On the surface, a family trip to Disney World is a frivolous luxury — four theme parks, two water parks, outrageously expensive food and drinks. Not a trip a climate-conscious (or fiscally sustainable) traveler would take.

But there’s a magic in the air that goes beyond roller coasters and princess encounters. There’s an earth-conscious ray of hope that seems to bubble from the heart of the company, from the Living With the Land attraction with innovative ideas for the future of farming, to Animal Kingdom’s Conservation Station, where we can learn about animal habitats around the globe. Pandora, the World of Avatar is a journey of ecological imagination all its own.

This is the kind of hopeful, intelligent dreaming that I want to share with my daughter, and every other child who’s about to inherit all the challenges our planet faces.

Disney as a company isn’t perfect. They have a history of paying their staff poorly — which does not align with the UN’s sustainable development goals. They’ve recently settled with the Cast Members union to become one of the highest paying tourism jobs in Orlando — which makes me much happier to spend my tourism dollars there — but it would have resonated more warmly if they’d bumped those salaries to a living wage without the union’s nudge.

But they also get a lot right — and they continue to make giant leaps every year. In 2020, Disney’s Magic Kingdom was named the #1 most eco-friendly tourist attraction in the world. They have a huge solar field that powers two parks at its peak capacity. They power their steam trains and steamboats with cooking oil once their restaurants are finished using it. They have an amazing conservation program that uses Animal Kingdom as an education hub. They’ve recently changed their Cast Members costumes away from polyester crap to breathable, sustainable material — both for the comfort of the staff, and the health of the planet.

I think it’s fair to say you can enjoy your next Disney trip in good conscience. Here are some ways to make your footprint as light as possible:

1. Getting There

The biggest carbon footprint of most trips is the travel itself. One day, maybe we’ll see the whole grid electrified — from buses to trains to planes to cars, all powered by renewable energy. Until then, all we can do is mitigate. Here are some options:

• Buses and trains have the lowest carbon footprint. If you’re staying on-site, book your destination for Kissimmee Station, then take Lynx (public transit, $2) to Disney’s Ticket and Transportation Center. From there, take the free Disney transportation (bus, boat, or monorail) to your hotel.
• If you live close by, and/or savor the rite of passage of a family road trip, you can pile into the car and drive. (Bonus for EVs or hybrid cars, but even if you drive a gas car, with 4 or more passengers, driving is usually better than flying.) If you’re staying at a Disney resort hotel, parking is free for the duration of your stay.
• If flying is the most practical way to get there, you can minimize your impact by (a) choosing economy seating, and (b) taking as direct a route (as few flights) as possible. Some also recommend (c) purchasing the airline’s carbon offset, but I’m a skeptic about how the money is actually spent. (You can research this, though — I’m sure it varies by airline.) From the airport, the options are shuttle bus, Uber/Lyft, or Minnie Van. The cheapest and easiest is Uber or Lyft — and it’s also lower impact than the others if you can score a ride from one of their many EV drivers.

The best choice will be different for everyone. We live near Vancouver, where direct flights to Orlando are few and far between, so we’ll most likely drive across the border to Bellingham or Seattle and catch a direct flight from there.

2. Packing Smart

It’s hard not to generate waste when you’re traveling. You buy snacks and drinks on the go, you pack tiny toiletries that satisfy airlines’ carry-on allowance. Here are some things you can pack to approach zero-waste at Disney (or even reach it if you’re truly devoted):

