5E6143 Port Pharos; The Lighthouse at Alexandria, Egypt Discover Port Pharos, an explorative and heuristic resort formed by fleets of ancient ships traversing waters surrounding a reborn Lighthouse of Alexandria, creating the floating city the harbor once was. The Lighthouse of Alexandria (also known as Pharos of Alexandria) in Egypt was once an architectural wonder, anchoring the Eastern Harbor (Al Mina’ ash Sharqiyah) of the city as a cultural hub where sailors met, traded, and gazed upon its alluring architecture. The Lighthouse was a converging point for many wayfinders who brought thousands of legends and stories from their voyages. Today, the Lighthouse and the harbor are revitalized as a brand new destination that allows Guests to learn about their history and importance by reliving the stories of the sailors who once came upon them. Port Pharos is designed to honor the history, architecture, and ecosystem around the Lighthouse of Alexandria. At this resort, Guests are transported back to ancient Alexandria where they are free to explore, relax, or play in its diverse range of offerings. The resort is designed to comply with LEED Silver standards.
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Participant #1
Media Arts & Practice/Themed Entertainment
Leader, Elevations, Concept Art & Illustration, Writing, Research
Participant #2
Art & Design/Media Arts & Technologies/Graphic Design
Poster, Concept Art, Presentation Layout, Writing, Research
Participant #3
Interior Design
Masterplan, Ship Interior Design, Design Development Drawings, Research
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Lighthouse Design, Lighthouse Section, Lighthouse Interior Design, Research Š Disney
Story behind the design
5E6143
The Lighthouse of Alexandria was constructed during the Greek-ruled Ptolemaic Era of Egypt to help safely guide travelers from near and far into port. As a result, it became a converging point for seafarers who carried myths and legends from their own cultures. Over the centuries, the Lighthouse has become a monument for the city of Alexandria, withstanding years of historical events that eventually brought it to ruins. Today, the splendor of the Lighthouse has been restored. Those who enter Port Pharos travel back in time to the golden days of the harbor, where ornate ships roam, merchants rush to trade goods, explorers set sail, and affluent patrons enjoy luxurious amenities. Every brick and beam of the Lighthouse and the vessels that surround it are imbued with years of stories waiting to be told. It is up to the Guests to uncover these stories, as they are invited to explore the nooks and crannies of the Lighthouse and docked ships, or embark on a journey on the sea. At the end of each day, all will converge upon the Lighthouse to witness and participate in the story of how the Lighthouse came to be and how significant it is to Egypt through a nighttime spectacular. User/ Guest Experience Guests of all ages at the resort can explore the rich themed environments around and within the Lighthouse, finding clues built into the architecture to learn about historical events that have taken place at the Lighthouse. Those seeking relaxation can sip on a drink and enjoy the views from the Lantern Lounge atop the Lighthouse, or unwind on the beach. Active Guests can set sail on an Explorer Felucca with a character guide up the coast to the Nile River and Suez Canal, where they will learn about the past and future of nautical technology in Egypt. International and local guests who visit for multiple days can stay inside the Lighthouse or aboard overnight Seaview Vessels. Each bedroom or suite is filled with props and artifacts that trigger mesmerizing visual effects, revealing stories of the past. As Guests depart, they will feel enlightened and entertained by the history of the Lighthouse and the impact it has continued to have on the people of Alexandria.
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Welcome
Example 1 — Main Gate
1200s
400 A.D.
200 B.C.
Port Pharos is located at the center of Alexandria’s Al Mina’ ash Sharqiyah, or Eastern Harbor. Tourists will travel from around the world to experience it. Just as importantly, locals will take pride in this shining monument, embracing it as the heart of their city and culture.
Guests approaching the resort’s porte cochere will drive along a peninsula and under a series of arches that gradually change, bringing them back to 200 B.C. Example 1 — Main Gate: Urban 1800s Alexandrian styles with influence from Eastern European Victorian ironworks. The main gate is designed to face and blend in with the architecture of the city. The sail contrasts the structure, signifying a ceremonial arrival. Example 2: 1200s, featuring Mediterranean-influenced cauldrons Example 3: 400 A.D., period limestone with theme-painted moss Example 4: 200 B.C., masonry with theme-painted moss
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Main Gate
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Porte Cochere
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Underground Parking Entry
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Underground Parking Exit
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The Lighthouse
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Explorer Feluccas Dock 1
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Campfire
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Retail Location
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Seaview Vessels Dock 1
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Exploration Caves
12 Oarsman’s Oasis 13 Seaview Vessels Dock 2 14 Concessions 15 Labyrinth
The master plan is inspired by the shape of papyrus, a culturally important plant which the ancient Egyptians turned into the first forms of paper.
