) doesn't seem to practice what it preaches.

theBIGyowski · Post by **theBIGyowski** » Jan Tue 20, 2009 2:12 pm

If someone were willing to pony up the billions of dollars it would take to get rid of the buses and provide clean ways to transport everyone around Disney property...they would gladly do it. Would you be willing to wait an hour on transportation to get from your resort to a park if you knew it was better for the environment? 99.99% of people would say no...and that is why the buses run like they do. Sure I wish they didn't have buses polluting the air as much as they do...but it's the only way for me to get to the parks right now so I will take it. And if more people recycled and used the recycle bins instead of throwing everything in the trash...WDW would add more of the bins. It's up to the individual whether to throw their cup in the trash or the recycling bin.

Mr.ToadWildRider · Post by **Mr.ToadWildRider** » Jan Tue 20, 2009 4:31 pm

theBIGyowski wrote:If someone were willing to pony up the billions of dollars it would take to get rid of the buses and provide clean ways to transport everyone around Disney property...they would gladly do it. Would you be willing to wait an hour on transportation to get from your resort to a park if you knew it was better for the environment? 99.99% of people would say no...and that is why the buses run like they do. Sure I wish they didn't have buses polluting the air as much as they do...but it's the only way for me to get to the parks right now so I will take it. And if more people recycled and used the recycle bins instead of throwing everything in the trash...WDW would add more of the bins. It's up to the individual whether to throw their cup in the trash or the recycling bin.

I understand the financials involved. I'm saying this as a stockholder, not an idealist. What I'm getting at is that even in terms of a business model Disney could turn eco-transportation into a P.R. monster and potentially branch off into another realm of developments. I don't expect it overnight. I'm just saying, Disney is developing its property with the short-sight in view. Walt had an idea for the WHOLE property, I'm talking about all of that yet-to-be-touched space that has so many Disney dreamers salivating over the potential for new parks and resorts. It was all supposed to be one integrated system. To be honest I'd rather see them throw a couple million into transit systems than garbage like Stitche's Great Escape and the Seas with Nemo ride. They surely couldn't take the budgets of those rides and simply transfer them to transportation, I realize there's maintenance of existing attractions and even building the current incarnations did not cost nearly what it would take to string people movers along the property, but they can start small. Eliminate the need for an extra bus stop. Do what the casinos in Vegas are doing, run it from one resort to another. Or don't start on existing properties, but consider it with future development. You take small steps and 10-20 years down the road you've got a much more integrated, Disney-dreamed system. Or heck, can the diesel buses and get new hybrid versions. I'm surprised that Disney hasn't been taken to the mat yet for all of its eco-future-jargon and rhetoric that it spews at its guests but scoffs at itself. It's the sensible long term investment.

But that's all harder and more expensive. I get it. I refuse to buy, however, that it is solely the responsibility of the guest regarding recycling. When I have a water bottle to throw and I have to walk 3 lands before finding a recycle bin despite having passed 10+ trash bins that is just wrong. You reference convenience regarding transportation, well how many people are going to haul their recyclable wastes around with them on the find-the-recycle-bin scavenger hunt when they can throw it in any one of the fancifully designed, themed trash cans? I ended up throwing bottles away, not because I was lazy or just used the trash bin over recycle but because I had no option for recycling and wasn't about to spend 10 minutes looking for one while I'm trying to enjoy the park. And the financial argument is not appropriate here as I can't imagine that a waste basket costs that much, even when purchased/manufactured by staff en masse. It's one of those line items that execs just love to hack away at "to help the bottom-line" when in reality it has little to no impact on the overall profit margin. We'll save $20,000 by not buying these bins which will last for years despite having a budget in the high millions. That's a drop in the bucket and I think it's one of those no-brainer options that seems to be at the heart of some of the mantra behind places like EPCOT (the Land specifically) and AK (Rafiki's Planet Watch). I'm not a parent, but I would imagine that after taking my kid to an attraction where they just learned that lack of conservation/recycling contributes to the deaths of Simba's pals and hurts the planet it'd be hard to explain to them why daddy just threw their water/juice bottle in the trash as opposed to recycling, or why Mickey doesn't have recycling in his park.

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 12:53 am

We should boycott WDW till they fix this issue.

Esmeralda · Post by **Esmeralda** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 8:44 am

I agree that they should have recycling with every trash can - we spent some time trying to find one!

Overall, they are environmentally friendly when it's cost effective. I guess I understand that - I love the new Kermit T-shirt, but just can't bring myself to spend $32 because it's organic. I do think they should try harder though, and hopefully will make improvements with all the 'green' buzz.

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 2:35 pm

I don't really think it would be hard to place recycling bins around the park. Now, I don't know how time- or cost-consuming it would be to properly dispose of the recycled products, but I can't imagine that it would be too increadibly difficult...

Post by **Len90** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 4:17 pm

I personally see this recycling program at WDW as a work in progress. Just a couple of years ago there were barely any recycling bins in the parks. Now Epcot has a lot of bind and I am noticing more in the other parks. Hopefully within the next few years there will be a recycling bin next to every trash can.

As for the buses, the newer buses are more environmentally friendly than the old RTS. However I would prefer seeing ones that run on alternative fuels. After all the Kilomanjaro safari trucks run on propane...

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 6:01 pm

I think one thing that people are missing is part of the point of busses to to not only reduce traffic by reducing the amount of cars that are running around the World, but by reducing the amount of cars, they also reduce the air pollution, so that in and of itself is better for the environment.

I would love to see Disney buses run on cleaner fuel, but you don't realize how man buses they have- it would be an economic nightmare to replace them all.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 6:02 pm

Croaker wrote:We should boycott WDW till they fix this issue.

That's easy for you to say since you're across the pond and can drive to DLP, LOL. For some of us WDW is the only park!!

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 10:44 pm

I was under the impression that the buses used a cleaner fuel, the last time we were there it didn't smell like regular exhaust. Maybe I'm wrong?!

Post by **Len90** » Jan Wed 21, 2009 11:46 pm

boilerbabe wrote:I was under the impression that the buses used a cleaner fuel, the last time we were there it didn't smell like regular exhaust. Maybe I'm wrong?!

I did some research and you are correct. The buses run on B20 which is 20% oil and 80% conventional diesel.

Here is a cool link which is actually through Disney corporate....
http://corporate.disney.go.com/environm ... s/tgs.html

It shows some of the environmentally friendly actions Disney has taken.

figmentaholic · Post by **figmentaholic** » Jan Thu 22, 2009 8:07 am

Thank you, Len. That is very informative. I am glad that Disney really is trying to be more environmentally concious.

CapnHook · Post by **CapnHook** » Feb Tue 03, 2009 1:19 pm

I've noticed small steps. Things like the options to get new towels daily versus not... Recycle bins have increased, starting to see some biodegradeable straws, and wastewater is treated for use on the many plants. I have to say that there is more environmental thinking than where I work. Even little steps help.

(though I do 100% agree on the hipocrisy of the "Circle of Life" movie... I refuse to watch it. Simba: "Timon and Pumbaa don't destroy natural areas and put in a resort. That would be wrong!" Timon and Pumbaa: "We had no idea..." Capn' Hook "You mean like the ENTIRE Walt Disney World Complex?!!!, yeah, that'd be awful."