Ken Pellman: TEA Party 2012 Takes over Disneyland Hotel
Page 5 of 6
Pete Docter from Pixar helped present the award to “Animation Magic” in the Animator's Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line's Ship - Disney Fantasy for Ingenious use of Technology. Guests draw a character using a template on their placemat, and then Sorcerer Mickey animates the characters next to Disney characters in scenes from classic Disney movies. The acceptance came via video from Joe Lanzisero.
Later, there was fog, then lasers, and… Anthony Daniels (C3PO) and R2-D2, along with the Southern California Garrison of the 501st Legion to present the award for “Attraction Refresh” to Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. Accepting the award were Kathy Rogers (Show Producer Senior Director) and Tom Fitzgerald (Executive Vice President – Senior Creative Executive).
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
Jonas Rivera of Pixar was one of the presenters of the award to Alan Bruun (Creative Director, Creative Entertainment Walt Disney Parks & Resorts) and Tom Zofrea (Senior Designer Creative Entertainment Walt Disney Parks & Resorts) for “The Magic, The Memories, and You!”
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
The team for “The Magic, The Memories, and You!” poses for their group picture.
The Gala’s own “in memoriam” moment was for TEA founding member John Wright, 1952-2011 who was President in 1999. He was with Lexington Scenery when he helped formed TEA.
Composer Michael Giacchino (“Up”, “Cars 2”, Space Mountain) gave a funny account of going on a trip to ride Space Mountain in Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland in short order to research for composing the attraction score, and then later doing live promotional interviews while riding the attraction over and over again.
He conducted the band in performing the score live, then mentioned the recently passed Robert Sherman and dedicated a performance of music from “Up” and “The Incredibles” to Robert’s memory.
Retired Disneyland President and author, Jack Lindquist, was one of the presenters of the Classic Award, which was given to Puy du Fou: Le Grand Parc and Cinéscénie, Vendée, France
A new award was debuted: TEA President Rick Rothschild presented the Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to Gene Jeffers.