Studio City Macau Opens

studio city Macau

Studio City has drawn back the curtain, the previews are over, the main production begins. bc takes a look at what Macau’s newest attraction has to offer. With a Hollywood glamour theme the ‘integrated resort’ has a completely different feel to the existing resorts. There a tinge of glamour, the feel of grandeur that the golden era of films evoked in those who saw in the cinema a reality that they had not experienced in real life. Targeted primarily at the mainland mass market Studio City impressed many of the mainland reporters on their first trip outside the motherland.

With the Macau government desiring resorts rather than casinos, there’s a highly visible non-gaming entertainment and shopping area surrounding the core casino profit centre. A tie in with Warner Brothers is cleverly exploited in the highly enjoyable Batman ride ($150), a 4D simulator flight in the batplane through the streets of Gotham. To say too much more would spoil the experience, it’s something quite different that will entertain adults and children and a worthy addition to any ‘must do’ in Macau list.

The Warner Bros, DC Comics and Hanna-Barbera feel continues in the fun zone ($200 for 2 hours) with rides and games designed to entertain kids but will bring out the kid in most adults. There’s multiple rides, a climbing wall, race cars and a Hypercade 3D shooter ride, can you beat the bc high score of 444,950?

The House of Magic by Franz Harary is four magic shows rolled into one performance ($400). Initial up-close street-style tricks are followed by two 15 minute mini-shows, before Franz looks to dazzle in a 40 minute finale. In a world of 4K video games, blockbuster 3D movies and trick explaining documentaries, magic especially illusion is a tough sell… We’ve all listened to bands then gone to gigs; watched film musicals and then gone to see the same live. The House of Magic is much the same, watch a man disappear and more without video editing or photoshop!

studio-city2Studio City, the building, is defined by the resort’s other main attraction the Golden Reel, a figure 8 gondola ride ($100) built into the centre of the building which offers stunning views over Macau and across the Lotus Gate border crossing into China. On a clear day, the sunset views will be spectacular.

Beyond gambling and shopping – of which there’s a lot in a circular shopping street that surrounds the casino in the building’s centre – Melco-Crown’s Studio City has something different to offer, especially if you have children.

bc was a guest of Studio City for the opening

Studio City Macau – Opens 27 October, 2015

Studio City Macau

Even as Macau gambling revenues tumble from their stratospheric levels of two years ago construction still continues on seven new integrated resorts. They’re casinos in all but name, the Macau and Chinese governments looking to put a more palatable identity for the worlds largest gambling centre. Which is good news for those of us who enjoy Macau, but – much to the annoyance of the casinos – don’t gamble.

The newest resort on the block, opening on the 27 October, is Studio City the latest venture to join the Melco Crown empire headed by Lawrence Loo and James Packer. Located close to the new Lotus Gate border crossing, Studio City is easily identified by it’s unique figure 8 gondola ride located in the middle of the building. On bc’s recent tour of the almost completed resort the ride looks spectacular and is set to become one of the must do things in Macau. Quite where the long queues will line up we’re not sure.

batman-macauThe integrated resort theme runs through the whole 6 million square foot building, competing with the gondola ride for most attractive non-gaming feature will be the 4D Batman Dark Flight ride (MOP$150) where ‘flying’ through Gotham City promises to be a thrilling audio, visual and sensory adventure.

Aside from gambling, shopping and dining Studio City will combine the magic of cinema with the magic of illusion to leave you smiling as your money disappears infront of your very eyes. The House of Magic by Franz Harary is a three theatre experience of illusion and and magic. Three magic shows for the price of one, we’re very interested to see how this works – tickets are MOP$600(VIP), $400.

Studio City will also be hosting concerts at it’s 5,000 seat Event Centre and the first concert announced is Madonna. Tickets for the two shows on 20, 21 February 2016 go onsale on the 16 October priced at MOP$10,588, $8,888, $7,888, $2,588 from www.studiocity-macau.com

CD1509102_MSC_EM_LV Madonna Concert Visual_horizontal_A1_v_op
CD1509102_MSC_EM_LV Madonna Concert Visual_horizontal_A1_v_op

Sands Macao 10th Anniversary – 16 May, 2014

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/Sands-Macao-10th-Anniversay-16/41054281_ZhG2Kt#!i=3270816771&k=RkwQHqd

Sands Macao celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary with a spectacular fire works display, trigged by Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui Sai On, Former Chief Executive Edmund Ho, Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, Dr. Miriam Adelson and Sands Macao CEO Edward Tracy amongst others. 

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/Sands-Macao-10th-Anniversay-16/41054281_ZhG2Kt#!i=3270819997&k=dgXhQMf

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/Sands-Macao-10th-Anniversay-16/41054281_ZhG2Kt#!i=3270817202&k=knTJvVc

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/Sands-Macao-10th-Anniversay-16/41054281_ZhG2Kt#!i=3270818826&k=fswFz6X

http://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2014/Sands-Macao-10th-Anniversay-16/41054281_ZhG2Kt#!i=3270822156&k=n9j8Rfm
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