ABSTRACT

As I read through the travel guides to Bali, which are often very clear about the commercialization of Balinese culture and the problems that tourism has created for Bali, I couldn’t help but wonder about Loveard’s hypothesis—is Bali becoming a Southeast Asian Disneyland? Disneyland advertises itself as a paradise, as “The Happiest Place on Earth.” Bali is conventionally seen as a “tropical island Paradise,” but one that has made many accommodations to suit the needs of its highly developed tourism industry. Let me suggest some comparisons and differences between Disneyland (and Disney World) and Bali.