The Walt Disney Company

And the Path towards a Sustainable Future

Submitted by:
Tashaly Ubiera - 135 145 167
Prabisha Shah- 171 494 222
Daniel Berkovich- 171 136 223
Lovely Lapitan- 138 860 234
Isha Gurung- 167 544 220
Course: SDG101NZQ
Date Submitted: December 12, 2023
Submitted to: Professor Jacklyn Lane

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Executive Summary
The Walt Disney Company has reached a landmark achievement of celebrating 100 years of
business, an accolade few companies have the satisfaction of attaining (J.E. Luebering). In these
100 years, Disney has become a global entertainment force, expanding into multiple industries.
As Disney has grown, so has their commitment to sustainability.
The Walt Disney Company has established its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy to
encompass many environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. It has prioritized expert
research and the benchmarking of peer companies to ensure that their commitment to social
responsibility is accomplished. Some of the major aspects of Disney’s CSR strategy include

• Diversity and Inclusion, which consists of people, culture, and community.

• Charitable giving, which includes philanthropy and volunteering.
• Environmental sustainability, includes conservation and minimizing operations impacts
(Disney)

A simple yet effective way for Disney to achieve these goals is to stop their fireworks shows.
Disney is one of the largest fireworks consumers in the world, buying approximately 40 million
dollars worth of fireworks every year for their multiple fireworks displays. These figures do not
include parks outside of the United States so the amount is probably significantly more. (“How
Much Does Disney Spend on Fireworks? | 2023 Analysis”)

Fireworks produce carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen, in addition to heavy metals,
this results in pollution of the air, water, and soil in the surrounding areas, not to mention the
noise pollution as well (GrrlScientist). Though Disney uses a more environmentally friendly
firework release mechanism, it still does not negate the damages the actual fireworks
themselves have overall (Colopy). If Disney replaced their firework exhibits with drones,
projections, and LED lights/lasers, they would significantly lessen their overall emissions,
resulting in a healthier environment and community; communities near and around Disney
theme parks suffer the most from the adverse effects of the fireworks.
By integrating this initiative Disney would also be saving significant money, as drones,
projections, and LED lights/lasers can be reused and applied in different, more innovative ways
than fireworks.
Furthermore, with the money saved, The Walt Disney Company could achieve its third goal,
charitable giving, by increasing its philanthropic donations.

Carrying out this simple initiative would take The Walt Disney Company one step closer to
achieving their sustainability goals.
Though this is just one small step towards sustainability, it is one of many steps needed for a
sustainable future in The Walt Disney Company.

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Table of Contents
Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 4
Project Description........................................................................................................................................ 5
Business Case ................................................................................................................................................ 7
Summary and Next Steps.............................................................................................................................. 8
Infographic .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Works Cited .................................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
The Walt Disney Company was founded in the United States by Walt and Roy Disney in 1923,
and has become an empire worth billions of dollars. (J.E. Luebering)
Disney has 3 main products and services it provides, which are:

• Parks and Resorts- some of these include, 11 Theme Parks, 43 Resorts, and Disney
Cruise Line (4 Ships)
• Walt Disney Studios- some of these include, Walt Disney Animation Studios, ABC
Network, Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Studios, Touchstone Pictures and
DreamWorks Studios
• Consumer Products- some of these include, Apparel and Toys, Home Décor and Books,
The Disney Store retail chain (“Products and Services”)

The Walt Disney Company is an international company that employs approximately 220,000
people around the world (Macrotrends). Their 11 theme parks are located in the United States,
Japan, France, and China (and Hong Kong). Disney cruises travel to ports all over the world
(Steele), and Disney also releases its media and merchandise internationally.
The Walt Disney Company is one of the most influential companies in the world as proven by
having the largest net worth of any of its competitors, at 176.4 billion dollars (Walters). This is
why it is so vital that Disney is sustainable; as the leader in the industry, it can set the standard
and influence other companies. With just emissions, The Walt Disney Company produces an
equivalent to the emissions from 3.6 million cars a year; this figure only represents the
emissions from 6 of its 11 parks and only the 23 movies made in 2020. This is only a fraction of
the emissions Disney produces as it doesn’t include the majority of its products and services
(Ely). If Disney could reduce these emissions and become sustainable, it would be a boon for
the environment and prove to be a great road map for other companies.

The Walt Disney Company has made major progress in their sustainability goals, 3 of which are:

• Reducing emissions, by developing new solar facilities in the Florida location, which will
produce nearly 40% of its yearly consumption.
• Conserving water, by using reclaimed water and reducing potable water use, using
artificial turf and installing a sophisticated irrigation system in the California resort.
• Lower impact products, made with plastic free packaging and 100% recyclable material
(The Walt Disney Company).

