Course coordinator
Dr Niki Macionis
Course overview
- Study period
- Summer Semester, 2024 (25/11/2024 - 08/02/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Business School
This course provides an insight into the complexities and challenges of destination development and management. It provides students with an opportunity to engage with various stakeholders by visiting a number of organisations in key areas of tourism, hospitality and events. Students will observe first-hand the various and competing perspectives, priorities and agendas of different stakeholders in a destination.
The Disney Company is renowned worldwide for its service excellence and approaches to visitor management, and has a mission to develop the most creative, innovative and profitable entertainment experiences and related products in the world.
This study tour will provide students with an opportunity to build on theoretical knowledge of many aspects of tourism by allowing students to observe first-hand how the world renowned Disney Company manages its hotels, theme parks, transport systems, retail outlets, and events at Disneyworld in Florida. A range of ‘Back stage’ tours and Disney team-building workshops will be included as part of the learning activities.
The study tour has been designed to focus on service management, visitor management, staging experiences, and designing and managing sustainable tourism attractions.
The course will be offered in three phases:
- Phase 1: Pre-departure sessions (September - November)
- Phase 2: Field Experiences in Orlando (Nov-Dec)
- Phase 3: Assessment (January)
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
TOUR7000 + 7031 and 4 units from the MTHEM list
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
TOUR7040
Restrictions
GCTHEM, MTHEM. Maximum number of enrolments = 20.
Jointly taught details
This course is jointly-taught with:
TOUR7011 - Post graduate equivalent
Course contact
Course staff
Tutor
Miss Alex Hughes
Timetable
Additional timetable information
Please note: Teaching staff do not have access to the timetabling system to help with class allocation. Therefore, should you need help with your timetable and/or allocation of classes, please ensure you email business.mytimetable@uq.edu.au from your UQ student email account with the following details:
- Full Name
- Student ID
- Course Code
Aims and outcomes
This course aims to provide students with an immersive experience, directly observing and reflecting upon how hotels, theme parks, transport systems, retail outlets and/or events are managed.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities and challenges of experience design.
LO2.
Critically evaluate the experience design elements encountered at the study tour destination.
LO3.
Reflect upon how your field study tour experiences connect with future career aspirations.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique | Critical Analysis | 50% Approx. 3,000 Words |
10/01/2025 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection |
Reflective Portfolio
|
50% |
31/01/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Critical Analysis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 50% Approx. 3,000 Words
- Due date
10/01/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
Prepare a critical analysis of the design elements of ONE of Disneyworld’s theme parks.
Background
- briefly describe your park and its underlying theme/purpose
- Provide a map/diagram
Critique
Drawing from a combination of relevant literature, course content and your own on-site observations, critically analyse the design of your chosen theme park. You will need to:
· Describe design elements that are working well, and justify why.
· Describe design elements that could be improved, and justify why.
· Include evidence (eg. photographs, diagrams) to support your critique.
Elements that could be addressed in your critique include:
· Entrance/sense of welcome
· Ambient features
o Colour
o Soundscapes
o Scents
o Touch/tactile features
o Temperature
· Theming of supporting infrastructure (buildings, plants, barriers, etc)
· Layout
o Location of restrooms, catering outlets, retail outlets
o Infrastructure that supports or hinders visitor flow/movement
o Spaces for interaction
o Spaces to sit/rest
· Other design elements that impact on the visitor experience
NOTE: You do NOT have to address all these elements in your report.
Recommendations
Based on your critique, recommend how the Walt Disney Company could improve the design elements that are not working well. If applicable, also suggest how Disney can enhance the design elements that are working well.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin in Blackboard Assessment link.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Reflective Portfolio
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
31/01/2025 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03
Task description
Drawing from your personal experiences and studies to date, create a reflective piece about the Disneyworld field study tour. Please write in the first person and consider how your tour experiences have impacted on your views and approaches to travel in general and your future management career in the tourism, hospitality and/or events industry, Approx. 2,500 - 3,000 Words.
Part 1 Background
- Provide a brief overview of the (1-3) critical incident/s you have chosen for your portfolio
- Include a brief rationale for this choice
Part 2 Reflection
· Describe the critical incident/s, including key players and their actions.
· Describe your actions, reactions and feelings. NOTE: Be open in analysing why the critical incident/s occurred, and why you felt the way you did.
· Discuss how the critical incident/s has affected your views and perspectives. NOTE: Incorporate reflections of previous experiences and learnings from your program.
· Predict how the critical incident/s will affect your future behaviour as a manager or guest.
· If relevant, include evidence (eg. photographs, quotes) to support your reflection.
TIP: There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ critical incidents – what’s critical for you may not be critical to someone else. This is a PERSONAL choice.
Some examples of critical incidents that could be addressed include:
· Experiencing customer service incidents that were below or above expectations
· Personal interactions with cast members or other guests
· Experiencing ‘WOW’ Disney moments – theming/immersion, rides, fireworks, merchandise shopping
· Feeling (or not feeling) a sense of inclusion
· Gaining insights into aspects of Disney management that may be less obvious/hidden
· Observing cast members interacting with other guests
· Interactions with other students on the study tour
NOTE: You may choose an incident that is not on this list. The key is to choose incident/s that mean something to you personally.
AI Statement
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin in the Blackboard Assessment link
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 29 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30 - 46 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 47 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
Grades will be allocated according to University-wide standards of criterion-based assessment.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 |
Workshop |
Pre-Departure lecture: Designing Experiences This is the first of two sessions covering course content (including assessment requirements) prior to departure for Walt Disney World. Learning outcomes: L01 |
Workshop |
Pre-Departure lecture: Service Management This is the second of two sessions covering course content prior to departure for Walt Disney World. Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 3 |
Excursion |
1/12/24 Onsite field study tour Onsite lectures and workshops. Behind-the scenes exercises and observations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: