Broemel, Erin T.

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.

Microbreweries are one of the fastest growing industries within the United States.
According to Brewer’s Association, the number of craft brewers increased from 8 in 1980 to
over 1500 in 2012. Prior to the 1970’s, light lagers were the only type of beer available in the
United States. Homebrewing began as a way to explore different beer styles that national brand
brewers had previously ignored. As the popularity of these homebrews began to grow, the
number of microbreweries greatly increased throughout the United States. South Florida in
particular has witnessed a substantial expansion in the microbrewery industry. This study
explored four craft brewers in Palm Beach and Broward County, Florida. Why does this two
county area need more than one brewery? During the course of the research, four themes
emerged: a sense of identity, a sense of place, a sense of community, and the power of
transformation. Microbreweries appear to be a part of a growing trend towards “neolocalism,” or
the conscious and active ways people reject a homogenized culture. Studies of microbreweries
add to our understanding of the ways South Florida embraces the unique and authentic. Since
each brewery is unique, that experience of the “neolocal” can only be had at each individual
microbrewery. Further work is necessary to determine if the sense of place and sense of
community is apparent at microbreweries throughout the state, or the “neolocal” is a regional
phenomenon confined to South Florida

The frequency of interactions between humans and non-human primates has risen in past decades due to the loss of primate habitat. Many primates now live within human habitats, raising questions about how humans interact with and affect primates. Dania Beach, Florida provides an unusual opportunity to study the dynamics of human interactions with a population of introduced primates. We examined the effect of human behavior on three groups of green vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus sabaeus, through behavioral observations conducted from January-February 2014. North Group A, located on business property, is provisioned 3x daily with nutrient dense fruits and nuts. These monkeys are habituated to human presence and appear to benefit from positive interactions with humans. North Group B, located within mangrove forest near businesses, is provisioned 2x daily with fruits, and restaurant food 2x weekly. This group is less habituated than North Group A, and avoids human contact outside of provisioning. In contrast, South Group C is situated within a residential area and has a history of being trapped since 1993. They are minimally provisioned, and rely on human food items from trash. South Group C exhibits defensive and aggressive behaviors towards humans. These results suggest that primates living in this group experience a negative human relationship, which may lead to an increase in stress levels. Additional exploration into the Dania Beach human/non-human primate interface is required to better understand the potential link between negative human interactions and primate proximity to residential areas.
<br>

Observations of vervet monkeys, Chlorocebus sabaeus, have been documented in 3700 hectares of mangrove preserves of Dania Beach, Florida since the 1950’s. A scientific census in 1995 provided confirmation of this population. Endemic to West Africa, research suggests this primate has adapted to the ecology of the mangrove environment in Southeast Florida. The 1995 census showed the population consisted of two groups with a total of 36 individuals. We resurveyed the population from January-February 2014 by visiting sites where monkeys have been reported either in the media or by local residents. We found the vervets inhabit two geographically isolated areas, separated by a man-made waterway. The population is divided into three groups with a total of 18 individuals. Group A, which occupies the northern most part of the mangroves consists of 3 adult males, 1 juvenile male, 5 adult females, and 1 infant. Group B, which occupies the central part of the mangroves consists of 1 adult male, 2 adult females, 1 sub-adult female, and 2 juveniles. Group C, which occupies the southern part of the mangroves consists of 2 adult females. In the 1995 study, this southern group ranged in size from 19-23 individuals. Our results indicate the total population decreased significantly in size over the past 19 years. To confirm this population decrease, research will expand surveys into unexplored areas of the mangrove preserve to document the presence or absence of additional groups. Ongoing research will investigate day ranges, behavior, and feeding ecology of this feral primate population.

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. 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 into a fantastical created reality. This study examined the function of food within a highly immersive theme park setting, and how it contributed to the overall illusion and immersion of the fantasy environment. Research was conducted from December 2014 to March 2015 at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Orlando Resort themed food served three overarching functions: (1) it operated as an experience, (2) it functioned as a conduit to authenticity, and, (3) it extended sensory perceptions. Food immersed tourists 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 the generic food choices found in other parks. Themed food functions as an extension of the spectacle by maintaining the illusion and contributes to the overall exhibition of the themed space.