{{Short description|British leisure company}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Merlin Entertainments Limited | former_names = Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd. (1998–2013)<br>Merlin Entertainments PLC (2013–2019) | logo = [[File:Merlin Entertainments Logo 2026.png|200px]] | type = [[Privately held company|Private]]<ref name=control>{{cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08700412 |title=Merlin Entertainments Limited |work=Companies House |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> | founder = | equity = {{decrease}} £885 million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | owners = Motion JVCO Ltd | key_people = Fiona Eastwood ([[CEO]]) | industry = [[Entertainment industry|Entertainment]] | revenue = {{decrease}} [[Pound sterling|£]]1,999 million (2025)<ref name="financial25">{{cite web|url= https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/media/8353/motion-jvco-annual-report-and-accounts-2025.pdf|title=Annual Report & Accounts 2025|publisher=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=26 March 2026}}</ref> | operating_income = {{increase}} -£(58) million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | net_income = {{increase}} -£(406) million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | assets = {{decrease}} £7,449 million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | founded = {{Start date and age|1998|12|14|df=y}} | hq_location_city = [[London]] | hq_location_country = England | website = {{URL|merlinentertainments.biz}} }} {{Merlin Entertainments sidebar}}
'''Merlin Entertainments Limited''' is a global [[entertainment]] company based in [[London]], England, which operates a number of [[theme park]] [[resorts]] and other visitor attractions. It was listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] until November 2019. It was then privately acquired by the [[consortium]] Motion JVCO Ltd, which includes [[Kirkbi]] (the investment arm of the Kristiansen family that also controls [[the Lego Group]] and [[BrainPop]]).
==History== In December 1998, [[Nick Varney]], Andrew Carr 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]]. Apax sold the company in 2004 to another financial investor, Hermes Private Equity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackstone.com/news-views/press-releases/details/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment|title=Blackstone Acquires Merlin Entertainment|work=blackstone.com|date=23 May 2005 |access-date=30 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124749/http://blackstone.com/news-views/press-releases/details/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>
In May 2005, the company was acquired from Hermes by a division of [[The Blackstone Group]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blackstone.com/media/press-releases/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment |title=Blackstone Acquires Merlin Entertainment |publisher=Blackstone.com |date=2005-05-23 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030003621/https://www.blackstone.com/media/press-releases/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment |archive-date=30 October 2017 }}</ref> which later started a major expansion. Between 2005 and 2010, Merlin acquired the Legoland parks, [[Gardaland]], [[The Tussauds Group]], [[Cypress Gardens]], and various attractions from [[Village Roadshow Theme Parks]] and Living and Leisure Australia. The company was first listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] in 2013 but returned to private ownership in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/merlin-entertainments-group-acquires-italys-gardaland|title=Merlin Entertainments Group acquires Italy's Gardaland|date=16 October 2006|publisher=Coaster Buzz|access-date=25 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405083540/http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/merlin-entertainments-group-acquires-italys-gardaland|archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>
=== Major acquisitions (2005–2012) === After the sale of Merlin to Blackstone Group, the company negotiated to buy control of the Legoland theme parks in 2005 for about £250 million, then merged it with Merlin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4678213.stm |title=Troubled Lego sells theme parks |publisher=BBC News |date=2005-07-13 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002124655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4678213.stm |archive-date=2 October 2017 }}</ref> As part of the deal, Kirkbi A/S, the investment arm of LEGO's owners, took a share in Merlin Entertainments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html|title=Why you shouldn't buy shares in Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment|date=30 October 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=30 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327025026/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html|archive-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.CaliforniaResortLife.com/northsd/legoland_california.htm |title=Tour Legoland California |work=CaliforniaResortLife.com |access-date=13 August 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205181543/http://californiaresortlife.com/northsd/legoland_california.htm |archive-date=5 February 2016 }}</ref>
In 2006, Merlin acquired [[Gardaland]] theme park resort in northeastern [[Italy]].
