Popular Culture Review Volume 29, Number 2, Summer 2018 | Page 158

Seasonal Ethnic Celebrations at Disney California Adventure
ing and reveling within their own holiday and ethnic traditions , and are unaware that cultural appropriation is taking place here . It is seen as harmless , delightful , and playful rather than inappropriate and disrespectful .
FESTIVAL OF HOLIDAYS — CHRISTMAS SEASON AND WINTER HOLIDAYS , NOV-JAN ( 2016 / 2017 )
The 2016 Festival of Holidays expanded ethnic celebrations throughout a large portion of the park with the inclusion of food and drink kiosks , holiday arts and crafts , and areas that featured performances by multiethnic groups . The logo design for Festival of Holidays subtly includes representations of the four ethnic and holiday celebrations . For Kwanzaa and Diwali , candles represent their celebrations of light . Christmas is represented with holly berries and leaves in the center , while Hanukkah , also a Festival of Lights , is represented more-specifically with dreidels .
The planning and efforts for these crafts and activities by Disney DRGs reflects additional local demographic trends beyond those already covered by Celebrate Gospel , ¡ Viva Navidad !, and Lunar New Year . By featuring and representing Diwali , a traditionally Hindu holiday that is a festival of light , DCA is reflecting demographic trends in Los Angeles and Orange Counties , where there are an estimated 37 Hindu centers and approximately 70,000 adherents in Los Angeles County alone ( Given Place Media “ Hinduism in Los Angeles County ”). Inclusion of Hanukkah crafts and performances into the Festival of Holidays repertoire also recognizes the diverse and thriving Jewish communities and their long-standing presence in downtown Los Angeles and within Orange County ( The Pluralism Project “ Los Angeles ”). Notably absent during Festival of Holidays are Muslims and Islamic holidays , following national trends of Islamophobia .
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