Disney receives 3 top awards from the Themed Entertainment Association

Disney received two of the

10 Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement this year, including one for Mystic Manor and another for Enchanted Tales with Belle.

The Themed Entertainment Association Thea Award is considered the industry’s top honor. In addition, the Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland received the Thea Classic award.

Mystic Manor at Hong Kong Disneyland “signals a new generation of possibilities in the integration of projection mapping with ride technology, audio-animatronics and other special effects.” according to the TEA website.

There are some 40 visual effects created by different technologies and 36 projectors, including four ultra-high-definition (4k) projectors. The wire-guided, trackless ride system can position the vehicle where guests ride in any direction.

Enchanted Tales with Belle at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World is more than a typical character greeting, adding a magic mirror effect as well as the Audio-Animatronics figure of Lumiere, the candlestick.

“While it may have been tempting to focus on more contemporary theatrical media and technology to create this experience, the daring use of absolutely simple storytelling and playacting (with background of Imagineering wizardry) creates a much stronger and more personal connection than a more programmed experience,” according to TEA.