In May 2007, Blackstone purchased [[The Tussauds Group]], owner of the [[Madame Tussauds]] wax museums, for US$1.9 billion, to merge the company with Merlin.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html |title=Merlin conjures up leaseback deal |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=2007-07-18 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114021228/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html |archive-date=14 November 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501369.html |title=Blackstone Buys Madame Tussauds Chain |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920092211/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501369.html |archive-date=20 September 2016 }}</ref> 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.<ref>''King of Capital'', p. 313.</ref><ref name="telegraph1"/><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6419019.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Tussauds firm bought in £1bn deal | date=5 March 2007 | access-date=12 May 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205005547/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6419019.stm | archive-date=5 December 2008 }}</ref>
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 35-year leaseback agreement.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6902797.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Alton Towers sold in £622m deal | date=17 July 2007 | access-date=12 May 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823235943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6902797.stm | archive-date=23 August 2007 }}</ref>
On 15 January 2010, Merlin Entertainments bought [[Cypress Gardens]], a defunct theme park in [[Winter Haven, Florida]]. It was reopened as [[Legoland]] Florida theme park.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theledger.com/article/20100115/NEWS/100119831/1410?|title= Cypress Gardens Sold to Legoland|date= 15 January 2010|access-date= 15 January 2010|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100117043312/http://www.theledger.com/article/20100115/NEWS/100119831/1410|archive-date= 17 January 2010}}</ref>
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]]. The sale would include [[Sea Life Sydney Aquarium|Sydney Aquarium]], [[Wild Life Sydney|Sydney Wildlife World]], [[Manly Sea Life Sanctuary|Oceanworld Manly]], [[Sydney Tower]] and the Koala Gallery in Australia, in addition to [[Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium|Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World]] in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Village Roadshow sells Sydney Attractions|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/village-roadshow-sells-sydney-attractions-20101217-19039.html|access-date=17 December 2010|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 December 2010|agency=Australian Associated Press|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220034846/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/village-roadshow-sells-sydney-attractions-20101217-19039.html|archive-date=20 December 2010}}</ref> On 3 March 2011, the deal was finalised.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Australian Associated Press|title=Plans for a Madame Tussauds in Sydney|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/plans-for-a-madame-tussauds-in-sydney-20110303-1bfzn.html|access-date=12 March 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307033034/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/plans-for-a-madame-tussauds-in-sydney-20110303-1bfzn.html|archive-date=7 March 2011}}</ref> 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, Queensland|UnderWater World]], [[Melbourne Aquarium]], [[Falls Creek, Victoria|Falls Creek Alpine Resort]], [[Hotham Alpine Resort]], [[Canopy walkway#Victoria|Otway Fly]], [[Illawarra Fly]], [[Busan Aquarium]] and [[Siam Ocean World]].<ref name="Merlin Entertainments Group conjures $140m James Packer bid">{{cite news|last=Ooi|first=Teresa|title=Merlin Entertainments Group conjures $140m James Packer bid|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-entertainments-group-conjures-140m-james-packer-bid/story-fn91vdzj-1226226193589|access-date=4 June 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=20 December 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227041336/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-entertainments-group-conjures-140m-james-packer-bid/story-fn91vdzj-1226226193589|archive-date=27 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="Merlin ready to wrap up Living and Leisure deal">{{cite news|last=Danckert|first=Sarah|title=Merlin ready to wrap up Living and Leisure deal|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-ready-to-wrap-up-living-and-leisure-deal/story-fn91vdzj-1226269113927|access-date=4 June 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=13 February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216115409/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-ready-to-wrap-up-living-and-leisure-deal/story-fn91vdzj-1226269113927|archive-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>
=== Public listing (2013–2019) === Merlin had planned to go public in the early 2000s, but market turbulence postponed those plans. Instead, Blackstone sold 20% of the company to the private equity firm [[CVC Capital Partners]], reducing Blackstone's holding to 34%. CVC acquired another 8% from the Dubai investment fund which is no longer involved with the company, giving it 28% in all. Kirkbi, a Danish family trust that owns LEGO, also increased its stake, emerging as the largest shareholder, with 36%. CVC paid a price that valued Merlin at £2.25 billion<ref>[http://www.cvc.com/Files/GetFile.aspx?Type=PressRelease&ID=156 CVC Capital Partners press release]{{dead link|date=September 2011}}, 24 June 2010.</ref> – more than six times what Merlin and Legoland together were worth when Blackstone acquired them five years earlier. Blackstone's investment was by that point worth more than three and a half times what it had paid.<ref>''King of Capital'', p. 314.</ref>
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.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html Why you shouldn't buy shares in Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327025026/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html |date=27 March 2015 }} ''The Daily Telegraph'', 30 October 2013</ref>
In 2015, the company opened the [[Orlando Eye]] Ferris wheel attraction in Orlando. It then sold the wheel in 2018 but repurchased it in 2024.
