Disney as a cultural phenomenom?

[grizzlymd]

I posted this question on the College Board, but we are DVC'ers and I know this board has a lot of people with great resources and ideas so here goes...

I am a thirty-something mother who has returned to school to complete my degree. I am taking a writing class and choose WDW vacations as my topic.

My instructor asked if I found any sources which analyze/interpret WDW as a cultural phenomenon. I have an extensive Disney library, but I'm coming up blank on this one.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hey, GrizzlyMD, how are you doing?

I saw there is a new book out about Disney, especially the Eisner era. It's called "Disney War" by James B. Stewart. The newspaper says that it chronicles 20 years of the Disney mystique. Maybe that would help.

 

[dyingtodisney]

Have you tried some of the academic search engines at your local library?
Just wanted to say good luck on your paper. I'm a 30 year old mom, RN going back to school for my BSN and just completed an english class this Fall. I also wrote a paper about Disney but it was about researching a Disney trip.

 

[grizzlymd]

Hi Deb & Bill!! How are things with you? Thanks for the suggestion. I'm looking at our local libriaries for the "Disney War" book.

Thanks dyingtodisney! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who is writing about WDW for credit.

 

[RobDoc]

You might want to take a look at Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America by Stephen M. Fjellman. (Westview Press)

Fjellman was/is a professor of anthropology at Florida International University. The book's title references a recognizable tree at WDW - Disneyodendron eximus ("out-of-the-ordinary Disney tree") better known as the home to the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.

Depending on the viewpoint you will use for the essay there are other titles that address other cultural aspects from a variety of perspectives (CM's, stockholders and religious). If you need other suggestions, just ask!

 

[Wislodgers]

I also am a thirty-something Mom back in college (Elementary Ed with Early Childhood minor). I did a communications class and did all three of my speeches on Disney World. (My persuasive one was about staying on-property as opposed to off site). My professor said to choose something we knew about and felt strongly about. I had quite a few people ask questions after class!

Good luck with your college classes!

 

[pumpkinboy]

So you're looking for info on Disney as a cultural phenomenon, eh? There is a really good section of Mark Pinsky's book The Gospel According to Disney (subititled: Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust) on the Parks as a cultural phenomenon. He notes that visiting WDW or DL is something of a secular (or not so secular) American pilgrimage form many of us.

Most of the book examines theological themes explored in the Disney animated features, contrasting the themes from the movies produced under Walt and Roy Disney with those made under Eisner and Katzenberg. The last section of the book deals with the parks as a cultural phenomenon.

It is well written, entertaining, easy reading, and somewhat journalistic in tone (understandable, given that the author was religion corresponent first for the LA Times then for the Orlando Sentinel).

Good luck with your research!

 

[RoyalCanadian]

The book Inside Disney goes into some great detail as to the cultural phenomena of the various WDW parks -- forced perspective which makes Main Street USA look longer upon enterring the park and shorter upon leaving, the park as a movie in itself with the names on the upper floors of Main Street USA as the opening credits. Really neat stuff.

 

[KLR-wlv]

I'm about done with DisneyWar - really interesting book but not the "cultural Phen." you're looking for - it's a history of Eisner's reign and a good example of power corrupting...Vinyl Leaves is a good suggestion. Much more academic....good luck

 

[DrTomorrow]

There must be some good biographies of Walt Disney around - those should cover the amazing cultural impact of Walt's visionary accomplishments....

 

[jctwizzer]

Looks like there are a lot of suggestions on researching the Disney culture. The way I read the OP the issue is the WDW as a cultural icon, a much narrower subject. Most, if not all, the suggested readings contain little info on WDW that would be of value. JMHO

 

[iankh]

A few years back, I read a couple of books about Celebration. Both of them did, touch on Disney as social engineering.

 

[colleen costello]

While not focused on Disney, the books and essays by a man named Alan Dundes (he is a prof of anthropology and folklore at Berkeley) will give you a wonderful example of this type of "critique" of the world around us. His essays are fascinating and a lot of fun to read. His topics range from the hero archetypes in the story of the life of Jesus to sexism as demonstrated by the story of the Easter bunny (female chickens do all the work laying the eggs, male bunny delivers them and takes all the credit). These essays will provide a great example of the way cultural anthroplogists consider what are really important themes to certain cultures. Good luck!

 

[lillasmom]

I just have to say that I'm reading the new Disney War right now and it's very interesting! I would recommend it.