Final Creative Project

As the summer begins to wind down, presentations for our creative projects are almost underway.  At the beginning of the summer we were provided the task to complete and present a creative project based at our home, the Walt Disney World Resort.  We present our ideas to a panel of judges from Walt Disney World and the greater Orlando area horticulture industry for analysis and feedback.  Our projects were labeled as "blue sky" concepts, thus meaning that anything and everything that we could imagine could be conceptualized and presented to the panel.

Blue sky projects are some of the most difficult situations a designer can be put in.  It becomes difficult to not work within certain parameters and possibilities; options become unlimited and choices can be hard to make.  Part of my job as an intern with Disney's Horticulture was to learn and self discover possibilities. I have learned to seek out the constraints and site possibilities to venture further into the blue sky process.  Through field observations, analysis, and conversations with managers and garden specialists, I have been lead through the evolution of a creative idea to the final project I present here.

My summer project will encompass the Animal Kingdom arrival sequence guests experience as they approach the park.  The site is currently themed as an open, barren, and windswept landscape with large scale paving details that sets a contrast between the Oasis of Animal Kingdom.  Over time, modifications and additions have changed the landscape to adjust the needs of our guests.  Changes such as lighting, removal and addition of vegetation, and new guest pathways have adjusted the arrival sequence over time.

My project goals included:  A) Honor original entrance design intent-  maintain sense of openness in order to contrast Animal Kingdom’s Oasis area, B) Emphasize guest’s visual arrival sequence-  a cohesive and entertaining design that interacts with guest’s view sheds,  C) Enhance guest anticipation-  provide a seamless entry sequence into Animal Kingdom.  

I discovered inspiration for this project from the Disney animated film Pocahontas.  Inspiration was taken from the film’s concepts represented through artistic forms.  The idea of a journey, and how visitors first encounter Animal Kingdom revealed the concept of expression through individuals and the landscape.  The idea of conservation reveals what we can learn from our experience at Animal Kingdom.   And lastly the movement between experiences reveals a layer of excitement and anticipation for all guests. 

Images from "Pocahontas"

The overall "story line" is based off the American Bald Eagle.  Chosen to demonstrate a patriotic salute to our country along with representing our nations greatest conservation comeback story of all time, the American Bald Eagle is the root of the story for Animal Kingdom’s main entrance.  The bald eagle soars towards the main entrance plaza of Animal Kingdom leaving behind a continuous “jet stream” of vegetation that welcomes and visually entertains guests as they approach the park.  These “jet streams” ultimately lead to the bald eagle elegantly represented in the pavement detail near the American Flag staff situated in the main entrance plaza.   

As the design process began I created many sketches and rough drawings to conceive the abstraction of an Eagle soaring towards the front entrance.  “Jet stream” style forms were continually adjusted as the final design began to emerge. 

This progress ultimately lead to this, which is the final overall site plan for the entrance to Animal Kingdom.  In a descriptive summary; rows of low growing vegetation extend outwards from the main entrance plaza towards the parking lot welcome guests together arriving from various paths of travel.  These geometric rows of low growing vegetation change into a slight phase of trees creating a canopy that condenses guests view sheds.  This condensed space then dramatically opens to reveal the central plaza as the rows of vegetation come to an abrupt end.  The rows of vegetation are then represented as “jet stream” pavement details that lead to the bald eagle mural which is constructed of various earth materials in the pavement. 

Moving into detail from the overall site plan, this zoomed in plan shows the main entrance plaza.  Situated centrally in the main entrance plaza, the bald eagle paving will be composed of many elements “stamped” into the pavement.  Elements such as gold, silver, wood and crushed stone combine to form a unique overhead mural of our nation’s symbol.  Strips of lightly colored crushed stone will follow behind the bald eagle to form a sense of flight and movement which connects to the many waves of vegetation extending to the parking lot.  The entrance plaza will also receive the addition of multi-programmable “nooks” that can be used as: seating locations, character meet and greet locations, merchandise / food sales, and also electric / cell phone outlets for guest use.  

This aerial perspective shows the guest arrival experience while approaching Animal Kingdom.  Seen here are narrow rows of vegetation (about 4ft wide)  representing the eagle’s “jet stream” gravitating towards the main entrance.  These rows of vegetation transition into rows of trees that condense view sheds before opening once more to the main entrance plaza.

Lastly these two guest perspectives show guests arriving to Animal Kingdom and how they will encounter several entertaining views that provide unique vantage points of vegetation gravitating towards the main entrance.  A feeling of expression, movement, and adventure creates a sense of anticipation as guests move closer towards the entrance while views condense and open to reveal the main entrance plaza.

Tree Canopy Transition Zone

Vegetation "jet steam" waves

This project has been a very rewarding challenge and a great way to demonstrate what this internship has exposed me to.  I cannot wait to present this concept to the panel on Thursday and also see the creative projects of my fellow interns.  It's going to be great learning experience for all of us to receive feedback on such unique projects that are based in a very unique place such as Walt Disney World.  Looking forward to Thursday. Just 2 weeks left until its "back home again in Indiana!".