You may have been following along with the updates regarding Disney’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics around Disney destinations worldwide in 2019.
Disneyland Reusable Bags
While progress is being made towards these efforts, we’re finding that the realization of these goals seems to be in different phases in different spots. Take, for instance, this tale of Counter Service locations in Disneyland per a walk-around at the park today. Hungry Bear Restaurant is currently offering guests paper straws.
Paper Straws at Hungry Bear Restaurant
And plenty of them!
Paper Straws at Hungry Bear Restaurant
But just across the galaxy in Tomorrowland’s Galactic Grill? There are more than enough plastic lids and straws to go around! And, yes, guests are getting plastic lids automatically — even if they’re not requested.
Plastic Lid and Straw at Galactic Grill
At least, for now.
Plastic Lid at Galactic Grill
Alien Pizza Planet still has both plastic lids and plastic straws as well.
Also at The Bengal Barbecue, plastics lids have returned, and they still have plastic straws.
Bengal Barbecue
The same is true of Stage Door Cafe and The Golden Horseshoe.
Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches at Golden Horseshoe
The Tropical Hideaway, meanwhile, has no plastic lids, BUT still has plastic straws.
Tropical Hideaway
Ditto for Jolly Holiday Bakery Café and Refreshment Corner.
This is somewhat in keeping with the current reusable bag situation in Disneyland and Disney World. You can currently purchase park-specific reusable bags in each park. However, guests are — at press time — still being offered plastic bags and are not required to purchase reusable ones.
Disneyland Reusable Bags
And re: the single-use amenities in Disney World’s resort hotels, while we saw refillable amenities in the showers at Boardwalk Resort a while back, each time we’ve stayed there since we’ve had single-use amenities and no refillable soaps and shampoos. Weird.
Refillable Amenities at All Star Music Resort
So, while progress moves forward… it moves at varying paces depending on where you are in the Land or in the World.
Click here to read more about Disney’s commitment to reducing single-use plastics in their parks and resorts in 2019.
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Have you noticed any changes to single-use plastics in Disneyland restaurants recently? Please let us know with a comment!
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Not DL, but 2 weeks ago when I bought the candied bacon in MK I wasn’t given a lid with my soda and the reason given was that they’re being phased out. I have to use a scooter at Disney, and I put the cup in the basket. It desperately needed a lid.
Refillable shampoo is kinda of a germ
breeding ground. As an ICU nurse, I know that this could be a cleanliness issue. I don’t want to use the same shampoo bottle 500 other people used. Gross! Disney should provide shampoo, etc. in separate, single use bottles. The amount you spend per night on a room can cover the cost of this!!! I’m all for the environment, but also into keeping people healthy.
Disney’s next step is to roll out the use of refillable mugs in the parks and resorts. Make the length of stay purchase for resort guests reflect access, while still making it competitive and convenient. Assess which quick service restaurants in the parks might need a beverage station upgrade to facilitate that use.
While I don’t like carrying things around, I’d be more than happy to take a reusable mug than “waste” single use cups and plastic bottles.
Not a fan of refillable bathroom amenities. It’s too easy for someone to contaminate them.
Not affiliated with the site, but we purchased GoSili travel cups/mugs and Reusable straws to take with us to the parks.
So do they not still have the paper straws in ak? Because that’s going to be a problem for someone like me that’s orders a drink with extra whipped cream lmao
Sorry but you should not have to purchase all that stuff to bring beforehand as the poster said…., it should be provided to the guest like it always use to be, yet they keep charging more and keep taking away. Its awful to be in the parks with the insane overcrowding and not be able to have a lid for a drink. Disney is taking all this way too far trying to be politically correct and save a few bucks by corporate, which is ridiculous and a disservice to the guest.
Frankly I want a lid for my cup if I’m going to be carrying it around. I’m a klutz & prone to spilling things, plus it keeps out bugs.
I agree with most everyone I’ve read,I prefer my cup to have a lid!!! I purchased reusable straws but you cannot purchase reusable lids!!!
Give us the lid!! Give us the lid!!
1. those refillable shampoo dispensers sound awful! I think it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens – either germ-related or someone intentionally contaminating them or putting bleach or something in them. NOT a smart idea!
2. regarding the plastics issue. Disney has so much money so why don’t they have their own recycling plants where they take the plastics and turn them into something they can sell or reuse? They need to get those Imagineers busy – have them put on their thinking caps and come up with something amazing!
When I went to Disneyland last year, I was ready with my reusable straws and my terribly English ‘Sorry to bother you, I realize we have to ask for straws now, may I have one please?’. As it had been all over the DisNews that plastic straws are only available if you ask.
We grabbed a snack at Smokejumpers, I asked for a straw, the CM looked at me like I was crazy (in a nice way of course) and pointed to the regular straw dispenser on the counter.
Its difficult to implement something on a large scale of course, and there will be stock to get rid of too.
No lids in the future is going to make some sticky floors on an already stretched custodial team.
I do wonder if its easier most of the time to get a bottle and pop it in the recycle trash can correctly.
How do kids walk without a lid, cups in strollers splash, scooters ditto!! None of these scenarios affect me and I still commiserate,.They can draw a line at the lids since people are willing to bring straws.
My husband and I have soap issues anyway so there is perm packed bars in the mouse travel bag and shampoo as well . No big deal , less worries. It is bad enough I wipe down everything else not dealing with refillable soaps. People get less and pay more all the way around. We have been coming since 1999.
This week at Walt Disney World, I had to ask for a straw at every table service we ate in. The servers were not passing out straws unless someone asked – obviously these were still plastic straws.
Today, we had lunch at Paddlefish in Disney Springs and were given black paper straws for our drinks.
Disney is making progress –