Universal Parks & Resorts received an impressive crop of awards in 2021, coming from the Themed Entertainment Association Awards (THEA Awards), Theme Park Insider, and Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards. Our theme parks, attractions, events, shows, technology and food were all recognized.
It was an accomplishment of global success, as awards were given to Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan and Universal Beijing Resort. Collectively, the theme parks brought home 12 of the coveted awards. “We create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. And all of us are grateful for the recognition we have received,” said Mark Woodbury, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts.
Collectively, Universal Parks were awarded three THEA Awards. Created by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) in 1994, the THEA awards are among the highest honors crowned in the industry. Universal Studios Hollywood won Outstanding Achievement for The Secret Life of Pets – Off the Leash! and Universal Studios Japan grabbed the other two by winning Outstanding Achievement awards for Mario Kart™: Koopa’s Challenge and for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™.
It was a milestone moment for Universal Beijing Resort, as they won their first Theme Park Insider Award in their inaugural year of operation. Among the most impressive individual achievements were Universal’s Islands of Adventure winning Theme Park Insider Awards for Best Theme Park for the second consecutive year, and Jurassic World VelociCoaster capturing both Best Roller Coaster and Best New Attraction.
Amusement Today was also impressed by Universal’s newest attraction, awarding Jurassic World VelociCoaster Best New Roller Coaster. Their Publisher’s Pick for Park of the Year went to Universal Orlando Resort as well, in honor of the determination and positive direction shown during the pandemic.
Below is the complete list of awards received.
Themed Entertainment Association Awards (THEA Awards)
Outstanding Achievement – Attraction for The Secret Life of Pets – Off the Leash! at Universal Studios Hollywood
Outstanding Achievement – Technical Innovation for Mario Kart™: Koopa’s Challenge at Universal Studios Japan
Outstanding Achievement – Theme Park Land for SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Japan
Theme Park Insider Awards
Best Theme Park – Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Best Halloween Event – Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort
Best Holiday Event – Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort
Best Restaurant – Mythos at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Best Show – How to Train Your Dragon – Untrainable at Universal Beijing Resort
Best Roller Coaster – Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Best New Attraction – Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards
Best New Roller Coaster – Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Publisher’s Pick, Park of the Year – Universal Orlando Resort