Walt Disney World is marketed as the Happiest Place on Earth. Sure, that’s probably true. Things are what you say they are. Thus, if you believe what they say, then it is the Happiest Place on Earth.
Mickey Mouse makes that happen. He is shown here on an ordinary store shelf, something you expect and see around every corner in these theme parks and frankly, any store. This one is different.
When I approached this store while my head was completely submerged in the inner workings of my project, I couldn’t see this store shelf without seeing the leader of a consumerist army, one that teaches you his ways as a child and gets you hooked on his happiness. You can compare him to Ronald McDonald, the clown that makes you happy as a toddler and has you yearning to go to McDonald’s to have cheeseburgers and french fries. On a level, the two of them are very similar, almost drug addicts. The carbs, sugar and fat in the Happy Meal (heck they even call it a Happy Meal) are addicting on a primal level. Let’s admit this to ourselves, happiness is addicting too.
Mickey Mouse makes us happy and that’s a great thing. But like all great things, moderation is required. When we’re happy, we spend money and eat decadent foods. Just look at the food production lines and retail counters at Disney World if you need convincing. That seems to be great for business and all, but what are these intangible, subliminal strategies doing to our culture? My answer: it’s reinforcing modern American consumer values that need to be reexamined. What’s your answer?
Tags: disney, documentary, MIckey Mouse