At DreamWorks Land, the colorful and imaginative new land at Universal Orlando Resort, Team Members (also known as DreamWorkers) are an important part of the atmosphere. Which is why it was crucial for our Wardrobe team to design garments that not only complement the environment but are also functional and comfortable for daily wear.
Director of Wardrobe Ken Depaul and Harold Paine, Manager of Wardrobe Design & Projects, shared five fun facts about the new looks, with DreamWorkers also weighing in.
1. There are Easter eggs that reference DreamWorks Animation.
Depaul explained that the inspiration stemmed from wanting to give these Team Members their own unique identity. “We were asking ourselves, ‘Who are the people in this land?’” Depaul said. “Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone didn’t really have a special name for their Team Members. Because we knew DreamWorks used the name ‘DreamWorkers’ for their employees, we thought that was a really good fit.”
Another detail you’ll find in the shirt’s pattern is the logo added to pay homage to DreamWorks Animation. “We’ve done it before with other wardrobe,” said Ken. “It makes it fun for the Guests and DreamWorkers to have something to talk about.
2. The garments are eco-friendly.
When looking at our DreamWorkers, imagine they’re holding nine plastic water bottles – that’s the amount of waste that’s avoided by using 100% recycled material to make their wardrobe. “If we have 1,000 shirts, and we’re saving 9 water bottles per shirt, that’s 9,000 water bottles not in a landfill,” said Depaul. “That’s a huge impact.”
3. The bright colors were selected to stand out in a crowd.
DreamWorkers’ gender non-specific button-down shirts are offered in two different color combinations that were thoughtfully designed to be noticeable to younger eyes. “Children are drawn to bright colors, whether that’s toys or cereal,” said Paine. “We thought it was a good idea to make the Team Members very identifiable to children so if they do need help, they know who to go to very easily.”
Along with the strategic color scheme, DreamWorker Jazmine Blas said the vivid look makes her feel like a kid again. “I love the color,” said Blas. “It makes me feel happy, vibrant and fun.”
4. Rain or shine, the construction of the pieces ensures our DreamWorkers stay cool.
Sun safety is always a must in The Sunshine State. With moisture-wicking UV-protective microfiber fabric and vents on the side and rear of the shirts, Team Members enjoy enhanced breathability and airflow, leading to increased cooling.
DreamWorker Mikey Rondon said this fabric is not only convenient to beat the heat but is essential when working at the splash areas in the land. “It’s really good at trapping moisture and drying easily,” said Rondon. “That’s going to come in handy since this area has a lot of wet play elements.”
5. Flexibility was a major consideration in the design process.
The team knows versatility is key when designing garments for the weather in Florida. That’s why they developed a three-in-one jacket, their new standard for outerwear. “This design allows Team Members to have the option to wear the fleece jacket and water-resistant shell together or separate, depending on the climate,” said Depaul. “It gives them much more flexibility because most of the time when it’s cold in the morning, it warms up and they don’t need a heavy jacket. Sometimes they’re working both inside where it’s cool and outside where it’s warm during the same shift. This gives them the ability to choose their level of warmth.” The jackets also have a roll-out water-resistant rain hood, which offers a quick solution to surprise rain showers.
To learn more about our company’s environmental and sustainability efforts, view our environment tab