From Home to Hogsmeade: A phenomenological study of liminoidity in media tourism

This phenomenological study illuminates Turner's concept of liminoidity to draw connections with the uses and gratifications in fanship to media tourism experiences at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. Liminoidity can be defined broadly as the individualized, competitive, optional, leisure-based offerings that compete on the free market (Turner, 1974). This project illuminates the relationship between liminoidity and the uses and gratifications of fanship participation. This led to the development of two main findings: 1) through competition with other liminoid experiences, participants reinforce and practice intrapersonal values; 2) imaginative play in media tourism experiences advances feelings of escapism. Both theoretical and practical implications, such as revisit intention, are discussed. Findings are transferable to other media tourism attractions and fan communities.