Walt Disney Imagineering Wins Two TEA awards

Walt Disney Imagineering Wins Two TEA awards

Walt Disney Imagineers captured two prestigious awards within the themed entertainment industry for creating outstanding new experiences at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure Playtest at Epcot and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage at Disneyland were recently named as recipients of the 2007 THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The TEA, (formerly Themed Entertainment Association) announced the awards during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction's (IAPPA) annual conference at the Orange County Convention Center. The THEA awards recognize achievement, talent and personal excellence within the themed entertainment industry. Recognized internationally as a symbol of excellence, the THEAs are awarded in fifteen separate categories and bestowed annually.

"Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage" at Disneyland was recognized by the panel for its groundbreaking application of new technology, combining popular animated film characters and storytelling for a crowd-pleasing underwater experience. In this state-of-the-art renovation, Disney Imagineers created a new undersea world in which guests embark on an expedition of colorful reefs, ancient ruins, massive whales, and an erupting volcano. They come face-to-face with Bruce the Shark, Gill, Peach, Crush, and other memorable characters from the Disney-Pixar Academy Award Winning Animated Feature while venturing on an aquatic quest with Marlin and Dory to find Nemo. In enhancing a Disneyland Classic, WDI has employed new technology and immersive storytelling to create a new one-of-a-kind adventure for future generations.

The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, which was recognized for outstanding achievement for an interactive experience, is an interactive adventure game for guests of the Epcot theme park developed by Disney Imagineering's Research &Development team. Using wireless cellphone-like "Kimmunicator" handsets, guests control special effects installations throughout the World Showcase to defeat super villains from Disney's "Kim Possible" television series. The Kimmunicator is also the interface for controlling numerous game installations, special effects, secret panels, etc. hidden over the length and breadth of the UK and France pavilions at Epcot. The experience was playtested last year at Epcot.

-- Posted November 14, 2007