10 Ideas for Disneyland to Become 100% Sustainable by 2020

The new decade has brought about a major push to convert our largest and most frequented landmarks into 100% sustainable locations. The home of the Philadelphia Eagles is undergoing a transformation to become the first sports stadium in the United States to take itself off the national power grid. Lincoln Field will use solar power and wind turbines to create a stadium that is completely self powered.

In Anaheim, Disneyland Resort can not only generate enough alternative energy for the resort itself but can also generate enough energy to supply power to the nearby community. Creating a Disneyland Resort that is self-sustained is a win-win for Anaheim and the United States. Disneyland can be a shining example of American ingenuity and it will harken back to the days when Disneyland was at the fore front of many major innovations.

No. 10 Eliminate Lids & Straws
Disneyland Resort can reduce waste and eliminate petroleum based products by ditching lids and straws throughout the resort. This may sound like a small plan but the reduction in waste and petroleum based products will eventually save millions of gallons of petroleum over the next few years.

No. 9 Convert All Vehicles in Park to Electric
Conversion to vegetable oil has already occurred for the diesel engines in the Disneyland Resort. The next step is to create a 100% sustainable vehicle fleet. This can be accomplished by building solar carports to park the vehicles and plug ins for each parking spot. This will give Disneyland a perfect cycle of a 100% self-sustained vehicle fleet with zero emissions. An idea that can be implemented within a one year timeframe.

No. 8 Install Solar Panels for Individual Light Systems
Disneyland has the potential to use individual lighting systems that can used throughout the park and will not pull from the main power source of the resort. This will help Disneyland Resort in many ways. It will not be susceptible to power outages throughout the park and it will require less wiring issues.

No. 7 Install Wind Turbines Throughout the Parks
Wind power can be noisy but there are many companies that are developing quiet wind turbines that can power houses and businesses. This will allow Disneyland Resort to have a total of three alternative energy sources in the resort. Wind power is normally relegated to the desert or oceans but if Disneyland can be an example of using the power in a theme park the results could be world changing.

No. 6 Give Visitors With Electric Vehicles VIP Free Parking
Promote the use of electric rental vehicles for patrons by giving them free parking and VIP status when they visit the park. This is a perfect way for Disneyland to promote their commitment to zero emissions by getting their visitors involved. The visitors will drive their vehicles into the park in an express lane (avoiding all the traffic) and then park in the front rows under solar carports with plug ins.

No. 5 Develop a Plan to Convert all Rides to Alternative Energies
Make it a priority to run all rides with alternative energy by the year 2020. This can be completed in many ways. Using solar power in the covered areas where the lines form and possible wind turbines located in roof areas or remote areas of the resort.

No. 4 Cooking Oil in Steamboats and Trains Saves 200,000 gallons of Petroleum
An idea that has already been implemented and can be expanded upon if it continues to be successful is the use of cooking oil in the train steam engines and the famous steamboat in Frontierland. This conversion has saved Disneyland Resort over 200,000 gallons of petroleum per year. How can Disneyland expand on this idea? Get out in the community and demonstrate their success and help other businesses convert their vehicles.

No. 3 Kinetic Speed Bumps Can Light All Parking Lots
Kinetic speed bumps that transfer energy transmitted by cars braking as they enter park can be captured by these speed bumps and used to power the ticket booths and lights in the entrance areas. This is a new form of alternative energy that is gathering steam in England and crossing the pond also. Burger King in New Jersey is already implementing the technology.

No. 2 Experiment with Using Body Heat
In France they are heating their subways with body heat. The body heat generated by masses of people is being captured and used to heat low income housing. The innovative technology can be used to heat all the rides and areas where people congregate in the winter months during visits to the Disneyland Resort.

No. 1 Install Solar Carports Throughout Parking Lots
The solar carports idea is quickly taking hold in the Southwest and the cost of installing the units will inevitably decrease. The City of Las Vegas is already converting their public parks, fire stations and police stations to solar energy by installing carports that will generate enough electricity to power the buildings.

Sources:
www.treehugger.com
www.disneyland.disney.go.com