Latest
issue
GET SPA BUSINESS
magazine
Yes! Send me the FREE digital editions of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines and the FREE weekly Spa Business and Spa Business insider ezines and breaking news alerts!
Not right now, thanksclose this window I've already subscribed.
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
Theas
Award season

The TEA’s Thea Awards celebrated a year of innovation, creativity and achievement across the themed entertainment industry. We take a closer look at the winners

Published in Attractions Management 2021 issue 1
Read in digital edition Download PDF of this issue More from this issue Get Spa Business FREE
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which opened in 1986, won The Classic Award
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which opened in 1986, won The Classic Award

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) revealed the winners of its Thea Awards towards the end of 2020, with the list an especially significant one, given the challenges experienced by the industry throughout the year.

Award recipients included PortAventura World in Spain, which was honoured with the Best Attraction award for its Sesame Street: Street Mission area.

Other winners in the ‘attractions’ category included The Twilight Saga: Midnight Ride at the Lionsgate Entertainment World in Zhuhai, China.

Meanwhile, The Buzz Price Thea Award – given to an individual for a lifetime of distinguished achievements – was given to Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

“The admiration Bob has earned over the decades is rooted in his authentic leadership style – that of a world-class visionary who is sincerely modest, selfless and kind,” said the TEA judging panel.
THEA WINNERS IN FULL
The Buzz Price Thea Award

Recognising a lifetime of distinguished achievements
• Bob Weis, president, Walt Disney Imagineering

Thea Classic

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, UK

Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)

Entrance Experience Limited Budget
• St Louis Aquarium at Union Station, St Louis Missouri, US

Attraction
• Sesame Street: Street Mission, PortAventura World, Tarragona, Spain

Attraction
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, FL and Disneyland Park, CA, US

Live Show Spectacular
• Qu Yuan, Jingzhou Oriental Heritage Park, Hubei China

Attraction
• The Twilight Saga: Midnight Ride, Lionsgate Entertainment World, Zhuhai, China

Attraction Limited Budget
• Snorri Touren, Europa-Park, Rust, Germany

Technical Innovation
• ARGUS LED Dome System

Touring Exhibition, Limited Budget
• Amazing Pollinators

Live Attraction Spectacular
• The Bourne Stuntacular, Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

Connected/Immersive Storytelling
• The Nest, Los Angeles, CA, US

Attraction
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida, US

Immersive Design for Special Needs Guests
• D.R.E.A.M. Centre, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Lewes, UK

Museum Exhibit Design, Limited Budget
• Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr Jane Goodall, National Geographic Museum, Washington DC, US

Themed Hotel
• Les Quais de Lutèce Hotel, Parc Astérix, France

Technological Innovation of Industry Significance
• Tait Navigator Automation and Show Control Platform

Airport Destination Experience
• Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

PortAventura was awarded Best Attraction for its Sesame Street: Street Mission area / Photo: PortAventura World

Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine

View contents of Spa Business 2021 issue 1
  • Editor's letter: Doing better
    The Black Lives Matter movement has challenged museums professionals to ask testing questions about their role in reparative history and the way we display and interpret racist and colonial collections
  • People: Brent Bushnell
    Two Bit Circus has pivoted to an innovative online model aimed at keeping its community in touch
  • People: Michel Linet-Frion
    After decades creating for Disney, Grévin and Center Parcs, Linet-Frion has launched his own consultancy
  • People: Anthony Rawlins
    The Digital Visitor CEO explains a new whitepaper on how attractions can survive 2021 and beyond
  • Interview: Sarah Roots
    Warner Bros’ Sarah Roots shares exciting details of the second Harry Potter Studio Tour, set to open in Japan in 2023
  • Talking Point: Black Lives Matter and museums
    Many museums expressed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, but is it leading to actual change? We ask the experts
  • Inspired: Alone with Vermeer
    The Mauritshuis in The Hague has allowed visitors one-to-one time with Vermeer’s <i>View of Delft</i>, ‘the most beautiful painting in the world’
  • Aquariums: Into the deep
    Merlin and the Sea Life Trust share the highs and lows of the epic journey to get two whales to their new home in the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland
  • Innovation: Sea change
    Edge Innovations’ incredibly life-like robot dolphins could spell the end of marine mammals in aquariums, says CEO Walt Conti
  • Interview: Bob Rogers
    As BRC Imagination Arts celebrates 40 years in business, its founder celebrates his team’s achievements
  • Sponsored: Technically Creative
    With clients including the Xplore Family Entertainment Centre in Athens, Technically Creative provides a one stop, in-house solution to create memorable and magical experiences. We talk to CEO, Marc Broadbent
  • Technology: Bringing digital to life
    Extended reality technology provides opportunities to connect with audiences in amazing new ways
  • Sponsored: Fun Spot: Providing turnkey solutions
    Industry innovator, Fun Spot, is on a roll, with a new EMEA office and a range of innovative new products to help operators deliver excellence to the family fun market. We find out more
  • Interview: Phil Hettema
    The Hettema Group president on weathering the pandemic and creating powerful experiences
  • Theas: Award season
    A celebration of the winners from the TEA’s recent Thea Awards
  • Museums: Tough art
    A Pittsburgh museum is challenging artists to create displays tough enough for an audience of children
  • Design: Dorte Mandrup
    The Danish architect is designing the Exile Museum in Berlin and a climate change museum in Greenland
  • Family entertainment: Linda Dong
    China Leisure’s president talks about partnering with Nickelodeon
Award season

