Disneyland
By: David Norfleet
Walt Disney
After several successful movies and cartoon segments, Walt Disney opened Disneyland on July 17, 1955. It was built on 160 acres of farmland for $17 million (Little over $150,000,000 in todays economy).
It is accepted but not accessible to all classes
Everyone dreams about spending a vacation with their family at Disneyland, but unfortunately it is not affordable for all families. The lower class would have a hard time paying the expenses for this trip. A family of four that spends 4 days in the park and 4 nights at a park hotel would spend $3,218.00.
Upper Class benefits
Club 33
A "hidden" club designed for entertaining important people and celebrities. It has an all you can eat appetizer and an all you can eat dessert table. It serves upscale meals (lobster, filet mignon) and alcohol. the meal costs $100 a person.
More on Club 33
It has a doorman to make sure there are no unwelcome guests. Only 500 people can be made members a year. It costs $25,000 for an initiation fee and $10,000 for the annual membership fee.
Platinum membership
It includes valet parking at any Disneyland Resort hotels, a premium annual passport to Disneyland, Disney California and Walt Disney World, and Fastpasses.
There are no racial differences
There are no racial differences at Disneyland. There is a Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disney, and Tokyo Disney. All of them provide the same form of entertainment as the Disneyland in the United States.
National Identity and norms
Much of what children see is Disney related (movies, toys, etc.). This has shaped this nations identity because it becomes every kids dream to go to Disneyland. They want to see the characters that have become such a big part of their childhood. Girls and boys alike want to share in this experience. Men and women both want to revisit this place that has created such happy memories for them.
Politics
Disney land has impacted politics. For example at the end of the Super Bowl, when the interviewer asks, "What are you going to do next?", the popular response was "I'm going to Disneyland!". This was an advertising scheme to promote the park to a large audience.
No backlash
It was universally accepted because it provides joyful memories and happy experiences to all. Children enjoy the entertainment the movies, shows, and rides Disney provides. So much so that they can not wait to return even in their adult years.
Works Cited
- Shady, Justin. "Disneyland's VIPs: Five Things You Didn't Know About Disney's Star Treatment."Navel Gazing. 14 July 2011. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
- Matsuo, Alex. "10 Things You Didn't Know About Disneyland." TheRichest. 6 Mar. 2014. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
- "Disneyland Opens." History.com. A&E Television Networks. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
- Pimentel, Joseph. "Disneyland's Private Club 33 Tightens Privileges." The Orange County Register. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
- Hang, Kristie. "Club 33: Disneyland's Secret $25,000 Dining Club." L.A. Weekly. 19 Mar. 2013. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.
- Black, Sally. "How Much Does a Disneyland Vacation Cost?" How Much Does a Disneyland Vacation Cost? 16 Jan. 2014. Web. 3 Sept. 2015.