Exploring Environmentality and Sustainability: Disney Class

This is all about the class I took through Disney! It was one of the exploration series classes, aka the seminars that don't have homework. The classes that start with "exploring" are the seminar classes that usually don't count for University credit, but they're the ones to take if you're taking one for fun. The "normal" classes aka the ones that you get credit for are once a week, for four hours each week. These have homework assigned and are mostly based in the classroom. Exploration classes are two hours each once a week, and are partially taught in the parks, partially in the classroom, but have no homework. Both are eight week sessions. I took Exploring Environmentality and Sustainability, and it was absolutely AMAZING. I would recommend it in a heartbeat. Here's the rundown:

1. Class intro and info. We got to look into the history of Disney sustainability, and see how far we've come as a park. This includes literal sustainable practices, as well as movies they produced that were created to raise environmental awareness. So Bambi, Wall-E, and other Disney films that incorporate sustainability or animals with personality, which gives people a personal connection to them.
2. This week was dedicated to corporate citizenship and the DWCF. We looked at what companies practice good environmental habits, and make it known. We also look at why Disney is consistently at the top of the game for this. DWCF, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, is super cool. People can buy merchandise and food that goes towards the DWCF, and Disney matches it dollar for dollar. None of this money goes to any Disney cast member, or administration costs. Environmental groups can send in applications for funding, and Disney gives out money to support these groups in whatever they're doing for our environment. This can be rebuilding the coral reefs, or protecting the elephants in Africa. We had a speaker from DWCF come and talk to us.
3. FIELD TRIP! We went to Animal Kingdom this week. We explored Rafiki's Planet Watch, and did a scavenger hunt throughout the area. At the end we got a super awesome magical cast specific ride on the Safari. Highlight of the day for sure. 
4. This week we had the head of recycling come speak with us. He is in charge of all recycling throughout the parks, and is a remarkable man. He has a huge job, and there's just him. We learned how Magic Kingdom recycles plastic wrap, plastics, cardboard, paper products, and gift cards all separately. We also learned more about Reedy Creek (the garbage/water/recycling company we use).
5. FIELD TRIP! We went to Epcot's the Land and started off by riding the Living with the Land ride. After this we got to do the backstage tour of the Land, led by professional interns. We also got to meet their boss, who was super cool. And eat cucumbers. 
6. This was my favorite speaker of the whole class. We had the head manager of animal care from the Animal Kingdom Lodge. He spoke the whole two hours and had us all laughing the entire time. But we learned about all that goes into animal care, specifically animal training. Super fascinating. 
7. FIELD TRIP! We went to Epcot's the Seas, and this was my favorite week. We got a backstage tour of the Seas, let by a professional intern. We got to see the dolphins, and go ABOVE the 5 million gallon aquarium you can see from the Seas. SO COOL AND SO HUGE. We got to see and talk to the divers that were going to feed the stingrays, they were all so chill. I am looking into marine mammal internships because of this day alone!
8. Last day :( We had a panel of three people from across the animal care/environment team, and it was pretty much a Q & A. We had one (super attractive) animal keeper, the lady in charge of the environment education team (AKA Wilderness Explorers) and in charge of hiring her interns, and one of the current management interns that works in DAK in Rafiki's Planet Watch area. We finished up the day by talking about what to add to the class for the future, and what to get rid of. 

Overall this class was incredible. I highly recommend taking a class, and all the exploration classes have great reviews. It's an awesome way to network, and get to know the parks in a more intimate way. Also, you always know one of your days off! Unless you usually have awkwardly late hours, then you might still work after class. But I was scheduled off every single Thursday. My only piece of advice is to only take one, so you still have one day off a week to sleep in and play the WHOLE day instead of having class in the middle of both days off. But that's it :) This ended up being super long haha as per usual!