Winners of the 31st Annual Thea Awards Announced
In November 2024, during the IAAPA Expo in Orlando, the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) announced the winners of the 31st Annual Thea Awards 2024. The successful projects and teams were celebrated at the TEA INSPIRE event in March 2025 during the Thea Awards Gala.
The TEA established the Thea Awards in 1994 to acknowledge achievement, talent, and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. Over the years, these awards have evolved into a global symbol of excellence.
All the Thea Award Winners
The Buzz Price Thea Award for a Lifetime of Outstanding Achievement
Rick Rothschild, founder and chief creative of FAR Out! Creative Direction, received the Buzz Price Thea Award for a Lifetime of Outstanding Achievement. Rothschild is a renowned creative director and producer, recognised for his substantial influence on themed entertainment and immersive experiences.
With a career spanning over four decades at Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), he was instrumental in the creation of more than 25 Disney attractions. His notable contributions include The American Adventure at Epcot and the innovative Soarin’ Over California at Disney California Adventure.
In 2008, Rothschild founded FAR OUT! Creative Direction, a consultancy dedicated to crafting engaging narratives and integrating relevant technologies into various projects. He has led numerous acclaimed flying theatre experiences, including FlyOver Canada in Vancouver, FlyOver America in Minnesota, and FlyOver Iceland in Reykjavik.
These attractions offer audiences immersive aerial experiences over iconic landscapes. Beyond his professional achievements, Rothschild is an active member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Producers Guild of America, and the Visual Effects Society. He has received multiple Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement.
The Thea Catalyst Award
Dayton Schroeder, AIA, vice president and design director at SmithGroup, and Naoki Tanaka, creative director at Dentsu Lab Tokyo, are the recipients of the Thea Catalyst Award.
Dayton Schroeder
With over 20 years of experience, Schroeder is celebrated for his leadership in Design Justice, using architecture to address and rectify systemic inequities, particularly those affecting historically marginalised communities. SmithGroup is one of the oldest and most esteemed architecture and engineering firms in the United States. Schroeder’s portfolio encompasses a wide array of projects, including cultural institutions, mixed-use developments, office buildings, residential complexes, and educational facilities.
A standout project is the Richmond National Slavery Museum at the Lumpkin’s Slave Jail Site in Virginia, which emphasises storytelling and community empowerment through spatial design.
Naoki Tanaka
Dentsu Lab Tokyo is a leading creative R&D unit within the Dentsu global advertising and communications network. Tanaka, with expertise in material engineering, has been pivotal in merging technology, design, and storytelling to create innovative experiences that resonate deeply with audiences.
One notable project is Winds of Change for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Faced with an audience-less stadium due to COVID-19, he and his team developed a simulation algorithm to analyse national anthems and flag colours, resulting in unique motion graphics that provided a dynamic entrance for athletes from 163 countries, fostering unity and celebration despite the absence of spectators.
Tanaka has also led initiatives to enhance inclusivity through technology, such as collaborating with artists MASA and PONE, both living with ALS, to create eye-tracking software that integrates with Ableton Live, allowing them to compose and perform music solely through eye movements. This groundbreaking tool culminated in a live show that received a four-minute standing ovation at Cannes Lions.
The Thea Classic Award
The Thea Classic Award recognises visitor experiences that have endured over time. This year, it was awarded to the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort.
As one of the most influential dark rides, this 3D motion simulator seamlessly combines real sets, advanced motion-based vehicles, practical effects, and 3D animation. Guests board a newsroom vehicle from the Daily Bugle and accompany Spider-Man on an adventure through the city.
As villains like Doctor Octopus and Hobgoblin steal the Statue of Liberty, the ride vehicle tilts, spins, rises, and falls in sync with the action, while fire, wind, water sprays, and other special effects are perfectly timed with the animation.
The original version of Universal’s Spider-Man attraction opened in 1999. In 2012, Universal re-launched the attraction with fully re-animated footage on the attraction’s screens, new 4K HD projection hardware, and an upgraded sound system for the ride vehicles.
Upon its opening, it set a new standard for theme park storytelling and technology, earning numerous accolades, including being named the world’s best dark ride for several consecutive years.
