Back in March Merlin hit a record 66 million visitors across its attractions globally. [5], When the Legoland theme parks came up for sale, Varney wanted to buy it but Hermes did not want to invest more capital. Merlin Entertainments rolls out Attractions.io mobile app platform We're incredibly pleased to announce the roll-out of six new LEGOLAND mobile apps, powered by the Attractions.io platform. From destination theme park resorts to city centre locations, Merlin has a unique portfolio of brands and attraction formats creating a wide range of visitor experiences. With a Merlin Annual Pass you can enjoy an incredible year at all of these top attractions. [17] This was followed by the $140 million acquisition of Living and Leisure Australia which owned several attractions in the Asia-Pacific region including UnderWater World, Melbourne Aquarium, Falls Creek Alpine Resort, Hotham Alpine Resort, Otway Fly, Illawarra Fly, Busan Aquarium and Siam Ocean World. Minnesota (Mall Of America) San Antonio, TX (Rivercenter) New Jersey (American Dream Meadowlands) Bangkok (Siam Paragon) Istanbul, The Hague Miami, FL at American Dream Miami Pittsburgh at The Mall at Robinson, In February 2016, Merlin purchased a 15% shareholding in Big Bus Tours. Merlin’s trademark Midway city attractions encompass Madame Tussauds, Dungeons, SEA LIFE, and newcomer Little BIG City. Unique attractions - Gives you access to some of the most popular attractions in London that is unique to us and you will not find them in other passes ; Flexibility - You get up to 90 days to visit all chosen attractions. The sale would include Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, Oceanworld Manly, Sydney Tower and the Koala Gallery in Australia, in addition to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in New Zealand. Rides & Attractions Host Location: LEGOLAND, Windsor, SL4 4AY Hours: Fully Flexible; working up to 5 days out of 7, covering hours that can be between 09:00-19:00 Pay: up to £9.00ph + pension, ongoing training and Merlin Magic Pass – 20 free tickets for you, your family and friends to enjoy all of our Merlin Attractions across the world The LEGO-themed park offers over 55 interactive rides, shows and attractions designed for children aged 2 to 12. [15], In late 2010, it was announced that Merlin would purchase approximately A$116 million worth of entertainment attractions located in Australia and New Zealand from Village Roadshow Theme Parks and Attractions. June, 2015 failed to conduct its undertaking in such a way as to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that the visitors Merlin Entertainments Group is the second-largest amusement park corporation based on annual attendance. The sites include Alton Towers, Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of … All Merlin Entertainment theme parks, attractions and accommodation are to reopen on July 4 for day visits and short breaks – with safety measures in place. Kirkbi, a Danish family trust that owns LEGO, also increased its stake, emerging as the largest shareholder, with 36%. Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd is a British operator of amusement parks and other attractions. Enjoy access to the best attractions in London with Merlin Entertainments. Blackstone's investment was by that point worth more than three and a half times what it had paid. Merlin Entertainments is a truly global company, operating over 130 attractions in 25 countries. We currently run more than 120 attractions, hotels and holiday villages globally. It is the largest such company in Europe, and globally the second largest after Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Midway Attractions. From aquariums to theme parks, dungeons to historic buildings, we have a huge variety of attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Please use the page selection buttons below to view additional Merlin Entertainments attractions. [26], Auckland Shanghai Nagoya Iskandar Puteri Busan, Grapevine, TX (Grapevine Mills) Kansas City (Crown Center), MO Michigan (Great Lakes) Merlin Entertainments Ltd is a British-based entertainments company headquartered in Poole, England. CVC acquired another 8% from the Dubai investment fund which is no longer involved with the company, giving it 28% in all. About Merlin Entertainments plc. It has 12 attractions in China, to date, located in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Chongqing and Wuhan. Merlin Entertainment’s Midway operations in China includes six brands. Whether your into animals, celebrities or amazing views and experiences, we have it all and so much more. And we create magical days out for over 65 million visitors every year. Apax sold the company to another financial investor, Hermes Private Equity, in 2004. [9], On 15 January 2010, Merlin Entertainments bought Cypress Gardens, a defunct theme park in Winter Haven, Florida. The company was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2013. Merlin Entertainments plc is a leading name in location-based, family entertainment. [9][10] After the Tussauds acquisition, Dubai International Capital, the previous owner, received a 20% stake in the combined entity as well as £1.03bn in cash. You can decide the rest of the visit(s) later Merlin Entertainments is responsible for some of sale viagra super active online discount the country’s most thrilling days out. LEGOLAND Windsor Resort offers every… The Company’s Blackpool-based brands aren’t just names in a portfolio – they’re part of the town’s DNA. Merlin is second only to Disney as an operator of themed visitor attractions. Instead, Blackstone sold 20% of the company to