Page 12 - The Disneyization of Society

DISNEYIZATION

Box 1.1 The Disney theme parks
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Since some readers may not be familiar with the parks, this box contains a listing of
all the major Disney theme parks. The parks are organized nowadays as ‘resorts’, so
that Walt Disney World in Orlando, for example, is not a theme park as such but a
resort that contains theme parks, as well as many other Disney venues: three water
parks, a nightclub area (Pleasure Island), many hotels, restaurants and shops other
than those in the parks, and so on. Consequently, the listing that follows is
organized by resort and then by year of opening.

Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
Magic Kingdom (opened 1955) The original theme park was organized into lands,
the main ones being: Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland.
Main Street USA is the artery that leads the visitor inexorably towards the lands. As
with all Disney theme parks, a land provides the background narrative to the
attractions within it.
California Adventure (opened 2001) Divided into lands, themed in terms of
California, such as: Pacific Wharf, Bountiful Valley Farm, Condor Flats, and
Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida

Magic Kingdom (opened 1971) More or less identical to the Magic Kingdom in
Disneyland (see above).
Epcot Center (opened 1982) This theme park has changed its name slightly on a
number of occasions and is now just called Epcot, which stands for Experimental
Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It has two main areas: Future World, containing
pavilions dedicated to aspects of science and nature and World Showcase,
containing representations of a variety of nations.
Disney-MGM Studios (opened 1989) Divided into lands, themed in terms of the
movies and Hollywood, including Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood Boulevard, Studio
Courtyard, and the Backlot.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom (opened 1998) Divided into lands, themed in terms of
animals and their locations, both past and present, including: Africa, Asia, Safari
Village, Oasis, and Dinoland, USA.

Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan
Tokyo Disneyland (opened in 1983) More or less identical to the Magic Kingdom in
Disneyland (see above), but Frontierland is called Westernland and Main Street USA
is called World Bazaar.