The Applause Award is an international award given out by Liseberg, a theme park in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is given out every two years to the amusement park whose "management, operations and creative accomplishments have inspired the industry with their foresight, originality and sound business development." The award is a bronze statue of two clapping hands. It was designed by Astri Taube, a Swedish sculptor. The winner is chosen by a board of governors with Liseberg's CEO, Andreas Andersen, being the chairman.
It is considered by many to be the Academy Award of the amusement park industry. In summer of 2020, it was announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the upcoming award ceremony would be postponed until 2021. However, a year later it was again announced that the award had been postponed again, and would resume normally in 2022.
The Applause Award Board of Governors 2018ChairmanAndreas AndersenLisebergMembersChris HerschendHerschend Family EntertainmentSascha N. CzibulkaIntaminTim O´BrienAuthor & JournalistJim Pattison JrRipley EntertainmentAmanda Thompson O.B.E.Blackpool Pleasure BeachSteven C RhysFORREC Ltd.John WoodSally Corp.Michael MackEuropa ParkTina ReschLisebergJakob WahlIAAPA
Recipients
YearParkAward FinalistsRef(s) Magic Kingdom Opryland USA Epcot Knott's Berry Farm Europa ParkBusch Gardens Williamsburg De Efteling Opryland USA SeaWorld San Diego Universal Studios Hollywood EftelingUniversal Studios Florida Universal Studios Florida Cedar PointBusch Gardens Williamsburg Six Flags Magic Mountain Universal Studios Hollywood Silver Dollar CityKennywood Parc Astérix HersheyparkPleasure Beach Blackpool Parc Astérix Busch Gardens WilliamsburgGardaland Pleasure Beach Blackpool Holiday World & Splashin' SafariGardaland Tivoli Islands of AdventureDollywood Legoland Billund Xetutul Theme ParkSeaWorld San Diego DollywoodAlton Towers Phantasialand Ocean Park Hong KongSanta Cruz Beach Boardwalk Puy du Fou Puy du FouChimelong Paradise PortAventura Park Busch Gardens Tampa Legoland Billund Siam Park Xcaret Park PortAventura Park Universal Studios Japan Tokyo DisneySea2024 Siam Park Universal Studios Japan2026 Warner Bros World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
References