Applause Award Explained

Applause Award
Awarded For:The finest in amusement parks
Presenter:Liseberg
Country:Worldwide
Year:1980

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."[1] The award is a bronze statue of two clapping hands. It was designed by Astri Taube, a Swedish sculptor.[2] The winner is chosen by a board of governors with Liseberg's CEO, Andreas Andersen, being the chairman.[3]

It is considered by many to be the Academy Award of the amusement park industry.[4] 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 2018
Chairman
Andreas AndersenLiseberg
Members
Chris HerschendHerschend Family Entertainment
Sascha N. CzibulkaIntamin
Tim O´BrienAuthor & Journalist
Jim Pattison JrRipley Entertainment
Amanda Thompson O.B.E.Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Steven C RhysFORREC Ltd.
John WoodSally Corp.
Michael MackEuropa Park
Tina ReschLiseberg

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 DisneySea

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ocean Park Hong Kong wins Applause Award. Liseberg. March 24, 2013. November 13, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20130405093657/http://liseberg.com/en/home/Footer/Press-Releases/Ocean-Park-Hong-Kong---winner-of-Liseberg-Applause-Award-/. April 5, 2013. dead.
  2. Web site: The Applause Award 2008. Liseberg. March 24, 2013. November 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20130405093618/http://liseberg.com/en/home/Footer/Press-Releases/The-Applause-Award-2008/. April 5, 2013. dead.
  3. News: Dollywood wins Applause award for theme parks . March 24, 2013 . Bloomberg BusinessWeek . November 16, 2010 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130827102046/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9JHCVLG1.htm . August 27, 2013 .
  4. News: Big contract still in reach for Lockheed. March 24, 2013. Orlando Sentinel. November 16, 2006.