InPark Magazine: As a child growing up in Los Angeles, I regularly visited Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios Hollywood. I was awed by the attractions at the parks and they left a lasting impression. What I did not understand at the time was that elements of storytelling were what so appealed to me, whether narrated or environmental. Fast forward to now, where I have two college degrees centered on stories, a Ph.D. where most of my research focused on theme park narratives, and classes I teach that emphasize the power of storytelling for great guest experiences. The stories in theme park spaces that I encountered over the years were major inspirations for my career path.
10 comments:
I adore that the person writing this article has two college degrees centered on stories and a Ph.D. focused on theme park narratives. That’s really incredible and I admire that. I think that the characteristics that Dr. Baker narrowed in on are extremely interesting and enlightening. It’s nice to know that stage shows and dark rides are two of the most pervasive attractions. The varieties that exist among stage shows; small intimate shows and large grandiose shows. Dark rides are also a very unique experience that exists among theme park storytelling. Using environmental scenes to create a micro storyworld: dark rides are powerful. I find it awesome that this author differentiated theme park entertainment versus theatre entertainment. The fact that the element of movement is vital to theme park entertainment is unsurprising. I also wonder a lot about how much intellectual property places like Disney are paying for because of the types of theme park entertainment they present.
I have lived in Southern California all my life and have also frequently visited Disney Land, Knotts Berry Farm, and Universal Studios throughout my childhood. The storytelling that takes place has always intrigued me, and this article helped me see more in depth about the meaning behind these performances. I never thought to consider the cultural, historical, and scientific meaning behind them, but I definitely noticed the story, morals, and conflicts that took place. Now, going to school in hopes of being in the entertainment industry, it is interesting to see this opposite point of view. I never had connected it back to how I viewed entertainment in my childhood, and finally seeing how these presentations can really challenge someone's view on society, morals, and beliefs is quite powerful. I someday want to work in entertainment architecture and be able to emerge people in a whole entire world, but this article has really gotten me to think about the consequences it could have on viewers.
Theme park storytelling is absolutely incredible and is actually what inspired me to work in theatre. I think the storytelling power of stage shows is often noted, but the immersive theming is often not given enough credit. The reason for this, in my opinion, is because it is often so immersive and expertly crafted that we do not stop to think about the impeccable execution. One of Disney’s newest attractions is a dark ride. The design of these types of rides allow for almost complete control of the guest’s perspective of what they see and experience on the attraction. Both IP and setting are foundations of many major theme parks now adays. Disney and Universal execute these well hand in hand through Pandora: World of Avatar and Galaxy’s Edge most notably in Disney and Harry Potter World and Dr. Seuss content in Universal. One small detail that brings all of these “lands” above and beyond is their lingo. Each has their own vocabulary to set the scene. Even on an attraction level instead of a land level, you can see storytelling at play. At Disney’s Pirates of the Carribean, you may hear “descendants of pirates” asking you “how many sailors in your crew?” and offering you a hearty, “welcome aboard!” while wearing themed attire or if you take a ride on The World Famous Jungle Cruise, that is exclusively storytelling. Even the trash cans are themed to their areas. Every little detail brings these worlds to life. I have always loved storytelling and theme parks bring it to life in such an incredible way.
-Ariel Bernhard
Just reading the title of this article made me re-realize the omnipresence of theatrical elements around our lives. Also, I think that most people’s first experience of theatrical performance would be actually the ones from amusement park, and people that never pay to go to the theaters would stop for a second to watch the parade at a nights. I think the way of storytelling in thematic parts can be especially distinguished because of such wide space and other capacities that can make the experience even more special such as attractions. This let people think that they are stepping into another world - with the actual visual, unlike the theater that just give them the emotion. I know there are more immersive theaters that are trying to install the performances in wider spaces so that people can more freely behave and “feel” the space, and as long as the budget allows, I would like to see more theaters that borrows the method of storytelling from the thematic parks.
