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Disney ‘World’: The Westernization of World Music in EPCOT’s “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”

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  • Matthew Hodge

    (Musical Theatre Department, William Peace University, Raleigh, NC 27604, USA)

Abstract

Although Disney’s EPCOT theme park markets itself as a place to experience other cultures and reflect on Earth’s history, the dominance of a Western perspective omits true authenticity, specifically in the music of its nighttime show IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. This 13-minute long presentation offers a visual retelling of humanity’s existence accompanied by an original musical score that guides the narrative. The consecutive music section titles provide insight into critical points within Disney’s story arc: Prologue: Acceleration, Chaos, Space, Life, Adventure, Home, Celebration, and Meaning. While sounds of music from other cultures do present themselves—albeit in stereotypical and clichéd fashions— they are arbitrarily highlighted within a framework of Western musical components. This framing allows Disney composers to control the perception of ‘others’ through music. Furthermore, the final Meaning section is entirely built of Euro-American musical conventions, insinuating that cultures arrive at their most enlightened, evolved selves when they become Westernized. Despite its impressive technological advances and complex musical composition, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is guilty of implementing Western musical frameworks that Disney utilizes in the majority of its films and theme parks.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Hodge, 2018. "Disney ‘World’: The Westernization of World Music in EPCOT’s “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth”," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-11, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:7:y:2018:i:8:p:136-:d:163550
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robin Armstrong, 2018. "Time to Face the Music: Musical Colonization and Appropriation in Disney’s Moana," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-9, July.
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