Collaboration Creates Magic on Award-Winning Project at Epcot

Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind rollercoaster at Epcot® is the first reverse-launch coaster created by Disney and one of the largest fully enclosed coasters in the world. Constructing the thrill ride required a level of collaboration and planning that went above and beyond the norm.

Baker Concrete Construction was selected by Barton Malow to deliver the concrete scope of work. The project presented challenges on multiple fronts, not least of which was working within a busy theme park. In addition, more than half the project was located within an existing building — requiring a high degree of accuracy and precision for concrete placement.

Notably, the scope of work included a 75,000-square-foot mat slab, consisting of 9,000 cubic yards of concrete. To complete the multi-hour continuous concrete pour, Baker relied on eight concrete batch plants, nine concrete pumps, and more than 500 co-workers. This required the team to plan and execute detailed coordination plans, ensuring that the pour was executed safely, efficiently, and per the contracted schedule.

The team also used 3D scanning to locate and coordinate all the roller coaster anchor bolt points. Creating precise models of the bolts and their surrounding structures helped ensure that the bolts fit securely and accurately in the intended location, minimizing the chance of misalignment or an incorrect bolt location. Completing this work prior to the start of construction saved both time and resources.

The project’s success was built on a foundation of collaboration between trade partners. Prioritizing safety, schedule, quality, and productivity enabled Baker to complete its scope of work in alignment with the client and other subcontractors. The project earned Baker an Excellence in Construction Award and was a nominee for Project of the Year from the Central Florida chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.