Imagineer Nancy Seruto and Galaxy’s Edge Receive Thea Awards
Congratulations Galaxy’s Edge! Since debuting at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Resort earlier this year, guests have had a chance to live their own Star Wars adventures. To acknowledge the sheer awesomeness of these dazzling new theme park lands, the Themed Entertainment Association, recognized Galaxy’s Edge with two Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement!
The land itself received the Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement – New Park Land. According to TEA, “this multifaceted experience combines epic and detailed placemaking, themed retail and dining, immersive theatrical techniques and interactive attractions into an audacious, genre-redefining, 14-acre adventure that lets park guests live their own Star Wars story in ways never before possible within the boundaries of a conventional theme park. The intricate layout, sophisticated use of scale, extension of character details and high quality of execution combine to make this an outstanding example of story-driven, experiential design blurring the line between guest and experience, making every detail ‘in-world’ authentic.”
As if that wasn’t amazing enough, TEA also honored Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Galaxy’s Edge with a Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement. TEA highlighted the technology, innovative loading system, screen-accurate vehicle and ultra-high-resolution game engine not to mention the interactive controls. When combined all these elements allow guests to really take control of one of the most famous ships in the galaxy!
It’s all of these incredible innovations that have ensured that Galaxy’s Edge has become one of the top-rated lands at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort. More than 5 million guests have climbed aboard the Millennium Falcon since it opened this summer.
Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products had this to say of the awards, “Congratulations to the incredible Imagineers, Cast, and Lucasfilm partners on these well-deserved recognitions of their passion, creativity, and dedication.”
These dazzling new lands will also go from strength to strength when Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, the second headlining attraction at Galaxy’s Edge opens at Hollywood Studios on December 5 and Disneyland on January 17.
But the awards don’t stop there! The Thea Awards also acknowledged Nancy Seruto, Walt Disney Imagineering creative executive for Shanghai Disney Resort. She received this year’s Buzz Price Award. Each year this award honors an outstanding individual whose accomplishments represent the highest standard of excellence in the themed entertainment industry.
“Nancy is an inspiring and highly collaborative leader who excels at bringing together diverse talents and perspectives to create experiences that resonate with our global audiences,” said Bob Weis, president of Walt Disney Imagineering. “In addition to her incredible work creating story-driven, immersive experiences in our parks, she generously lends her time and expertise to support nonprofit organizations that touch lives around the world. She is widely respected throughout the themed entertainment industry, and this award is a wonderful tribute to her influence and inspiration.”
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