The Science of Disney Imagineering

Energy: What scientific principle is at work in every theme park ride the Imagineers create? It's Energy. The Imagineers reveal the role energy plays in popular theme park attractions such as Epcot's Test Track and the Mad Tea Party. Students will learn that energy is the ability to do work and that energy is constantly being transferred from one thing to another. They will also identify the difference between potential and kinetic energy and be able to establish examples and benefits of renewable energy.

Design and Models: How did the Imagineers create a realistic looking snow-capped mountain in Florida for Animal Kingdom's Expedition Everest? They started with a design process and models. Using real theme park rides and attractions, like Radiator Springs Racers and Toy Story Midway Mania, students will see how design and models are used to put things together and make them function. They will learn the steps of the engineering design process as well as how both physical and computer aided design models are useful.

Friction: Do Walt Disney Imagineers encounter resistance in their work? Of course they do... when it comes to friction! Here the Imagineers showcase how different types of friction- static, kinetic, and rolling - come into play when they're designing Disney's theme park rides and attractions. From rollercoaster wheels for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to the shape of a Disney Cruise Line ship's hull, the Imagineers can use tribology (the study of friction) to find ways to reduce drag. Students will learn the different types of friction as well as the roles that gravity and Newton's First Law play.

Levers and Pulleys: How do the Imagineers make elephants fly? Actually, it's simple... simple machines, that is! Here, the Imagineers give a new look at how levers and pulleys were utilized to create attractions such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Soarin' Over California. Students will see how levers and pulleys make work easier by either multiplying or redirecting the effort we put into them. They will identify the two forces involved in using a machine and learn to calculate mechanical advantage, given effort and resistance.

Magnestism: Which attractive force propels the launch of Rock n' Rollercoaster® at Disney's Hollywood Studios? Magnetism! In this DVD, the Walt Disney Imagineers demonstrate how they use magnets of all types throughout Disney's theme parks. From magnetic connectors that direct guests through attractions like The Seas with Nemo and Friends to playing back sound through audio speakers in Pirates of the Caribbean, Imagineers employ the forces of magnetism in a variety of ways. Students will learn about the attraction and repulsion of opposite poles, magnetic fields and domains, and electromagnets.

Animal Adaptations--Communication: Not all of the science that the Walt Disney Imagineers do goes into the creation of wild rides. When designing Disney's Animal Kingdom and each animal's habitat, they had to take into consideration each animal's unique adaptations. Join Imagineer, Asa Kalama, as he meets the animal experts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom to take a look at some animal adaptations in action. Students will discover the two primary types of adaptations – behavioral and physical – that help animals survive, and they'll get to see, and listen to, a variety of animal communication types. Now, that's wild!

Newton's 3 Laws of Motion: Newton’s Three Laws of Motion are at work in virtually every Disney theme park ride and attraction. The Walt Disney Imagineers demonstrate how they use Newton’s Three Laws to create some of the most exciting ride experiences possible. From the thrilling rockets of California Adventure's Golden Zephyr to the wild twists of California Screamin', students will learn to define acceleration, friction and motion. Best of all, they'll be able to see first-hand the relationship between the motion of objects and the forces that act on them.

Trajectory: What scientific principle keeps coming up...and up...when designing Disney's theme park attractions? Trajectory! The Imagineers demonstrate how forces and motion play a leading role in creating rides like California Adventure's California Screamin' and Toy Story Midway Mania. Students will learn the definitions of projectile and trajectory, see how Newton's First Law of Motion relates to these principles, and how to apply the physics of motion to predict and control the trajectory of a projectile.

Fluids: What bit of science do the Imagineers turn to when they want to make a splash? Fluids! In this DVD, the Imagineers demonstrate how they use fluids to their advantage in constructing rides and attractions like Grizzly River Run and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Students will learn that a fluid is any substance that flows or moves easily due to its molecular make-up. They will also discover how fluid dynamics help us learn how fluids move and behave and also how fluids can be used to create mechanical advantage.

Gravity: What is the force that puts the thrill in thrill rides? Gravity, of course! One of the biggest challenges for Imagineers in designing theme park attractions, like Disney's Rockin' Roller Coaster and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, is figuring out the best way to work with-and sometimes against-gravity's constant 1G force. Students learn to define gravity and explain the relationship between gravity, mass, and distance. Best of all, they will be able to apply an understanding of forces to explain the feeling of weightlessness on a rollercoaster ride. Cool!

Electricity: What powers some of the brightest attractions at Disney's theme parks? Electricity! From lighting the half million bulbs in Magic Kingdom's Spectromagic parade to transmitting electricity through water for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Disney Imagineers show students how electricity brings some of their favorite rides to life. Students will learn the definitions of source, load, conductor, watts, as well as static electricity and its connection to lightning rods aboard the Disney Magic cruise ship.