the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, reducing Blackstone's holding to 34%. Merlin Entertainment is the biggest entertainments company in Europe. Visit the attraction's website by clicking on the logo below: Get in Touch. This website uses cookies. Merlin Entertainments operate some of Birmingham and the region's biggest and best loved attractions, including National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Warwick Castle & Knight's Village and Alton Towers Resort. We have pinpointed the UK attractions that are owned and operated by Merlin Entertainments. Midway Attractions. Deposed by the Australian Labor Party in the evening of 26 June, and replaced by Kevin Rudd, the publicity stunt drew wide attention, but received some criticism for the "disrespect" shown to the office of the Prime Minister, and the first female political leader of Australia. With a Merlin Annual Pass, holders can experience the best attractions! They are responsible for Alton Towers, Chessington, Thorpe Park, the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Warwick Castle, Legoland Windsor, UK Sealife Centres and sale au cialis super active online the Blackpool Tower.. History. Over the years, Merlin acquired Gardaland, an Italian theme park, and The Tussauds Group. [14], Reports in early October 2017 indicated that Merlin Entertainments was considering a takeover of Sea World in Orlando but on 11 October, the company said it was no longer involved in such discussions. [11][9][12], On 17 July 2007, as part of the financing for the Tussauds deal, the freeholds of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle and Madame Tussauds were sold to private investor Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury, with a subsequent leaseback agreement. About Merlin Entertainments plc. These are Madame Tussauds, Legoland Discovery Center, SEA LIFE, Little BIG City, The Dungeons and Peppa Pig World of Play. 29 Merlin Entertainments reviews. A free inside look at company reviews and salaries posted anonymously by employees. In December 1998, Nick Varney, Andrew Carter and the senior management team of … The buyout of Tussauds was completed on 22 May 2007. Merlin operates more than 100 attractions, along with hotels and holiday villages, in 27 countries. [22], On 8 November 2013 Merlin floated 30% of the company on the London Stock Exchange valuing the private equity-backed company at almost £3.4bn. [23], In June 2019 the company's board agreed to recommend a takeover offer of £4.8 billion from Kirkbi, CPP Investment Board and The Blackstone Group. [6] As part of the deal, Kirkbi A/S, the investment arm of LEGO owners, took a share in Merlin Entertainments. First Name. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until it was acquired by a consortium of Kirkbi A/S (the investment arm of the Christiansen family, controller of The Lego Group) in November 2019. defendant Merlin Attractions Operations Limited’s plea of guilty in the Magistrates’ Court to an offence contrary to section 33(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974, namely that it on or before the 2. nd. [16] On 3 March 2011, the deal was finalised. CVC paid a price that valued Merlin at £2.25 billion[21] – more than six times what Merlin and Legoland together were worth when Blackstone acquired them five years earlier. [20], Merlin had planned to go public in the early 2000s, but market turbulence postponed those plans. Unlock entry to 10 magical attractions in Australia and New Zealand with the Merlin Annual Pass. Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location based, family entertainment. Visiting these links will take you away from this website. Alton Towers Resort Alton Towers Waterpark Chessington World of Adventures Thorpe Park Legoland Windsor LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is Built for Kids. The company owns a grand total of 623 attractions. Merlin runs 121 attractions in 24 countries across four continents. [7][8], In May 2007 Blackstone purchased The Tussauds Group, owner of the Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions, for US$1.9 billion; this company was merged with Merlin and has since been managed by Merlin. From destination theme park resorts to city centre locations, Merlin has a unique portfolio of brands and attraction formats creating a wide range of visitor experiences. Merlin Entertainments: number of attractions worldwide 2019, by brand Revenue of Legoland parks worldwide 2011-2019 Legoland park attendance worldwide 2011-2019 From Alton Towers to SEA LIFE, there's something for everyone! SEA LIFE conservation, welfare and engagement. SEA LIFE; The Dungeons; LEGOLAND Discovery Centre; Madame Tussauds; Peppa Pig World of Play; Shrek’s Adventure! Merlin Entertainments is the largest European entertainment company operating in Europe, delivering unique and memorable experiences to millions of visitors around the world. Use your Merlin Annual Pass to experience the magic of our 10 incredible attractions located across Australia and New Zealand. Get the latest news and updates to your inbox. As Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates over 100 attractions, 15 hotels and 6 holiday villages in … By continuing to browse you are agreeing to our use of cookies. In December 1998, Nick Varney, Andrew Carter and the senior management team of Vardon Attractions (Vardon plc) completed a management buyout of the company to form Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd. with the backing of the private equity firm Apax Partners. Attractions include The London Eye, Shrek’s World of Adventure and SEALIFE London Aquarium. London; The Bear Grylls Adventure; The London Eye; The