Theme parks break attendance numbers with the promise of “stepping inside” a film’s world. Pop-up “experiences” are a regular part of promotional cycles. All this is accepted in the contemporary media environment—but why? What is the appeal of film tourism, and what can its rise tell us about contemporary fandom?
Fan Sites
explores why and how we experience film and television-related places, and what the growth of this practice means for contemporary fandom. Through four case studies—
Game of Thrones
tourism in Dubrovnik, Croatia and Northern Ireland, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme parks in Orlando, Florida, fandom of
The Prisoner
in Portmeirion, Wales, and
Friends
events in the United Kingdom and United States—this book presents a multifaceted look at the ways place and fandom interact today.
explores the different relationships that fans build with these places of fandom, from the exploratory knowledge-building of
fans on vacation, the appreciative evaluations of Harry Potter fans at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, to the frequent “homecoming” visits of
Prisoner
fans, who see Portmeirion as a “safe vault” and the home of their fandom. Including engaging accounts of real fans at each location,
addresses what the rise of fan tourism and places of fandom might mean for the future of fandom and its relationship with the media industry.