The Challenge
At Universal’s Epic Universe, storytelling extends underfoot. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Stardust Racers roller coaster queue. It's an elevated, high-traffic environment that calls for immersive theming, structural complexity, and extreme durability.
Designing the Stardust Racers queue presented a series of tightly constrained technical and aesthetic requirements:
Minimal build height: A mere ½-inch height differential separated the existing concrete slab from an adjacent terrazzo platform.
Elevated deck & waterproofing: The queue is above occupied spaces, requiring a continuous waterproofing solution.
Movement, vibration, and impact: The finished floor had to stand up to constant roller-coaster vibration and heavy foot traffic.
High-density penetrations: More than 600 handrail penetrations pass through the deck.
Shrinkage and dimensional stability: Building to the required thickness while maintaining dimensional stability, resisting cracking, and remaining bonded under dynamic loads.
Immersive aesthetics: The floor needed to be a visual extension of the attraction’s narrative—evoking the look of natural stone with a “not of this world” character.
