This weekend, the TEA (Themed Entertainment Assoiation) celebrated its 20th anniversary in grand fashion at The Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California.  What began as several workshops and networking experiences capped with the grand finale: The 2012 THEA Awards.  The TEA organization, representing creators of compelling places & experiences worldwide, honored several wonderful experiences around the world, including our favorite, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

The THEA Award, first of all, is a play on three words.  “Thea” is The Greek goddess from whom all light emanates.  The second word is “Theater”, and the third is of course, the name of the organization, TEA. And while TEA is celebrating its 20th anniversary, this is only the 18th awards ceremony and its key objective is to find excellence and to celebrate it.

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is  honored this year with the THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement.  The complete re-imagining of the classic attraction and its unique ability to provide varied experiences for the guests make this a first of its kind.  A branching story structure employing multiple destinations and characters give Star Tours 54 potential show experiences resulting in a dramatic increase in attraction repeatability.

The voice and man behind C-3PO, Anthony Daniels, flew out from London to present the THEA award to Imagineers Tom Fitzgerald, Executive Vice President Senior Creative Executive and Kathy Rogers, Show Producer Senior Director.  Members of The Southern California Garrison of the 501st Legion were also on hand to show their support, with R2-D2 presenting the award.

While George Lucas could not attend in person, he did send his transmission congratulating the Star Tours team for a job well done.

Other highlights of the program included Star Tours composer Michael Giacchino providing attendees with an inside look at creating the music for Space Mountain.  He also paid tribute to the talented Robert B. Sherman who recently passed away.

HERE IS THE COMPLETE LIST OF THE 18TH ANNUAL THEA AWARDS RECIPENTS:
THE BUZZ PRICE THEA AWARD
Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements
Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering

THEA CLASSIC AWARD
Puy du Fou: Le Grand Parc and Cinescenie, Vendee, 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’Adventure 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 Mexico, Celebration of the Century of the Mexican Revolution, Mexico City (Show 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)

Congratulations to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue and to all of this year’s recipients of the THEA Award!

For more information on the Themed Experience Association, visit their website: http://teaconnect.org

Many thanks to Gene of the TEA for extending the invitation for us to participate in this year’s festivities!