Recreation, Theme Parks, and Clubs

Recreation

use of time in a manner designed for therapeutic refreshment of one’s body/mind

• Synonymous with lifestyle and the development of a positive attitude—

  • Prerequisite: availability of time = leisure time

• Re-creation of body & soul 

  • does not necessary have to be physical activities 

• Precondition for recreation? = availability of time (leisure)

• May or may not contain significant elements of amusement and diversion 

  • doesn't need to be something enjoyed or entertaining

Leisure Definition

Before vs. Now

BEFORE

• Leisure was a symbol of higher social status/class

Aristotle:

• Available time & absence of necessity of being occupied 

• This very absence is what leads to a life of contemplation and true happiness

• Yet only for an elite few who don’t have to provide for their own daily needs

Veblen:

• A symbols of social class

MODERN LEISURE

• Leisure or leisure time: time not spent at work

  • Applies to anyone and their time away from work

• A form of activity engaged in by people in their free time

• Not only for the privilege  

Walker:

• Time free from work

• Discretionary time

Leisure, Recreation, and Entertainment

National Parks in the US & Government Involvement 

Government-Sponsored Reaction:

• Government raises special revenue from recreation-related activities (e.g., national parks)

National Parks Service in the US:

• Founded in 1961 by Congress

• Conserves park resources, preserves the environment for public and future generations

  • If left up to project firms, they would want to develop the land into something more profitable and tourist-y

• Manages parks, heritage attractions, etc.

4 Main Revenue Sources for National/Government

1. Recreation fees = admission or parking fees

2. Filming & photography 

3. Events (rental)

4. Individual donations

Commercial Recreation:

• indoor/outdoor recreation activities provided on a fee-for-service basis 

• Focus on the generation of profit 

  • e.g., theme parks, attractions, clubs, etc.

Clubs

• Places where members gather for social, recreational, professional reasons. It is like second home with diverse facilities

  • e.g., golf clubs – there are approximately 14,000 private golf clubs in the U.S

• Private Clubs:

  • Club management is very similar to hotel management; however, with clubs, the guests feel as if they are the owners. 

  • Guests have stronger emotional attachment to the facility. 

  • Usually, there are no sleeping accommodations — not lodging service

Club’s Main Revenue Sources:

• Annual membership (+ initial fee)

  • Greatest revenue course due to fees being high due to exclusivity 

• Dining 

• Clothing

  • member merchandise 

• Events 

  • renting out space for events

Theme Parks

• Theme parks serve as source of fantasy and escape from real life

• The idea of Theme Park all began in the 1920s in Buena Park, with a small berry farm and tea room — Knotts Berry Farm

The Concept of Themes:

• Theme parks attempt to create an atmosphere of another place and time 

  • escapism and world-building

• They usually emphasize one dominate theme

• Themes can be historical, cultural, geographical, etc.

• Some parks focus on a single theme while others focus on multiple themes

Direct Revenue Generating Methods:

The admission to the rides/attractions

Indirect Revenue Generating Methods:

Restaurants, retail, stores, games, etc.

Theme Parks Sell Time Explicitly

• Usually theme parks sell tickets based on the length of time - ticketing pricing strategies 

• Selling the time explicitly gives parks the control of service duration

• The length could be by days, by weeks, or even by year

Examples

• Sea World: single day with 2nd visit free pass

• Walt Disney Theme Parks Orlando: different passes with length of 1 day to 10 days for one single park or all four parks

• Annual passes

Tokyo Disneyland

Disneyland Paris