Riding the Green Wave: How Theme Parks Are Embracing Sustainability

By Olivia C.

Theme parks are synonymous with adventure and excitement, offering a whirlwind of thrills amid magical scenery and vibrant rides. Yet, behind the adrenaline-pumping roller coasters and enchanting characters, a quieter movement is taking root: sustainability is beginning to reshape the foundation of these iconic attractions. With the level of resources required for daily operations and the need to accommodate thousands of guests each day, theme parks are a prime industry to contribute to positive environmental change–and in fact, many already are. As a lover of both theme parks and sustainable action solutions, I am fascinated by the steps that theme parks have implemented to improve the environmental impact of their operations. Development in on-site clean energy, waste management, and operational improvements are encouraging theme parks to hop on the exciting ride toward promoting sustainable futures. 

Theme parks across North America and Europe have been introducing sustainable solutions within their ride models and operations in order to minimize negative environmental impact. The implementation of clean energy at these beloved parks has been instrumental in streamlining sustainability initiatives, where solar panels have been placed on parking structures, dark ride buildings, and unused land areas. With many theme parks located in sunny states like California, theme parks offer a prime location to build solar panels on property. The roof of the Radiator Springs Racers show building at Disneyland California Adventure is outfitted with a sleek array of solar panels. At Six Flags Magic Mountain, a 637,000-square-foot solar installation is planned for parking structure rooftops. And beyond America’s west coast, the fairytale forest at Dutch theme park Efteling conceals more than magic—solar panels on both parking structures and the Symbolica dark ride hide under the enchanting decorations. Often, solar panels are hidden from parkgoers to maintain the theme of each amusement park, but the hidden gem in these constructed wonderlands is the strategic placement of clean energy solutions that support more efficient daily operations.  

For the average parkgoer, visits to theme parks tend to be occasional one-day excursions. Therefore, the issue of single-use waste is an obvious drawback to sustainability optimization. With over 5 million guests a year attending the German Europa Park, single-use plastics became a cause of concern over creating unnecessary waste. The park solution required reusable cups in each restaurant or bistro, which led to a large decrease in plastic waste for the park within its first two weeks of implementation. The use of reusable cups or bottles addresses the issue of single-use plastics that can rely on both the theme park staff and the park goers. Additionally, as many people already own reusable bottles at home, encouraging parkgoers to bring them on their trips to refill at water stations included at Disney and Universal Parks would be a chance for theme park enthusiasts to reduce their own waste contribution while traveling. 

In addition to including solar energy systems disguised on top of ride show buildings for park operations, there has been innovation within ride models to minimize negative environmental impact. GreenWood Park in North Wales has implemented an innovative approach to powering its "Green Dragon" ride by utilizing the weight of waiting park-goers. Guests board a railway car connected to a platform holding the main ride vehicle. As the railway car fills with people, its weight pulls the platform with the ride vehicle uphill to the loading station, harnessing potential energy and gravity. This system, designed to work in harmony with the park's hilly terrain, highlights how attractions can utilize the natural environment rather than resist it. Informational signs accompany the ride, explaining its mechanics and purpose, enhancing GreenWood Park’s commitment to “edutainment.”

Sustainable practices are occurring behind the scenes of most operations, even if they may not be directly visible to the general public. However, with Earth Day programs, sustainable roller coaster design innovations, and an increase in waste management services in parks, it becomes apparent that these actions taken by theme parks are slowly incorporating sustainability as an addition to the guest experience. With noticeable, sustainable innovations occurring at these theme parks, guests will be able to learn how they can minimize environmental degradation while still having a day full of wild rides and adventure.