16 Explorer Feluccas Dock 2 17 Sea Debris Cleaning Ship
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THE LIGHTHOUSE The Lighthouse is the shining, grand centerpiece of Port Pharos.
Guests will never forget the view they can enjoy from the Lantern Lounge, an upscale restaurant and bar located at the very top of the Lighthouse. The lounge carries elements of Greek architecture and Alexandrian interior design. This space is perfect for Guests seeking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The lantern that illuminates the Lighthouse and acts as the centerpiece of the Lantern Lounge includes a flame and a revolving mirror — an intricate system for the time period. The outdoor balcony allows Guests to observe starry nights, as some believe that the Lighthouse once functioned as an observatory for astronomers.
450 ft
The Lighthouse consists of 608 guest rooms, a parking garage, 4 floors designated for exhibits, 2 ballrooms, an elevated restaurant/bar/ lounge (Lantern Lounge), and a space designated for touring the torch mechanism of the Lighthouse.
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Oarsman’s Oasis
Guests can sign up for the Explorer’s Hunt scavenger hunt and embark on exciting adventures. This activity sends Guests below deck to discover clues and objects relating to ancient myths. Those who make it to the end may discover a portal to the realm of the Egyptian gods!
The Oarsman’s Oasis takes the amenities and activities guests come to expect from an upscale resort and heightens them. Above deck activities, such as a pool and activity zone, take advantage of the natural sunlight and temperate climate of Alexandria. Below deck, Guests can enjoy an undersea spa, dining, and other activities.
The Explorer’s Hunt features effects such as fluorescent UV blacklight paint to reveal hidden messages, IR break-beam sensors to trigger actions and effects as guests walk through the hunt, faux fire for realistic yet safe flames, and more.
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Seaview Vessels All ships are wheelchair accessible via ramps.
The Seaview Vessels offer an upscale hotel experience on the ocean. Taking cues from Greek architecture and maritime construction, these rooms offer large portholes for unique views of the bay. There are a total of 400 rooms across 14 ships. There is always something new to uncover because each room is meticulously decorated with many treasures that the ship’s captain has gathered along his journey to the Lighthouse.
Throughout their visit to Port Pharos, Guests are encouraged to interact with their surroundings — even in their hotel rooms. The curious will find that engaging with props could trigger special lighting, audio, or motion effects. They may even find a special keepsake delivered to their door in the morning to reward their adventurous spirit.
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Explorer Feluccas Feluccas are small Egyptian ships traditionally used to travel along coasts. Guests hoping to get a scenic and educational tour of Egypt will enjoy setting sail on the resort’s Explorer Feluccas, which take Guests on story-driven journeys around the city of Alexandria and beyond.
Each felucca is unique, both in appearance and in overall experience. One of the main factors that contributes to this is the use of live performers. A guide from ancient Alexandria leads and engages with the group, and each guide has his or her own unique personality and backstory. With tour sizes of around 20 Guests, the experience will be intimate and unforgettable.
Port Pharos strives to help revitalize the ocean’s ecosystem by using eco-friendly ships that feature a trash wheel system to collect floating debris along the route of the feluccas.
Explorer Feluccas will take Guests to the Nile River and Suez Canal, where they will see and learn about the nautical technology and culture the original Lighthouse of Alexandria has inspired. © Disney
Phos
All lanterns are made with Sodium Carboxyl Methyl Cellulose paper, which dissolves immediately in water.
No matter how the guests of Port Pharos spend their day, all will be encouraged to come together at sundown to enjoy Phos. Phos, which means “light” in Greek, is a nighttime show that utilizes projections on the Lighthouse and on the sails of ships, as well as pyrotechnics, water fountains, and drones. Guests will be able to watch the show from the deck of any of the larger vessels surrounding the Lighthouse. The Legend of Light According to Egyptian mythologies, each morning, Ra, the sun god, traveled on a sun boat across the heavens, bringing light to the people throughout the day. At night, he passed through the underworld in order to return the light to the opposite end of the earth, where he repeated the cycle again the next day. History of the Lighthouse Projections mixed with live performers that scale the building, dramatic music, and sound effects show how the Lighthouse was constructed.
The Lighthouse brings us all together Guests are invited to participate in the show by lighting and releasing lanterns into the sky. This activity pays tribute to the ancient Festival of Neith, in which countless lamps and lanterns were lit in order to bring earth into harmony with the realm of the gods.
© Disney