I’m a Disney geek. To me, one of the many benefits of living in the Charleston area is the relatively close proximity to Walt Disney World. Only a six hour drive (in the Prius!) and we’re practically in the Magic Kingdom. We try to make it down annually, if the budget allows, and we avoid the heat and crowds of the summer season by making the trip in December. Disney World during the holidays with my wife and kids is a magical experience… see, I told you I was a Disney geek.

The last few times we made the trip we stayed at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. This is a Disney owned and operated hotel which falls into their “value” category of lodging options. The place is fun, inexpensive, and clean.

During our last visit, I noticed a small sign placed in the bathroom promoting towel reuse to save water and electricity. An image of Jiminy Cricket (aka Pinocchio’s conscience) adorned the sign, urging guests to enjoy their vacation without needless wasting of resources.

This is something that conscientious travelers just do, Chad blogged about towel reuse when preparing for a trip to Vancouver and more recently. But it’s especially good to see an industry leader and mega corporation like Disney embrace and promote more sustainable practices.

Recently, the Orlando Sentinel reported that Disney has big plans to step up it’s green efforts in all Disney World hotels.

Walt Disney World has pledged to seek “green” certification of all its hotels by next Earth Day, an environmental group is reporting, but Disney officials say they have not had any conversations committing to such a date.

A green hotel is one certified as such by the Florida Green Lodging Association because the hotel’s use of non-toxic cleaners, efforts toward water and energy conservation and other environmentally-friendly factors. Disney World already is considered the state’s leader for having won such a designation for six of its hotels.

Disney hasn’t made a public announcement yet confirming the report, but they’re clearly engaged in getting greener… and that’s good news for an environmentally-concerned Disney geek like me.