Spot the “Disney” in the modern society of the city or country of your choice of study, today & analyse the changes that have been brought about by the growth of tourism in the country

Disney Spotted!!!

Hello Kitty restaurant located in Taiwan-Taipei

Hello Kitty is a themed restaurant that is very well-known in Taipei with high sales turnover. Theming represents the most obvious dimension of Disneyization. For this case, the restaurant is themed with Hello Kitty. To add on Disneyization, Walt Disney and his successors, theming was a mechanism to achieve its goal of appealing to adults as much as children and of distinguishing Disneyland from amusement parks. (Bryman, 1999)

 The uniqueness of the restaurant is that it is decorated in “Hello Kitty pink”, even the waitresses and food are themed too. The restaurant is down to every detail to give the guest a whole experience of dining in the Hello Kitty restaurant. The concept of this restaurant comes from Sanrio (Japan).  As mentioned, the waitresses also have a particular uniform that they have to wear to bring out the theme of ‘Hello Kitty’. In relation to Disneyization, there are forms of Disney that has been spotted. The staff’s uniform of Disneyland are also dressed according to the themes, for example, if the staff is in charge of operating the rides of Snow white, they will dressed accordingly in relation to snow white. Another thing that I have spotted that is similar is that majority of the guests are tourists hat specially came for to the themed cafe in Taipei. To experience dining in a ‘Hello Kitty House’. I believe this is also the reason why Tourist also specially go to Disneyland to experience the fairytales, meeting the Disney characters.

However, I feel that the increase in Disneyization can be an advantage and also a disadvantage. The advantages are, it increases the tourism receipts in the tourism industry and thus boost the economy. This brings about the growth of tourism, Tourist that has come has different culture and tradition, in the long run, as tourism starts to grow, more of the local culture and tradition might erode to to the rapid tourism demands. However, I feel that Disneyization has also caused one to lose its originality of itself. Though boosting economy and increase tourism receipts what the country is looking for, I feel that in the long run, the country will lose its tradition, culture and there will more of Disneyization in the country.

Taipei 101

Taipei 101 comprises 101 floors above ground and 5 floors underground. The name of the tower reflects its floor count. The building is a symbol of the evolution of technology and Asian tradition. Taipei 101 is an icon in Taiwan which is located at the Capital of Taiwan. This reflects Disneyization as a form of symbol. In Disneyland, Mickey mouse is the symbol of Disneyland, it can be spotted anywhere in Disneyland for example, the toilet, the monorail. 

As for Taipei 101, the symbol is the building of Taipei 101; souvenirs sold are also the building of Taipei 101. The Souvenirs includes key chain, T-shirt and also books. The Disney Theme Parks have two points of significance in relation to merchandising as a component of Disneyization. Firstly is the selling of merchandise from pen to clothing etc. (Bryman, 1999)

To date, many tourists have come forth for the observatory at the highest floor 101. I feel that it is good the country has its own uniqueness in their building. However, I feel that in the long run, Taipei 101 has become an income revenue generator and lost is purpose of building it. It became o revenue driven that it forgets the originality and purpose. Thus, becoming in a way what the tourist demands, needs and wants. Thus Tourism has an influence as once it receives good response and too profit driven, it starts to forget the origin of it. Another Disneyization spotted is the service provider that welcomes the tourists at the entrance. They are also dressed in uniforms which represents Taipei 101. This is a form of identification.

Tribes Uniform

Every tribe has its own uniqueness in terms of the clothes they wear. These clothes differentiate them from the other tribes. As mentioned, Disney also has different uniform to differentiate the staff from the machine or department they are in charge of. Thus, tourist living in the urban and modernize world are very fascinated by the clothing they wore, coming forth to know more about their culture and tradition.

However, I feel that although Tourism has brought about changes in the country, in the long run, the tribes might be affected by it. Tourist that have come forth to visit are curious about the tribes. And the clothes that he tribe wore are even manufactured to be sold to the tourists. Not only you can see these manufactures clothe sold where the tribe live but also the outside market such as the night market.

Tribe’s celebration and festivals-parade 

Tribal practices and customs include celebrations and ceremonies. This are held every year depending on the tribe’s tradition. Disneyization is spotted whereby it is the same as the parades that is held in Disney as a form of ‘celebration’ too. They are dressed in their clothing and dance, celebrate and sing on the joyous occasion. This has also attracted the tourists to come and visit to experience it.

However, I feel that in the long run, tribe will start to feel that they are performing a show instead of the tradition and practice where they usually do down from their heart. As a result, the tribe might lose the practice and tradition as they are ‘tired’ of showing it to the tourists that has come to watch them. However an increase in tourism is good, but it might erode the culture and tradition that the tribe in Taiwan us to have.

Tourism , culprit in commodifying cultures and traditions or not?

I feel that tourism is the culprit of commodifying culture and tradtion. To date, many Disneyization has been spotted in Taiwan and this is due to the increase in tourism. In order to increase economy and tourism receipts, many of the places are commodifed to the demands of the tourist. This means that some of the culture and tradition of a place has been eroded due the building of new tourist spot. However, i feel that Tourism shouldn’t be the main culprit of  commodifying culture and tradtion, without the government support, all these would not made happen, thus I feel that the government should play a part in conserving culture and tradition before the whole of Taiwan is disneyfied.