Theas

Award season

Current article
← Read previous: Phil Hettema Read next: Tough art →
Sign up here to get your choice of the Spa Business and Spa Business insider weekly ezines, breaking news alerts and every issue of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines FREE on digital.
WDI’s Bob Weis – Buzz Price Thea recipient
WDI’s Bob Weis – Buzz Price Thea recipient
Jewel Changi Airport won a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement
Jewel Changi Airport won a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement / Photo: Jewel Changi Airport
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]

Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone’s comprehensive face and body professional and retail range allows clients to experien [more...]
marocMaroc

Since its creation in 2007, MarocMaroc has invited the world to explore Moroccan beauty through a u [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
Theas
Award season

The TEA’s Thea Awards celebrated a year of innovation, creativity and achievement across the themed entertainment industry. We take a closer look at the winners

Published in Attractions Management 2021 issue 1
Read in digital edition Download PDF of this issue More from this issue Get Spa Business FREE
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which opened in 1986, won The Classic Award
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, which opened in 1986, won The Classic Award

The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) revealed the winners of its Thea Awards towards the end of 2020, with the list an especially significant one, given the challenges experienced by the industry throughout the year.

Award recipients included PortAventura World in Spain, which was honoured with the Best Attraction award for its Sesame Street: Street Mission area.

Other winners in the ‘attractions’ category included The Twilight Saga: Midnight Ride at the Lionsgate Entertainment World in Zhuhai, China.

Meanwhile, The Buzz Price Thea Award – given to an individual for a lifetime of distinguished achievements – was given to Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

“The admiration Bob has earned over the decades is rooted in his authentic leadership style – that of a world-class visionary who is sincerely modest, selfless and kind,” said the TEA judging panel.
THEA WINNERS IN FULL
The Buzz Price Thea Award

Recognising a lifetime of distinguished achievements
• Bob Weis, president, Walt Disney Imagineering

Thea Classic

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, UK

Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)

Entrance Experience Limited Budget
• St Louis Aquarium at Union Station, St Louis Missouri, US

Attraction
• Sesame Street: Street Mission, PortAventura World, Tarragona, Spain

Attraction
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, FL and Disneyland Park, CA, US

Live Show Spectacular
• Qu Yuan, Jingzhou Oriental Heritage Park, Hubei China

Attraction
• The Twilight Saga: Midnight Ride, Lionsgate Entertainment World, Zhuhai, China

Attraction Limited Budget
• Snorri Touren, Europa-Park, Rust, Germany

Technical Innovation
• ARGUS LED Dome System

Touring Exhibition, Limited Budget
• Amazing Pollinators

Live Attraction Spectacular
• The Bourne Stuntacular, Universal Studios Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

Connected/Immersive Storytelling
• The Nest, Los Angeles, CA, US

Attraction
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida, US

Immersive Design for Special Needs Guests
• D.R.E.A.M. Centre, Chailey Heritage Foundation, Lewes, UK

Museum Exhibit Design, Limited Budget
• Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Dr Jane Goodall, National Geographic Museum, Washington DC, US

Themed Hotel
• Les Quais de Lutèce Hotel, Parc Astérix, France

Technological Innovation of Industry Significance
• Tait Navigator Automation and Show Control Platform

Airport Destination Experience
• Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore

PortAventura was awarded Best Attraction for its Sesame Street: Street Mission area / Photo: PortAventura World

Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine

View contents of Spa Business 2021 issue 1
  • Editor's letter: Doing better
    The Black Lives Matter movement has challenged museums professionals to ask testing questions about their role in reparative history and the way we display and interpret racist and colonial collections
  • People: Brent Bushnell
    Two Bit Circus has pivoted to an innovative online model aimed at keeping its community in touch
  • People: Michel Linet-Frion
    After decades creating for Disney, Grévin and Center Parcs, Linet-Frion has launched his own consultancy
  • People: Anthony Rawlins
    The Digital Visitor CEO explains a new whitepaper on how attractions can survive 2021 and beyond
  • Interview: Sarah Roots
    Warner Bros’ Sarah Roots shares exciting details of the second Harry Potter Studio Tour, set to open in Japan in 2023
  • Talking Point: Black Lives Matter and museums
    Many museums expressed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, but is it leading to actual change? We ask the experts
  • Inspired: Alone with Vermeer
    The Mauritshuis in The Hague has allowed visitors one-to-one time with Vermeer’s <i>View of Delft</i>, ‘the most beautiful painting in the world’
  • Aquariums: Into the deep
    Merlin and the Sea Life Trust share the highs and lows of the epic journey to get two whales to their new home in the world’s first beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland
  • Innovation: Sea change
    Edge Innovations’ incredibly life-like robot dolphins could spell the end of marine mammals in aquariums, says CEO Walt Conti
  • Interview: Bob Rogers
    As BRC Imagination Arts celebrates 40 years in business, its founder celebrates his team’s achievements
  • Sponsored: Technically Creative
    With clients including the Xplore Family Entertainment Centre in Athens, Technically Creative provides a one stop, in-house solution to create memorable and magical experiences. We talk to CEO, Marc Broadbent
  • Technology: Bringing digital to life
    Extended reality technology provides opportunities to connect with audiences in amazing new ways
  • Sponsored: Fun Spot: Providing turnkey solutions
    Industry innovator, Fun Spot, is on a roll, with a new EMEA office and a range of innovative new products to help operators deliver excellence to the family fun market. We find out more
  • Interview: Phil Hettema
    The Hettema Group president on weathering the pandemic and creating powerful experiences
  • Theas: Award season
    A celebration of the winners from the TEA’s recent Thea Awards
  • Museums: Tough art
    A Pittsburgh museum is challenging artists to create displays tough enough for an audience of children
  • Design: Dorte Mandrup
    The Danish architect is designing the Exile Museum in Berlin and a climate change museum in Greenland
  • Family entertainment: Linda Dong
    China Leisure’s president talks about partnering with Nickelodeon
Award season

Theas

Award season

Current article
← Read previous: Phil Hettema Read next: Tough art →
Sign up here to get your choice of the Spa Business and Spa Business insider weekly ezines, breaking news alerts and every issue of Spa Business and Spa Business insider magazines FREE on digital.
WDI’s Bob Weis – Buzz Price Thea recipient
WDI’s Bob Weis – Buzz Price Thea recipient
Jewel Changi Airport won a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement
Jewel Changi Airport won a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement / Photo: Jewel Changi Airport
LATEST NEWS
The Good Spa Guide sets up event for modified Good Spa Guide Awards
The UK spa review and discovery platform for consumers, the Good Spa Guide, has announced it will host the Good Spa Guide Awards 2026 during an event on 16 November at Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans, UK.
McKinsey: 84 per cent of consumers say wellness is a top priority
Eighty-four per cent of consumers now say wellness is a top priority in their lives, with this percentage increasing year on year, according to a preview presentation of McKinsey’s Future of Wellness 2026 research report.
Protests continue in Albania against US$1.6 billion luxury resort backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump
Mass protests have been taking place since Monday 1 June in Albania over the development of a luxury resort by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner.
Barons Eden rebrands to Hiddenwell ahead of spa hotel portfolio expansion
Barons Eden, the UK parent company that operates luxury destination properties in England, has rebranded to become Hiddenwell.
Belgin Aksoy marks 15 years of Global Wellness Day
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities that spark joy.
HUM2N launches longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
Mayrlife opens first hotel day clinic in partnership with Rosewood Vienna
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth offers ocean-themed yoga for Global Wellness Day
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen
Hoshino Resorts has developed a “Cool-down onsen soak” programme at properties with Japanese onsen facilities – those within the company’s KAI brand.
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day (GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation experiences.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]

Why future-ready in-house laundry is the new luxury spa essential
In today’s premium spa environment, every detail shapes the guest experience – right down to the softness of towels and the freshness of linens. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone’s comprehensive face and body professional and retail range allows clients to experien [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

21-23 Jun 2026

Spa Life International (UK)

Midlands (Venue TBA), Liphook, United Kingdom
22-22 Jun 2026

World Bathing Day

Worldwide,
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS