Popular Culture Review Volume 29, Number 2, Summer 2018 | Page 142

Seasonal Ethnic Celebrations at Disney California Adventure
getting smaller , populations of African Americans in California , Celebrate Gospel has just one short day for its event and little to no intervention of their ethnic identifiers by the Disney Company . However , both ¡ Viva Navidad ! and Lunar New Year , for Hispanics / Latinos and several Asian groups respectively , have grown in duration and park footprints which correspond with their population sizes in California . These events have also seen more intervention on the part of the Disney Company and DRGs with interpretations of ethnicity . Tensions between nationalistic and nostalgic Traditional Disney Ideologies and seasonal inclusivity found within ethnic celebrations can be seen in the presence and use of key characters at these events . While the events themselves include activities , foods , and performances that appear to have been vetted through DRGs , characters from the wider Disney-verse are utilized according to Traditional Disney Ideologies and are often rife with problems . Select characters to be discussed and analyzed include Chip and Dale , Mickey , Minnie , Goofy , Mulan , Mushu , and the Three Caballeros . The flattening and essentializing of ethnic identities for ethnic celebrations like Celebrate Gospel , ¡ Viva Navidad !, and Lunar New Year at Disney California then suits the business goals of addressing the demographics and some of their interests while simultaneously maximizing profits . My analyses of Celebrate Gospel , Lunar New Year , ¡ Viva Navidad ! and Festival of Holidays , event footprints of place , space , and scale within the park , as well as the duration of each event correlate to each group ’ s population within California ’ s larger demographic framework and socio-political headspace .
At Disney California Adventure ( DCA ), a broad concept of ethnicity is utilized . When the Disney Company uses the term “ multi-cultural ,” they are being more literal and are discussing multiple cultures , rather than adhering to an
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