Comments on: Reconciling Disneyland’s Personal Impact with Environmental Impact

By: koolchicken

koolchicken — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:31:29 +0000

I don’t blame you for liking Disneyland, I love it myself. And really, they aren’t so bad compared to other theme parks or carnivals. Also, I think that they’re a company that listens to the wants and needs of the consumer. I can’t eat gluten, but I know I’m safe at just about every retsurant in the park. All because people started to hound them about food choices. And speaking about park resturants, some locations have compostable flatware! It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.

By: Correne

Correne — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:18:12 +0000

I always struggle with issues of “should I be allowed this even though it’s an environmental disaster?” I know that I don’t live as responsibly as I could or should, although I am practically militant compared to others in my family and circle of friends.

My biggest issue is with travelling. It is my life’s dream to travel. Travelling to other places is what makes life worthwhile. I love it. I want to get a travel trailer and travel all around North America with my husband and kids for like 2 years. It is my dream, and I feel totally conflicted because it would be an extremely wasteful use of resources for my own personal pleasure.

On the other hand, if I can’t pursue my dreams, what exactly is the point of living the next 50+years on this planet? Just putting in my time, trying to erase the evidence of my existence? I would do a more thorough job by just killing myself now.

Since this train of thought always ends up with suicide, I try not to think about it too often. It’s not healthy.

By: The cotton bags

The cotton bags — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:48:23 +0000

Interesting article. I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve been planning a similar sort of post only about fireworks and Christmas lights.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:28:02 +0000

I quite enjoyed this post Beth. I struggle internally a good bit with my enjoyment for things like Disney and my interest in the environment. At times it seems hard to reconcile the two, but I think doing just what people like you are doing is a great first start. We can’t change Disney with a swoop of a little green wand a’la the fairy godmother. Nor can we alter the fact that such places exist by not going or trash talking. But the more people request more sustainable options or bring their own water bottles, etc, the more such places will get the point and begin to make positive changes. Ten years ago, I’ll bet those recycle bins didn’t even exist. Ten years from now, who knows? Maybe that cole slaw won’t just come on a biodegradable, recycled plate, but will even be locally sourced and organic ;)

Keep up the great work. I rarely comment, but I’ve been SO inspired by you and love the blog. Congrats on a job well done.

By: Erin aka Conscious Shopper

Erin aka Conscious Shopper — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:01:52 +0000

I’ve been planning a similar sort of post only about fireworks and Christmas lights (especially when they have the lights timed to music – I loooove that!) And I’ve already told my husband that a really awesome 50th anniversary gift would be my own personal fireworks show even though that’s 42 years away. I haven’t researched the environmental impact of fireworks, but I can’t imagine that shooting things that blow up into the sky is very environmentally friendly. But oh man, how I love them. :)

And wooden roller coasters totally rock!

By: Beth Terry

Beth Terry — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:18:02 +0000

Are you kidding me? Rant away. There is no rule against venting or ranting on this blog, as long as comments to other commenters are civil. I totally agree with you on Disney’s messages, which is why I generally stick to the rides I love and some of the beautiful spectacles. It’s artificial for sure. But I focus on the beauty rather than the message. I know that by giving Disney my money, I am perpetuating those messages, but does any other theme park offer alternative messages along with the Tower of Terror and California Screamin’ roller coaster?

Although honestly, my favorite roller coaster whole world is the antique wooden one at the Santa Cruz boardwalk.

By: John Costigane

John Costigane — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:51:29 +0000

Hi Beth,

Highlighting the positives, like the Mexican food utensils, has value in creating dialogue where both sides can be winners. When people use such facilities, following the blog coverage, Disney may well decide to expand this approach and gain extra kudos in the process. Building good contacts is the best way to resolve difficult issues.

By: The Raven

The Raven — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:29:04 +0000

Let me first say that I in no way think I am holier than thou, despite what this email may sound like. What you do in your private life is so much more responsible than what I do, and what you do publicly on this blog really does change the world. So my serious apologies in advance if I sound incredibly snotty in this comment. Disney just brings out the evil in me…

My personal revulsion at Disney has very little to do with the corporation’s environmental impact–but your post makes realize that it is not totally unrelated. I think growing up being taught to see over-the-top profit-designed artificialness as beauty creates a great number of problems for both society and the planet. In other words, it isn’t just the waste that happens at Disney; it is the whole message.

(I promise to be back to “nice and appropriate” by my next comment.)

By: M

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:48:26 +0000

Recently I was at the beach for a bonfire with friends in Orange County and later in the evening someone suddenly spotted fireworks in the distance. Someone more familiar with the area said it was Disney. And although fireworks aren't directly what you were referring to with regard to environmental impact (although from what I gather they aren't that great), there was something somewhat intense about it, this symbolic visualizations of Disney's effect. I was in a rare place, someplace where I felt somewhat isolated in the Los Angeles area, and Disney was shooting off fireworks that who knows how far people could see, every single night, making our little beach fire seem so insignificant. Admittingly, I'm not a fan of theme parks. I live near Universal Studios Hollywood and they are constantly coming up with their own crazy, not so environmental, yet "green" plans. How many times can you keep on telling people to use reusable bags and not much else while handing out plastic bags left and right at your theme park, but still call yourself green? I see people constantly flocking to the train station from Universal Studios, carrying all sorts of plastic bags filled with plastic bottles shaped like Spongebob SquarePants wondering how many times they are actually going to use it before it's tossed. .-= M´s last blog ..Upcyle Christmas Wreath =-.

By: Ari

Ari — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:30:50 +0000

I love that Disneyland does the backend recycling. I imagine they recycle about 90% or more of everything sold that day because I see very few people make it back to their cars with any plastic trash. The huge problem is using all that plastic in the first place. I cringe at almost every food place I go to there. I think even pickles are served in plastic containers, if I am not mistaken. It makes me crazy. I go to D-land every other month on average. I wish every major company would switch to Greenware. Have you all seen this great line of “plastic” cups made from corn?
http://www.f-k.com/index.php?option=com_content2&task=view&id=185&Itemid=74&cat=74