Multi-Sensory State-of-the-Art Theatre With Ground-Breaking Animation and Four-Dimension Guest Immersion to Anchor Trio of Sesame Attractions

Dubai: 23 February, 2009 - Universal Studios Dubailand™, a member of Tatweer Dubai, today announced it signed a strategic agreement with Sesame Workshop, creators and producers of the award-winning global children's television series Sesame Street™, to develop and build three unique Sesame Street-themed entertainment venues for the first Universal Studios® theme park in the Middle East.

The alliance demonstrates the commitment of Universal Studios Dubailand™ to partner with the industry's leading companies to bring world-class family entertainment to the region.

At the centre of this partnership between the two unparalleled global brands will be three Sesame Street attractions within the Park's whimsical Surf City™ area. Anchored by Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™, a technologically advanced multi-dimensional sensory experience exploring the magic of movie making,  the development will feature the much-loved Sesame Street characters Big Bird, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert, Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Grover and Prairie Dawn.

Presented in a multi-sensory state-of-the-art 400-seat theatre, fitted with cutting edge motion base technology, Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™ will allow guests to not only see and hear this remarkable attraction, but also simultaneously be immersed in the feelings and smells of the action right from their own seats.  It's a fourth dimension of fun that puts guests into the heart of the experience.

In announcing the partnership, Khalid Al Malik, Chief Executive Officer of Tatweer Dubai said: "Our alliance with Sesame Workshop reinforces Tatweer's dedication to introducing internationally renowned brands to Dubai. Our collaboration with Universal Studios has allowed us to design and build an extraordinary family destination in the region. Our new partnership with Sesame Workshop will enable us to deliver incomparable family entertainment featuring the legendary Sesame Street experience. "

Tom Williams, Chairman and CEO, Universal Parks & Resorts, said:  "Universal Studios theme parks are committed to presenting attractions that break new ground in live entertainment and to working with the most creative minds in our industry. The trio of new Sesame venues, including the anchor attraction Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™, are examples of the tremendous rewards to be realized from working with a creative international powerhouse such as Sesame Workshop."  

Gary E. Knell, President and CEO, Sesame Workshop, said:  "We are thrilled to partner with Universal Studios Dubailand to create a new home for Big Bird and all his friends. The park offers a remarkable opportunity to share all the laughter and learning of Sesame Street with the people of the UAE and visiting guests from around the world." 

Sesame Workshop has a proud history of serving the needs of children and their families since its flagship program Sesame Street, premiered in the US in 1969. The international adaptation of Sesame Street began in the early 1970's and programming in the Middle East began in Kuwait in 1979, with Iftah Ya Simsim, the first Sesame Street co-production in Arabic.  Since then, local versions of Sesame Street have been produced in Palestine, Jordan and Egypt, among two dozen other countries.

In addition to Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™, a Sesame Street themed carousel and live stage show will immerse Park guests in Sesame Street's unique brand of family friendly entertainment, while Elmo's Emporium will offer a selection of Sesame Street merchandise.

Universal Studios Dubailand™, now under construction, promises visitors from around the globe an extraordinary opportunity to literally Ride The Movies™. The Park's awe-inspiring rides and attractions will feature up-to-the-minute technology and leading edge special effects designed to transport visitors into the middle of their favorite blockbuster motion pictures.

Universal Studios Dubailand™ will join the family of world-renowned Universal Studios® Theme Park Resorts in Universal City, California; Orlando, Florida; Osaka, Japan; and Singapore (under construction).

Ride The Movies, Universal Studios, Universal Globe, Universal elements, and all related indicia TM & © Universal Studios. DUBAILAND ® Tatweer Dubai LLC. All rights reserved. Sesame Street 4-D Movie Magic™ & © 2009 Sesame Workshop. "Sesame Street", its characters and its logo are trademarks of Sesame Workshop. All rights reserved.

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About Universal Parks & Resorts:
Universal Parks & Resorts, is a unit of General Electric's (GE) NBC Universal division. Universal Parks & Resorts feature some of the world's most popular entertainment destinations. Each year, millions of guests visit Universal's theme parks in Florida, California and Japan to experience thrilling, world-famous attractions that match interactive ground-breaking technology with the world's most recognized characters in movies and pop culture. New parks are under construction in Dubai and Singapore.

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi. 

About Sesame Workshop:
Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization that changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street.  As the single largest informal educator of young children, local Sesame Street programs produced in countries as diverse as South Africa, Bangladesh and India are making a difference in over 120 nations.  Using proprietary research to create engaging and enriching content, Sesame Workshop produces programs such as Dragon Tales and Pinky Dinky Doo.  In addition, multimedia needs-driven initiatives provide families tools for addressing such issues as children's health, military deployment and emergency preparedness.  As a nonprofit, product proceeds and philanthropic support endow Sesame Workshop's educational research and creative content for children around the world.  Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.

About Universal Studios DubailandTM:
RIDE THE MOVIES™ AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS DUBAILANDTM
Universal Studios®, the leader in awe-inspiring entertainment for nearly a century, is creating a new tourism destination in Dubai, UAE, combining the creativity of Hollywood with the greatest stories of all time. Every member of the family will enjoy an unforgettable holiday... a spectacular theme park, a variety of exciting entertainment, and world-class hospitality, all in one convenient location.

The holiday destination of the future is taking shape today in Dubai.

Universal Studios DubailandTM.  A member of TATWEER.

For further information, please contact:
Agency:
Maya El-Hachem
Account Manager
Jiwin Public Relations
A member of the Media Services Group
Phone: +971-4-3692925 (direct)
Fax: +971-4-3688001
Email: maya.elhachem@jiwin.ae

Tatweer:
Stephanie Goodell
Sr. Manager PR & Communications
Phone: +971-050-554-7112
Fax:  +971-4-3757969
Email: stephanie.goodell@tatweerdubai.com

Sesame Workshop:
Beatrice Chow
Phone: +1-212-8756586
Fax: +1-212-8756114
Email: beatrice.chow@sesameworkshop.org

© Press Release 2009