Curtains Up! Studio City Announces Grand Opening October 27, 2015

MACAU, Aug. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melco Crown Entertainment Limited MPEL ("Melco Crown Entertainment" or the "Company"), a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia, today announces the highly anticipated US$3.2 billion Studio City will officially open on October 27, 2015. This Hollywood-inspired resort will take best-of-class entertainment-fueled leisure offerings to a whole new level in Macau, redefining the territory as a world-leading tourism destination.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=34954

The prestigious opening celebrations will feature the world premiere of "The Audition", starring legends of Hollywood, Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Academy-award winning director Martin Scorsese. The film – Macau's first Hollywood produced short-movie – is set around a Studio City storyline and represents the very first time these iconic Hollywood stars have all worked together.

"The Audition" has garnered global attention since the reveal of the teaser trailer in January. The high-profile short film was recently announced as one of the 'out of competition' films at the Venice Film Festival in September. It is an absolute honor and utmost recognition for the film to screen at the oldest and the most prestigious international film festival in the world.

"The Audition" was produced by acclaimed Hollywood producer, RatPac Entertainment's Brett Ratner, the director of movie blockbusters including "Red Dragon", ''X-Men: The Last Stand", "Hercules" and the "Rush Hour" film franchise.

A 30-second teaser of the widely anticipated short film was launched on Studio City's official Facebook account in July, as a prelude to the opening of Studio City.

Asia's Entertainment Capital

Envisioned by Mr. Lawrence Ho, Studio City is a thrilling new cinematically-themed entertainment and leisure destination in Macau that is set to become Asia's Entertainment Capital and to take Macau's entertainment destination proposition to unprecedented new levels.

"We are just a few months away from the realization of our vision of a leisure and entertainment destination that has no equal in Macau," said Mr. Lawrence Ho, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Melco Crown Entertainment.

"The opening of Studio City represents another major achievement for Melco Crown Entertainment as we work to develop and re-imagine the future of leisure destination offerings across Asia. It also marks a major milestone for Macau as we continue to deliver on our commitment to expanding the non-gaming leisure and entertainment offerings available in the territory, as a continuing strategy in supporting its evolution into a highly-diversified and world-leading leisure and tourism destination.

"The 'best-in-class' entertainment offerings at Studio City are unmatched in Macau. The caliber of our movie-inspired, world-class leisure entertainment is no better exemplified than the endorsement and enthusiastic support of true icons of the cinematic world, who agreed to star in our short film, to celebrate the opening of this magnificent destination resort and support Macau's evolution into an internationally recognized leisure destination.

"I would also like to thank the dedication and passion of everyone working so hard to make this project a stunning, successful reality. I am confident that, together, we will deliver a truly remarkable world-class leisure destination experience for visitors to Macau that will fully support the Central and Macau governments' ambition to develop Macau into a world center of leisure tourism."

The Studio City Experience Starts Today!

During the ceremony, it was announced that the hotel reservation system for Studio City has officially gone "live". Visitors can now book their stay at the 1,600-room Studio City Hotel and entertainment offerings at its official website: www.studiocity-macau.com or by calling +853-8865-6868.

Two introductory packages also went on sale to the public from today:

• A hotel package available from HK$1,988 provides a night's stay in a Premier King Room at Studio City Hotel's Star Tower and includes two Golden Reel tickets, access to the indoor and outdoor pools and the meandering RiverScape water-ride plus access to the Star Tower Gym.
   
• The Studio City "Experience It All" Entertainment Pass - costing just HK$550 per person - offers a stunning entertainment experience for thrill-seekers. The Pass includes a ride on the spectacular Golden Reel; an epic super-hero adventure on the 4D flight simulation Batman Dark Flight and access to incredible world of mind-bending magic at The House of Magic.

Redefining Macau's Leisure Destination Landscape

Mr. JD Clayton, Property President of Studio City said: "Studio City is set to redefine the leisure destination resort proposition in Macau and indeed Asia. World-class entertainment offerings, combined with premier hotel facilities and 'movie-star' service truly enables you to 'Live like a Star'.  

"Studio City will also offer an incredibly diverse range of international restaurants, cafes and relaxed bars and lounges with over 30 food and beverage venues located throughout the property. Along with the region's most unique and innovative experiential retail environment, it is set to be the 'must-see' entertainment experience and 'must-go' dining and lifestyle destination for leisure-seekers across the region and internationally."

