NEWS: Disney Is Currently Testing a New Restaurant Change

Sustainability is always something that Disney World has strived for in the parks and resorts.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

Most recently, Disney has partnered with Seafood Watch, a conservation group that rates seafood sustainability and is working with its chefs to create dishes using seafood recommended by that group. Disney World also plans on having at least half of its property powered by solar energy by the year 2030. The company is also looking to reduce its landfill waste to ZERO in the next eight years. As a result of the company’s sustainability goals, a new program is currently being tested at one Disney World restaurant.

We were visiting EPCOT recently and stopped into one of our favorite quick-service dining spots, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, which is in the American Adventure Pavilion. There, we learned about a new sustainability program that is currently being tested. First, we noticed that one of the tray return areas was closed…there’s a reason for this.

Tray return is closed

The sustainability study works like this: instead of allowing diners to throw away their own trash and trust that they’ll separate it appropriately, there’s a dedicated station with Cast Members where you can turn your trays directly over to them. Those stations are clearly marked. The Cast Members will then separate the contents of what’s on the tray between food, beverages, recycling, and trash.

Tray return

According to the Cast Members we spoke with, not every drain in Disney World is set up to drain to the correct place, so they are collecting excess beverages and making sure they get disposed of in the right drain. If the study proves a success, we were told the program would be rolled out for other restaurants in Disney World. We were also told, though, that the one at Regal Eagle would likely go away; it is only temporary before the full program officially launches.

If you see this sign, look for the tray drop-off station

So, if you’re visiting a Disney World restaurant and notice that the self-return tray area is marked as closed, be sure to look for a station with Cast Members that should have a sign indicating that’s where you’ll drop off your trays once you’re done with your meal.

Cast Members sorting

Disney has also recently been pushing guests to opt for reusable silverware and has announced a plan to ban the use of single-use straws in its parks. Pre-packaged plastic cups (like the kind plastic cheese comes in) are also being phased out. You’ll even spot special trash cans in the parks for compost waste.

We’ll likely be seeing more studies like this in the upcoming years due to Disney’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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