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Fantasies of Hong Kong Disneyland
Attempted Indigenizations of Space, Labor, and Consumption
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Jenny Banh
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2025
About this book
Fantasies of Hong Kong Disneyland: Attempted Indigenizations of Space, Labor, and Consumption examines the attempt to transplant Disney's "happiest place on Earth" ethos to Hong Kong—with unhappy results. Focusing on the attempted localization/indigenization of this idea in a globalized transnational park, the book delves into the three-way dynamics of an American culture-corporation's intentions, Hong Kong, China's government investment and Hong Konger audience, and the Hong Kong Chinese locale. The triple actors introduce an especially complex case as two of the world's most powerful entities, the nominally Communist state of China and corporate behemoth Disney, come together for a project in the third space of Hong Kong. The situation poses special challenges for Disney's efforts to manage space, labor, and consumption to achieve local adaptation and business success.
Author / Editor information
JENNY BANH is an associate professor of Asian American studies and anthropology at California State University, Fresno. She is the coeditor of Anthropology of Los Angeles: Place and Agency in an Urban Setting and American Chinese Restaurants: Society, Culture, and Consumption.
Reviews
"Jenny Banh's Fantasies of Hong Kong Disneyland is a fascinating account of this multinational corporation's failure to adapt to the local context of Hong Kong. With detailed anthropological observation and ethnic insider perspective, it will dispel one's illusions about the happiest place on earth."— Russell Jeung, professor of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University
"Fantasies of Hong Kong Disneyland shows how the Walt Disney Company claimed to be sensitive to the local culture when designing and operating Hong Kong Disneyland but made some serious missteps, providing a case study in cultural imperialism. Jenny Banh offers perceptive insights into not only how Hong Kong Disney falls short but also what Western and Asian cultures value in an engaging, accessible style."— Kathy Merlock Jackson, coeditor of Disneyland and Culture
Topics
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Frontmatter
i -
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Contents
v -
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List of Illustrations
vii -
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Preface
ix -
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Abbreviations
xv -
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Introduction
1 -
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1 Indigenizing Consumption
25 -
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2 Labor Indigenization
55 -
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3 Spatial Indigenization
73 -
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4 An Indigenous Competitor
99 -
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Epilogue
115 -
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Postscript
120 -
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Acknowl edgments
125 -
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Notes
129 -
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References
131 -
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Index
155 -
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About the Author
159
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
August 26, 2025
eBook ISBN:
9780813593487
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9780813593487
Keywords for this book
china; hong kong; asian studies; disney; disneyland; hong kong disneyland; ccp; communism; anthropology; culture; labor; pop culture; mega corporation; theme park
Audience(s) for this book
For universities and colleges of further and higher education
