theme park

In class on Wednesday, there was some discussion about theme park rides. I from Orlando, so I guess that makes me an expert on such rides, considering the proximity to Disney, Universal, etc… I think theme park rides are a good discussion for this class. They immerse you in a narrative. In a way, you live out the story. For example, the Spider Man ride at Universals Islands of Adventure. While waiting in line for 3 hours, if you were paying attention, you are told that while you are in the ride you are no longer a tourist, but rather a reporter for the Daily Bugle, testing out a new reporting vehicle. The same can be said for many other rides that attempt to create an illusion that you are not on a ride but instead are in a story. This effect got me thinking about theme park rides, their properties, and their aims when it comes to narrative. My conclusion: Rides are an illusion, they put you in a story, but you have no control. In many ways they are novels and short stories brought to life, a reality that you are thrown in the middle of. This is a clear distinction to video games.  read more »

I had never before considered amusement park rides in light of their narrative qualities, but when I read Janet Murray's chapter on immersion, it became clear to me that these intricately planned environments and machines are examples of some of the most immersive narrative structures available. Murray cites Jurassic Park in her discussion, but I'd like to head over to Disney's Magic Kingdom for my example because that's where my loyalties lie. I've been going to Magic Kingdom since before I could walk or talk, and to this day, I still find the illusion created by the park very enthralling. The whole thing is a huge, immersive show. The staff, the setting and the rides all make you feel like you're in another world outside reality. Each area of the park is designed to take you to a different place. Tomorrowland leaps into the future, while Fantasyland brings fairy tales to life. Within these immersive environments, rides serve to further immerse guests by putting them in the middle of the action. Space Mountain, for example, aims to give riders the thrill of traveling through space, which is made possible in the futuristic environment of Tomorrowland.  read more »