Disney’s Light-up Slinky Dog takes home top IAAPA prize
A piece of Toy Story Land merchandise has taken a top prize from IAAPA. The Light-up Slinky Dog souvenir won the “best hard-good item” category in the IAAPA Brass Ring Awards, it was announced Wednesday afternoon.
The item, based on the springy “Toy Story” character, debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park — as did Toy Story Land — this spring. The toy can now be found in additional retail locations at Walt Disney World.
Disney also took Brass Ring honors for the “Beauty and the Beast” show aboard Disney Cruise Line and for “Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland,” which won in the “most creative multimedia spectacular” category.
The SeaWorld theme park in San Diego was recognized for its “Sesame Street Party Parade” (best atmosphere/street show performance/act), its “Pets Rule” show (most creative show featuring animals) and “Cirque Electrique” (most creative sports/stunt show).
IAAPA’s awards recognize attractions from around the world for achievement in new products, food and beverage, games, retail, entertainment, marketing, exhibits and human resources. They were presented during the IAAPA Attractions Expo, currently underway at the Orange County Convention Center.
Other winners of note included two new menu items: the “poopies and poopcakes” from Skanes Djurpark in Sweden as the chicken bacon ranch tater bowl from Palace Entertainment in Newport Beach, Calif.
Brass Ring Awards also went to Jake’s Unlimited of Mesa, Ariz., for top family entertainment center, the killer croc flat brim cap from Warner Bros. Movie World Gold Coast Australia, “The Enchanted Journey” show from Hersheypark in Pennsylvania (most creative Christmas Show) and to Ocean Park Corp. of Hong Kong for “Hell’s Grand Finale,” which was named the most creative Halloween haunt, show or experience.
Winners in the global competition came from the United States, Sweden, Australia, Germany, China, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan and Mexico.