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The Disneyization of Society
"Alan Bryman has expanded on his internationally well-known work on Disney theme parks and Disneyization to create a fascinating and highly readable book. It should prove of interest to beginning students in a number of different courses and fields, as well as to scholars interested in culture and consumption. There is no question that the model created by Disney, and emulated in whole or in part by many organizations and in many settings, will continue to influence social structure and culture well into the future. This is an important book about a significant social process. And, it manages to be a fun read, as well!"
― George Ritzer, author of McDonaldization, University of Maryland
This is an agenda-setting new work in the sociology of culture and modern society. It argues that the contemporary world is increasingly converging towards the characteristics of the Disney theme parks. This process of convergence is revealed the growing influence of themed environments in settings like restaurants, shops, hotels, tourism and zoos; the growing trend towards social environments that are driven by combinations of forms of shopping, eating out, gambling, visiting the cinema, watching sports; the growth in cachet awarded to brands based on licensed merchandise; and the increased prominence of work that is a performance in which the employees have to display certain emotions and generally convey impressions as though working in a theatrical event. This insightful book demonstrates the importance of control and surveillance in consumer culture. Of interest to a wide variety of students studying in business, sociology, cultural studies, media studies and leisure studies courses this will also be of interest to anybody interested in understanding the intricacies of modern society.
Praise for this "It is clear that the author knows his field and social theory very well." ―EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION "Keywords are politainment, edutainment, sportainment, evangelitainment, digitainment, branded entertainment, militainment, and so on! It is in this context that the book of Alan Bryman is to be read. It is part of an overall analysis of contemporary global phenomena and a useful, intelligent, informative contribution tot he study of modern society and its future development."
― COMMUNICATION RESEARCH TRENDS
"Bryman′s analysis of contemporay consumption is full of detail and provides a host of examples ranging from restaurants and hotels, to theme parks, zoos and sports stadia. Without doubt students will find it an accessible text, one that should allow them to think about consumption, familiar consumer products, settings and activities, sociologically′."
― Barry Smart , University of Portsmouth, U.K. "Bryman′s dissection of Disneyization is a timely and significant contribution to the growing literature on Disney. In fact, his excellent analysis of the extension of Disneyization throughout society explains why we should care about the Disney phenomenon at all. This is not only an important book for Disney scholars, but for any one interested in the future of modern society."
― Janet Wasko, University of Oregon
― George Ritzer, author of McDonaldization, University of Maryland
This is an agenda-setting new work in the sociology of culture and modern society. It argues that the contemporary world is increasingly converging towards the characteristics of the Disney theme parks. This process of convergence is revealed the growing influence of themed environments in settings like restaurants, shops, hotels, tourism and zoos; the growing trend towards social environments that are driven by combinations of forms of shopping, eating out, gambling, visiting the cinema, watching sports; the growth in cachet awarded to brands based on licensed merchandise; and the increased prominence of work that is a performance in which the employees have to display certain emotions and generally convey impressions as though working in a theatrical event. This insightful book demonstrates the importance of control and surveillance in consumer culture. Of interest to a wide variety of students studying in business, sociology, cultural studies, media studies and leisure studies courses this will also be of interest to anybody interested in understanding the intricacies of modern society.
Praise for this "It is clear that the author knows his field and social theory very well." ―EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION "Keywords are politainment, edutainment, sportainment, evangelitainment, digitainment, branded entertainment, militainment, and so on! It is in this context that the book of Alan Bryman is to be read. It is part of an overall analysis of contemporary global phenomena and a useful, intelligent, informative contribution tot he study of modern society and its future development."
― COMMUNICATION RESEARCH TRENDS
"Bryman′s analysis of contemporay consumption is full of detail and provides a host of examples ranging from restaurants and hotels, to theme parks, zoos and sports stadia. Without doubt students will find it an accessible text, one that should allow them to think about consumption, familiar consumer products, settings and activities, sociologically′."
― Barry Smart , University of Portsmouth, U.K. "Bryman′s dissection of Disneyization is a timely and significant contribution to the growing literature on Disney. In fact, his excellent analysis of the extension of Disneyization throughout society explains why we should care about the Disney phenomenon at all. This is not only an important book for Disney scholars, but for any one interested in the future of modern society."
― Janet Wasko, University of Oregon
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 27, 2020
An extremely interesting study of Disney's globalizing impact.
This can be best appreciated in restaurants (theming & performative labor), shopping malls (theming & hybrid consumption), universities (merchandising, hybrid consumption, and theming), and entire cities as well (Celebration, FL).
So...
