Walt Disney World has received the Environmental Initiatives Award at the SEAL 2023 Business Sustainability Awards for their glass pulverizing program at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Fort Wilderness Glass Pulverizer

Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science & Environment shared the news on Instagram, writing, “You could say this is BREAKING NEWS! That’s because we recently received an award for our glass-breaking efforts. The glass pulverizer pilot program at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground has received the Environmental Initiatives Award at the SEAL 2023 Business Sustainability Awards.”

“Through this innovative program,” Penning continued, “we’re taking recycled glass and turning it into fine sand and gravel mixtures that can be used in a variety of ways, like filling in holes on gravel roads and our horseback riding trails. The pulverizer processes glass in a way that removes any sharp edges, which makes it safe for both people and animals to walk on.”

“Whether you’re turning glass into sand or simply sorting your glass containers into a recycle bin, every simple action can help create a world in balance and make a happier, healthier planet possible for all.”

As part of the pilot program, Disney is collecting glass recycled at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and putting it into a bin connected to a glass pulverizer. The glass travels up a conveyor belt and then is crushed by several small hammers before being sorted through mesh screens for either big, gravel-sized pieces or smaller, sand-like material.

The glass pulverizer can process up to 2,000 pounds of glass per hour. The gravel and sand materials could eventually be used on roadbeds, golf course bunkers, filtration systems, sandbags, and drainage improvements throughout Walt Disney World Resort.

Watch a video of the pulverizer in action below.

Disney’s Environmental Goals

In 2020, The Walt Disney Company announced several environmental goals for the next decade. The goals are based on an assessment of where Disney’s operations have the most impact on the environment and the areas where it can most effectively mitigate that impact. The 2030 environmental goals include:

• achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for direct operations;
• purchasing or producing 100% zero carbon electricity for all direct operations;
• collaborating with industry groups and investing in low carbon fuel innovation;
• investing in natural climate solutions;
• implementing site-specific watershed stewardship strategies at high-impact sites;
• serving 100% environmentally responsible seafood at U.S. parks and resorts;
• working to achieve zero waste to landfill for Disney’s wholly owned and operated parks and resorts;
• new construction projects to be designed to near net zero, minimize water consumption and support zero waste operations;
• ensure all paper, wood and palm oil used in Disney-branded packaging and products is from certified sustainable sources;
• ensure all branded product textiles contain recycled or certified sustainably sourced content, or are made from lower impact alternatives; and
• reduce the Company’s plastics footprint across all businesses.

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Disneyland Resort has made the decision to put “Fantasmic!” on hiatus through at least Labor Day. 

“We are taking this time to evaluate the show and explore opportunities to add new magic and touches for Guests to enjoy. Guests who had a previously-booked “Fantasmic!” Dining Package will be notified of the hiatus. More information will be coming soon on alternate experiences for Guests this summer.”

Maleficent Fire

During the second performance of “Fantasmic!” on Saturday, April 22, the iconic Maleficent dragon used in the climactic nightmare sequence (lovingly known by fans as Murphy for its tendency to break down, a la Murphy’s Law) caught fire during the show and was completely destroyed. The show was cancelled as the blaze continued for several minutes.

The Maleficent dragon was completely destroyed by the fire, so when “Fantasmic!” does return, the show will likely be performed in “B-Mode,” with the dragon projected on a mist screen. Other pyrotechnics could also be suspended, but this has not been confirmed.

“Fantasmic!”

“Fantasmic!” is a nighttime spectacular which first debuted in Disneyland on May 13, 1992. The show stars Mickey Mouse as he explores the possibilities of his imagination, but the Disney Villains team up in an attempt to create an unstoppable nightmare for him. Featuring characters and music from Disney films including “Fantasia,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Pirates of the Caribbean,” the show incorporates projections on screens of water, pyrotechnics, and both the Sailing Ship Columbia and Mark Twain Riverboat as they sail past guests on the Rivers of America.

“Fantasmic!” went into an extended hiatus as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and finally resumed performances in late May of 2022. Since then, the nighttime spectacular has performed with minimal incident in Disneyland, though it was unexpectedly shut down for just over two weeks this past January. MagicBand+ interacts with “Fantasmic!” as the center puck changes colors and flashes in sync with the show.

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, the show, which premiered at the park in 1998, underwent a longer break, returning last November with new scenes inspired by “Mulan,” “Frozen II,” and “Moana”.

A third version existed at Tokyo DisneySea from April 2011 to February 2020, set on the waters of Mediterranean Harbor and featuring more representation from that park’s characters like the Genie. The show closed permanently at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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