Reports in early October 2017 indicated that Merlin Entertainments was considering a takeover of [[SeaWorld Orlando|Sea World in Orlando]], but on 11 October, the company said it was no longer involved in such discussions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityam.com/273685/merlin-entertainments-waves-goodbye-seaworld-deal |title=Legoland and Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments waves goodbye to SeaWorld deal | City A.M |publisher=City A.M. |date=2017-10-11 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201143804/http://www.cityam.com/273685/merlin-entertainments-waves-goodbye-seaworld-deal |archive-date=1 February 2018 }}</ref>
=== Return to private ownership (2019–present) === In June 2019, the company's board agreed to recommend a takeover offer of £4.8 billion from a consortium consisting of Kirkbi A/S, [[CPP Investment Board]] and [[The Blackstone Group]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48797245|title=Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments agrees £4.8bn offer|date=28 June 2019|publisher=BBC News|access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> The takeover was approved by the high court in November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/court-approves-deal-for-merlin-entertainments|title=Court approves deal for Merlin Entertainments|date=1 November 2019|work=Insider Media|access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
Merlin opened its first [[Peppa Pig]] Theme Park in Winter Haven, Florida in 2022, with future sites planned for Texas and [[Günzburg]], Germany.
Nick Varney left the company at the end of 2022, along with longtime Chief Development Officer, Mark Fisher. Varney was replaced by [[Scott O'Neil]], who arrived from a media and sports management background. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2022/scott-m-oneil-appointed-ceo/|title=Merlin Entertainments appoints Scott M. O'Neil Chief Executive Officer|date=14 November 2022|work=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref>
In March 2023, Merlin cancelled a new Legoland resort in Belgium, which had been planned to open in 2027 on the former site of Caterpillar's factory in [[Gosselies]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Un parc d'attractions Legoland à l'horizon 2027 sur le site Caterpillar à Charleroi |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/un-parc-dattractions-legoland-a-lhorizon-2027-sur-le-site-caterpillar-a-charleroi-11056486 |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=RTBF |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=French|url=https://www.lecho.be/economie-politique/belgique/wallonie/merlin-renonce-a-construire-un-parc-legoland-a-charleroi/10456088.html|title=Merlin renonce à construire un parc Legoland à Charleroi|work=L'Echo |date=24 March 2023|publisher=[[L'Echo]]}}</ref> By the end of 2024, both Little Big City sites in Berlin and Beijing and the Bear Grylls Adventure in Birmingham, UK were closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg0rxedvlvo|title=Bear Grylls-inspired activity centre to close |date=11 December 2024|work=BBC News|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
In November of 2024, Merlin entered a $110 million dollar theme park deal with [[Microsoft]], the owners of video game developer [[Mojang Studios|Mojang]]. This deal included themed rides, attractions, hotels, and retail outlets themed after the popular video game ''[[Minecraft]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=2024-11-19 |title=Minecraft enters real world with $110m global theme park deal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/19/minecraft-theme-park-deal-uk-us-merlin-entertainments |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
O'Neil left the company at the end of 2024, with Chief Operating Officer, Fiona Eastwood, taking over as CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2025/fiona-eastwood-ceo/|title=Merlin Entertainments Appoints Fiona Eastwood as Chief Executive Officer|date=17 February 2025|work=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> At the same time, the company began a group-wide restructuring to merge its Resort Theme Parks, Legoland Parks and Gateway Attractions divisions on a regional basis, which Merlin stated would bring them into "one united business" going forwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/whats-on-news/merlin-entertainments-breaking-warwick-castle-30895876|title=Merlin Entertainments issues statement over Warwick Castle operations|date=30 January 2025|work=Coventry Live|access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref>
