Fanship as a Form of Liminoid Leisure

Abstract

Utilizing Turner’s (1974a) theoretical framework of liminoidity, this research analyzes leisure experiences by Harry Potter fans visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. Liminoid experiences are broadly characterized by leisure, individualization, continuously reoccurring nature, and do not require society-wide participation or personal transformation (Turner, 1974a). This phenomenological research employed qualitative methods to explore the structure of liminoidity in leisure experiences and extend Turner’s concept of spontaneous communitas and play. The author puts forth the Liminoid Leisure Experience Model to describe the processes of liminoid leisure experiences. Findings are transferrable and generalizable across fan communities.

Keywords:

• Communitas
• fandom
• Harry Potter
• liminal
• tourism

Disclosure statement

The author declares that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.