MANILA, Philippines, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated casino resort developer Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation ("Melco Crown Philippines" or the "Company"), a company listed on the Philippines Stock Exchange ("PSE") with trading symbol "MCP" and a subsidiary of Melco Crown Entertainment Limited ("Melco Crown Entertainment") (SEHK: 6883) (NASDAQ: MPEL), a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia, today announced a collaboration with global branded entertainment company DreamWorks Animation (NASDAQ: DWA) to develop the world's first DreamWorks-inspired "Edutainment" center at City of Dreams Manila.
In collaboration with DreamWorks Animation, Melco Crown Entertainment introduces the education-based, interactive entertainment concept, "DreamPlay by DreamWorks", which will be the first of its kind in the world when it opens later this year, at City of Dreams Manila, a leisure, gaming and entertainment destination resort currently under development at Entertainment City, Manila, Philippines.
Inspired by the mantra of learning through play, "DreamPlay by DreamWorks" is a revolutionary approach to family entertainment. Each experience is designed exclusively for City of Dreams Manila by the artistic and creative forces of DreamWorks Animation and iP2 Entertainment to combine the best elements of the DreamWorks library with the hands-on activities of an education inspired play-center to create a truly one-of-a-kind family adventure.
"DreamPlay" represents an exciting blend of integrated live and digital play spaces, featuring DreamWorks' popular characters and creative storytelling combined with innovative educational play, appealing to children and adults alike.
Guests will immerse themselves in the world of DreamWorks Animation, interacting directly with their favorite characters through revolutionary experiences. Interactive environments, featuring the very latest digital technologies, will enable kids to engage in a wide range of thrilling activities, interacting with beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation's world-famous franchises including Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Madagascar and How to Train Your Dragon.
"Melco Crown Philippines is delighted to be introducing DreamWorks to the Philippines as we continue our strategy of delivering innovative leisure and entertainment offerings that enhance the leisure destination appeal of Manila," explained Clarence Chung, Chairman and President, Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation.
"Our collaboration with DreamWorks is a further illustration of our expertise in developing world-class, innovative and ground-breaking entertainment for leisure seekers both in the Philippines and internationally. The 'DreamPlay' concept delivers an education experience through spontaneous and sensory play that represents an industry first."
Paul Kurzawa, Head of Global Retail Development and Entertainment, DreamWorks Animation said: "We are very excited to work with Mr. Lawrence Ho and Melco Crown Entertainment to build something that we believe is a truly unique way for children to experience, learn and interact with the characters and worlds of DreamWorks Animation.
"As a global entertainment brand, we continue to expand our footprint with immersive, year-round fan experiences and DreamPlay provides a distinctive opportunity for visitors in a fun and educational setting.
"Harnessing leading digital technologies, this attraction is going to be unlike anything that currently exists and will undoubtedly become a new type of destination for families, both in the Philippines and across the rapidly growing leisure-destination markets of Asia."
In January 2014, City of Dreams Manila introduced Hollywood celebrity trendsetting Nobu brand, marking the first Nobu Hotel in Asia. With the addition of the world's first "DreamPlay by DreamWorks" edutainment center, City of Dreams Manila is a further step in realizing its overall vision to deliver world-class and diverse innovative lifestyle and entertainment offerings, and to support the Philippine government's strategy to broaden the appeal of the Philippines as a leading leisure destination in Asia.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and a number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) growth of the gaming market and visitation in Macau and the Philippines, (ii) capital and credit market volatility, (iii) local and global economic conditions, (iv) our anticipated growth strategies, and (v) our future business development, results of operations and financial condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "target", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "potential", "continue", "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this release is as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.
About City of Dreams Manila
City of Dreams Manila, when it opens in 2014, will mark the formal entry of Melco Crown Entertainment into the fast-growing and dynamic tourism industry in the Philippines. The new integrated casino resort at Entertainment City, Manila Bay, Manila, is being developed and will be operated by Melco Crown Philippines in alliance with SM Group's Belle Corporation.
The dynamic and innovative resort complex, located on an approximately 6.2-hectare site at the gateway to Entertainment City, will include the ultimate in entertainment, hotel, retail and dining and lifestyle experiences with aggregated gaming space, including VIP and mass-market gaming facilities with up to approximately 365 gaming tables, 1,680 slot machines and 1,680 electronic table games upon opening.
The integrated resort will feature three distinctive entertainment venues, including Manila's first branded Family Entertainment Center, a live performance central lounge inside the casino and a night club situated at the Fortune Egg, an architecturally-unique dome-like structure, which will be accented with creative exterior lighting design. It is expected to become an iconic landmark of the Manila Bay area.
City of Dreams Manila is destined to deliver an unparalleled entertainment and hospitality experience to the Philippines and will ultimately play a key role in strengthening the depth and diversity of Manila's leisure, business and tourism offering, enhancing its growing position as one of Asia's premier leisure destinations. It is being developed to specifically meet the needs of the large, rapidly growing and increasingly diverse audience of leisure and entertainment seekers both in the Philippines and those visiting Manila from across the Asia region and around the world.
About Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation
Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation, with its shares listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: MCP), is a subsidiary of Melco Crown Entertainment (SEHK: 6883; NASDAQ: MPEL). It is currently developing City of Dreams Manila, a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment integrated resort in Manila, which is expected to open in 2014 and have six hotel towers, including the Crown Towers hotel, Nobu Hotel and a hotel managed by the Hyatt Group, numerous specialty restaurants and bars, gaming facilities, a multi-level car park, as well as three separate entertainment venues. For more information about Melco Crown Philippines, please visit www.melco-crown-philippines.com.
About Melco Crown Entertainment Limited
Melco Crown Entertainment, with its shares listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange") (SEHK: 6883) and its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: MPEL), is a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia. Melco Crown Entertainment currently operates Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), a casino hotel located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated urban casino resort located in Cotai, Macau. Melco Crown Entertainment's business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company is also developing the planned Studio City Project, a cinematically-themed integrated entertainment, retail and gaming resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corporation's subsidiary, MCE Leisure (Philippines) Corporation, has been cooperating with SM Group's Belle Corporation to develop and operate City of Dreams Manila, a casino, hotel, retail and entertainment integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. For more information about Melco Crown Entertainment, please visit www.melco-crown.com.
Melco Crown Entertainment has strong support from both of its major shareholders, Melco International Development Limited ("Melco") and Crown Resorts Limited ("Crown"). Melco is a listed company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is substantially owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is Co-Chairman, an Executive Director and the CEO of Melco Crown Entertainment. Crown is a top-50 company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange and led by Chairman Mr. James Packer, who is also Co-Chairman and a Non-executive Director of Melco Crown Entertainment.
About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series and live entertainment properties, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" by FORTUNE® Magazine for five consecutive years. In 2013, DreamWorks Animation ranks #12 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 28 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Puss In Boots and The Croods.
