The Simpsons Ride wins the the 2008 THEA AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT -  ATTRACTION.  For those not in the know, that’s the equivalent of winning an Oscar in the theme park biz.

The awards are given out by the Themed Entertainment Association, a non-profit association representing the world’s leading creators, developers, designers and producers of compelling places and experiences.

From the press release:

The prestigious Thea Awards recognize and honor excellence in the creation of outstanding visitor experiences, attractions, exhibits and places,” said Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) President Nick Farmer of Farmer Attraction Development, Leicester, UK. “Truly international in their recognition of outstanding productions, the Thea Awards focus international attention on innovation within the Themed Entertainment and Experience Design Industry.” The Awards will be formally presented March 7, 2009 at the 15th Annual Thea Awards Gala sponsored by Economics Research Associates, a lavish, black-tie dinner event at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, CA.

As TEA continues to rise in stature – the association is an increasingly valuable resource to the entertainment development community and its many intersecting lines of business – the Thea Award becomes more prestigious. The Thea Awards Nominating Committee evaluated more than 120 nominations in order to recommend the current slate of 17 Thea recipients, with final approval by the TEA International Board of Directors.

Recipients – 15th Annual Thea Awards

Thea Lifetime Achievement Award:  Robert L. Ward
Thea Classic Award: EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL
Thea Awards for Outstanding Achievement (AOA)
Attraction: The Simpsons Ride, Universal Studios Hollywood CA & Orlando, FL
Attraction Limited Budget: BeWILDerwood, Norwich, Norfolk, UK
Attraction Limited Budget: The Forgotten Mine, Molenheide, Belgium
Museum: The Newseum, Washington DC, USA
Museum: National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, VA, USA
Museum Exhibit: Operation Spy, International Spy Museum, Washington DC, USA
Museum Exhibit, Limited Budget: Forces of Nature, Arizona Science Center, Phoenix AZ, USA
Learning Experience: Air Force One Discovery Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum, Simi Valley CA, USA
Technical: Muppet Mobile Lab, Hong Kong Disneyland, China
Science Center: Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans LA, USA
New Theme Park Land: Jungala, Busch Gardens, Tampa FL, USA
Event Spectacular: 2008 Summer Olympics, Opening Ceremonies, Beijing, Chiina
Live Show: Finding Nemo, The Musical, Walt Disney World, FL, USA
Live Show: Legend of Mythica, Tokyo DisneySeas, Japan
Casino Attraction: Tree of Prosperity, Wynn Macau, Macau, SAR, China

I want to congratulate every member of the Universal Creative Simpson’s team in both Orlando and Hollywood, for all the hard work in creating a truly world class attraction.

The Simpsons™, The Simpsons™ Ride and all Simpsons characters and elements are ™ & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Universal officially announces my latest project, the Transformers Ride.  Read the article in Variety for the information, or the press release at Superhero Hype as I won’t be giving out any other details.

Today was the Grand Opening of the new Simpsons™ Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood!  After two years of development, design challenges, production, and construction, all our hard work paid off.  People really seem to be enjoying the entire attraction experience, from the details on the queue to the in-jokes during the ride.

The reviews have also come in:

• LA Times
• Jo Blo
• Coasterdom
• The Coaster Critic
• About.com
• Ultimaterollercoaster.com
• Theme Park Insider
• Mice Age

Congratulations to the entire team.

[View with PicLens]

 

Synopsis:

The Simpsons™ are visiting Krustyland, the low-budget theme park created by famed TV personality and shameless product huckster Krusty the Clown!

You are there right alongside Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie as you enter through the carnival-like midway. Once you board your vehicle you’re in for one surprise after another as you embark on a wild, over-the-top ride through the park… flying, floating, and more or less crashing your way through Krustyland’s kiddie attractions, stunt shows, and thrill rides.

How we were involved:

Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco spent two years working with digital projection specialists to create and build the world’s first 4K resolution 60 frame per second, 85 foot dome projection system as the main attraction to this fun and funny motion simulator attraction.

To learn more about the ride visit: http://www.simpsonsride.com/

The Simpsons™, The Simpsons™ Ride and all Simpsons characters and elements are ™ & © 2008 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.

Synopsis
Fear Factor “Live” is a highly interactive Themed Entertainment Association Award winning show that, like it’s television counterpart, puts ordinary people in extreme situations. Park guests are given the unique opportunity to participate in a thrilling competition against their own worst fears.

How we were involved:
When Universal Studios Hollywood wanted to deliver the “televised feel” of Fear Factor, Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco was brought in to supervise the design and installation of the live digital video production, switching, and playback system. Now I know what you’re thinking, “What happened to all that story, character, and theme stuff?” Well let us tell you a story. In our years of experience utilizing the latest in audio and video technologies to bring our stories to life, we learned a lot about how to design and build audiovisual systems that deliver an impact. Much like George Lucas built an entire empire out of innovating special effects, Not Afraid! has developed a marketplace for working with technology partners to deliver cutting edge audiovisual systems, theaters, and destination based entertainments. While it may not be high art, it pays the bills and allows us the opportunity to continue developing our own properties. At least that’s how we rationalize it.

If you’re interested you can learn more about the attraction at the official website.

Synopsis:

Rocket into total darkness as you face fireballs, scarabe beetles, and an army of warrior mummies on a psychological thrill ride totally unlike anything that’s come along in the last 3,000 years.

How we were involved:

When Universal Studios Hollywood wanted to combine state of the art high definition video projection and the latest in animated figure technology with the world’s fastest indoor roller-coaster, they again turned to Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco to provide key design, integration, and production management consulting services. We know, we know. The Mummy films are directly in conflict with the Not Afraid! philosophy. But this isn’t a Mummy film. It’s a roller-coaster and a pretty bitchin’ one in fact. Couple with that the opportunity to work with one of the very first 2K projectors in existence, put in a blazing on-board audio system, and create a first of it’s kind special effect that we’re not allowed to talk about. Who are we to refuse!

If you care you can learn more about the attraction at the official website here. http://www.revengeofthemummy.com/

Synopsis:

Immerse yourself in the chilling, futuristic world of the Terminator. Inside Cyberdyne Systems Corporation, you’ll witness the unveiling of the new Terminator robots – until a live, human rebel strike erupts around you in an all-out cyber war that’ll have you ducking for cover!

How we were involved:

In our first foray in themed entertainment, Universal Studios Hollywood tapped Not Afraid! founder Paul Cuoco to production manage and supervise the design, installation, and programming of the fully articulated T-70 animated figures, LN2 smoke effects, and 3D projection systems for the themed attraction. Paul worked diligently with theatrical show director Adam Bezark and the animation and effects teams to create a fully immersive experience that seamlessly blends a live stunt show and fantastic 70mm 3D into a cohesive and thrilling experience, you have to see to believe.

For more information please visit the official website.