Ratio's of the reverse perspective buildings in epcot center

[bunyhop]

Forced Perspective is the name of the building process used throught disney parks on their buildings. It makes the buildings appear to be 3 stories tall when in fact they are only 2 story.

 

There are 3 percentage ratios that are used.

Most parks use 1 of the 3... but... epcot uses 4.

 

The forth at epcot is called Reversed Forced Perspective.

 

So this is a 3 part question

 

The first part:

 

Does someone know all 3 Forced perspective ratios used by floors? For example:

 

1st Floor 100%

2nd floor 75%

3rd Floor 30% or

 

100:75:30

 

 

The second part:

 

Can you name the 4th Reversed Forced perspective ratio by floors? For example:

 

1st Floor 100%

2nd floor 150%

3rd Floor 250% or

 

100:150:250

 

And where & why it is used in Epcot?

 

I know one of the buildings in the World Showcase, but which one?

 

 

The 3rd part.

 

I mentioned there are 3 Forced perspective ratios used in Epcot. And only 1 used in the other parks. Where in epcot are the other 2 used (be specific)?

 

I hope some one knows this and can help my grandson is doing a project and I told him I would Help the best way I could and we aren't going there until June! Thanks

[arrowfanman]

As for your first question, this is what I could find from John Hench, Imangineering guru...

 

One famous instance of forced perspective at Disneyland is the building facades on Main Street, U.S.A. In order to make the site seem larger than it is, the first-floor facades were built at about ninety percent of full size, with the second floors at eighty percent, and the third floor still slightly smaller.

 

So it sounds like 90%, 80%, and something smaller than 80% (but not quite as small as 70%). Interesting that the bottom floor is 90% rather than 100%. Perhaps this is necessary to pull of the effect?

 

 

 

 

As for your second question, I dont know what the ratio is, but I do know that they are trying to make a 3 1/2 story building look 2 stories tall. The building is American Adventure, and it is built with reverse perspective to make it appear closer to the entrance to the lagoon.

 

 

You see, all of the other pavilions are designed with forced perspective to look 3 miles away (even though the lagoon is only 1/2 a mile across). American Adventure, however, is designed to appear closer than the other pavilions. That is why they have reversed the technique.

 

Here's a quote from my source, some architecture essay...

 

From here, the American Adventure is the next stop, incorporating, to my knowledge, the only use of reverse forced perspective in WDW. Although it is two acres larger then the other pavilions, it is designed to look smaller. The three and a half story buildings are designed to look just two stories tall. This causes the buildings to appear small but the first level to appear monumental, a result that was undoubtedly not lost on the imagineers. Here Patriotism is expressed in grandeur, both of size and scale. American Adventure is the center piece of World Showcase and thus must stand out. It is interesting that this is achieved through the reversing of techniques used on the other pavilions. Still, the seamless view collapses at American Adventure and is evident in the smaller number of people milling around the buildings. The sense of space is not nearly as effective as in the rest of the Showcase and itis reflected in the streetlife. This reverse forced perspective also makes the American Adventure appear closer to the entrance to World Showcase, a requirement dictated mostly by the original plans which called for placing American Adventure at the entrance to World Showcase Lagoon.

 

Link to a catche of the essay by Google.

 

 

 

As for your third question, I'm not entirely sure.

 

According to that essay, there is a technique they used in the Canada section, in which a 3 story building is designed to look 9 stories. You might want to look into it...its just missing the ratios themselves.

 

 

I hope I was able to help in some way!

 

-Jahan

[bunyhop]

That does help but would it not make since that on the reverse it would be just the opposite on the ratio's? and where did you find this info as I have searched everywhere did you get it in a book? Thank you very much for all your help and my grandson thanks you too!

[arrowfanman]

The excerpt from John Hench is from his book, Desigining Disney.

 

And everything else is either off the top of my head, or from the article I posted.

 

 

Sorry I couldnt be of more help!

 

-Jahan

[bunyhop]

Jahan You are wonderful and the information you gave me was great I truly appreciate you taking the time in helping us!! I need to get that book I bet it is just full of wonderful facts!