Worldbuilding Through the Disney Theme Parks:
Worldbuilding Through the Disney Theme Parks:
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Worldbuilding through the Disney Theme Parks
Grand Opening of Shanghai Disney Resort. Matt Stroshane, Disney.
China's President Xi Jinping greets Disney CEO Bob Iger at the Great Hall of the People on May 5, 2016, in Beijing. Kim Kyung-Hoon - Pool, Getty Images.
"Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese..."
"Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese..."
- Robert Allen Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company
Throughout Professor Wasserstrom's lectures, one of the main ideas he continued to reiterate was China's pride in maintaining its "traditional" culture. As depicted in the novel, Boxers by Gene Luen Yang, many Chinese individuals were sensitive to cultural imperialism in which they believed that they needed to protect their identity and culture from outside, especially Western, influences. Being one of the largest American companies in the world, the Walt Disney Company had to face these cultural differences between the Western Disney parks and Shanghai Disney. To address these differences, Disney faced the challenge of reconstructing their brand narrative to present a stronger appeal to the people of China. An example of how this occurred is through the reimagination of classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean. As Pirates of the Caribbean carried much more nostalgia in the United States, Disney Imagineers (the theme park division of the Walt Disney Company) had to create a new story to bridge this cultural divide in which the storyline didn't require previous knowledge of the Pirates world. Focused on the idea of making it "China's Disneyland," Disney added Chinese-specific elements to the parks including murals of the twelve zodiac animals and a gold peony on top of the castle as peonies symbolized wealth and prosperity. Shanghai Disneyland is an example of how globalization can be viewed positively and how the mix of traditional ideas from different parts of the world can work together to make new worlds.
Learn More About the Disney Parks:
Learn More About the Disney Parks:
A behind the scenes look of what it takes to create and build Disney theme parks around the world.
Reflection:
Reflection:
Throughout the past two quarters of HumCore, I've realized that worldbuilding can happen practically everywhere and anywhere. From learning about fictional worldbuilding through the storytelling in the Decameron to learning about the expansive influence of Communism, it has made me realize that I need to think bigger to see how even the most unlikely things can draw a connection. While I was amazed by the topics we have learned so far, I'm definitely looking forward to next quarter, especially because HumCore is going to be learning about Disneyland. I'm sure that from this page, you'll be able to tell that I'm a total Disney nerd. Well, that's all for now but I can't wait to expand my knowledge of the world with next quarter's topics.
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