The term refers to the homogenous pattern of a globalizing force in terms of consumption, merchandising as well the labour. It is a concept that resulted from individual trying to mimic and cpy another’s success, by following the different dimensions of theming, hybrid consumption, merchandising and performative labour. Despite various negative implications and impacts, it is still highly used and implemented concept around the world due to the continual successes.

One of the more distinct evidence or crystallization of disneyization is the theme parks. Although not all theme parks are disneyfied, most of the theme parks do reflect the dimension of disneyiztion. Be it the universial studios or other, there are dimension so f disneyization in most of the theme parks in the world.

One of the most disneyfied example in Australia would be the Movie World, Gold Coast.

Warner Bros. Movie World is a popular movie related theme park on the Gold Coast in Australia. It is founded by Village Roadshow until the take over from Time Warner and is the only movie related park in Australia. It features various characters from different movies like superman and batman. Even to cartoons like road runner and tweety bird. The theme park contains various movie-themed attractions, interesting stimulators and rides. Other than that, costumed character performers also stroll around the theme park, allowing visitors to have their photographs taken with them.

This fit the dimension of theming where the theme park follows the characters and movies. Other than that, hybrid consumption is also present as it is a well rounded, all inclusive place for the people to consume its products. Furthermore, the dimension of merchandising is also valid as it using the logo of Warner bros to do its promotions and sales. And by having staff parading around the theme park fit the perfomative labour where they have to endure and display a positive and happy mood as part of the labour. Thus, it shows that that disneyization of the theme park.

Another example would be the Dream world, Gold Coast

Dreamworld is a large theme park that is situated in the Gold Coast. It is currently the largest theme park in Australia with more than 27 rides in the park. The theme park is made up of several themed areas like the Ocean Parade, Nick Central, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger Island and the Australian Wildlife Experience. Each of these lands showcases a different experience and types of rides, animal exhibits, shows, food outlets and merchandise shops. Other than that, Dreamworld is also famous for being the location of the show Australian Big Brother House.

The theme park also fits the concept of disneyization as it have the concept of theming as well. It flows characters from Nickelodeon and other like Aliens VS Predators. And other than that, the merchandising factor is also in due to the fact that it using the logo of big brother promote and advertise its campaigns. The hybrid consumption dimension is also valid in the example as there is a variety of rides, restaurants and exhibitions.

The changes that have been brought about by the growth of tourism in the country

The changes, technically, is partial brought about by the growth in tourism in the country. But having more areas and sites like the theme parks. It will set up more potential markets for tourism. By doing so, it will have a form of disneyization of the area. This might bring about changes like homogenous products and other problems. And the growth of tourism would lead to further demand of such disneyfied attractions, which makes more corporations willing to invest to meet such a growing demand.

Other than the homogenized products, it might also lead to the problems of lost in the traditional cultures and attractions into the artificial homogenized attractions. Once, the cultures and natural assets are gone, it could not be returned. If so, once the novelty of the artificial attractions are gone, there will be a lack of attractions. Thus, it will not be able to attract the more adventurous and nature-loving tourists who visits Australia for its own assets. Therefore, Australia will be facing trouble in the tourism sector.

Furthermore, it might led to the lost in vibrancy of the country. Other than that, the revenue, which could be gained though cultures and art might be lost too. Thus the impacts might be great.

Comment on whether tourism has been a culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions?

There is a chance that it might have been the culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions. It might be due to tourists’ demands and choices to visit the homogenized areas to attain their sense of familiarity outside of their own country. It creates a homogenous culture across which is detrimental for the country.

Other than that, tourism might cause the building and land to be used for tourists. As such, places like Ayer’s rock which is sacred had to be used as a tourists’ destination too. The commodified facilities and amenities sprouting around would also be due to the tourism sector. Such as the movie world, dream world, even others like sea world and adventure world appeared to engaged the market. Thus, it might be the culprit.

However, there is a possibility that it might not. This is due to that not all tourists who entered Australia for the sake of the theme parks and modernized attractions. Others who went due to the nature and other beautiful scenic sites and even those cultural tourists, might improve the condition of commodification of the cultures and traditions. As there is still demand for such cultures and traditions, be it by tourists or as collectors of so traditional items, it would urged the preservation of the such cultures and traditions. Thus, in all, it might not be the total culprit.

In conclusion, it might not be that bad as the culprit of the commodifying of cultures and traditions. It might have a hand in it but still, it might help salvage the condition as well.

References :

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/australia.html

http://www.australia.com/about/culture.aspx

http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/people_culture.html

http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/FOOD_IS_ART/places/Ausfoodarticle.html

http://www.downunderonline.com/Australia_Holiday_Events.htm

http://www.culturalsurvival.org/australia?gclid=CNPo2MXc36UCFUUa6wodLBzkzw

http://www.dfat.gov.au/facts/Indigenous_peoples.html

http://eng.hi138.com/?i104747

http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/go

http://www.dreamworld.com.au/Attractions/

http://movieworld.myfun.com.au/

http://www.tourismgoldcoast.com/theme-parks/