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Engaging Eats: The Impact of Cuisine on the Tourist Immersion Experience in a Theme Park Setting

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Date Issued:
2015
Abstract/Description:
Each year over 300 million people visit theme parks, making them the major vacation destination worldwide. Theme parks are known for their elaborate spectacle, the creation of artificial realities through intricate immersive experiences including costumed characters, stage shows, and extravagant decor. A unique avenue of research, themed spaces are becoming of greater interest to scholars particularly in regards to the authenticity of the experience and the creation of a hyperreality. Though many aspects of the theme park experience have been reviewed, little focus has been given to the role of food in the overall immersion, particularly how food extends the spectacle theme into a created reality. This study examines the function of food within a highly immersive theme park setting, and how it contributes to the spectacle. Research was conducted from December 2014 to February 2015 at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort. A total of 363 survey responses and 21 semi-structured interviews were collected. Themed food was found to further immerse the guest in the themed experience, though visual cues remained the primary sensory stimulus. However, guests considered the location to be more authentic when coupled with a themed food item, as opposed to a generic food choice. This study determined that themed food functions as an extension of the spectacle by means of maintaining the illusion, and contributes to the overall exhibition of the themed space. Further research is needed to understand the overall function theme parks serve to society.
Title: Engaging Eats: The Impact of Cuisine on the Tourist Immersion Experience in a Theme Park Setting.
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Name(s): Broemel, Erin T.
Graduate College
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Poster
Date Created: 2015
Date Issued: 2015
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 1 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: Each year over 300 million people visit theme parks, making them the major vacation destination worldwide. Theme parks are known for their elaborate spectacle, the creation of artificial realities through intricate immersive experiences including costumed characters, stage shows, and extravagant decor. A unique avenue of research, themed spaces are becoming of greater interest to scholars particularly in regards to the authenticity of the experience and the creation of a hyperreality. Though many aspects of the theme park experience have been reviewed, little focus has been given to the role of food in the overall immersion, particularly how food extends the spectacle theme into a created reality. This study examines the function of food within a highly immersive theme park setting, and how it contributes to the spectacle. Research was conducted from December 2014 to February 2015 at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort. A total of 363 survey responses and 21 semi-structured interviews were collected. Themed food was found to further immerse the guest in the themed experience, though visual cues remained the primary sensory stimulus. However, guests considered the location to be more authentic when coupled with a themed food item, as opposed to a generic food choice. This study determined that themed food functions as an extension of the spectacle by means of maintaining the illusion, and contributes to the overall exhibition of the themed space. Further research is needed to understand the overall function theme parks serve to society.
Identifier: FA00005871 (IID)
Collection: FAU Student Research Digital Collection
Note(s): The Sixth Annual Graduate Research Day was organized by Florida Atlantic University’s Graduate Student Association. Graduate students from FAU Colleges present abstracts of original research and posters in a competition for monetary prizes, awards, and recognition.
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00005871
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.