In 2025, it was revealed that Merlin were looking to sell many of its Sea Life Centres, but failed to find an attractive offer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blooloop.com/animals/news/merlin-reportedly-reviewing-sale-sea-life-aquariums/|title=Merlin reportedly exploring sale of some Sea Life aquariums|date=14 February 2025|work=Blooloop|access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blooloop.com/animals/news/merlin-cancels-plans-uk-sea-life-aquarium-sale/|title=Merlin shelves plans to sell some UK-based Sea Life aquariums|date=14 August 2025|work=Blooloop|access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref> In June, it was also announced that the majority of Merlin's Blackpool attractions would be taken over by [[Blackpool Council]] through their in-house tourism company [[Blackpool Tourism Limited]]. This included the Blackpool Tower, Blackpool Dungeon and Madame Tussauds Blackpool.<ref name="Blackpool Council handover">{{cite news |title=Blackpool Tower to be taken over by council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93lex00gg2o |access-date=19 June 2025 |publisher=BBC News |date=4 June 2025}}</ref> In September, it was announced that Merlin was to sell its Lego Discovery Centres to the Lego Group, also a part-owned subsidiary of Kirkbi, with an estimated cash consideration of £200 million.<ref name="Lego Discovery Sale">{{cite web |title=The LEGO® Group to acquire LEGO® Discovery Centres and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres from Merlin Entertainments |url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2025/lego-group-to-acquire-ldc/ |website=Merlin Entertainments |publisher=Merlin Entertainments |access-date=24 September 2025 |date=24 September 2025}}</ref> The sale was completed on 27 February 2026.<ref> {{Cite web |title=The LEGO Group Completes Acquisition of LEGO® Discovery Centres and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres From Merlin Entertainments |url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2026/lego-group-completes-acquisition/ |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=www.merlinentertainments.biz |language=en}}</ref>
==Properties==
===Resort theme parks=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | [[Gardaland]] | {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Castelnuovo del Garda]], Italy | 1975 | 2006 | Owner and operator; Purchased in 2006 under Blackstone. |- | [[Heide Park]] | {{flagicon|Germany}} Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany | 1978 | 2007 | Operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |- | [[Thorpe Park]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Chertsey]], Surrey, UK | 1979 | 2007 | Operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |- | [[Alton Towers]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Alton, Staffordshire|Alton]], [[Staffordshire]], UK | 1980 | 2007 | Operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |- | [[Chessington World of Adventures]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Chessington]], Greater London, UK | 1987 | 2007 | Owner and operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |}
===LEGOLAND parks=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | [[Legoland Billund Resort]] | {{flagicon|Denmark}} Billund, Denmark | 1968 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | [[Legoland Windsor Resort]] | {{flagicon|UK}} Windsor, UK | 1996 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | [[Legoland California|Legoland California Resort]] | {{flagicon|USA}} Carlsbad, California, U.S. | 1999 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | [[Legoland Deutschland Resort]] | {{flagicon|Germany}} Günzburg, Germany | 2002 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | [[Legoland Florida|Legoland Florida Resort]] | {{flagicon|USA}} Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. | 2011 | | Formerly Cypress Gardens. |- | [[Legoland Malaysia Resort]] | {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Johor