Green-COT

Originally Posted By ExpDave

I've been thinking about Walt's vision of EPCOT a lot today and what the Disney Company does that's green, but largely hidden from public view.

It got me thinking that Disney if it choose to is in a better position to showcase the promise of green living than probably any company in the world.

I think it would be incredible to see them revive Walt's vision for EPCOT to showcase green technology and how we could live better on this planet. Call it Green-COT and have every aspect of it be as green as possible, including providing Disney employees affordable on site housing as Walt envisioned. Although I would not include as much "low density" single family house neighborhoods as Walt envisioned. The industrial Park section could publicly showcase innovative green companies. Build the world’s tallest mixed use, green building in the center of the hub, and so much more.

The park area above EPCOT’s downtown area would very likely be the largest green roof in the world.

I think Disney could really do the world a great service. By reviving Walt's EPCOT with a focus on green living and technology.

But alas Disney no longer seems to be run by a great visionary, but by managers focused on the bottom line. The thing is people are starting to realize that green is good for the bottom line. I wonder if it could ever happen?

 

Originally Posted By ExpDave

I've been thinking about Walt's vision of EPCOT a lot today and what the Disney Company does that's green, but largely hidden from public view.

It got me thinking that Disney if it choose to is in a better position to showcase the promise of green living than probably any company in the world.

I think it would be incredible to see them revive Walt's vision for EPCOT to showcase green technology and how we could live better on this planet. Call it Green-COT and have every aspect of it be as green as possible, including providing Disney employees affordable on site housing as Walt envisioned. Although I would not include as much "low density" single family house neighborhoods as Walt envisioned. The industrial Park section could publicly showcase innovative green companies. Build the world’s tallest mixed use, green building in the center of the hub, and so much more.

The park area above EPCOT’s downtown area would very likely be the largest green roof in the world.

I think Disney could really do the world a great service. By reviving Walt's EPCOT with a focus on green living and technology.

But alas Disney no longer seems to be run by a great visionary, but by managers focused on the bottom line. The thing is people are starting to realize that green is good for the bottom line. I wonder if it could ever happen?

 

Originally Posted By ExpDave

Oops, sorry about the double post.

 

Originally Posted By Rsey103

I like some of your thoughts there.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

I agree a lot with what you say. This is something BOTH EPCOT and DAK could go after.

Universe of Energy is just calling for a refurb to address this topic.

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

Great idea, now how do they make money at it?

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

It's an interesting concept, and I believe the Land Pavilion addresses it in a small way, along with some exhibits at innovention. I think if it got much bigger than that people would become bored with it.

The Mouse's vision of green has an engraved image of Benjamin Franklin on it. Mickey is saving the planet by encouraging his guest to keep their room hot, and to reuse their dirty sheets, and unwashed towels.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>Great idea, now how do they make money at it?<<<

Needs more synergy.


I've got environemtality?

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

I'm not sure how intrested the the everyday guest that visits WDW is intrested in "green" technology. Also, I think Disney needs to be careful as it seems some individuals like former Vice President Al Gore have highjacked the myth of "going green". And, I think people are tired of politically charged green topics such as global warming. I'm at WDW to have fun not to be subjected to enviormental propaganda be it save the whales, save the planet, etc. I find it very hypocritical that a good 50% of WDW visitors are flying half way around the world, ie Europe, South America.... talk about leaving a carbon footprint! And then US citizens are shamed into believing that somehow WE are singlehandly responcible for destroying the planet.

I would suggest that Disney and others would be far better off doing less pontificating about saving the enviroment and actually do more than swapping out their Holiday lights for LED bulbs. Anyone who enters Disney's Animal Kingdom Park can easily detect the not so subtle message of saving the planet. I believe that it's a shame that the greatest amount of construction on WDW propety in easily the past decade has been with unbridled expansion of DVC everywhere! Anyone could easily ask the question, why couldn't Disney be making any one of those DVC properties "green". It's not as if they haven't had the opportunity.