Thea Award Winners for Outstanding Achievement
Attraction, Limited Budget: Adventure Play, Windsor Great Park, UK
Windsor Great Park, a historic Royal landscape in southern England, features a custom-built adventure playground, Adventure Play, which opened in July 2023. This inclusive family attraction was commissioned by The Crown Estate and designed by Creating Adventurous Places (CAP.Co), with support from a multidisciplinary team. The playground is sustainably constructed using traditional techniques, such as thatching, with wood sourced mainly from the estate.
Treehouse buildings, tunnels, rope bridges, towers, and walkways have been created on the two-acre site, along with quirky artworks like floral megaphones and large musical instruments, challenging puzzles, and the first roller slide in the UK. The attraction also features sensory experiences, including fragrant planting schemes, wind chimes, a seasonal interactive projector, and tactile sculptures of local wildlife.
Adventure Play minimises adverse human impact on the environment and local biodiversity while providing families with a safe, purpose-designed location to climb, scramble, and test their physical bravery, fostering a connection with nature.
Paul Sedgwick, deputy ranger and managing director of Windsor & Rural at The Crown Estate, stated: “The concept behind Adventure Play was to provide a unique family experience unlike anything else currently available, reflecting the unique heritage and environment of the Windsor Estate. We hope this new addition to the Savill Garden will inspire the next generation of nature lovers.”
Waterpark: Aquascope, Futuroscope, France
French theme park Futuroscope opened its new €57 million Aquascope water park in 2024. Spanning over 7,000 square metres, the indoor water park features three immersive indoor areas, 13 waterslides, and an outdoor area.
Les Abysses de Lumière is an immersive zone equipped with digital technologies like projection mapping and lighting, alongside choreographed water effects. Another area caters to thrill-seekers with eight waterslides, while La Faille de Kraki offers a colourful world for children with aquatic play experiences, five waterslides, and interactive games.
In the 4,500-square-metre outdoor area, guests can enjoy a lazy river, a swimming pool, and a beach, which are only open during the summer months.
For this project, Futuroscope aimed to create a water park “unlike anything done before in France or Europe.”
Speaking to blooloop, CEO Rodolphe Bouin remarked: “When we envisioned this project, we didn’t want to follow in the footsteps of our competitors and propose yet another park with palm trees and pirate ships. We specialise in attractions that immerse you through images, so we decided to offer an extremely immersive experience never done before in Europe.”
Universal Rocks, an expert in planning, building, and developing themed areas to replicate the beauty of nature, contributed to the construction of Aquascope, creating the rock scenery for La Faille de Kraki, Les Abysses de Lumière, and the shower room. Moment Factory, a multimedia entertainment studio specialising in immersive environments, also collaborated on the park’s immersive area.
Outstanding Technical Innovation: BDX Droids, WDI Bipedal Robotic Character Design & Control
Disney’s bipedal robotic BDX droids were awarded the Thea Award for Outstanding Technical Innovation. These expressive, free-roaming droids can interact with visitors, emote, dance, and navigate uneven terrain.
They made their debut for a single day at the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge land at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in October 2023, and subsequently appeared daily during Disneyland’s Season of the Force event in 2024. They are also set to feature in the 2026 film The Mandalorian & Grogu.
Speaking about the technology behind them, Kyle Laughlin, SVP at Walt Disney Imagineering’s research and development division, stated: “The BDX droids represent a significant advancement — not only in robotics but also in how we bring beloved characters to life in the real world.”
He added, “The droids can learn to move and balance like living beings, but what truly distinguishes them is their spark of personality — they’re full of life and bring smiles to people’s faces. That’s our ultimate goal: to create emotional connections through technology.”
The technology developed for the BDX droids will be utilised in future Disney projects.
The droids also secured first place at the blooloop Innovation Awards 2024 in the Experiential Technology category, winning Best in Show.
Spectacular Show: Chimelong Show, Chimelong Resort, Hengqin, China
At The Chimelong Show, the audience is not merely spectators but active participants. Guests can anticipate an exhilarating experience featuring aerial stunts, synchronised dances, and interactive elements that engage them in the action.
Featuring world-class performers from over 20 countries, the show combines acrobatics, dance, comedy, and extreme sports into a captivating 90-minute performance. The innovative use of ‘water-land-air’ 3D effects provides a spectacular visual and auditory experience, leaving audiences enchanted by the unique world of circus arts.