Bahru, Malaysia | 2012 | - | New-build theme park. |- | [[Legoland Dubai|Legoland Dubai Resort]] | {{flagicon|UAE}} Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2016 | - | Franchised to [[Dubai Parks and Resorts]] |- | [[Legoland Japan Resort]] | {{flagicon|Japan}} Nagoya, Japan | 2017 | - | New-build theme park. |- |[[Legoland New York|Legoland New York Resort]] |{{flagicon|USA}} Goshen, New York, U.S. |2021 | - |New-build theme park. |- | [[Legoland Korea Resort]] | {{flagicon|South Korea}} Chuncheon, South Korea | 2022 | - | New-build theme park. |- | [[Legoland Shanghai|Legoland Shanghai Resort]] | {{flagicon|China}} Jinshan, Shanghai, China | 2025 | - | New-build theme park. |}
===Peppa Pig parks (co-products with [[Hasbro]])=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida | {{flagicon|USA}} Winter Haven, Florida | 2022 | - |New-build theme park. |- | Peppa Pig Park Günzburg | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Günzburg]], [[Bavaria]] | 2024<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/germany-to-get-europes-first-stand-alone-peppa-pig-theme-park/ | title=Germany to get Europe's first stand-alone Peppa Pig Theme Park | date=30 June 2023 }}</ref> | - |New-build theme park. |- | Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth | {{flagicon|USA}} North Richland Hills, Texas | 2025<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.peppapigthemepark.com/dallas-ft-worth/ | title=Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas Ft Worth }}</ref> | - |New-build theme park. |}
===Gateway attractions=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location(s) ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | [[Cadbury World]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Birmingham]], [[UK]] | 1990 | 2023 | Management contract only. |- | The Dungeons | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Blackpool Tower|Blackpool]]<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} [[London Dungeon|London]]<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} [[York Dungeon|York]]<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} [[Edinburgh Dungeon|Edinburgh]]<br/>{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin Dungeon|Berlin]]<br/>{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Hamburg Dungeon|Hamburg]]<br/>{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Amsterdam Dungeon|Amsterdam]] | 2011<br/>1974<br/>1986<br/>2000<br/>2013<br/>2000<br/>2005<br/> | 1999 | Brand & pre-1999 sites acquired in management buyout of Vardon Attractions. Blackpool site franchise only from August 2025. |- | The Eye Brand | {{flagicon|UK}} [[London]]<br/>{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Sydney]]<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Orlando | 2000<br/>1981<br/>2015 | 2007<br/>2011<br/>2024 | |- | The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Blackpool]] | 2023 | | |- | [[DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure!]] |{{flagicon|UK}} [[County Hall, London|London]] | 2015 | - | [[Shrek (franchise)|Shrek franchise]] licensed from [[Universal Pictures]] and [[DreamWorks Animation|DreamWorks Animation Studios]]. |- | [[Madame Tussauds]] |{{flagicon|UK}} [[Madame Tussauds London|London]]<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} [[Madame Tussauds Blackpool|Blackpool]]<br/>{{flagicon|Czechia}} [[Prague]]<br/>{{flagicon|Austria}} [[Madame Tussauds Vienna|Vienna]]<br/>{{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin<br/>{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Madame Tussauds Amsterdam|Amsterdam]]<br/>{{flagicon|Hungary}} Budapest<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} [[Madame Tussauds Hollywood|Hollywood]]<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} [[Madame Tussauds Las Vegas|Las Vegas]]<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Nashville<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} [[Madame Tussauds New York|New York]]<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Orlando<br/>{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Madame Tussauds Sydney|Sydney]]<br/>{{flagicon|China}} [[Madame Tussauds Shanghai|Shanghai]]<br/>{{flagicon|China}} Wuhan<br/>{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} [[Madame Tussauds Hong Kong|Hong