Epic Universe, Central Florida’s newest theme park and the latest expansion of Universal Orlando Resort, has captured four Thea Awards, the worldwide honors given by the Themed Entertainment Association. Epic Universe, which opened to the public in May, was saluted for outstanding achievement in the Thea Awards theme-park category. Its How to Train Your Dragon Isle of Berk area won in the theme park land category. Epic’s Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, a dark ride, was recognized in the attraction category and its immersive Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry was celebrated as an outstanding ride experience. In addition, Dale Mason, retired vice president and executive art director at Universal Destinations & Experiences, received the Buzz Prize Award, which TEA recognizes for “a lifetime of distinguished achievements.” Winners were announced at a TEA gathering held at Epic Universe on Tuesday evening. “The Thea Awards represent industry excellence, and this year’s winners and their collective work delight millions of guests around the world while pushing the boundaries of presentation, creativity and innovation,” Matt Barton, international board president of TEA and CEO of CurtainUp Ltd., said in a news release. Peacock series presents Epic Universe scoops, Universal memories The Haunted Mansion Parlor, a lounge on the Disney Treasure ship in the Disney Cruise Line, was recognized for outstanding achievement as a themed food and beverage experience. Xcaret Park, a theme park that opened in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, in 1991, received the Thea Classic Award. TEA accepts nominations for Thea Awards, and winners are selected by a judging committee. This marks the 32nd year of the honors. An awards gala organized by the nonprofit association, which has 1, 600 member companies in more than 40 countries, will be held in Orlando in May. Theme-park awards gala moving from California to Orlando for 2026 Other 2025 Thea Award recipients include: • Attraction Danse Macabre (Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands). • Attraction John Wick Experience (Las Vegas). • Attraction WishWorks Make-A-Wish Southern Florida, Finker-Frenkel Wish House (Miami). • Attraction, limited budget Bagshot Row, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours (Matamata, New Zealand). • Historical center John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture (Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria). • Historical experience, limited budget Secret Laboratory (Schloss Augustusburg, Germany). • Immersive venue Cosm (Los Angeles and Dallas). • Interactive experience, limited budget Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue (touring worldwide). • Live show Bob Marley Hope Road (Las Vegas). • Museum KochiKame Museum (Katsushika, Tokyo). • Museum The Story of Emily (St. Ive, Cornwall, United Kingdom). • Technical innovation MAGNOS Sound Transparent Passive 3D LED Screen Technology, Kraftwerk. • Theme park Legoland Shanghai (Jinshan, Shanghai). Frederic Bertley, president and CEO at Center of Science and Industry of Columbus, Ohio, was given the Thea Catalyst Award, and Paul Kent, vice president technical design for RWS Global, received the Peter Chernack Distinguished Service Award.
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/18/iaapa-thea-awards-1120/
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