PATTAYA, Thailand – Thailand is poised to welcome its first DreamWorks Animation-themed hotel in 2033, as the beach city of Pattaya prepares to host a sprawling family-oriented destination that will merge beloved cartoon characters with world-class hospitality. The 300-room property, spanning 16,000 square metres, will anchor the Aquatique mixed-use development planned by SET-listed Asset World Corp, featuring an integrated water park and a full immersion into the animated universes that have captivated global audiences for decades.

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The hotel will be developed through a strategic partnership between Asset World and Universal Destinations & Experiences, the theme park division of American entertainment giant NBC Universal Media. Guests will be surrounded by the whimsical worlds of DreamWorks’ most iconic franchises, including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The property promises to extend storytelling beyond the screen, embedding narrative experiences throughout the entire stay, from the lobby to the guest rooms and the water park attractions.

Gerald Raines, senior vice-president for global location-based entertainment at Universal Destinations & Experiences, emphasised the collaborative vision behind the project. He noted that the partnership with Asset World is exploring new ways to bring these cherished stories to life, channelling the energy and adventure of a themed water park into a hotel environment where the narrative journey continues from check-in to departure. The goal, he said, is to create expanded opportunities for fans to step directly into the worlds they adore.

Thailand’s first DreamWorks Animation-themed hotel in the beach city of Pattaya is scheduled to open in 2033, targeting family tourism with cartoon stories and characters alongside world-class hospitality.

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Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2033, the hotel will offer far more than themed accommodation. The Aquatique Pattaya development will include retail stores, beachfront dining, leisure facilities and holistic wellness experiences, all designed to cater to the growing demand for immersive family tourism. The integration of animated characters with high-end hospitality aims to position Pattaya as a premier destination for multi-generational travellers seeking both excitement and relaxation.

Wallapa Traisorat, chief executive and president of Asset World Corp, framed the project as a continuation of a broader journey with Universal Destinations & Experiences, referencing their existing collaboration on Jurassic World at Asiatique The Riverfront Destination in Bangkok. She described the new venture as bringing the world’s most beloved stories home to Thailand, from the gates of Aquatique to every corner of the Pattaya waterfront. The destination, she added, is designed to generate enduring economic and cultural value for Pattaya, elevating Thailand’s standing in the competitive global family tourism market.

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The announcement marks a significant milestone for the country’s tourism sector, which has been steadily rebounding and diversifying its offerings beyond traditional beach and cultural attractions. With a decade-long timeline leading to its opening, the DreamWorks hotel is expected to become a cornerstone of Pattaya’s transformation into a world-class entertainment hub, drawing visitors from across Asia and beyond. The project reflects a broader trend of major entertainment conglomerates investing in location-based experiences, as the lines between media franchises and physical destinations continue to blur in the pursuit of ever more engaging consumer experiences.

-Thailand News (TN)