It is interesting that a common thread between theater and themed entertainment is storytelling. I am someone who thinks theater is at its best when it is first and foremost about the storytelling and I think that that is sometimes lost by designers and directors who prioritize the spectacle. To learn that storytelling is also such a major role in themed entertainment, which is where a lot of my peers end up, is a reassurance that my priorities are in order. I have always been thoroughly impressed by the level of detail that goes into parks like Disneyland put into controlling the narrative while you’re in the park from the parking lot to the bathrooms. I think themed entertainment is learning a lot from theater, and I think theater can learn a lot about how to create an immersive experience throughout the venue that facilitates the storytelling that happens on the stage.
As much as I am not a fan of Disney as a corporation, I love Disney World, and all of the theme parks like it. I love disappearing into a different world for a moment, just looking around and forgetting where I really am. I’m fascinated by the illusions of mountains and castles that seem taller than they are, and the small things that you could blink and miss. One portion of these parks that the article touched on was dark rides, which I believe are very underrated. The lines on the Peter Pan and Little Mermaid rides were criminally short, so I went on them multiple times and was consistently amazed by the animatronics. I also feel obligated to talk about Magiquest at Great Wolf Lodge, because it was such a major part of my childhood. I had gone to Great Wolf Lodge maybe only a few times, but everything about the Magiquest attraction from customizing a wand, to keeping it in a wand holster, to parading around the lobby and hallways and finding all of the stops on the quest. Remembering it again makes me want to go back.
Before starting to read this I completely had forgotten about how much thought and care goes into theme parks. The article made me remember that there is a whole team beside most nooks and crannies of it, being threaded carefully to provide the best experience. It is after all another form of storytelling. As one of my interests I enjoy learning theme park history, specifically defunct theme parks or attraction rides. This means I really only have gotten to see when these elements go wrong, or when they go right another external force making them shut down for some reason or another. Seeing elements that I have been aware about in a different light was very interesting to me. I liked being reminded cool jobs like these exist (and cool degrees on that matter, she has a PhD in theme park narratives and I felt the need to mention that).
I think this article was exceptionally interesting to read, and there is something so phenomenal about someone getting a PhD focused on thematic experiences. The general public seems to have some understanding of how many details go into planning of theme parks and experiences, but clearly this article is almost more of a statistical analysis, offering even more information up about the nuances that are involved in theme parks. I think it is very compelling to think about the concept that in theme parks, the performance begins when someone enters the park, and it does not end until they walk out. From the moment a guest walks in, every element must be planned to be part of this larger widespread performance. This is often mirrored in theater when some shows start before the main show even begins, with performers offering up some details about the show simply by being visible before the content of the actual show begins.
Growing up in LA, my friends and I would constantly have the debate over which theme park is the best out of Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Disneyland. For me there was no competition, it was Disneyland. While I am a rollercoaster lover, Disneyland offered an amazing experience and storytelling. The 5 lessons of theme park storytelling that Carissa Baker talked about are true and put into words my admiration for the parks. I especially agree with the point about setting. Disney does an amazing job of transporting you into each environment. You truly feel a change when going from Adventureland to Frontierland. This is not only because of the visual changes, but also small things like the background music that plays. I love the detail that goes into it. I am excited for the day that we can all safely go back and experience it again.
Theme park storytelling has been something I’ve been interested in for a while because it’s another thing that can immerse you in a completely different world and hook you onto a new story. It’s pretty interesting as well that someone could go so fast as to get a Ph.D. in theme park narratives; I didn’t know that was an option but it is a pretty necessary job. I think the five different lessons that the article points out are important, and it’s interesting to think about how they play into different places I’ve been, like Disney and Universal. It makes a lot of sense that intellectual property based theme parks and stories are big with guests. They’ve already connected to the world of the story, or the characters in it, and being able to stop into it and experience a piece of it in person reawakens the spark for them. It’s fun getting to see thing’s you’re a little familiar with but in a whole new way.
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