Though Disney is on the right track there are more ways in which The Walt Disney Company
could become a more sustainable company and a blueprint for others.

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Project Description
To make Disney a more sustainable company and show the world that the company cares
about the environment and our planet, the new initiative we are proposing is to replace
fireworks that happen at Disney theme parks with lights and drones. Disney will become more
sustainable as lights and drones are pollution-free and do not create smoke, soot, noise
pollution, greenhouse gases.
Fireworks cause carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, and sulphur dioxide, which add to
air pollution and climate change. It causes smoke, soot, and noise pollution which can terribly
impact the quality and the environment. There is less use when turning on lights and drones,
there is not that much power used as they only need to turn on power for when presenting
their drones and light displays.
Fireworks always need ignition and combustion, so the power is always used. Additionally,
fireworks may damage water sources. When doing them, chemicals like perchlorate and heavy
metals can go into lakes, rivers, and groundwater, providing these critical assets. This will make
things very bad for animals living in the ocean and people using these water sources. Drones
and lights do not make much noise, which will not impact the ecosystems and animals.
By undertaking this project, we want to make a healthier environment, having support from
fans and people in the country that this is the right thing to do and that employees are
agreeable to this project and are trained for it. Also, we want to see if this project can work as it
will be frequently observed and evaluated. We also hope multiple companies will help us fund
this project as we want to convince them that this will help the environment be more
sustainable.
The SDG that this project addresses is decent work and economic growth. When creating
drones and lights, many people are needed to build them, which creates more job
opportunities for everyone. A safe, secure working environment also creates more economic
growth. This project's second SDG is good health and well-being, as drones fly in the sky and
will not hurt anyone, while fireworks can injure a person.
This project applies to one department and location, the Walt Disney World theme park in
Florida, USA. We chose one location and department for now because Florida is where most of
the pollution problems are happening from the fireworks, and it is the main theme park out of
all the locations. If this project succeeds in that department and location, we will do this for all
the Walt Disney theme parks. We want to wait to try this project on all the locations as we want
to go with a let us see what happens with the first approach.
We chose one department because the fireworks happen at the theme parks only, where we
will do the drones and lights sustainability project. There have not been any sustainability
problems in the movie/TV production department, cruise lines, and consumer products, and
they do not require drones and lights in their department, so we will not put the project there.

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The timeline of this project is that first, we will need to reach out to companies that have more
money than Disney and ask them if they can help fund the project, as it would cost Disney
millions of dollars every day to make drones and lights for their theme parks. This would make
Disney have to use a lot of their money, and they cannot do that because they also need to
save that money for their other departments. This phase will take us half a year to do as it will
take a couple of months to find a company to help fund this project and a couple more months
to get the money sorted out on how much it would cost us and them to pay.
After we sort out the money, the second phase is to see if the city and country will approve this.
They think this a good sustainability project to do, and will they still want to come to Walt
Disney World and see drones and lights instead of fireworks. Do they think something needs to
be added or changed in this project? This phase will take us two months to do as it will take a
month to put this on the news and newspapers that we are doing this project, and we want to
see what the public has to say about it. Then, it will take another month to evaluate everyone's
opinion on this and conclude whether we are doing this project or not.
If the public were to like this project, the last phase would take us one year to observe and
evaluate how the project is doing for one year in the Florida theme park. We will look at
whether the sustainability project has helped the environment and our country be more
sustainable and if we can put it in other theme park locations. In total, this project will take us
almost two years to complete as it will take half a year to reach out to companies, two months
to get public opinion and a year to evaluate the success of this project.

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Business Case
Disney's renowned fireworks displays are iconic, but the shift towards shows with drone lights
aligns with environmental sustainability goals, reduces operational risks, and opens new
creative opportunities. The proposal suggests an innovative strategy for The Walt Disney
Company to replace traditional fireworks displays with drone light shows. This approach aims to
enhance the overall visitor experience, increase operational efficiency, and contribute to
Disney's commitment to sustainability.

Drones offer synchronized, choreographed light displays that can create immersive and
captivating visitor experiences, surpassing the traditional fireworks format. Reducing the
reliance on pyrotechnics aligns with Disney's commitment to environmental sustainability,
minimizing air and noise pollution, and decreasing the ecological Impact. Transitioning to drone
light shows positions Disney as an industry leader in entertainment innovation, reinforcing its
brand identity as a forward-thinking and environmentally responsible company.
Introducing cutting-edge drone shows will likely attract new and repeat visitors, contributing to
increased attendance and higher spending on merchandise, food, and other park offerings.
Disney can explore partnerships for live-streaming or licensing drone shows, creating new
revenue streams beyond traditional theme park attendance.
Transitioning from fireworks to drones may initially require investment. However, the long-
term operational savings, including reduced pyrotechnic costs, maintenance, and
environmental cleanup, will outweigh the initial expenses.

