The Thea Awards announced by TEA

The 18th Annual Thea Awards Recipients were anounced by TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) today. The annual awards for the themed entertainment industry celebrate excellence in storytelling that supports the creation of compelling places and guest experiences. As you might expect Disney is well represented.

• Imagineer Joe Rohde won the newly christened “Buzz Price” award (formerly the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award) for his lifetime of distinguished achievements.
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World won for best Attraction Refresh.
• The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom won the award for best Show Spectacular.
• Disney Cruise Line got in on the fun with an award for Ingenious use of Technology at Animation Magic in the Animator’s Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Ship – Disney Fantasy. Which is weird, since that ship hasn’t even sailed yet. But I have seen the concept in action and it’s pretty cool.

Congratulations to all the winners.

The full list of award recipients is below the jump:

THE BUZZ PRICE THEA AWARD
Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements (formerly the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award)
Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering

THEA CLASSIC AWARD
Puy du Fou: Le Grand Parc and Cinéscénie, Vendée, France

THEA AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT

Space Fantasy The Ride at Universal Studios Japan (Attraction)

Barnas Brannstasjon (Children’s Fire Station) at Kongeparken, Norway
(Attraction on a Limited Budget)

Arthur, L’Aventure 4D at Futuroscope (Attraction)

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood
Studios at Walt Disney World (Attraction Refresh)

NatureQuest at Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta (Museum Exhibit)

YOU! The Experience at Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
(Museum Exhibit)

The Changing Climate Show at Science North
(Science Center Attraction on a Limited Budget)

Ghost of the Castle at Louisiana’s Old State Capitol
(Cultural Heritage Attraction on a Limited Budget)

Crane Dance at Resorts World Sentosa (Show Spectacular)

The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
(Show Spectacular)

Yo México, Celebration of the Century of the Mexican Revolution, Mexico City
(Live Show Event Spectacular)

The House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams, Macau
(Live Show Spectacular)

FoodLoop at Europa-Park (Themed Restaurant Experience)

Animation Magic in the Animator’s Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Ship – Disney Fantasy (Ingenious use of Technology)