1. Reusable Water Bottle: There are water refilling stations around the parks, some of which even have filtered water. Florida water tastes foul, so I like to bring my Brita filtered water bottle.
2. Resusable Coffee Cup: Not only will this save you from ingesting the plastic lining in a take-out cup, but it will save the planet from non-recyclable waste. You can carry a metal one if you have room in your day pack, or you can try a silicone cup that folds up when you’re not using it.
3. Reusable Utensils and Straws: Pack lightweight and reusable utensils and a reusable straw to minimize the need for disposable plastic cutlery and straws. I personally hate the tactile awfulness of paper straws and wooden utensils in my mouth, so packing my own is something I’d do even if it wasn’t also good for the planet!
4. Light Rain Coat: If you’ve never been to Central Florida, this will seem like a weird one. Orlando is prone to sudden flash rainstorms — heavy rainfall that lasts an hour or so. To avoid the waste (and expense) of buying a disposable poncho in the park, consider packing a light, waterproof jacket that can fold into your Disney day pack.
5. Fabric Bags: Bring along cloth bags to carry souvenirs and purchases instead of relying on plastic bags provided at the parks.
6. Refillable Toiletry Containers: Transfer your toiletries into refillable and travel-sized containers to avoid using the single-use plastic mini-bottles provided by hotels. (Note: check with your hotel before you travel — many Disney resorts have changed from mini-bottles to refillable bottles fixed to the shower wall. If your hotel has converted, you can leave yours at home!)
7. Eco-Friendly Sunscreen, Insect Repellent, and Other Skin Products: Choose natural sunscreen and insect repellent options that reduce the impact on the surrounding ecosystem. They’re also better for your body and gentler on your skin. We love Green Beaver and All Good in our family.

3. Accommodations

Staying on-site is a fun and immersive way to minimize your carbon footprint. Not only will you save traveling to and from the parks each day, but you live the experience of Disney for the whole duration of your trip.

Disney has a huge range of hotels at various price points. You can even camp at Fort Wilderness if your family is game.

We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge last time, where we felt like we were in the lap of luxury and the wilds of Africa at the same time. Animal specialists are on site to educate kids about conservation. (Fun fact: 1/3 of Disney World’s nearly 25,000 acres is dedicated conservation land.)

Whether you’re staying on-site or off, choosing a hotel from Florida’s Green Lodging list ensures that your money is rewarding the hotels that have shown a commitment to environmental stewardship. (More than 20 of Disney’s resorts are on this list.)

For off-site hotels, all 5 of these eco-friendly hotels look dreamy to me.

3. Creative Housekeeping

Disney World launders an average of 285,000 pounds of laundry each day. Even with all the reclaimed water, solar energy, and eco-friendly cleaning products they use, we can cut back even further on our housekeeping footprint with simple steps like:

• Hang up your towels to indicate that you don’t need new ones.
• Only use one garbage can in the room. They’ll empty any bin with even one thing in it, replacing the plastic bag with a new one. To save plastic, put all your trash into one bin only. If you like, you can tip the others upside down as a reminder not to use them.
• Leave a note for housekeeping if you don’t need your sheets changed mid-visit. (I think their default is every 4 days, though that seems to be in flux.)
• Phone ahead to see if your resort uses miniature toiletries or larger bottles fixed to the walls. If the latter, no need to pack your own. If the former, consider packing your own shampoo etc. into reusable miniatures, and leave theirs untouched so they don’t replace the tiny plastic bottles each day. When you’re leaving, you can take any unused toiletries with you — Disney will replace them anyway for the next guests — or leave them there to be donated. Disney has partnered with an organization called Clean the World, which will find a home for any unwanted toiletries.
• Leave your Do Not Disturb sign up on days when you really need nothing.

4. Sustainable Food Choices

Not too long ago, you would have been met with blank stares if you tried to find sustainable meat and produce in a theme park. But Disney is different — and they’re evolving in the right direction every year. Certain restaurants, like Sunshine Seasons food court and Garden Grill Restaurant, serve fresh produce and seafood that was grown right on the Disney property. Flying Fish is fine dining on the BoardWalk that specializes in sustainable seafood. And almost every restaurant has a solid selection of plant-based foods — truly the best thing for your eco footprint. (Though not always the choice I make — seafood is my family’s favorite.)

Eating at table service restaurants rather than quick service costs more, but you’re also not using throw-away cutlery and food containers.

Take a look at the dining plans if you like, but also consider skipping them. You might end up with more food than you want to eat — creating food waste.

At buffets or family style restaurants, make sure to only take what you think you’ll eat. Disney will donate leftover prepared food to Second Harvest — but only if it hasn’t already been on someone’s plate.

When you do have food waste, make sure it gets composted — either by using Disney’s compost bins or having a server clear it away at a table service restaurant. No waste is better, but Disney has several genius ways they use their food waste around the property — from animal feed to powering steam engines.

It’s not a perfect place to eat. Most of the meat and poultry you encounter will be conventional (full of hormones and antibiotics). But with some savvy choices and questions for your waiters, you can certainly enjoy a plant and seafood based diet with good conscience.

5. Sustainable Souvenirs

There’s a lot of plastic crap in Disney gift shops, but if you want to commemorate your trip in an eco-friendly way, you can. Maybe a ceramic mug, or a picture frame, or even a set of utensils you can pack in your park bag then take home with you when you’re done.

There are also pressed coin machines throughout the park. I am not a collector so really don’t see the point of these things — but if you want a zero waste souvenir, this just might be for you!

6. Don’t Forget the Fun!

Thought you’d have to skip the roller coasters and rides with bright lights that burn energy to make your trip to Disney eco-friendly?

You thought wrong. Disney generates so much solar energy in Florida that they’re able to power two full parks with it. Much better impact to get your thrills here than at your local state fair.

But some attractions take it a step further. While they’re entertaining you, they’ll fill you with wonder and knowledge about the natural world and cultures far and wide. Included in your park admission are attractions like:

Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safaris  Ride in an open-air amphibian vehicle with a guide, where you might see lions, hippos, baboons, rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas, or zebras. You’ll almost certainly see giraffes up close.

Feathered Friends in Flight – a behind-the-scenes look at the free-flying birds of Animal Kingdom

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail – a self-guided walk where you might encounter gorillas, hippos, zebras, meerkats, and more

Maharajah Jungle Trek self-guided walk where you might encounter tigers, komodo dragons, flying foxes, water buffalo, over 50 species of birds, and more

Affection Section — a down-to-Earth petting zoo that makes a great chill break in a high energy park day

Na’vi River Journey – a mystical boat ride into a bioluminescent rain forest

Festival of the Lion King A vivid live-action show featuring actors and puppets

Conservation Station Ride the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where you’ll get an in-depth look at animal habitats around the globe and see the expert veterinary care the Disney World animals receive.

It’s Tough to Be a Bug 3D interactive film at the base of the Tree of Life

Wilderness Explorers Kids can earn adventure badges around Animal Kingdom theme park. Self-guided activities range from animal observation to learning wilderness skills.

EPCOT

Living With the Land – A dramatic and fascinating boat ride through a rain forest, a desert, and experimental gardens

Soarin’ Around the World – a flight simulator that takes you hang gliding through some of the most spectacular places on Earth

The Seas With Nemo & Friends – an undersea journey ending in Sea Base, the giant aquarium where you can see sharks and many other species of underwater life

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – a self-guided walk where you can play with water on its journey from the sky to the oceans and back again, and learn about water conservation

Sea Base A giant aquarium where you can spot sea turtles, sharks, angelfish, dolphins, rays, and more swimming through the 5.7-million-gallon Caribbean Coral Reef Aquarium, one of the largest man-made ocean environments on the planet. It’s home to over 4,000 sea creatures from over 60 species. On the second floor Observation Deck — a circular, window-lined room in the middle of the aquarium — you’ll find yourself almost completely surrounded by marine life.

Awesome Planet A 10-minute film that uses in-theater effects (including wind, scents and water) to tell the story of life on our planet and why it’s vitally important to care for it

Turtle Talk With Crush – a live 15-minute conversation with Crush, the turtle, where he answers audience questions

World Showcase – Travel the world and explore the food and cultures of England, Canada, Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Morocco, and France

ENCHANTING EXTRAS

All the above attractions are included with park admission. Disney also has a collection of “Enchanting Extras” — experiences you can buy that are over and above your park visit. Some of particular ecological interest to me are:

Behind the Seeds – A tour of the fish farm and greenhouses in the Living with the Land exhibit. $39/person

Caring for Giants — Get up close and personal with the Animal Kingdom elephant herd. $39/person

Starlight Safari — An after-dark adventure on a safari vehicle to see wildlife. $89/person.

They also offer horseback riding and archery at Fort Wilderness — two activities my daughter enjoys and wants to try on our next trip. Not exactly eco-themed but sustainable enough!

Bon Voyage!

Let the magic of Disney World be accompanied by the magic of living in harmony with our planet.

Have you been to Disney World recently? Let me know if you have any more sustainable tips to give our next trip an even better eco-footprint than the last!