James’ Giant Peach Adventure!

a dark ride based on Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach”

used with permission

Individual Entry: Andrew Holcroft (Recent Industrial Design Graduate, Walt Disney Imagineering Intern)
Project Context: University of Cincinnati, DAAPworks Capstone Project
Website: www.andrewholcroft.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-holcroft/
Email: andrewholcroft2@gmail.com

Introduction

As my capstone coursework began in June 2022, I knew I wanted to create a project that allowed me to demonstrate the skills I’ve learned in class and during five different co-op experiences, while showcasing my love and desire for the themed entertainment industry. After a semester of research and development, a semester of conceptual work, and a final critique presentation, this is the result. If I have the opportunity to change the world by allowing everyday people to forget about the real world for just a moment and get lost in an experience, I feel I’ve done my job as a designer. I hope this capstone project, “James’ Giant Peach Adventure!,” does just that.

If you find yourself yearning for a deeper look at the project or would like to see my other work, you can find it on my website, www.andrewholcroft.com.

Acknowledgments & Important Notices

This project is not endorsed by, approved by, or supported by Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Creative, their parent company, NBCUniversal, or any other affiliated entity.

While I have received permission for this project to use the story content of Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach,” the rights still belong to Roald Dahl’s copyright team, David Higham Associates. Permission notices can be found further below on this page.

The ride vehicle chassis is based on a product owned by Oceaneering, but the cabin has been designed by me using its required base dimensions.

Roald Dahl’s “James and the Giant Peach” has been the center of recent controversy, which sparked after I had chosen this story for the project. In reflection and in standard with society today, I hope to make this experience as inclusive and supportive as possible, while also staying true to the story.

This process began with a semester of research, including primary and secondary research — reading books, releasing surveys, and conducting interviews with professionals.

After research, a problem was clearly identified. “Fast and Furious: Supercharged” needs to go.

From there, the solution had been established, and it was off to the races… once I had received permission to use the story.

Like every project, it started off with a compilation of reference images and inspiration, and from there, the story developed.

Once the story was documented and established, the formal design process could begin. Many of these pieces come from my show set package for the project.

To take advantage of the large plot of land and tall facades, the ride is two stories tall, using an elevator system to transport vehicles from one floor to the other throughout the ride.

To blend both “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley” and the “New York City” area, this facade transforms from one to the other, also following the story of “James and The Giant Peach,” from a coastal fishing village to the heights of New York City.

Once through the queue, guests will board their own giant peach, joining James for their very own transcontinental adventure!

As required, with the timing sequence of the ride, and using the loading technology provided by Oceaneering, this attraction can withhold an actual hourly capacity of over 2000 guests, proving to be a higher capacity than the existing attraction.

Guests will be fully immersed in the story of “James and the Giant Peach” from the moment they walk through the front door of the Trotter Family Home.