Creative choices and fan practices in the transformation of theme park space

This article describes and interprets fan activities within the theme park space related to a particular fan object. It examines an evolving paradigm wherein the role of theme park visitors is changed. Rather than being perceived as observers of spectacles, they can participate and interact with the...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Carissa Ann Baker
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Organization for Transformative Works 2016-09-01
Series:Transformative Works and Cultures
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/974/693
Description
Summary:This article describes and interprets fan activities within the theme park space related to a particular fan object. It examines an evolving paradigm wherein the role of theme park visitors is changed. Rather than being perceived as observers of spectacles, they can participate and interact with the environment in new ways. An example of this is Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (2012), an interactive role-playing quest and collector card game at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. Fans participate in a variety of practices that have dynamically redefined theme park activities. Together, management, designers, and fans have cocreated and reconstructed the theme park experience as one of exploration and participation. Despite multiple levels of control, fans will likewise persist in engagement with activities (in park and online) that help shape and interrogate the theme park space.
ISSN:1941-2258
1941-2258