The Fabulous Disney Babe - Sep 7, 2001

The Fabulous Disney Babe
Page 1 of 1

by Michelle Smith (archives)
September 7, 2001
Fab's back and she has news of a Lifetime Achievement Award for Tony Baxter and how you can attend.

I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch, but I've been busy trying to find something to wear to the THEA awards gala on September 22nd at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA. It's the Academy Awards of the theme park industry, a marvelous black-tie event where the Themed Entertainment Industry gives kudos to the best of the bunch every year. This year, Tony Baxter is finally being recognized for his incredible career with Themed Entertainment Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Tony is responsible for such wonders as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and The Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye among his legacy of Disney projects.

I'm not going to be the only one cheering Tony on that night: AmusementPark.com has gotten permission from The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) to offer THEA Award gala tickets (click for more info). This is the first year these tickets are available to the general public. Tickets are $125, including shipping. Tickets are first come first serve for reserve seating, so ordering early gets you the best seats. The evening includes a cocktail pre-function, awards presentation, the winners' reception and party that lasts until midnight. I know I'm going to see a lot of you there.

In addition, Walt Disney World's Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold and Millennium Village and Disney's FASTPASS have been honored by the Themed Entertainment Association with THEA awards for excellence in themed entertainment. Other award winners include parks and new rides around the country, including Sea World's Discovery Cove, Paramount's Stealth roller coaster, and Universal Studios Orlando's Men in Black attraction. But the Lifetime Achievement Award is the Holy Grail, the Golden Snitch, the Irving Thalberg Award of the themed entertainment industry.

"The ultimate reward for our efforts is the smiles on the faces of our guests as they explore and experience the magic of our parks and resorts. But it's also nice to receive the acknowledgement of our peers in the industry." said Marty Sklar of Walt Disney Imagineering in an Imagineering-wide memo. Sklar is a recipient of the THEA Lifetime Achievement Award himself, as well as Disney's John Hench, Bob Gurr, Don Iwerks, and Harrison "Buzz" Price.

I know, I know, I could just yank something out of the closet and toss it on, but I've been working with a personal trainer and also researching healthy alternatives to the fat-and calorie-laden theme park noshes: nothing fits anymore, all of my gowns are too big, I'm pleased to say. During the next few weeks, I'll be giving reviews of some of these alternatives, along with a Disneyland Resort workout regime (Oh, yes, you can, especially at DCA!).

Thanks to everyone who dropped me a line during my absence. I apologize for being gone so long, and hope to not have to do it again....at least, not til that Disney Cruise Alice and I are talking about taking next year.

Next week: Got the perfect idea for character art? You CAN design and own it!

-- Fab

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-- Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith can be reached using the Talkback form below or by emailing her at [email protected].

The Fabulous Disney Babe's column is posted every Friday and when ever else she has something to say. For more on Michelle's background, see her first column. She also offers The Fabulous Tour: Disneyland Secrets and Stories. Click here for more information.

The opinions expressed by our Michelle Smith, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted August 10, 2001
-- Pictures Rebekah Moseley