“It’s Even Better Than I Pictured It”: Sensory Authenticity in Theme Park Design as a Mechanism for Deepened Immersion

This study conceptualizes sensory authenticity in relation to theme park design by analyzing the five senses in connection with experiential and immersive capabilities. This research utilized both a thematic analysis of Google Reviews and survey responses regarding how the five senses are presented and comprehended at Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land. Findings reveal consistency with the notion that sight and sound are prominent senses in connection to film but further explain how the usage of feeling is highly transportive in connecting to the storyworld. Notably, knowledge of the film plot plays a role in advancing sensory authenticity and immersion through more detailed sensory descriptions. Results further clarify that sensory authenticity is an experiential and kinesthetic representation of the five senses in a themed environment in connection to the source material being adapted.

Embargo status: Restricted until 06/2030. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left.