ACTLD, a creative design company specialising in lighting, visual, and experiential design services, was responsible for the sound design of the show. Chimelong has received multiple TEA awards over the past decade, accumulating eight TEA honours. In 2024, Chimelong Group Chairman Su Zhigang was awarded a Thea Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Marine Theme Park: Chimelong Spaceship, Chimelong Resort, Hengqin, China
The Chimelong team also received a second Thea Award for the world’s largest indoor theme park, Chimelong Spaceship, which broke seven Guinness World Records during its inaugural phase.
Attractions such as Bermuda Adventure, Deep Sea Submarine, Spaceship Rally, and Ancient Sea Fantasy transport guests into a futuristic marine world, blending cutting-edge technology with imaginative storytelling.
It is home to the world’s largest aquarium, with a total capacity of 75,350,969 litres across its tanks. It also features the world’s largest aquarium tank, capable of holding 56,450,136 litres, and is equipped with machinery that can produce waves up to 3.2 metres.
Additionally, the attraction boasts the world’s largest living coral reef exhibit, comprising 2,848,562 litres and ten specialised coral tanks. It also features the world’s highest seated capacity motion simulator, the Bermuda Storm simulator ride, which accommodates 304 people on a single platform and includes an enormous projection screen with a surface area of over 1,682 square metres.
The project team included THG, a creative agency specialising in developing attractions for theme parks, museums, and brands; Zamperla, a leading ride manufacturer; Brogent Technologies Inc., a leading manufacturer of media-based attractions; and Mack Animation, a prominent animation studio and film production company.
Also involved were WhiteWater, a leading waterpark manufacturer; Visual Terrain, an award-winning lighting design firm; and The Bezark Company, an international creator of experiences.
Theme Park Land: Fantasy Springs, Tokyo DisneySea, Japan
Fantasy Springs, Tokyo DisneySea’s new themed port that opened in June 2024, is inspired by magical springs leading to a Disney fantasy world. It features three areas: Frozen Kingdom, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Peter Pan’s Never Land, along with the Fantasy Springs Hotel.
Construction commenced in May 2019, and the $2.2 billion land is Tokyo DisneySea’s largest development to date. Guests can enjoy Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies.
Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey is a family-friendly boat ride featuring songs from the film, while Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival is a gondola ride. Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is a 3D attraction, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies is a new dark ride.
Immersive Land: Ghibli Park, Valley of Witches, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Ghibli Park, the world’s only Studio Ghibli theme park, launched Valley of Witches, its fifth and final area, in March 2024. This area is based on anime films such as Kiki’s Delivery Service and Howl’s Moving Castle, featuring a life-size Howl’s Moving Castle.
The new area also includes the witch’s house from Earwig and the Witch and Ghibli Park’s first amusement park-style rides, including a merry-go-round and an aerial carousel ride. Visitors can also explore the bakery home of Kiki and her black cat Jiji from Kiki’s Delivery Service, the Soratobu Oven restaurant, a hot dog stand called the Hot Tin Roof, and a shop named 13 Witches.
Valley of Witches is Ghibli Park’s last area to open to the public, joining Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, and Mononoke Village.
Museum: International African American Museum, Charleston, South Carolina, US
After over 20 years of planning, the International African American Museum (IAAM) opened to the public in Charleston, South Carolina, in July 2023. Located at the site of Gadsden’s Wharf, a former slave trading port, it features nine galleries, a world-class genealogy and ancestry resource centre, and the African Ancestors Memorial Garden.
Designed by architect Henry Cobb, the 150,000-square-foot institution explores the history, culture, and impact of the African American journey across the globe.
Live Event: Kiss of the Sea, Phu Quoc, Vietnam
Kiss of the Sea is a permanent show on Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island. Directed, designed, and produced by ECA2, a leading creator of high-quality multimedia shows, in collaboration with Sun Group, it is the country’s first and only large-scale multimedia technology show, blending advanced technology, live performance, and storytelling. The teams were the Thea Award winners for the Live Event category.
The performance takes place on the world’s largest theatre on the sea, featuring a vast 1,000-square-metre seawater screen that showcases stunning visuals. It employs over 300 high-tech devices for effects such as lights, lasers, and dynamic video projections, creating an immersive 360-degree experience. Live performers enhance the intimate, theatre-like atmosphere.
