When you’re soaking up the magic at Disney Parks, there’s a good chance the sunshine is working some magic of its own.
From thrilling attractions to Disney Resort hotels, solar energy plays a bigger role than you might think. In the spirit of Earth Month and Disney Planet Possible, we’re taking a closer look at how renewable energy is helping power the magic at Disney Parks around the world.
Powering the Magic at Disney Parks and Beyond
Walt Disney World
At Walt Disney World in Florida, on a sunny day in spring or summer, together four solar projects now can produce up to 100% of the daytime power needs of the entire resort – spread across four theme parks, two water parks, dozens of hotels, and more.
The newest solar facility, a 74,500-kilowatt, 484-acre site in Levy County, Florida, is now supplying clean electricity to Walt Disney World. Built and operated by Bronson Solar in collaboration with Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, this site helps diversify energy sources across multiple locations, so the magic doesn’t rely on sunshine from just one place.
This new facility joins Walt Disney World’s fan-favorite “Hidden Mickey” solar array, a 5,000-kilowatt installation shaped like Mickey Mouse near EPCOT, along with other large solar projects across Florida. Together, these installations show how Disney has steadily grown its use of solar energy over time, turning Florida sunshine into clean power that supports resort operations every day.
Solar Energy Adds Up to Some Pretty Magical Numbers
So, what does all that solar energy really mean at Walt Disney World? Let’s break it down:
Here’s what that approximate level of solar energy adds up to over the course of an average year:
- Reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 140,000 metric tons
- Removing nearly 33,000 gasoline-powered cars from the road each year
- Powering 19,000 homes’ energy use for one year
- Charging 15 billion smartphones
- Growing 2 million tree seedlings for 10 years
- Recycling the equivalent of 7,000 garbage trucks of waste instead of landfilling
- Powering the monorail for 34 years
Equivalencies calculated using the U.S. EPA greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator.
Disneyland Resort
At Disneyland Resort, renewable energy and electrification initiatives are helping reduce operational emissions across the resort. Circle D Ranch, home to the resort’s horses and the first zero waste certified facility at The Walt Disney Company, is now powered by renewable electricity thanks to a new onsite solar and battery storage system.
The resort is also expanding clean transportation infrastructure with a new EV charging depot featuring 20 Level 2 chargers and a DC fast charger to support the transition to zeroemission vehicles. Today, one in six operational fleet vehicles at Disneyland Resort is electric, helping avoid approximately 50,000 gallons of gasoline each year.
In addition, through participation in the Anaheim Public Utilities Green Power Program, the resort now sources 60% of its electricity from renewable energy resources. And over at Disney California Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers is powered by 1,400 solar panels, bringing clean energy to a fan-favorite attraction.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort recently completed phase two of Hong Kong’s first and largest solar car park canopy, located in a backstage cast member parking area. The project spans 80 parking spaces and features nearly 400 bifacial solar panels, a first for the resort.
By capturing sunlight from both above and below, these panels increase energy generation by nearly 10%, producing more than 200,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year while providing shaded parking for cast members.
Shanghai Disney Resort
As of late 2025, all applicable backstage rooftops and facades across Shanghai Disney Resort have installed solar panels. Together, these installations have generated approximately 5.2 GWh of green electricity, which is equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by more than 2,500 metric tons — supporting more sustainable day-to-day operations.
Tokyo Disney Resort
Tokyo Disney Resort has installed solar panels at 10 rooftop locations, with total capacity exceeding 1,500 kW, and will continue to expand its solar power generation through planned annual installations.
Disneyland Paris
In 2024, Disneyland Paris reached a major milestone with the completion of Europe’s largest solar canopy plant. Built through a multiyear collaboration with Urbasolar Group, the solar canopies now cover more than 11,200 guest parking spaces and feature over 80,000 panels across 20 hectares.
Since becoming fully operational in December 2023, the plant produces 36 GWh of electricity each year — equivalent to the energy use of a town of more than 17,400 people — while helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Val d’Europe region by approximately 890 metric tons of CO₂ annually.
Disney Cruise Line – Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Disney Cruise Line has long been committed to protecting the natural beauty of The Bahamas, including prioritizing reducing emissions at its island destinations. On-site solar panel arrays at both Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point help generate power for these destinations.
From all of us here at Disney, thanks for being part of a future powered by imagination, innovation, and a little extra sunshine. This Earth Month, we’re celebrating the Disney Conservation Fund’s 30th anniversary by spotlighting 30 of Disney’s biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability stories. Follow our countdown to Earth Day at TheWaltDisneyCompany.com/Disney-Planet-Possible.
