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Disney is celebrating major wins at the 2025 IAAPA Brass Ring Excellence Awards, which were announced today (February 5, 2026). The company took home top honors in both the “Most Creative Spectacle” and “Most Creative Theatrical Production: Year-Round Operation” categories.
Disneyland Paris Takes Top Spectacle Honor
Disneyland Paris won the prestigious “Most Creative Spectacle” award for Disney Tales of Magic, the resort’s stunning new nighttime spectacular that debuted on January 10, 2025.
Disney Tales of Magic combines cutting-edge technology with emotional storytelling, using projections on both Sleeping Beauty Castle and the facades of Main Street, U.S.A. — a first for Disneyland Paris. The show features 15 ultra-color lasers, 60 latest-generation spotlights, over 200 architectural LED projectors, new fountain effects, pyrotechnics, and an impressive drone display created in collaboration with technology provider Dronisos.
What makes Disney Tales of Magic particularly special is how it transforms both spaces simultaneously. Main Street becomes Cinderella’s ballroom, a London street from Mary Poppins, rows of memory spheres from Inside Out, and even Buzz Lightyear’s space station — all while the castle serves as a complementary canvas for the storytelling.
This was a category dominated by Disney, with all three finalists coming from the company: World of Color Happiness at Disneyland Resort, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away at Magic Kingdom, and Disney Tales of Magic. The Paris show took the crown.
Disney Cruise Line Honored for Tale of Moana
Disney Cruise Line also earned recognition, winning “Most Creative Theatrical Production: Year-Round Operation” for Disney The Tale of Moana aboard the Disney Treasure.
Disney The Tale of Moana is the first-ever stage adaptation of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2016 film Moana. The Broadway-style production premiered when the Disney Treasure set sail in December 2024 and has been praised by critics and guests alike — with Playbill.com noting the show “could play on Broadway.”
The production beat out strong competition from Puy Du Fou España’s “El Misterio de Sorbaces” and “A Pluma y Espada” to claim the award.
About the IAAPA Brass Ring Awards
The IAAPA Brass Ring Excellence Awards are among the most prestigious honors in the global attractions industry. Named for the rings given to carousel riders at the very first amusement parks, the awards recognize organizations that push boundaries, elevate guest experiences, and demonstrate operational excellence.
Winners will be officially celebrated at IAAPA Honors, taking place May 12–14 in Xcaret, Mexico.
Source: IAAPA.org
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