Blackpool Tower Eye; The Sydney Tower Eye; Little BIG City Berlin; Little BIG … [24] The takeover was approved by the high court in November 2019. [3] In May 2005, the company was acquired from Hermes by a division of The Blackstone Group [4] which later started a major expansion. High quality, branded, indoor attractions with a typical 1-2 hour dwell time located in city centres, shopping malls or resorts. London, "Blackstone Acquires Merlin Entertainment", "Merlin Entertainments Group acquires Italy's Gardaland", "Business | Troubled Lego sells theme parks", "Why you shouldn't buy shares in Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment", "Legoland and Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments waves goodbye to SeaWorld deal | City A.M", "Village Roadshow sells Sydney Attractions", "Merlin Entertainments Group conjures $140m James Packer bid", "Merlin ready to wrap up Living and Leisure deal", "A wax figurine of Julia Gillard at Centrelink isn't a publicity stunt, it's just plain stupid - and offensive", Why you shouldn't buy shares in Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment, "Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments agrees £4.8bn offer", "Court approves deal for Merlin Entertainments", "eOne & Merlin to launch PJ Masks trail in 2020", Merlin eyes Big Bus Tours takeover following £24.6 million state deal, Sea Life Shanghai (Changfeng Ocean World), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merlin_Entertainments&oldid=1018543403, Entertainment companies established in 1998, Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange, Articles with dead external links from April 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from September 2011, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Ski resort acquired in MFS Living and Leisure deal, This page was last edited on 18 April 2021, at 16:52. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 100 attractions, nine hotels and three holiday villages in … But we trade in smiles, shrieks and spine-tingles, not suits or handshakes. View the awesome attractions included in the fantastic value Merlin Annual Pass. So if you’re a thrill-seeker looking for your next buzz, use our Merlin Pass offers to save on a year's worth of fun-packed adventures. Merlin Entertainments is a truly global company, operating over 130 attractions in 25 countries. Brands and Attractions Merlin Corporate; Alton Towers; The Blackpool Tower; The Bear Grylls Adventure; Chessington World of Adventures; Dungeons; The Eye; Gardaland; Heide Park; LEGOLAND; LEGOLAND Discovery Centre; Little BIG City; Madame Tussauds; Merlin Magic Making; Otway and Illawara Fly; Peppa Pig; SEA LIFE; SEA LIFE Sanctuaries [18][19], On 28 June 2013, Merlin Australia's Madame Tussauds in Sydney placed a wax figure of the former Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, into a mock queue of the unemployed at a Centrelink office in central Sydney. Join the FUN today! Merlin Entertainments - the company behind attractions such as Madam Tussauds and Legoland - has sold its Australian ski resorts, Hotham and Falls Creek, to … Merlin is an international business. [13] Although the attraction sites are owned by Leslau, they are operated by Merlin based on a renewable 35-year lease. After the Tussauds acquisition, Dubai International Capital held 20% of Merlin Entertainment. We bring brands to life and partner with leading owners of Intellectual Property content to create unforgettable visitor experiences, Our Midway attractions are branded, indoor attractions including brands such as SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds. Merlin Entertainments, a world leader in family, location-based entertainment, has confirmed that its major theme parks, attractions, and accommodation across England, will reopen from July 4. After the sale of Merlin to Blackstone Group, the company negotiated to buy control of Legoland for about £250 million in 2005, then merged it with Merlin. All you need to do is to choose the visit date and time for the first attraction at the time of purchase. It was reopened as Legoland Florida theme park. [27], eOne's multi-territory partnership with Merlin, Village Roadshow Theme Parks and Attractions, Dreamworks Tours: Shrek's Adventure! Alton Towers and Warwick Castle have been welcoming visitors since June 6 but they will be joined by Thorpe Park, LEGOLAND Windsor, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, the Blackpool Tower, SEA LIFE Centres and Madame Tussaud’s. Merlin Entertainments has over 130 attractions around the world, ranging from indoor attractions such as SEA LIFE and Madame Tussauds to iconic theme parks like LEGOLAND and Alton Towers Resort. [25], On 5 December 2019 Entertainment One announced a new multi-territory partnership with Merlin that will open an interactive PJ Masks nautical-themed trail throughout the company's Sea Life aquariums worldwide starting February 2020. With Merlin’s five-in-one London attractions pass, you’ll be able to go on a fairytale adventure, view London’s skyline in style, see spectacular sea life, come face-to-face with some of the world’s most famous faces and take a terrifying trip through London's history.. Merlin Entertainments and Tussauds together attracted 30 million visitors during 2007 and employ more than 13,000 staff. It also operates LEGOLAND theme parks and LEGOLAND Discovery Centres. In the UK, its business includes Chessington World … It owns the UK's leading theme parks, Alton Towers, Chessington and … [26], Further tying into the collaboration between Merlin and eOne, select episodes of PJ Masks season 4 will feature underwater adventures.