Replacing fireworks with drones mitigates safety risks associated with pyrotechnics, reducing
the likelihood of accidents and potential harm to visitors or employees.

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Summary and Next Steps
Walt Disney has forever been at the front of development and diversion, and they are taking
sustainability higher than ever. With an end goal to diminish their ecological effect, Disney is
investigating the chance of supplanting customary light shows with drone innovation. This shift
aligns with their obligation to sustainability and vows to improve the visitor experience by making
stunning ethereal displays that are both entrancing and Eco-accommodating. This project
proposes an innovative and sustainable solution for enhancing the magical experience at Disney
parks. By replacing traditional fireworks displays with drone technology, we can reduce our
environmental impact while still captivating and delighting our guests. The project will follow a
systematic and participatory process involving the following steps:
1. Research and Development: Investigate if deploying drones for large-scale airborne displays
is feasible and safe by collaborating with specialists in drone technology. Carry out
comprehensive testing to guarantee adherence to regional laws and safety requirements.
2. Choreography and Design: Work together with artistic groups to create engaging and
distinctive drone performances. Make use of state-of-the-art technology to match the
motions, lighting, and sound of drones to produce amazing displays that will astound our
guests.
3. Training and Safety: To guarantee the safe and effective operation of drones, establish
thorough training programme for their operators. Establish stringent safety procedures to
avert mishaps and safeguard both visitors and drone operators.
4. Education and Communication: To tell guests about the switch from fireworks to drone
displays, start an educational campaign. Draw attention to the advantages for the
environment and Disney's dedication to sustainability.
5. Feedback and Iteration: Continuously gather feedback from guests and employees to refine
and improve drone performances. Use this feedback to enhance the guest experience and
address any concerns or issues that may arise.

By embracing drone technology and replacing fireworks displays, Walt Disney can lead the way
in sustainable entertainment while still delivering enchanting experiences for our guests. Let us
embark on this exciting journey together and create a brighter and greener future for Disney
parks.

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Infographic

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Works Cited
Colopy, Jess. “Disney Park under Fire for Use of Fireworks due to Environmental Concerns.”

Inside the Magic, 2 Feb. 2023, insidethemagic.net/2023/02/disney-park-under-fire-

fireworks-jc1/#:~:text=In%202004%2C%20Disneyland%20Resort%20worked.

Disney. “ESG Reporting.” Social Responsibility, 2022, impact.disney.com/esg-reporting/.

Ely, Charlotte. “The Most Magical *Cough* Pollutive *Cough* Place on Earth.” Medium, 29

Sept. 2022, medium.com/@CarbonFingerprint/the-most-magical-cough-pollutive-cough-

place-on-earth-8744b517adf5.

GrrlScientist. “Festive Fireworks Create Harmful Pall of Pollution.” Forbes,

www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/2019/12/31/festive-fireworks-create-harmful-pall-of-

pollution/?sh=52d3739a2853. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

“How Much Does Disney Spend on Fireworks? | 2023 Analysis.” ThemeParkCenter.com, 13

July 2023, themeparkcenter.com/blogs/mice-magic-the-official-theme-park-center-

blog/how-much-does-disney-spend-on-fireworks. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.

J.E. Luebering. “Disney Company | History & Films.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 21 Mar. 2019,

www.britannica.com/topic/Disney-Company.

Leslie, James. Are Drone Light Shows More Environmentally Friendly than Fireworks? 30 Oct.

2023, dronesurveyservices.com/drone-light-environmentally-

fireworks/#:~:text=Drone%20light%20shows%20offer%20a. Accessed 13 Dec. 2023.

Macrotrends. “Disney: Number of Employees 2006-2019 | DIS.” Macrotrends.net, 2019,

www.macrotrends.net/stocks/charts/DIS/disney/number-of-employees.

“Products and Services.” The Walt Disney Company Stock Project, 2019,

thewaltdisneycompanystockproject.weebly.com/products-and-services.html.

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Steele, Jackie. “Disney Parks around the World: How Many Disneylands Are There?” Magic

Guides, 2023, magicguides.com/disney-parks-around-the-world/.

The Walt Disney Company. “Environmental Sustainability.” Disney, 2022,

impact.disney.com/environment/environmental-sustainability/.

Walters, Denine. “Disney Competitors Analysis: Top 5 Competitors - Business Chronicler.”

Business Chronicler, 18 July 2022, businesschronicler.com/competitors/disney-

competitors-analysis/.

Wieners, Eva. “Developing a Sustainability Plan in a Project Proposal.” ProposalforNGOs, 21

Mar. 2019, proposalsforngos.com/sustainability-plan-project-proposal/.

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