18th Annual TEA Awards Winners Announced

In line with traditional, today marks the start of the 2011 IAAPA Expo and also the announcement of this year's recipients of the Themed Entertainment Association's Thea Awards.

Regarded in the industry as one of the most prestigious awards to receive for having created a themed attraction, the awards represent a 'who's who' of industry players.  Many of the rides, attractions, experiences, and themed areas that we love have been awarded a Thea over the years.

"The Thea Awards honor teamwork at its very best - the creative handshake between the visionary project owner and the multidisciplinary collective of designers, artisans and technicians who realize the vision. TEA's Thea Awards celebrate storytelling across the globe - educational and entertaining stories of heritage, history, fiction, fantasy, magic and even hard science - delivered with artistry and the appropriate use of technology at museums, theme parks, world expos, special events and other settings."

Each year the Buzz Price Thea Award is also given out for a lifetime of distinguished achievements.  This year that was awarded to Imagineering's Joe Rhode, a 30 year veteran of the Walt Disney Company.  His work as a principal on Animal Kingdom, and most recently Disney's new Aulani resort (among many other accomplishments) has merited the award.

Here's a full list of the Thea award that will be given out at the Awards Gala, to be held at the Disneyland Resort on March 17th, 2012.

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)