Kong]]<br/>{{flagicon|Japan}} Tokyo<br/>{{flagicon|Singapore}} [[Madame Tussauds Singapore|Singapore]]<br/>{{flagicon|Thailand}} Bangkok<br/>{{flagicon|UAE}} [[Madame Tussauds Dubai|Dubai]] | | 2007 | Brand & pre-2007 sites acquired in Tussauds Group merger. China sites (with exception of Hong Kong), Prague and Budapest are franchise only. Blackpool site franchise only from August 2025. |- |Peppa Pig World of Play |{{flagicon|China}} [[Shanghai]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Auburn Hills, Michigan]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Grapevine, Texas]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Chicago]], Illinois<br />{{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Leidschendam]] |2018<br />2019<br />2019<br />2020<br />2022 | | Shanghai site franchise only. |- |[[Sea Life]] |{{flagicon|UK}} [[National Sea Life Centre|Birmingham]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Sea Life Brighton|Brighton]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Great Yarmouth]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Cornish Seal Sanctuary|Gweek]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Hunstanton]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Manchester<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[London Aquarium|London]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Scarborough, North Yorkshire|Scarborough]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Weymouth, Dorset|Weymouth]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} [[Loch Lomond]]<br />{{flagicon|Belgium}} Blankenberge<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Hanover<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Konstanz<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Munich<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Oberhausen<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Speyer<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Timmendorfer Strand<br />{{flagicon|Finland}} Helsinki<br />{{flagicon|Italy}} Castelnuovo del Garda<br /> {{flagicon|Italy}} Jesolo<br />{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Scheveningen<br />{{flagicon|Portugal}} [[Sea Life Porto|Porto]]<br />{{flagicon|Spain}} Benalmadena<br />{{flagicon|France}} Paris<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Sea Life Arizona|Arizona]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Orlando<br />{{flagicon|USA}} New Jersey<br />{{flagicon|USA}} San Antonio<br />{{flagicon|Australia}} Melbourne<br />{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Mooloolaba]] (Sunshine Coast)<br />{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Sea Life Sydney Aquarium|Sydney]]<br />{{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium|Auckland]]<br />{{flagicon|China}} Shanghai<br />{{flagicon|Japan}} Nagoya<br />{{flagicon|Malaysia}} Iskandar Puteri<br />{{flagicon|South Korea}} Busan<br />{{flagicon|Thailand}} [[Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World|Bangkok]] | | 1999 | Brand & pre-1999 sites acquired in management buyout of Vardon Attractions. Shanghai site franchise only. |- | Warwick Castle | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]] | 1978 | 2007 | Acquired in Tussauds Group merger. |- |}
=== Future locations === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Name !Location !Planned opening |- |[[Legoland Sichuan]] |{{flagicon|China}} [[Chengdu|Chengdu, Sichuan, China]] |2025 |- |[[Legoland#Future parks|Legoland Shenzhen Resort]] |{{flagicon|China}} [[Shenzhen|Shenzhen, China]] |2027 |- |[[Legoland#Future parks|Legoland Beijing Resort]] |{{flagicon|China}} [[Fangshan District|Fangshan District, Beijing, China]] |2028 |}
=== Former locations === {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Opened ! Acquired ! Fate ! Closed/sold ! Notes |- | Abenteuer Park Oberhausen | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Oberhausen|Oberhausen, Germany]] | 1996 | 2011 | Closed | 2015 | Formerly known as CentrO.Park (1996–2011) & Sea Life Abenteuer Park (2013). |- | The Bear Grylls Adventure | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Birmingham]], [[UK]] | 2018 | | Closed | 2024 | |- | [[Blackpool Tower]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Blackpool]], [[UK]] | 1894 | 2011 | | 2025 | Management contract from Blackpool Council from 