World-class non-gaming entertainment offerings will thrill visitors to Studio City. The Art Deco inspired facade, complete with the iconic Golden Reel – the world's highest figure-8 Ferris wheel – is home to a world of non-stop entertainment including the action-packed 4D flight simulation ride, Batman Dark Flight; a 40,000-square-foot family entertainment center, Warner Bros. Fun Zone, featuring world-renowned characters from Warner Bros.' DC Comics, Hanna-Barbera Productions and Looney Tunes entertainment franchises; an incredible live magical experience showcasing the world's greatest magicians, The House of Magic; Macau's first-ever Ibiza-style nightclub, Pacha Macau; and a 5,000-seat multi-purpose entertainment center, Studio City Event Center, hosting exciting live concerts, theatrical and top sports offerings in addition to award shows and other special showcase events.

Electrifying entertainment will be combined with an exciting array of accommodation, regional and international dining experiences and designer brand shopping in an "immersive" retail entertainment environment at The Boulevard at Studio City. 

Studio City is located on Cotai, Macau, close to the Lotus Bridge immigration point which connects with Hengqin Island, and a future station-point for the Macau Light Rapid Transit. This Hollywood-themed studio-concept resort is set to become Asia's Entertainment Capital.

Studio City – This is Entertainment.

For further information on Studio City, please visit: www.studiocity-macau.com, follow us on Sina Weibo at www.weibo.com/studiocity and like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/studiocitymacau

For our latest press releases, visuals and multimedia, please visit: www.studiocitymacaumedia.com

Safe Harbor Statement

This press 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 press release is as of the date of this press release, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

About Melco Crown Entertainment Limited

Melco Crown Entertainment, with its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market MPEL, is a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino 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 (www.studiocity-macau.com), 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, currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreams.com.ph), 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 Stock Exchange and is substantially owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is Co-Chairman, an Executive Director and the Chief Executive Officer 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 Studio City

Studio City, when it opens, is set to take Macau's entertainment destination proposition to unprecedented new levels, by providing a 'next generation' of outstanding entertainment-driven leisure destination experiences that will help the territory's evolution into a truly international tourism center.

The Hollywood-themed studio-concept resort is a thrilling new cinematic inspired entertainment and leisure destination and is designed to be the most diversified entertainment offering in Macau. Ideally located on Cotai, close to the Lotus Bridge immigration point connecting Hengqin Island and a future station-point for the Macau Light Rapid Transit, Studio City will deliver more world-class entertainment amenities than any integrated resort in the market.

Studio City's stunning Art Deco facade includes the "Golden Reel", the world's highest figure-8 Ferris wheel which straddles the resort's two-tower hotel at a height of some 130 meters. The integrated resort will provide the ultimate in sophisticated leisure entertainment, hotel, retail, dining and lifestyle experiences.

The resort's innovative entertainment offerings include "Studio City Event Center", a 5,000-seat multi-purpose entertainment center designed to host live concerts, theatrical and sporting events; and "Studio 8", a 300-seat live-audience TV broadcast studio for reality and game-show productions distributed in the Asia region. The entertainment experiences also include a magic theater "The House of Magic" and a Warner Bros. Batman-themed 4D flight simulation "Batman Dark Flight", a 40,000-square-foot family entertainment center "Warner Bros. Fun Zone" for kids filled with Warner Bros.' and DC Comics' franchise characters and play-rides, together with "Pacha Macau" which will bring Ibiza-style nightlife to Macau.   

Studio City is destined to deliver an unparalleled leisure entertainment and hospitality experience, strengthening the depth and diversity of Macau's leisure, business and tourism proposition as a leading visitor destination in Asia.

For further information on Studio City visit: www.studiocity-macau.com and follow us on Sina Weibo at www.weibo.com/studiocity.

Studio City Visitor Packages

Relax like a star in our luxurious Premier King Room at the Star Tower! Visit the Golden Reel, the world's highest 'figure-8' Ferris wheel, and enjoy total relaxation as you drift down the meandering RiverScape on the pool deck. This special rate is available from HK$1,988.

Applicable for stays from November 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016, the package includes:              

• One night accommodation in a Premier King Room at Star Tower
• Golden Reel tickets for 2 
• Access to the Outdoor Pool and the meandering RiverScape*     
• Access to the Gym at Star Tower       
• Complimentary Wi-Fi access

*RiverScape is closed during winter

Our "Experience It All Entertainment Pass" is also available to offer you a truly spectacular experience: enjoy spectacular views of the city from the iconic Golden Reel, embark on an epic adventure with the legendary super hero at the 4D flight simulation Batman Dark Flight and enter the incredible world of mind bending magic at The House of Magic for only HK$550 per person.

"Experience It All Entertainment Pass" includes:

• Golden Reel ticket
• Batman Dark Flight ticket
• The House of Magic ticket

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.