Landscape Architect Articles

A Volcano Erupts in Orlando07-24-23 | Feature

A Volcano Erupts in Orlando

Volcano Bay is the Third Theme Park to Open Within the Universal Orlando Resort
by Dave Ignatew, RLA, Director of Landscape Architecture, DTJ Design

At the Universal Orlando Resort in central Florida, DTJ Design, headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, was instrumental in the creation of the resort's third theme park, Volcano Bay. It is a 30-acre, Polynesian-inspired, water theme park centered around a 200-foot-tall replica of a volcano. In addition, there are three villages, designed to be distinct from one another, plus 18 attractions, six restaurants, and various retail outlets. The park also features real sand beaches and a wave pool. Elevation changes from the wave pool up into the volcano and its rides was a unique challenge in grading and queue line access. Tropical plant buffers create separation from the different areas.

Designed to look somewhat iconic, the marquee entry sign was done in a South Pacific motif. Lighted fountains installed on the deck in front of each signpost deliver splashes of water to visitors.

The dense tropical landscape starts along the pathway to the theme park's main guest entry. The design emphasized non-invasive plant materials. Brightview was the landscape contractor. To help prevent them from slipping, the concrete surface here and throughout the park was finished with a formliner that roughened up its texture. The surface was treated with a concrete hardener and color additives.

DTJ's complete scope of work included forming the master plan, then handling concept, schematic, design development, construction documentation and on-site construction services. The landscape architecture firm worked very closely with Universal Creative Orlando and Morris Architecture, the architect of record. The cohesive site plan displays the extensive coordination and integration of all the rides, buildings and other park elements.

The rockwork was also inspired by South Pacific environments and was built by Nassal, a rockwork manufacturer that works with theme parks. The endeavor started with 3D models of all the rock, which were then transferred into a specific program at Nassal that calculated the rebar and fabric quantities. These were built into a framework that was then shot with concrete. Next, each rock was shaped to conform with the digital model design. Texture and colors were added as was the "lichen," which used a color application that is also made of concrete. This rock feature has flowing water to provide a soft water sound.

Known as the Caldera, the exposed backside of the volcano reveals the rides within surrounded by the lush landscape. The volcano's modeling was the work of Universal Creative. They collaborated with ProSlide to create 17 water thrill experiences including the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, a hydromagnetic rocket ride the uses linear induction motor (LIM) technology to propel rafts uphill at high speeds.

Thatched roofed private cabanas are tucked away in the tropical landscape for guests seeking a more secluded experience. They are built from a synthetic thatch product and basic lumber framing and siding that was then stained. The bamboo is made from painted steel with weld rings. PSI Irrigation was in charge of designing the irrigation plan. Rainbird provided the irrigation heads.

The volcano is a steel structure at its core. The lower portion of the volcano was finished with the same concrete color application as other rockwork to appear that lichens are growing on it. Water Technology Inc. (WTI) and Cloward H2O were the aquatic designers on the project. Sprayers installed along the walkways' concrete curbs wet the paths to cool them. To assist the forced perspective concept used for the volcano, the plant materials around it included more dwarfed material.

The winding Kopiko Wai River brings people through two of the villages and into the volcano to view the Stargazers Cave. All design elements within the park, including those on the river's edge, were inspired by the Pacific, Bali and Tiki cultures. Understory palms included Silver Saw Palmettos (Serenoa repens 'Cinerea') and Lady Palms (Rhapis excelsa). Groundcover plantings encompassed African Lilies (Agapanthus africanus), Monkey Grass (Liriope muscari), Asiatic Jasmine (Trachelospermum asiaticum), and Moses in the Cradle (Rhoeo spathacea).

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Universal's new Volcano Bay was envisioned to be a distinctive family-friendly attraction that combines the South Seas culture, wonderful Central Florida climate, thrilling water rides and relaxing tropical environment executed at the highest level of quality to meet the demand of the international leisure market.

The theme park makes it possible for people to experience an exotic, island escape without having to travel around the world. The park has also been successful in expanding economic benefits to the City of Orlando creating many jobs for residents while upholding the highest level of safety and security in the industry.

Volcano Bay is the third theme park to open within the Universal Orlando Resort. It consists of three different villages, 18 attractions, six restaurants, retail, real sand beaches and the 200-foot-tall "Krakatau Volcano."

