3 Reasons Disney Dominates Theming For Makers Who Want To Theme Projects To Create Their Own Immersive Environment
Disney is an entertainment behemoth, but their parks hold a special place in my Maker’s heart.
Disney has invested BILLIONS into hyper-theming their parks. Whether you’re looking for Jedi in Galaxy’s Edge, searching the globe for tasty food (and drinks #TeamStartInMexico), or traveling to the gravity-defying planet Pandora, you feel completely transported into each place. But how does Disney create such incredible immersion?
The list is quite exhaustive, but here are my top 3 Reasons from a Maker perspective:
Everything Tells A Story
Integrated Lighting
Attention to Detail
Reason 1: Everything Tells A Story
Disney’s entertainment division is renowned for their storytelling, but it doesn’t stop at the screen.
It’s easy to say “hey, an Aztec Temple would look really neat here,” and just put it there because you can. However, Disney chooses to go several steps beyond and create a story. Epcot World Showcase is all about experiencing the rich cultures and stories around the world and learning more about them in a fun way.
Without the stories told in and by areas like the World Showcase, it would feel more like any other amusement park.
Reason 2: Integrated Lighting
Most stores and corporate office have jarring, Florescent overhead lighting that is simply terrible.
While lighting is necessary, Disney find creative ways to integrate it into their themes so it adds to the ambiance. They like to have glowing panels, side lights, and light cast through interesting shapes to cast shadows. Plus, they don’t just use harsh lighting, but colored lights to further enhance the theme and make the lighting feel like it’s a part of the area, not just a simple overhead.
The lighting is built in and purposeful, not an afterthought.
Reason 3: Attention To Detail
When Disney themes an area, every single minute detail is themed including:
lighting (see Reason 2)
colors specific to the area
finish sheen
shops and carts
the ground
shapes of buildings and fixtures
cast member uniforms
fonts
even the bathrooms and trash cans!
Trash cans are normally there just to be there, but the attention to detail extends to every possible aspect of an area so it is all cohesive.
Should you put a single theme on your entire home? Probably not.
But if you are obsessed with something and want to feel like you live in it everyday, take some queues from Disney Parks.
Figure out what story you are trying to tell in a particular area of a room.
Find creative ways to integrate lighting so it is purposely placed, not an after thought.
If you decide to theme an area, go all in down to the trash can and coasters.
The best way to start adding your own theming to your spaces is to make it yourself. Maybe don’t start with an entire room, but you can make your next project the start of a list of projects to create your own immersive environment.
