National Geographic ENCOUNTER: OCEAN ODYSSEY to Open in Times Square Next Fall

National Geographic ENCOUNTER: Ocean Odyssey, a first-in-kind entertainment experience, will open its doors in New York City's Times Square in fall 2017. Located at 226 West 44th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue, the 60,000 square-foot venue will allow visitors a rare opportunity to journey through the depths of the ocean, encountering spectacular creatures, great to small, along the way.

National Geographic ENCOUNTER: Ocean Odyssey is produced by SPE Partners, LLC, a New York-based entertainment developer, under a licensing agreement with National Geographic Partners. The creative team is comprised of Academy Award, Grammy, and Emmy-winning composers, sound engineers, and designers, as well as the Oscar-winning visual effects team behind HBO's "Game of Thrones" and Martin Scorsese's Hugo. Ground-breaking technology is used to create the ultimate, all-sensory entertainment experience in an awe-inspiring undersea environment.

"National Geographic ENCOUNTER: Ocean Odyssey brings National Geographic's long-standing belief in the power of storytelling to life in a deeply experiential way," said Declan Moore, National Geographic Partners CEO. "SPE has assembled a world-class team, many of whom have worked with us on other successful projects, to deliver an immersive experience that is in keeping with National Geographic's position as the premium brand in exploration, science and adventure. Audiences will come away entertained and inspired with a greater understanding of the mysteries of the world's oceans and marvel at the creatures that inhabit them."

Guests will step through the iconic yellow border to embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure starting in the Solomon Islands and drifting through the Pacific Ocean to the California coast. Visitors can engage in virtual play with rays and dolphins amidst the bioluminescent splendor of the coral reef at night. Throughout their journey, guests will come face-to-face with fascinating ocean creatures including humpback whales, Humboldt squids, and great white sharks. They will interact with playful sea lions and end their exploration of this undersea world with a stunning finale.

"It is thrilling to harness new innovations in media, technology and storytelling to bring to life this iconic brand in an entirely new and experiential way. This immersive entertainment experience will be a first-of-its-kind journey for New Yorkers and tourists from all over the globe," says Lisa Truitt, Chief Creative Officer and Partner of SPE Partners.

As a timed ticketed experience, National Geographic ENCOUNTER: Ocean Odyssey will also feature versatile private event space for school groups, social events and corporate functions.

For more information, visit NatGeoEncounter.com.