News Disney removing plastic straws and more by mid-2019

[MrPromey]

I don’t see Disney ever going to an all refillable mug program and elimination of bottle sales. They haven’t done that at Universal either. When I was there in March there were plenty of people (me included) buying bottles of water. I also think the dynamic is different between the 2 resorts. At Disney you are more of a captive customer forced to buy from them. At Universal half the eating establishments are at City Walk and are 3rd party vendors and it’s so convenient to leave one of the parks and walk over to City Walk. No buses or picking up your car.

On the mug program they could sell all inclusive mugs that work at the resorts and parks. Just at a higher price. It’s doable economically to make a profit but I think the bigger challenge is the logistics and cost of setting up all those locations in the parks.

Yeah, I don’t see either place going the all refillable mug option. When going with a AP 2/3 of the way through the day, I was never interested in the refillable much when I’d only maybe buy one drink.

I don’t think the costs would be substantial by Disney standards to offer these at locations near to where they already offer fountain drinks by way of counter service today which is many, many part oif all parks but again, I don’t see where the upside is for them in the investment. Like you said, the dynamics make it too easy for them to take advantage.

BTW, those same freestyle machines at Universal give filtered water (and ice) in any cup - or bottle - in case you don’t want to keep buying bottles of water in their parks.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Yeah. Tourists taking reusable bags to a theme park for souvenir shopping seem like a bit of a stretch, though...

Of course, that’s why Disney will be there to sell reusable totes!

Wonder how many families will end up leaving in their hotel room, or going home with, half a dozen of those after a week stay?

Probably. Although I wouldn't mind; I'd use them at home...

I do agree with you on the reusable bags portion. I noticed last time I was out in California that there was the bag fee pretty much everywhere (which California has mandated; it's basically a tax), but Disneyland is exempt from this fee.

 

[s8film40]

BTW, those same freestyle machines at Univergal give filtered water (and ice) in any cup - or bottle - in case you don’t want to keep buying bottles of water in their parks.

Haha, I guess you missed all the controversy and complaining a couple years ago when Universal disabled the free water in their machines. Ice still works though.

Of course both Universal and Disney offer free water at regular soda fountain locations.

 

[prfctlyximprct]

I applaud Disney for this move! Went to Hawaii for my honeymoon and anywhere you went they charged you ten to twenty five cents to receive a plastic bag. Hope the trend continues. I love you Mother Earth.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Where is the government interference that led to Disney's decision?

Well, maybe not in Florida, but since they also operate in California, there's a good bit of governmental pressure there that incentivizes businesses to reduce their environmental impact. For instance, Disney's goal of reducing waste overall will likely give them a tax break in California, since (I believe) California taxes businesses based on how much waste they produce. Disney actually uses real utensils and real dishes at QS restaurants out there, likely to reduce their waste and therefore their taxes (though as a guest, I also liked it and wish they would do this at WDW, though I don't see it happening). The refillable units in hotel rooms, should this expand to their California resorts (and it likely will) will reduce waste and therefore how much of a tax Disney has to pay.

Also, given that California has been trending towards eliminating plastic straws (several cities have already banned them), it makes sense for Disney to get ahead of this before such a regulation comes into Anaheim. There may also be incentives that they are receiving from the government there to switch toward environmentally-friendly practices.

And why implement this in FL? Well, because it's positive PR, and if they have to implement this in DL, might as well do it in WDW as well.

I don't see why people are getting so angry about this trial straw policy. It may or may not work. You can like or dislike it. We can at least try to be good humored about it, otherwise we'll end up without friends or with fewer "likes" on our posts.

I'm not a fan of the paper straws because of how quickly they become useless; however, I do see the point behind it. Even if it's a small thing, it doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Might just switch to those reusable straws I end up buying and taking home with me anyway. There's more important things to worry about in this world.

 

[Santa Raccoon 77]

 

[flynnibus]

I never really understood the idea of getting new towels and sheets every day. Does anyone really do that at home?

No one empties my trash every day at home either... but I love coming home to a house that was just cleaned and turned over... and I do at hotels too. And since it happens more frequently at hotels than home... Its part of my 'vacation' benefit too

 

[MrPromey]

Haha, I guess you missed all the controversy and complaining a couple years ago when Universal disabled the free water in their machines. Ice still works though.

Of course both Universal and Disney offer free water at regular soda fountain locations.

I sure did!

 

[jaklgreen]

In some cases it's a win-win. I've gotten extra hotel points or a credit on incidentals.

I never really understood the idea of getting new towels and sheets every day. Does anyone really do that at home?

I've actually had mixed luck in getting them to leave the old towels. I seem to always get new ones every day no matter what I do. Note: I pay attention because at the mid-market hotels I stay at for work the towels are of varying softness so I always pick out the best one on the first night. But as housekeeping replaces the one that I use every day, I end up with rougher and rougher towels each day of my stay unless I luck out and the new one is soft. First world problems.

From what I understand, they do not change the sheets out new every day. They make the bed but the sheets are the same. I believe Disney is every 4 days gets new sheets. The towels that I have hung up are reused but if I put them on the floor then I get new ones.

 

[Rhinocerous]

I was just at Hershey. They had a sign that said the towels were changed every 3 days, but they changed them daily anyway. We hung them up and everything.

 

[21stamps]

Disney could sell refillable mugs for the parks too. I’m not sure people would want to have to carry the mugs around, but it could work. The biggest issue is you have a lot of carts and kiosks around the park where it’s easy to sell bottled drinks in a bin filed with ice. They would need to run water lines to each location to install a fountain. I did notice at Universal that the refill stations are spread out and they still sold bottled drinks at carts so maybe that’s the compromise.

This is our first year not doing the refillable mugs at our local amusement park. I hate carrying them around, plus- lockers. The good thing with Disney is you don’t need lockers for any of the rides, so probably easier there.

 

[UCF]

Are they really switching to reusable bags? If so, I think it’s great!

Keep in mind reusable bags need to be reused well over 100 times to equal the environmental impact of a plastic bag that does not get reused at all. Most I know, on vacations, don't want to tote the reusable bags back home using their luggage space, or didn't really want them, and they end up in a landfill taking up much more room and doing much more environmental damage then if they were just given a plastic bag.

 

[flynnibus]

Keep in mind reusable bags need to be reused well over 100 times to equal the environmental impact of a plastic bag that does not get reused at all. Most I know, on vacations, don't want to tote the reusable bags back home using their luggage space, or didn't really want them, and they end up in a landfill taking up much more room and doing much more environmental damage then if they were just given a plastic bag.

If the bag is only reused once.... that still halves the amount of bags thrown away.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

If the bag is only reused once.... that still halves the amount of bags thrown away.

That's where I see the problem lies..If you decide to not get the bag and decide to carry it with you how are they going to deal with shoplifting issues? I don't recall seeing security tags on the shirts but, I did see security gates by the doorways..

 

[s8film40]

If the bag is only reused once.... that still halves the amount of bags thrown away.

But if the sturdy reusable bag is made of thicker heavier plastic, so it can be reusable and lets say it’s 4x the plastic then if it gets reused once it’s half the number of bags thrown away but it has doubled the amount of actual plastic content being sent to the landfill.

 

[Lensman]

Keep in mind reusable bags need to be reused well over 100 times to equal the environmental impact of a plastic bag that does not get reused at all. Most I know, on vacations, don't want to tote the reusable bags back home using their luggage space, or didn't really want them, and they end up in a landfill taking up much more room and doing much more environmental damage then if they were just given a plastic bag.

Doesn't it depend on what the reusable bag is made of? Reusable bags made of recycled polypropylene require 26 reuses to match the carbon impact of disposable plastic bags, but canvas tote bags require 327 reuses - though other studies have this impact as low as 52 times.

OTOH, plastic bag bans have proven effective in reducing shoreline and coastal waste in coastal states.

Reusing and repurposing the "disposable" bag is sometimes the best choice, but for some reason it's one rarely chosen. I reuse them for taking kitchen scrap waste out and for trash can liners, but I understand that I am fairly unique and that the vast majority of people don't do this. I still have a several years supply of disposable plastic bags.

FWIW, I reuse my reusable grocery bags twice a week and would estimate their lifespan in years (mine are 4 years old and still going strong) so I'm definitely on the plus side of that equation.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

Paper straws present a chocking hazard to disabled people and children as they get soggy ang gum up. You have to gulp the drink down or your straw becomes a soggy unusable mess. All it is going to cause is just one more item people have to lug around the parks with them so if people are buying them at home and bringing them with them it's not cutting down on plastic use at all.

 

[LittleBuford]

Paper straws present a chocking hazard to disabled people and children as they get soggy ang gum up. You have to gulp the drink down or your straw becomes a soggy unusable mess. All it is going to cause is just one more item people have to lug around the parks with them so if people are buying them at home and bringing them with them it's not cutting down on plastic use at all.

There is no reason to think that Disney won't make provisions and exceptions for those who cannot use paper straws.

And yes, it will cut down on plastic use.

 

[ToTBellHop]

There is no reason to think that Disney won't make provisions and exceptions for those who cannot use paper straws.

And yes, it will cut down on plastic use.

Yes. The provision will be selling plastic Mickey straws at every restaurant. Plus new designs. And just wait for the large reusable shopping bag displays at gift shops.

Current disposable plastic straws will not be ordered by the company or available to guests.

 

[LittleBuford]

Current disposable plastic straws will not be ordered by the company or available to guests.

Quoted from https://www.bustle.com/p/disney-wil...-other-environmentally-friendly-steps-9912090:

As Morgan Sung writing for Mashable noted, Disney's original statement did not include a mention of a plastic straw replacement for disabled visitors. In a statement to Bustle, Stephanie Christine Corzett, Disney's director of external communications and media relations, says that "meeting the needs of guests with disabilities is extremely important to us." Corzett added, "We are involved in discussions to identify and develop accessible, alternative options for those who need them. Alternative straw options will be provided as necessary for our guests unable to utilize paper straws." Corzett also noted that "Disney's Services for Guests with Disabilities team would be available before and during visits to 'accommodate guests with specific needs.'"