The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser experience at Walt Disney World, Orlando, is among the winners of this year's Thea Awards.

The awards – which were launched in 1994 – recognise individuals, projects, and technologies in the arena of themed attractions and experiences worldwide. Organised by The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), the winners were revealed today to a packed crowd at the IAAPA Expo, which is taking place in Orlando this week.

This year, 20 recipients were recognized for their innovative work.

Among them were Roland Mack, the legendary founder and managing partner of Europa Park, who was given the Buzz Price Award for a lifetime of distinguished achievements.

In total, there were 13 winners of the prestigious Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement.

These included the 3D motion theatre experience, Chasseurs de Tornades, at the Futuroscope visitor attraction in France and the Jurassic World Adventure at Universal Studios Beijing.

Meanwhile, industry veteran Kevin Murphy was given the Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award for his many years of service and support of the TEA.

This year, two people were given the Catalyst Award, in recognition of their individual contributions to the advancement of the industry. The recipients were Susanna Tubert, creative director of Disney Live Entertainment at Disneyland Parks and Resorts; and Chevy Humphrey, president of Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago and chair of the American Alliance of Museums.

Fri Forjindam, Thea Committee Chair, said: “Our field is constantly changing. Honouring these recipients from around the world highlights their success in bringing forth highly engaging visitor attractions and experiences in the leisure and travel sectors.

"They are everything from problem solvers to specialists that create what our imaginations can only dream of and bring it all to fruition."

The full list of this year’s Thea Award winners are:

Buzz Price Award (recognizing a lifetime of distinguished achievements): Roland Mack, founder and managing partner, Europa Park

Catalyst Award (recognizing individual contributions to the advancement of the industry):

Susanna Tubert, creative director, Disney Live Entertainment, Disneyland Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Company

Chevy Humphrey, president and CEO, Museum of Science & Industry – Chicago and board chair of the American Alliance of Museums

Classic Award (celebrating a guest experience that has stood the test of time):

Disney’s Main Street Electrical Parade, Anaheim, CA, USA

Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement:

Attraction: Chasseurs de Tornades, Futuroscope, France

Attraction: Jurassic World Adventure, Universal Studios Beijing, Beijing, China Attraction Limited Budget: Underlandet, Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Connected Immersion: ‘Jump’ by Limitless Flight, Bluffdale, Utah, USA Immersive Dining Experience Limited Budget: Absurdities Vol. 1, Andsoforth, Singapore

Immersive Live Experience: Particle Ink: Speed of Dark, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Live Event: How to Train Your Dragon: Untrainable, Universal Studios Beijing, Beijing, China

Science Centre: Shanghai Astronomy Museum, Shanghai, China Museum Limited Budget: The Irish Racehorse Experience, Irish National Stud and Gardens Co, Kildare, Ireland

Historical Experience Limited Budget: Quake, Lisbon Earthquake Centre, Lisbon, Portugal Brand Experience: Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida, USA

Theme Park: Universal Studios Beijing, Beijing, China Technology: Beaudry Interactive, Los Angeles, California, USA

Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award:

Kevin Murphy, for his many years of service and support of the TEA, its EMEA Division and global members

Peter Weishar, for his exceptional promotion of the themed entertainment industry through education, program development and support of TEA NextGen members

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