2011. Take-over by Blackpool Tourism Ltd in August 2025. |- | Earth Explorer | {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Ostend|Ostend, Belgium]] | 2004 | | Sold | 2013 | |- | [[Falls Creek, Victoria|Falls Creek ski resort]] | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] | 1946 | 2011 | Sold | 2019 | Acquired in MFS Living and Leisure deal. Sold to Vail Resorts in 2019. |- | [[Hotham Alpine Resort]] | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Victoria (state)|Victoria]], [[Australia]] | 1925 | 2011 | Sold | 2019 | Ski resort acquired in MFS Living and Leisure deal. Sold to Vail Resorts in 2019. |- | Illawarra Fly | {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Australia]] | 2005 | 2016 | Sold<ref name="Treetops sale Blooloop">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Bea |title=Merlin announces sale through EOI of two Australian attractions |url=https://blooloop.com/play/news/merlin-entertainments-otway-illawarra-fly-australia-sale/ |website=Blooloop |publisher=Blooloop |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref> | 2024 | |- | Little Big City | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin]], [[Germany]]<br/>{{flagicon|China}} [[Beijing]], [[China]] | 2017<br/>2018 | | Closed | 2024<ref name="Little Big City closure">{{cite web |title=Little BIG City Berlin |url=https://www.berlin-welcomecard.de/en/partner/little-big-city-berlin |website=Berlin Welcomecard |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref> | |- | [[Legoland Discovery Centre]] Duisburg | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Duisburg|Duisburg, Germany]] | 2007 | | Closed | 2013 | Moved to Oberhausen after a few years. |- | [[Legoland Discovery Centre]] Hotham | {{flagicon|Australia}} Mt Hotham, AZ at [[Hotham Alpine Resort]] | 2018 | | Closed | 2018 | |- |[[Legoland Discovery Centre]] Istanbul |{{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Istanbul]] |2015 | |Closed<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Merlin Entertainments to close three attractions in Türkiye, including Madame Tussauds |url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/merlin-entertainments-to-close-three-attractions-in-turkiye-including-madame-tussauds-99688 |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=Türkiye Today |language=en}}</ref> |2024 | |- |[[Legoland Discovery Centre|LEGO Discovery Centres]] |{{flagicon|UK}} Birmingham at [[Arena Birmingham]]<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Manchester at the [[Trafford Centre]]<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin at [[The Center Potsdamer Platz]]<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} [[Hamburg]]<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Oberhausen<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Phoenix at [[Arizona Mills]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Atlanta at [[Phipps Plaza]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Bay Area (San Jose) at [[Great Mall of the Bay Area]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}}<br />[[Legoland Discovery Center Boston|Boston]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Legoland Discovery Center Chicago|Chicago]] at [[The Streets of Woodfield]]<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Columbus at [[Easton Town Center]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Legoland Discovery Center Dallas Fort Worth|Dallas Fort Worth]] at [[Grapevine Mills]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} [[Legoland Discovery Center Kansas City|Kansas City]] at [[Crown Center]]<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Michigan at the [[Great Lakes Crossing Outlets]]<br />{{flagicon|USA}} New Jersey at [[American Dream Meadowlands]]<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Philadelphia at the [[Plymouth Meeting Mall]]<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Legoland Discovery Center Westchester|Westchester (New York)]] at [[Westchester's Ridge Hill]]<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] at [[Springfield Town Center]]<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} San Antonio at the [[Shops at Rivercenter]]<br /> {{flagicon|Canada}} Toronto at [[Vaughan Mills]]<br /> {{flagicon|Australia}} Melbourne at the [[Chadstone Shopping Centre]]<br /> {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Hong Kong<br />{{flagicon|Japan}} Osaka {{flagicon|Japan}} Tokyo<br /> {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Scheveningen<br /> {{flagicon|Belgium}} [[Brussels]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-08-30|title=Merlin to take Legoland Discovery Centres to Belgium with deal for Brussels site {{!