Kiss of the Sea tells a love story between a young Phu Quoc man and a mysterious girl from another galaxy, combining romance, mystery, and cosmic wonder, enhanced by visuals, music, and live performances.
Kiss of the Sea won first place at the blooloop Innovation Awards 2024 in the Spectacular category.
Immersive Gaming – Limited Budget: The Ladder, Hatch Escapes, Los Angeles, California, US
The Ladder brings innovation to escape rooms by merging puzzle-solving with an engaging narrative, emphasising teamwork and critical thinking. Each section offers three scored games alongside classic puzzles. Completing these puzzles unlocks options that influence the story, while the games allow players to accumulate points.
Between four and ten participants begin their 90-minute experience by selecting an avatar for their team. They then explore five uniquely themed rooms, each representing a specific decade from the 1950s to the 1990s, reflecting a level in the corporate hierarchy of Nutricorp, a fictional but corrupt company.
Every room includes interactions with on-screen actors, creating the impression of a shared environment with the players. The system manages 17,000 lights through 650 cues, interfaces with five workstations controlling 21 screens, and operates 40 microcontrollers.
Immersive Show / Hotel Lobby Transformation – Limited Budget: Legend of Luna: A Great Wolf Story, Great Wolf Lodge Perryville, Maryland, US
In 2021, following an extensive transformation of its beloved woodland characters, Great Wolf Lodge engaged BRC Imagination Arts, an award-winning design and production company specialising in creating innovative brand and cultural experiences, to help bring these characters to life as part of a robust content strategy.
In June 2023, The Legend of Luna, the first location-based attraction at Great Wolf Lodge Perryville, opened. This charming fable follows a young wolf seeking her place in the world. The Grand Lobby, inspired by national park lodges, transforms each evening into a multi-sensory storytelling space for families to enjoy around the fireplace.
To enhance the sense of wonder, technology is discreetly integrated. Projection mapping animates the 30-foot-high stone fireplace; a static painting above the mantle transforms into an unexpected screen for the animated film; hotel chandeliers conceal 18,000 control channels producing 1.8 million colours and realistic flames; and previously ordinary LED screens surrounding the room awaken, enriching the immersive storytelling experience.
Additional effects include lasers, fire, smoke, and snow. When not in show mode, the lobby’s special effects setup allows the area to adapt for seasonal themes and special occasions.
The Legend of Luna also secured third place in the Immersive Experiences category at the blooloop Innovation Awards 2024.
Children’s Science Museum – Limited Budget: Neobio Museum, Shanghai, China
The Neobio Science Museum in Shanghai has redefined the concept of indoor playgrounds by integrating art and technology-driven exhibits into one groundbreaking attraction. It offers a playful and interactive STEM education experience.
Neobio helps children explore the relationship between science, life, and art through interactive experiences across three floors and five exhibitions spanning 6000 m².
In Power Hungry, visitors discover how humanity transforms nature into energy. Miracle Labs showcases the life cycle and complexity of human organs. Secret Studios combines art and technology, while Maker’s Hall invites visitors to innovate and create. The Space Station offers a journey through the stars, unveiling mysteries for future generations.
International Live Spectacular: Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies, France
The winners of the Thea Award for International Live Spectacular, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies, transformed Paris into an open-air theatre, pushing boundaries and setting a new standard for live global events. The city of Paris and the Seine served as a canvas for an international celebration that was a free live spectacle for all, in addition to the worldwide television audience.
Hundreds of thousands of in-person spectators and billions of television viewers enjoyed the ceremonies, which were spread across various locations. This display represented a monumental success in creative vision and production, uniting numerous elements such as boats, grandstands, artists and performers, stages, costuming, cameras, loudspeakers, land facilities, giant screens, AV systems, and extensive rehearsal days.
Museum Attraction: The Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater, National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans unveiled the Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater at the end of 2023. This new attraction offers a show focusing on FDR’s Four Freedoms and the expanding global role the United States was destined to play in the post-WWII era.
To manage visitor flow, the decision was made to seat the audience on a turntable. The project comprises a pre-show space and a three-act show featuring various lighting, electromechanical, and audio-visual elements.