To help bring the project to fruition, the landscape architecture firm DTJ Design was brought on board. The company's role consisted of developing the master plan, then working on concept, schematic, design development, construction documentation and on-site construction services. The firm collaborated closely with Universal Creative Orlando. Morris Architecture was the architect of record and very integral to the process.

Finding Inspiration
Telling the story of the mythical Waturi people who inhabit Volcano Bay was a guiding design principle. All design elements within the park are a collection of the Waturi people's travels. The Pacific, Bali and the Tiki Cultures influenced the spirit and artistic aspects of each bridge, structure, and light fixture. Even the rockwork was an expression of the unique island environment.

Dealing with Complexities
The main design challenge was to create a tropical, Polynesian themed environment with 3 dissimilar villages: the Waves Village with the volcano, the River Village and the Tropical Rainforest. Each village has distinct elements combined with non-invasive plant materials and vertical components such as bridges, fences and gates.
Defining these villages and creating an immersive experience for visitors was successful due to the highest level of aesthetic design quality resulting from a rigorous and integrated design process.

Differences in the overstory trees as well as the diverse planting mix of the understory help give each village its own feeling and experience.

Another challenge was creating the site plan to reflect the extensive coordination and integration of all the rides, buildings and other park elements in and around the Volcano. This planning effort was a great collaboration among many different entities pulling all the ideas together into a cohesive site plan.

Distinguishing the Villages
The subtle differences in the experience from one village to the next was another example of the successful collaboration needed among the teams working on
this project.

The Waves Village with its signature palms in the open beach and mixed tropical plants truly give the visitor a resort island experience. The entry into the park is part of the Waves Village, with dense foliage creating a tropical environment to welcome guests as they step foot into the park for the first time.

As the foliage begins to thin, a view of Krakatau Volcano reveals its spectacular waterfalls. The tropical beach environment with beautiful flowers and lush landscape sets the stage for the experience to follow.
The River Village is more family-focused, featuring a bright, colorful children's play area. The River Village incorporates a different mix of tropical plant material, including a mixture of deciduous canopy trees and other species of palms.

The use of bamboo on the perimeter helps screen the adjacent service road, blocking views outside of the park to ensure guests will have an immersive experience. The understory has a finer texture and bright color variations with the plant material.

The village is enhanced by bright and colorful themed geyser rockwork, colorful flowering trees and shrub material that bring vibrance and excitement that helps differentiate the River Village from the other parts of the park.

The Tropical Rainforest Village has a vibrant green and abundant rainforest feel with its signature large canopy trees and large leaf plant material mixture in the understory. Green on green is the main color palette with the plant material.

Heavy use of bamboo on the perimeter to block views to the I-4 corridor reinforces the immersion into the Rainforest environment. The character of this village is very different from the others because of the dark green colors used. Drifting mist enhances the dense rainforest experience while providing much needed shade to the guests. Green lichen themed onto the rocks adds to the character of this rich green environment.

Creating the Star Attraction
The intense modeling of the volcano done by Universal Creative and integration of all the rides, architecture, beaches, rockwork, cabanas, play areas, themed hardscape pathways and landscape elements creates a unique experience for this revolutionary water theme park.
The volcano has its own collection of rides as well as its own design approach with unique hardscape and landscape elements. Integration of the rockwork, rides, access and egress paths, as well as the careful attention required for safety inspection standards for areas adjacent to ride paths, added to the complexity of the design.

Following the overall design concept, the plant materials transition as guests enter the volcano environment. The design incorporates more dwarfed material to help with the forced perspective concept, as plants began to climb the volcano eventually transitioning into themed rockwork with lichens reaching to the sky.

Winning Results
Volcano Bay is all about the authentic Polynesian experience, and the immersion into a tropical paradise resort. The level of theming and concepting that went into the environment coupled with the amount of collaboration between all the entities involved has resulted in one of the most successful themed environments in the world.

The experience of Volcano Bay is not something that is limited to a select group of individuals or families. The importance of all people having the opportunity to experience this resort resulted in social programs making it possible for local underprovided residents, school children and Make a Wish foundation recipients to have access to the attraction.

TEAM LIST
Client: Universal Creative
Architect: Morris Architecture
Landscape Architect: DTJ DESIGN
Aqutatic Designers: WTI and Cloward H2O
Ride Designer/Manufacturer: ProSlide
Irrigation Designer: PSI Irrigation
Rockwork Designer: Nassal
Landscape Contractor: Brightview