What this book is:
– a superbly researched, balanced account of the ways in which the guiding principles of Disney theme parks are influencing and molding spheres of consumer culture beyond their immediate industry. These include:
1. Theming: infusing mundane experiences with exotic narratives (jungle, Victorian, Arabian, space, wild west, etc...) in order to differentiate their otherwise unexciting offerings from those of similar competitors. Moreover, through its use of symbols, theming adds meaning and creates a nostalgic longing for times when life was much simpler (though these settings are often sanitized through the removal of sources of conflict).
2. Hybrid Consumption: combining disparate yet complementary forms of consumption with the goal of having guests spend more time, and therefore more money, in the parks. This includes providing restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, etc. In short, the more needs are met, the more likely parks are to become a destination in themselves.
3. Merchandising: the dissemination of the brand's IP through commodified images and symbols infused with meaning.
4. Emotional/Performative Labor: this is simply the rendering of the employees' labor as akin to a theatrical performance where the workplace is a stage. The most distinctive symbol of performative labor is the "smile". This is seen as yet another opportunity to differentiate themselves and their services from competitors by adding a layer of "superlative service" to otherwise mundane offerings.
5. Surveillance and Control: this is what allows the previous four dimensions to operate at full capacity. Employees and guests are closely monitored so as to not "break the magic spell" that the park Imagineers endeavor to create. This goes beyond the confines of the park, as Disney also exerts its powerful economic influence on the districts it occupies in order to circumvent zoning laws, building codes, etc.
What this book is not:
– a scathing critique of the Disney Corporation and its business practices. To be fair, it isn't a celebration either. The practices outlined in the previous section are presented alongside snippets of commentary and criticism and are weighted against their effects on the globalized adoption of said principles.
The book doesn't get five stars because a lot of the themes discussed start to blend into each other causing the chapters to become unfocused and repetitive. However, this was kept mostly under control.
There's plenty of material here for students of popular culture, social sciences, consumer culture and consumerism, Disney fans, and their detractors too.
Highly recommended!
This can be best appreciated in restaurants (theming & performative labor), shopping malls (theming & hybrid consumption), universities (merchandising, hybrid consumption, and theming), and entire cities as well (Celebration, FL).
So...
What this book is:
– a superbly researched, balanced account of the ways in which the guiding principles of Disney theme parks are influencing and molding spheres of consumer culture beyond their immediate industry. These include:
1. Theming: infusing mundane experiences with exotic narratives (jungle, Victorian, Arabian, space, wild west, etc...) in order to differentiate their otherwise unexciting offerings from those of similar competitors. Moreover, through its use of symbols, theming adds meaning and creates a nostalgic longing for times when life was much simpler (though these settings are often sanitized through the removal of sources of conflict).
2. Hybrid Consumption: combining disparate yet complementary forms of consumption with the goal of having guests spend more time, and therefore more money, in the parks. This includes providing restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, etc. In short, the more needs are met, the more likely parks are to become a destination in themselves.
3. Merchandising: the dissemination of the brand's IP through commodified images and symbols infused with meaning.
4. Emotional/Performative Labor: this is simply the rendering of the employees' labor as akin to a theatrical performance where the workplace is a stage. The most distinctive symbol of performative labor is the "smile". This is seen as yet another opportunity to differentiate themselves and their services from competitors by adding a layer of "superlative service" to otherwise mundane offerings.
5. Surveillance and Control: this is what allows the previous four dimensions to operate at full capacity. Employees and guests are closely monitored so as to not "break the magic spell" that the park Imagineers endeavor to create. This goes beyond the confines of the park, as Disney also exerts its powerful economic influence on the districts it occupies in order to circumvent zoning laws, building codes, etc.
What this book is not:
– a scathing critique of the Disney Corporation and its business practices. To be fair, it isn't a celebration either. The practices outlined in the previous section are presented alongside snippets of commentary and criticism and are weighted against their effects on the globalized adoption of said principles.
The book doesn't get five stars because a lot of the themes discussed start to blend into each other causing the chapters to become unfocused and repetitive. However, this was kept mostly under control.
There's plenty of material here for students of popular culture, social sciences, consumer culture and consumerism, Disney fans, and their detractors too.
Highly recommended!
Read
January 8, 2022a lot of intriguing insight and fascinating material on popular culture, consumerism and disneyization as a globalizing force. a bit disorganized because there was so much overlap between the proposed attributes but overall accessible & sharp & fun to read. one of those sources that made my thesis immediately seem so much more manageable lmao
August 4, 2020
Everything is a story these days, from going to the shop to wandering through an airport. This book looks at how the design of our surroundings influence the story we make in our heads. Essential for any experience designer IMHO.
April 6, 2016
Pretty interesting, but all the outlining I was forced to do for my writing seminar kind of ruined it for me.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews