Although from an outside perspective many cases of globalisation may simply seem to increase cultural homogeneity, one culture can alter different parts of a global culture and incorporate them into their own and create cultural heterogeneity. In simpler terms, homogenisation and heterogenisation are both features of modern globalisation. Evidence for the contended statements above will be provided through the evaluation of case studies regarding global companies such as Starbucks and Disneyland Parks adapting to the local cultures of the areas to which they have spread to within the Asia-Pacific region. Not only global brands highlight the interconnectedness of homogenised and heterogenised cultures, but the glocalisation of traditional rites …show more content…
That is to say, Hong Kong Disneyland offers a uniquely western experience within the confines of Asia. The perception of Hong Kong Disneyland as a global brand can vary depending on the social groups that each consumer identifies as. Mainland Chinese visitors that are unaccustomed to western culture and modernity can feel as though they’ve stepped into a separate western sanctuary where they can fully experience another way of life. The more modern and westernised Hong Kong Chinese visiting the park are able to enjoy their visit in a relaxing …show more content…
Japanese is the main language used throughout the park, accompanied only by English on signs. The workers in Tokyo Disneyland are only required to speak Japanese, many menus are written completely in Japanese and some games and live shows feature only Japanese as a language option. Many alterations were made to the layout of the park, changing the names of many different areas that contained phrases with context that was difficult for the Japanese locals to understand (e.g. the transition from ‘Frontierland’ to ‘Westernland’).5 In an attempt to maximise profit, Tokyo Disneyland has become a much more localised theme park than Hong Kong Disneyland, and has found great success with that original goal due to the Japanese cultural tendency to appropriate imported ideas into completely new and entirely Japanese creations. In comparison, Hong Kong Disneyland has been much less successful, which can be credited to its far more Americanised system of management that does not cater to the demands of the locals to the extent of the heterogenetic Tokyo
A basic of Disney theme parks is the Main Street USA zone. This section features highly in all of the parks, usually coming right after the entrance. Key services like Guest Relations are located in this section, inside the "City Hall" (HK Disney Source, 2014). There are a number of elements to the Main Street, USA exhibit, and these will be discussed along with the history of Main Street USA in this paper. In particular, how the different elements of Main Street USA work together are covered. The concept has proven to be long-lasting, even across cultures, because of its magical portrayal of idealized American life, which draws heavily on Walt Disney's own childhood experiences.
Disneyland marked the onset of theme parks in the nation, which was carved out of a fantasy tale and it has been the leader for 60 years. And, there was virtually no competition to the attraction quotient that attracted people and tourists to visit the theme park.
People have always had empathy and Disneyland movies and the theme park changed the way that they ran those things. The opening of Disneyland impacted America in the 1950s since it allowed adults to experience a child’s imagination and its continued importance today can be seen through everything in life. How does Disneyland impact society? Walt Disney had a vision: a place where children and adults could experience what it would feel like to be in a real life fairy tale and let their imagination run wild. When Disneyland opened its gates in 1955, came the change America wanted super badly, to be able to experience a real life Utopia for only one dollar. It changed the way the world saw not only amusements parks, but also a child’s imagination.
The idealization of Victorian values began in the eighteenth century with the wealthy upper-class. Victorians were classified as the elite that partook in aristocratic fun. They participated in military sports, organized theater, fine arts, and classical music. As the years progressed, the middle-class emerged, modernizing Victorian principles. Their careers comprised of successful business men, skilled craftsman, and politicians. The elite men were White, Anglo- Saxon, Protestants, that produced and regulated the industrialization of popular culture. The Victorian middle-class was considered the most powerful group from the 1830’s- 1916. Victorians cultivated the consumer revolution, by purchasing luxuries, including, books, mirrors, furnishings,
The Walt Disney plans to expand its presence in other countries too mainly the emerging market like China that offers great opportunity. Due to its highly advanced infrastructure and higher population, the Disney already made a biggest investment till date on a development and construction of Disneyland theme park in Shanghai, China. The success of Disneyland Hong Kong and the presence of 330 million people that resides within the 3 hour commute to Shanghai allows the Disney to invest $5.5 billion on this theme park. The Disney CEO states that the park will be open for the visitors in the early
There were huge traffic jams that were 7 miles long on the nearby Santa ana highway because of the mass quantities of people trying to get into the park. No one could get in the park so kids had to take bathroom breaks along the side of the highway and in the Disneyland parking lot. The park opening was supposed to invitation only for 15,000 people but 28,154 ended up sneaking through the gates and getting through with counterfeit tickets. To get people in and out of the park all the tickets given out had times on them to prevent overcrowding but they would let people in the park at their time but not one was leaving at their time so that was just adding to the crowd of people. Plus they had people jumping over the fences to get in and people sitting by the selling ladders for $5 to get over the
The differences in other cultures vary from beliefs to ways of life, or norms, of the different societies. The importance of understanding and sensitivity to other countries’ differences is crucial to a business’ success. “Lack of familiarity with the business practices, social customs, and etiquette of a country can weaken a co...
Watson proves that the uncertainties of if Hong Kong would be able to stand true to their heritage is nothing to worry about. He states that the people of Hong Kong “have most assuredly not been stripped of their cultural heritage”. In fact, Watson explains that Hong Kong is not being taken over by the American way, but is simply embracing their already heterogeneous culture. Through his discussions on the changing views of the food, dining customs, and traditions we learn that McDonald’s was forced to adapt to the culture of Hong Kong just as much as the people of Hong Kong needed to expand their familiarities to accept McDonalds.
The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. has been known as the “Happiest Place on Earth” since the gates of this magical park opened up in the summer of July 1955. According to LA Times, an estimated 44,000 people visit this giant 85-acre park daily. The popularity of this theme park rapidly grew, when it first opened, an individual was able to enjoy a Disney day for as low as eight dollars. Now as the year of 2017 is wrapping up, tickets are as high as ninety seven dollars a day and up depending on how long you’re planning your stay. When it comes down to the attractions, entertainment, environment, and food, Disneyland is hands down the best and most known theme park in the state of California.
The first theme park opening in 1955 was Disneyland in California. After one full year of construction demands and a total investment of $17 million the Six thousands invitations to the grand opening had been mailed inviting people to experience the magic Disney had created but when the gates opened the Disneyland was far from magical. Workmen were still planting trees, the paint was still wet and the asphalt wasn’t set. The food stalls and restaurants ran out of food due to the high number of people because of counterfeit tickets being sold. Walt Disney didn’t know didn’t know what was going on because his attention was on the live broadcast. The rides broke down shortly after use. When Walt Disney World opened in 1971 the
Through the layout of the H Mart, what is sold in the departments, Asian cultures view on American food, and though the customers and employees, and food their food, globalization can be seen. The layout seems to have more room to walk and some of there items are placed lower to the ground than most American stores. Also, the majority of what is sold in their departments is fish and items that are normally cooked with fish, this lets Americans try seafood that in unavailable normally in the US. The Asian employees are able to work in a place that is comfortable because of its familiarity to their home. H Mart lets Americans experience a piece of, slightly Americanized, Asian culture.
Globalisation and global flows of culture have redefined the processes in which we share and connect to ourselves, others, and the world. From its onset, globalisation had both proponents’ and critics; some believed that it leads to a rich, hybrid global culture. Others saw it as the west versus the rest, an imprint of Western values and ideologies upon the world’s rich and diverse cultures. In exploring global flows of culture, we can observe these major assumptions about globalisation as well as its changing nature. New, ‘reverse’ cultural flows have begun to emerge and question these traditional assumptions. The case study of Japan’s ‘pink globalisation’ is one such reverse flow.
In 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland was opened. Before the open of Hong Kong Disneyland, the public always had a heat debate on whether the park would bring any problems to Hong Kong from the perspective of livelihood and economy. However, nobody realized that disneyization has already been affecting our daily lives. In the following essay, shopping centre Langham Place of Hong Kong will be used as an example to illustrate how shopping culture in Hong Kong are influenced by disneyization.
Euro Disney’s decision to open its Theme Park near Paris has caused a negative publicity in the sight of many French politicians. In fact, they have objected the existence of Theme Parks in the center of their French culture since the park has been viewed as a visible symbol of the U.S. culture. Although Euro Disney marketers probably choose this location, in particularly France, due to the fact that is the center of Europe and could most probably be the most convenient place for people to arrive and settle in their hotel to be entertained. For instance, people from all over Europe could travel quickly to Paris due to short distance and travel convenience like people from Germany or Spain could quickly and conveniently arrive in Paris.
With every passing day the world is shrinking, and the globalization process is taking place. Advances in communication, transportation, and computer technology have all played a role in making the world a smaller place. With the right equipment, people can talk to friends and family from the other side of the world. Traveling from America to Europe, which once required days at sea, now only takes hours in the air. Computer networking and fax machines allow world businesses to conduct negotiations within a matter of seconds. Images and personas such as the McDonalds’s golden arches and Mickey Mouse are recognized worldwide. When Saddam Hussein was captured, nearly every country knew about it within a matter of hours. Yet, while globalization is taking place, it is not doing so without dispute. Many countries, in fact, feel threatened by Western culture and consequently, are acting out to preserve their own identities. Differences in currency and standardized measuring units indicate hesitancy and possibly even an inability for people to accept the conformity of a singular global society. Also, characteristics of different cultures are in such a way unique that to alter them or blend them into other cultures would, in some people’s opinion, destroy both of them. After all, one would not expect to find tacos served in Italian restaurants, nor would one expect pasta and breadsticks to be the major selling items in Mexican restaurants. So, while globalization is taking place on different levels, fundamental differences in culture and pride in one’s own heritage both exist as strong forces preventing the emergence of a homogenized world society.