Story

STAR WARS: GALAXY’S EDGE                                         

ROCKWORK SCOPE OF WORK

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS®

The themed rockwork at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge brings to life an otherworldly landscape that represents the mythical Planet Batuu, inspired by the Star Wars® movie franchise. Entering Batuu’s environment is breathtaking, as guests pass through a strange and unique tunnel, a portal into an undiscovered world. When guests emerge, they are immersed into a new sensory experience. The planet’s surroundings set the stage for the excitement contained within Batuu’s multiple attractions, shops, outposts, and restaurants.

The rockwork throughout Batuu is themed so that every detail helps guests become a part of this fictional universe. The creative intent behind the rocky environment of Batuu was inspired by real-world locations. The landscape of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge features 135-foot-tall spires standing amongst the rockwork that represent the petrified remains of massive trees of an ancient forest.

Scenario was honored to have been the sole rockwork vendor for theStar Wars: Galaxy’s Edge projects at both the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disneyland®Resort. The challenges of creating the massive rocky environment were embraced by a solid team that developed unique solutions for such a large rockwork effort, including the following:

·       Scenario’s technical design team was tasked with bringing WDI’sdesign of the rocky landscapes and structures of Batuu to life, from Disney’sdetailed scale model of the attraction.

·       Scenario imported the technical design criteria into its rockwork software, creating a map, which divided the landscape into individual"chips”, each of which was layered onto an engineered internal steel structure. 

·       The chips were fabricated in Scenario’s shops, using advanced CADproduction techniques, and then shipped to the project site.

·       Once on site, each chip was precisely located and welded into place, using the map as a design reference, creating the canvas of the overall landscape environment.

·       Once the chips were in place, and integrated scaffolding system was also installed, which allowed Scenario to execute the processes of applying layers of concrete, which were then sculpted and carved to match the model and required theming.

·       Under the watchful eye of the WDI art directors, the scenic paint finishes were applied, typically in 4-5 steps for each rockwork section.

·       The scaffolding planks were temporarily removed to allow a final QC check by WDI. After receiving the final art direction, the scaffolding planks were then re-installed, and final finishes were applied.

SIZE OF PROJECT

·                  13 Acre Site

·                  Over 200,000 SF of Rockwork and Curbs

·                  Included over 20 distinct Rockwork Zones

·                  183 Scenario team members

·                  Over 250,000 estimated working hours spent on this project

 CONSTRUCTION DURATION:

 •        December 2017 - August 2019

CONTRACTED SCOPE OF WORK:

•       Rockwork Design-Assist

•    Design-Assist completed at two (2) locations: Disneyland® Resort(Anaheim, CA) and The Walt Disney World® Resort (Lake Buena Vista, FL).

•       3D Rockwork Design, Coordination, and Clash Detection

•       Design Coordination for Chip Integration with Steel Erection

•       Estimating Services/Target Value Design

•       Scheduling/Logistics/Staging & Sequencing Reviews

•       Sustainability Reviews

•   Planning for Implementation of Facility Model/As-Built Drawingsusing BIM (Building Information Modeling)

•       Rockwork Fabrication/Construction/Installation

•       Engineered Chip & Tab Rockwork 

•       Field-Fabricated Rockwork

•       Shotcrete Rockwork (Mudbanks and Curbing)

•       Screen/Ultra-Lightweight Rockwork

•       Rock Modifications and Installation

•       Water Feature Integration

•       Primary and Secondary Steel Erection

•       Scaffolding Erection/Dismantling/Rollbacks

•       Integration/incorporation of design elements from other trades into the rockwork surface or supported by the secondary steel.

ADDITIONAL DATA

·       Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was a recipient of the 2019 Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement by the Themed Entertainment Association (teaconnect.org).