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 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
