Happy Earth Day From Disneyland

Earth Day is April 22, 2023 (which also happens to be Animal Kingdom’s 25^th anniversary), but here in California, Disneyland Resort isn’t just celebrating for one day; the resort is embracing the “three Rs” of sustainability – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle – all month long.

Here are seven ways you can celebrate Earth Day when you visit the Disneyland Resort:

1. Be a Hero with Zero (Zero Waste, that is)

Disneyland guests can help minimize food waste year-round by participating in the Disneyland food scraps program and disposing of leftover food in the green cans at Galactic Grill and Hungry Bear in Disneyland and Pym Test Kitchen in California Adventure (make sure to put only food in the green cans).

Mixed recycling bins across the resort make it easy to keep plastic, paper, and glass out of landfills – and if you’re not sure how to sort your trash, a cast member can help.

Guests can also save plastic by refilling water bottles at bottle-filling stations in both parks (you can search for them in the official Disneyland app).

Bottle-Filling Stations in Disneyland Park are located:

• • near Autopia
  • near Catfish Cove on Tom Sawyer Island
  • near Pioneer Mercantile
  • near Chip ‘n’ Dales GADGETcoaster
  • in Red Rose Taverne
  • at Galactic Grill
  • at Rancho del Zocalo,
  • in the Black Spire Outpost Courtyard and Market Restrooms
  • near Mickey’s Toontown Restrooms
  • in the Toy Story Parking Area.

In California Adventure Park, there is a single bottle-filling station at the Ancient Sanctum in Avengers Campus.

Another way to help the environment is to purchase a set of reusable bamboo cutlery at select dining locations across the resort (limit of ten per person per transaction; no discounts apply). This handy set is not only a great way to reduce trash at the parks (and at home), but they’re also great souvenirs.

P.S. There’s a Magic Key version too (limit one per Magic Key Holder per transaction; no discounts apply).

Here’s where you can purchase a set:

At Disneyland –

• • Bengal BBQ
  • Galactic Grill
  • Golden Horseshoe
  • Harbour Galley
  • Hungry Bear
  • Jolly Holiday
  • Red Rose Taverne
  • Refreshment Corner
  • Stage Door Café

At Disney California Adventure 

• • Award Wieners
  • Corn Dog Castle
  • Paradise Garden Grill
  • Smokejumpers Grill
  • Food & Wine Festival Marketplaces

Reusable bamboo cutlery sets are also available via mobile ordering from some locations.

2. Sip, Savor, and Save (the Planet)

Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival continues through April 25, 2023, and there are a few tasty ways to celebrate Earth Month while you “sip and savor” your way through the festival.

In the past, plant-based items were scattered throughout the festival marketplaces, but this year, the lone vegan option is the new Impossible Al Pastor tacos at Avocado Time (Impossible pork with grilled pineapple and avocado-tomatillo sauce).

That’s because Paradise Garden Grill is featuring a 100% plant-based menu, including Torta de Chilaquiles (Telera bread with green chilaquiles, plant-based chorizo beans, chipotle crema, pickled onions, cilantro, and avocado spread); Bulgogi Fried Rice with kimchi, plant-based egg, pickled cucumbers, green onions, and sesame seeds; and Impossible Gyro Waffle Fries topped with gyro-spiced Impossible ground beef, cauliflower cheese sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, tzatziki, and pita bread.

Read our full 2023 Festival Guide here:

Delectable Delights: Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Guide 2023!

3. Spend Time in the Garden

Just like Alice in Wonderland, registered Disneyland Resort hotel guests can “learn a lot of things from the flowers” in the Grand Californian Wedding Garden.

During the special one-hour activity from 10-11 a.m. every Thursday through April 27, 2023, the Disneyland horticulture team teaches guests about beneficial garden insects and how they use them in the beautiful gardens across the resort. Hotel guests can also decorate a canvas pouch to store their set of reusable bamboo cutlery.

We also noticed a large tree in the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which we hope will live happily ever after at the Disneyland Resort long after Earth Month.

Fun Fact: We’re told this is a Strawberry Tree, which is an ornamental evergreen that produces bunches of tiny white blossoms and red strawberry-like fruit. Although the fruit is edible, it apparently tastes more like a pear than a strawberry.

For a fun peek behind the magic, check out this video from 2016 about the Disneyland horticulture team:

4. Plant Something

Earth Day is about protecting the future of the earth and a perfect way to do that is to plant something and watch it grow.

At Humphrey’s Service & Supplies across from the Soarin’ attraction in California Adventure, you can purchase a Giant Sequoia seed germination kit, a Giant Sequoia or Coast Redwood sapling, or a tin of Califonia Poppy seeds (the state flower of California).

Over at Rushin’s River Outfitters by Grizzly River Run, you can find National Geographic Herb Garden or Flower Garden growing kits that include three mini flower pots (plus paint and stickers to decorate them). The herb seeds in the kit are basil, chives, and oregano; the flower seeds are Zinnia, Cosmos, and Nasturtium (which are actually edible flowers).

Take a journey into the shopping side of Earth Day at Disneyland Here: 

MiceMerch: Earth Day 2023 Merchandise at Disneyland and on shopDisney

5. Take a Selfie with an Elephant

Elephants are visiting the Downtown Disney District during Earth Month in the form of life-size elephant sculptures. (Just keep in mind that while these sculptures are life-size, these elephants are on the smaller side as far as elephants go.)

The colorful sculptures were created by Ocean Sole – a nonprofit company that upcycles flip-flops found along the beaches of Kenya.

The elephants have come to town to celebrate Earth Month as well as the new National Geographic series “Secrets of the Elephants.”

The four-part series from Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron (and narrated by Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman) premiers April 21, 2023, on the National Geographic Channel, and all episodes will stream April 22, 2023 (Earth Day), on Disney+ and Hulu.

6. Vote for Your Favorite Recycled Art Pieces

Guests are invited to be judges for the 2023 Environmental Art Challenge in California Adventure.

This year, the annual display of art pieces created by Disney Cast Member teams from recycled materials is located near Stage 17 (in the patio area in front of the Super Store).

Here’s a look at some of the amazing works of art Disneyland Cast Members have created from things that might otherwise have been thrown away.

All you have to do is pick your favorites, sign in to your Disney account via the Disneyland app, and click “I’m Ready to Vote.” You can vote for up to three projects (maximum of one vote per Disney account).

 

7. Walk in Nature

With the hustle and bustle of a busy theme park day, wouldn’t it be nice to just take a walk in nature? That’s exactly what the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is there for – and the best news is, you can do it any day of the year!

As you walk through, be sure to stop along the trail and check out the signs that teach guests about different trees and animals, including the Millennium Tree, a California Redwood that was over 1,000 years old.

Did you know?

Also in California Adventure (in front of the Soarin’ entrance) is a bulletin board dedicated to conservation, and across from that (on the side of the building that houses Humphrey’s Service & Supplies) are quotes by noted naturalist John Muir, an early advocate for wilderness preservation in the U.S. and known as the “Father of the National Parks.”

Let’s Hear From You!

How are you celebrating Earth Day/Earth Month this year? Do you think Disneyland is doing enough to reduce, reuse, and recycle all year long or can the resort do more? Let us know in the comments.

 

 

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