Gaylord-DreamWorks: A New Alliance

    Gaylord Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. has unveiled a strategic alliance to expand Gaylord Hotels’ family-friendly leisure offerings to feature the DreamWorks Experience, the next generation of family vacation programming and world class entertainment.
     As part of this strategic alliance, Gaylord plans to offer unique leisure experiences for its guests featuring DreamWorks Animation’s iconic characters at all Gaylord properties. The live interactive experiences will include character breakfasts, newly themed Christmastime events, poolside activities in the summer, imaginative food-and-beverage offerings, private birthday parties, festive parades, merchandise and various themed entertainment. Gaylord Hotels plans to feature live appearances by characters from current DreamWorks Animation franchises, including “Shrek,” “Kung Fu Panda,” and “Madagascar,” as well as other future films and characters from the studio.
     “We are honored to form such an exciting alliance with one of the most visionary entertainment companies in the world to bring the iconic DreamWorks Animation characters to life for our leisure hotel guests,” said Colin V. Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Gaylord Entertainment.
     “Gaylord Entertainment has displayed an incredible commitment to creativity and high-quality family entertainment, making each of their world-class U.S. resorts an ideal destination for the DreamWorks Animation brand,” commented Jeffrey Katzenberg, chief executive officer of DreamWorks Animation. “We look forward to bringing to life the characters, stories and worlds featured in our film franchises in new and innovative ways throughout the Gaylord Hotel guest experience starting this year.”
     “Visitors to Gaylord Palms and our community, be they tourists or locals, will be offered something unique and exciting,” said County Commission Chairman Brandon Arrington. “The opportunities that this partnership is bringing to Osceola County, Florida are endless.”
      “The DreamWorks Experience is a great strategic move by Gaylord Entertainment,” said County Commissioner Michael E. Harford, whose district includes the resort. “These beloved characters will attract thousands of additional guests to Gaylord Palms, which will translate into greater occupancy and more tourism dollars for the Osceola County market.”