The Center for Land Use Interpretation

CLUI Project Explores Boundaries of Theme Parks
Infrastrucure at the edge of Disney World

High-Tension Mouse Ears Photo: Igor Vamos

A new CLUI photodocumentary survey project explores the perimeters of theme parks, examining the physical and social structures at the fringes of these recreational land use zones. The ongoing project, called Limits of Fun, was initiated this summer with successive site visits to Disneyland and Disney World.

The original Disney park, in Anaheim, California, was found to be well fortified against its urban surroundings. It is ringed by a six lane roadway serving numerous hotels, restaurants, and gas stations. Inside the roadway, a fifteen foot chain link fence topped with barbed wire guards against unpaid visitations. A thick hedge of a similar height prevents gawkers from peering into the service areas of the park.

The fence, though tall, and wired with vibration sensors, is not insurmountable. The response time to intrusion appears to be under 30 seconds.

Unlike Disneyland's heavily fenced and surveilled perimeter, the border of Disney World, in central Florida, is secured through more passive methods. A relatively remote location in a swampy landscape eliminates the need for a full perimeter fence. The area is difficult to approach by any means other than the park's own highway system, and flooded drainage ditches surround much of the 28,000 acre park complex.

At the completion of the Limits of Fun project, an exhibition of maps and photographs describing the features of the amusement park perimeter zones will be shown to the public.