TY - CHAP
T1 - Superhero Tourism
T2 - Hyperreal Heroes and Heroines in Hong Kong Disneyland
AU - Chow-Quesada, Shun Man Emily
PY - 2024/6/3
Y1 - 2024/6/3
N2 - This chapter examines the hyperreal representations of superheroes and superheroines in Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL). It has been over 40 years since Jean Baudrillard published his seminal work, Simulacra and Simulation, which discusses Disney Parks as hyperreal simulations. However, the representation of hyperreal masculinity and femininity within the context of heroes and heroines in Disney Parks remains under-researched. This study observes that HKDL serves as an exemplary illustration of hyperreal depictions of masculinities and femininity. Opened in 2005, HKDL was the first Disneyland in Asia outside of Japan until the opening of Shanghai Disneyland in 2016. HKDL has undergone three phases of development. It started with the themed areas of “Main Street, U.S.A.,” “Adventureland,” and “Tomorrowland.” From 2011 to 2013, three additional areas were introduced: “Toy Story Land,” “Grizzly Gulch,” and “Mystic Point.” The most recent phase three (2023-2024) introduced “World of Frozen” and “Stark Expo” which highlight the Disney franchises Frozen and Marvel superheroes. These three development phases of HKDL illustrate a gradual shift from emphasizing classic American Disney representations and narratives to a focus on hyperreal masculinity and femininity centered around specific heroes and heroines. Consequently, this chapter argues that HKDL is moving towards a pronounced projection of hyperreal and polarized representations of masculinity and femininity that appeal to the active participation of visitors. By utilizing theoretical frameworks from hyperreality and gender (performance) studies, this research conducts an ethnographic study of HKDL, placing particular emphasis on (i) the design and narrative of themed games and performances, specifically within the “World of Frozen” and “Stark Expo” areas, (ii) the themed merchandise available at the park, and (iii) the gendered collage storytelling presented in the daily fireworks show, “‘Momentous’ Nighttime Spectacular.”
AB - This chapter examines the hyperreal representations of superheroes and superheroines in Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL). It has been over 40 years since Jean Baudrillard published his seminal work, Simulacra and Simulation, which discusses Disney Parks as hyperreal simulations. However, the representation of hyperreal masculinity and femininity within the context of heroes and heroines in Disney Parks remains under-researched. This study observes that HKDL serves as an exemplary illustration of hyperreal depictions of masculinities and femininity. Opened in 2005, HKDL was the first Disneyland in Asia outside of Japan until the opening of Shanghai Disneyland in 2016. HKDL has undergone three phases of development. It started with the themed areas of “Main Street, U.S.A.,” “Adventureland,” and “Tomorrowland.” From 2011 to 2013, three additional areas were introduced: “Toy Story Land,” “Grizzly Gulch,” and “Mystic Point.” The most recent phase three (2023-2024) introduced “World of Frozen” and “Stark Expo” which highlight the Disney franchises Frozen and Marvel superheroes. These three development phases of HKDL illustrate a gradual shift from emphasizing classic American Disney representations and narratives to a focus on hyperreal masculinity and femininity centered around specific heroes and heroines. Consequently, this chapter argues that HKDL is moving towards a pronounced projection of hyperreal and polarized representations of masculinity and femininity that appeal to the active participation of visitors. By utilizing theoretical frameworks from hyperreality and gender (performance) studies, this research conducts an ethnographic study of HKDL, placing particular emphasis on (i) the design and narrative of themed games and performances, specifically within the “World of Frozen” and “Stark Expo” areas, (ii) the themed merchandise available at the park, and (iii) the gendered collage storytelling presented in the daily fireworks show, “‘Momentous’ Nighttime Spectacular.”
M3 - Chapter
T3 - Routledge Media and Cultural Studies Companions
BT - The Routledge Companion to Superhero Studies
A2 - Piatti-Farnell, Lorna
A2 - Wilson, Carl
PB - Routledge
ER -
