Disneyland Paris is one of the most visited destinations in Europe. In fact, over 16 million visitors visited in 2023 - an absolute record year. Saskia was also there this time, along with her family. While she let off steam in Space Mountain, posed with Mickey and enjoyed all the magic, she thought: how does such a big theme park actually become sustainable? Because there is no doubt that we are all going there en masse. If they take steps, it can really make a huge difference!
A visit to Disneyland Paris
In partnership with Disneyland Paris
The attractions at Disneyland Paris are exactly as you would hope: spectacular, nostalgic and some completely over the top (and headline). At Disneyland Paris, no one - young or old - has to be bored: from breathtaking rollercoasters to magical shows and parades that make you feel like a kid again as an adult. And even in a theme park, you really can make small sustainable choices: fill your own water bottle at a water tap, neatly separate your waste for disposal or choose a vegetarian or vegan menu (plenty of choice!). But what else does the park itself do?
Leader in water recycling
During my visit, I was given a tour by landscaper Laurent and discovered how big a role greenery plays within Disneyland Paris. Every day, some 150 gardeners work to maintain over 30,000 trees and 300,000 shrubs and countless flowers (7400 square metres of flower beds to be exact). And this care starts as early as five o'clock in the morning, because before you and I run inside, the park has to look its best again. All planting is tailored to the atmosphere of the themed area, spooky So trees and bushes at the Phantom Manor haunted house are no accident!
At Disneyland Paris, you always walk into a different world. The spooky garden of the haunted Phantom Manor has a very different atmosphere from the tropical Adventure Land or the Wild West of Frontierland. You can taste that atmosphere through the decor, attractions and music, but also the plants are carefully chosen for each world.
But yes, of course, all that greenery also needs water. And it is precisely on that point that Disneyland Paris is remarkably ahead: in 2013, they became the first theme park in Europe with its own water treatment system. That plant processes some 3,500 cubic metres of wastewater every day - from the parks, hotels and backstage - and reuses that treated water to water plants, clean paths and cool the power plant, among other things. The park also uses a computer-controlled irrigation system that administers the water very precisely and efficiently, which is unique in Europe. The effect of this innovation? Since its commissioning in 2013, it has already saved them more than 4 million cubic metres of drinking water and reduced water consumption by 21%. So you can see that every sustainability step made by a theme park like Disneyland Paris has a huge effect.
More sustainable steps taken by Disneyland Paris
Although sustainability may not immediately come to mind when you think of Disneyland Paris, there is more happening behind the scenes than you might expect. The park is taking serious steps in several areas to become more sustainable. A few notable ones facts:
- Disneyland Paris has Europe's largest solar carport with 82,000 solar panels on its car park. This installation covers 11,200 parking spaces and produces 36 gigawatt hours (GWh) of green electricity annually, equivalent to about 17% of Disneyland Paris' current electricity consumption.
- 18% of the hotels' heat comes from geothermal energy.
- The park aims to achieve 46.2% less direct CO2 emissions by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement.
- Waste is separated into 20 different streams; visitors can also recycle via special collection points.
- Old costumes are processed into insulating felt at a local sheltered workshop. This way, the fabric is reused and the costumes also get a second life.
- Many restaurants and food stalls offer vegetarian and vegan options.
- 10 hectares of green space are managed ecologically, partly grazed by sheep.
- Do you sleep at Disney Hotel Cheyenne or Disney Davy Crockett Ranch? Then you have a nature trail where you can explore the rose and vegetable gardens, flower meadows, historic orchard and a bee hive. At Disney Hotel Cheyenne, you'll also spot a large kitchen garden where different types of organic vegetables, fruits and herbs are grown for the restaurants.
- Disneyland Paris can be easily reached by train from the Netherlands.
Although the park can still make strides, Disneyland Paris is definitely on the right track. When such a large park gets moving, it can indeed make a difference. May the green force be with us! Want to know more about what Disneyland Paris is doing in terms of sustainability, then check this page!
Disneyland Paris is of course all about enjoying yourself and getting sucked in by the magic, but even then, as a visitor, you can make some more conscious choices such as opting for the many vegetarian and vegan options in the restaurants, neatly disposing of your waste separately so that it can be recycled, and you can also bring your own food and drink. Don't forget your water bottle, as you can just fill it up in the toilets and at some taps. Watch the video of our magical weekend here!
More tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Stay right in Paris for several days and discover the cutest green addresses. Check out the best tips for a sustainable city break in Paris here.
- A sustainable fairytale at home? See what the Efteling is doing to become more sustainable.
- Handy for outings: zero waste must haves on the go to keep your own food and drinks in.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
