In Eco’s text “The
City of Robots“ he states “Disneyland is more hyperrealistic than the wax museum,
precisely because the latter still tries to make us believe that what we are
seeing reproduces reality absolutely, whereas Disneyland makes it clear that
within its magic enclosure it is fantasy that is absolutely reproduced” (202). I
like this quotes because I think it is a great description of the effect Disney
has on our society. Disney establishes itself as a magical world for everyone
to enjoy unlike many other amusement “cities”. Most people visit it fully aware that the
characters and the displays are not real and yet they immerse themselves into
this fantasy world regardless. Eco then goes on to say “But once the ‘total
fake’ is admitted, in order to be enjoyed it must seem totally real” (202) He
describes the structure of Disney, how the whole city “is presented as at once
absolutely reality and absolutely fantastic” (202). I have many friends who
frequent Disney World, simply because they love how “real” and magical everything
is. This can be connected Baudrillard in that they appreciate this false
reality (simulation) more than our actual reality. It is this very reason that Disney is so
popular. Its reach is internationally wide, its characters reproduces on mugs,
umbrella, plates, sheets, TV shows, etc. It is a major part of not only
children’s upbringing, but ours as well. Dorfman and Mattelart state that “Disney
is the great supranational bridge across which all human beings communicate
with each other” (110) It is a significant part of our culture that is capable
of bringing us all together in our remembrance of childhood hopes and dreams.
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