White man speak with forked tongue.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

Excellent post Tom!

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

>> I'm not sure how intrested the the everyday guest that visits WDW is intrested in "green" technology. Also, I think Disney needs to be careful as it seems some individuals like former Vice President Al Gore have highjacked the myth of "going green". And, I think people are tired of politically charged green topics such as global warming. I'm at WDW to have fun not to be subjected to enviormental propaganda be it save the whales, save the planet, etc. I find it very hypocritical that a good 50% of WDW visitors are flying half way around the world, ie Europe, South America.... talk about leaving a carbon footprint! And then US citizens are shamed into believing that somehow WE are singlehandly responcible for destroying the planet. <<

You call it propaganda, I call it education.

 

Originally Posted By leobloom

>> I'm not sure how intrested the the everyday guest that visits WDW is intrested in "green" technology. Also, I think Disney needs to be careful as it seems some individuals like former Vice President Al Gore have highjacked the myth of "going green". And, I think people are tired of politically charged green topics such as global warming. I'm at WDW to have fun not to be subjected to enviormental propaganda be it save the whales, save the planet, etc. I find it very hypocritical that a good 50% of WDW visitors are flying half way around the world, ie Europe, South America.... talk about leaving a carbon footprint! And then US citizens are shamed into believing that somehow WE are singlehandly responcible for destroying the planet. <<

You call it propaganda, I call it education.

 

Originally Posted By HokieSkipper

Great post, Tom, and exactly what I was thinking on the subject.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

>>>You call it propaganda, I call it education.<<<

It's both. It shouldn't have anything to do with politics, but sadly, it does.

 

Originally Posted By ExpDave

>> Great idea, now how do they make money at it? <<

That ? of course is one reason why they never built Walt's version of EPCOT to begin with. Plus I'm not sure when the last time is that any company has built a company town to house it's workers, which is what Walt's EPCOT is (plus more for guests of course) except for the US Military. But I think that in itself is actually a green idea. I mean I wonder how far the average commute is for a DW cast member? What if many could live on property and not need a car to get to work at all?

Of course a downside of Walt's EPCOT is that it would have been very controlling of the people who both worked and lived there. Much like living on a military base. Which may be another reason they never built it.

 

Originally Posted By Manfried

I agree with Tom. And it saves the company money.
Unfortunately the whole environmental thing has become more politics and religion than reality.
When politicians talk to us about what we should do be afraid. They are opportunists. Unfortunately many people have stopped doing actual science and allowed their narrow political extreme views to rule their actions. Is global warming real or not? Unfortunately I doubt we will ever know as all the "data" is suspect.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> You call it propaganda, I call it education. <<

The thing is people want neither when they are on vacation. They expect a certain style of entertainment from Disney.

 

Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer

Edutainment!

 

Originally Posted By ExpDave

>> Is global warming real or not? Unfortunately I doubt we will ever know as all the "data" is suspect. <<

I agree on that, especially in regard to how man-made CO2 is contributing to climate change. I believe that global warming is taking our attention away from other vital environmental issues. Such as how we are living on the land, the sprawl that is not only an environmental disaster but has disconnected us in many ways and lowered our quality of life. (Which is NOT determined by having more things) Our consumerism, our waste, the huge islands of plastic trash floating in our oceans, deforestation. Our lack of viable alternatives in place to replace oil. (foreign or not) the toxic chemicals we surround ourselves with that is effecting our health and the environment. (Another reason to get rid of oil, as many are oil based) Things like that concern me far more than "global warming".

You illustrated well one of my concerns, when someone brings up "green" most people think of global warming. I think of many other issues that aren't getting so much attention.

 

Originally Posted By MPierce

>> Edutainment! <<

Hard to pull off though. People don't want to be preached to when their on a very expensive vacation. If they want to get that they can go to their local Church, Synagogue or Mosque or watch the History Channel. I think you can get away with a little of that in an attraction or 2, but it wouldn't work on a large scale. Where would the Pixie Dust, and Magic be.