Date 11.02.2015
For 23 years, Disney has been organising the “ImagiNations Design Competition,” seeking concepts for a Disney attraction, resort hotel, restaurant or entirely new entertainment experience or product. This year is the fourth year the competition is held in Hong Kong and for the first time two architecture students from The Chinese University of Hong Kong School of Architecture have claimed the event’s grand prize. Diane LAM Jeun and Winnie LAM Wai Han, both Year 4 students of the Bachelor of Social Science (Architectural Studies) won from among more than 130 competing participants from universities in Hong Kong with a proposal called “Dragon Adventureland”. Third place was also received by students of the School of Architecture with the design “Jolly Roger” by Fiona YUNG Shing On, Wendy CHEUNG Hon Ting, Prisca HO Hui Ching, and John IP Kwun Lun.
The winning design concept “Dragon Adventureland” drew inspiration from the character “Mushu,” the comical guardian dragon from the animated Disney movie “Mulan”. Their project outlined a new themed area in the park based on the classic film’s Chinese cultural elements. Five separate elements of traditional Chinese theory – metal, wood, water, fire and earth – each received a place with different attractions such as a Chinese-style pavilion, a water-raft ride, a Mushu-themed roller coaster, a shadow-puppet show and an interactive treasure hunt. The design concepts were visualized through a series of design drawings, a physical scale model and a presentation. With these, the students succeeded in convincing the jury of their ambition to merge distinctly Chinese concepts with the magical world of Disney.
As part of their grand prize, the winning team was invited to on an all-expense-paid trip, hosted by Walt Disney staff, to the Walt Disney Imagineering Headquarters in Glendale, California, USA. Walt Disney Imagineering is known for bringing together the most cutting-edge technology and design expertise. Their headquarters in California are a design wonderland where all the research, design and development takes place for Disney’s theme parks. From 25 to 30 January 2015, both students took part in a series of activities there which included the sharing of experiences with the other winning team from the Disney ImagiNations Design Competition in the United States.
Upon their return from this exchange programme, the winning students are given the added opportunity to continue their creative work during an eight-week work experience at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Here they will continue to combine their imagination and creativity with a professional teams’ technological and construction experience in order to create future Disney resorts and attractions.