}} attractionsmanagement.com news|url=http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/news.cfm?codeID=347987|access-date=2022-02-21|website=attractionsmanagement.com/}}</ref> | | | Sold | 2026 | All sold to Lego Group in February 2026. |- | [[London Planetarium]] | {{flagicon|UK}} [[London]] | 1958 | 2007 | Closed | 2010 | Incorporated as part of Madame Tussauds London as other attractions. |- | [[Madame Tussauds Delhi]] | {{flagicon|India}} [[New Delhi]] | 2017 | | Closed | 2020 | Closed after COVID-19 pandemic, relocated to Noida in 2022. |- | [[Madame Tussauds Washington D.C.|Madame Tussauds Washington DC]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Washington, D.C.|Washington D.C.]] | 2007 | | Closed | 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madame Tussauds aims to sublease D.C. wax museum|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2021/07/19/madame-tussauds-aims-to-sublease-dc-wax-museum.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=bizjournals.com}}</ref> | Closed after [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]], never re-opened. |- | Madame Tussauds India at DLF Mall of India | {{flagicon|India}} [[Noida]] | 2022 | | Closed | 2023 | Relocated from Madame Tussauds Delhi. |- | [[Madame Tussauds San Francisco]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[San Francisco]] | 2014 | | Closed | 2024 | |- | [[Madame Tussauds Istanbul]] | {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Istanbul]] | 2016 | | Closed<ref name=":0" /> | 2024 | |- | Madame Tussauds Chongqing | {{flagicon|China}} [[Chongqing]] | 2016 | | Closed<ref name="iChongqing Closed">{{cite web |last1=Zheng |first1=Ran |title=Chongqing Bids Farewell to Madame Tussauds After Nearly a Decade |url=https://www.ichongqing.info/2025/05/14/chongqing-bids-farewell-to-madame-tussauds-after-nearly-a-decade/#:~:text=Madame%20Tussauds%20Chongqing%20closed%20after%20nearly%20nine,wax%20figure%20museum%20has%20now%20paused%20its |website=iChongqing |access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref> | 2025 | |- | [[Madame Tussauds Beijing]] | {{flagicon|China}} [[Beijing]] | 2014 | | Closed | 2025 | |- | Otway Fly | {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Australia]] | 2003 | 2016 | Sold | 2024<ref name="Treetops sale Blooloop"></ref> | |- | Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Blackpool]] | 2022 | | | 2025 | Take-over by Blackpool Tourism Ltd in August 2025. |- | [[San Francisco Dungeon|The San Francisco Dungeon]] | {{flagicon|USA}} [[San Francisco]] | 2014 | | Closed | 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-14 |title=The 'San Francisco Dungeon' at Fisherman's Wharf Has Spooked Its Last Tourist |url=https://sfist.com/2022/02/14/the-spooky-san-francisco-dungeon-at-fishermans-wharf-has-scared-its-last-tourist/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=SFist – San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports|archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311080008/https://sfist.com/2022/02/14/the-spooky-san-francisco-dungeon-at-fishermans-wharf-has-scared-its-last-tourist/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | Closed in 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|COVID-19 pandemic]], never re-opened. |- | The Shanghai Dungeon | {{flagicon|China}} [[Shanghai]] | 2018 | | Closed | 2024 | |- | Sea Life Berlin | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Berlin]] | | | Closed | 2024<ref name="Sea Life Berlin closure">{{cite web |title=Sea Life Berlin |url=https://www.berlin-welcomecard.de/en/partner/sea-life-berlin |website=Berlin Welcomecard |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref> | |- | Sea Life Bray Aquarium | {{flagicon|IE}} [[Bray, County Wicklow|Bray, Ireland]] | 1998 | | Closed | 2023 | |- | Sea Life Hastings | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Hastings|Hastings, England]] | 2008 | | Sold | 2012 | Now belongs to the [[Blue Reef Aquarium]] chain. |- | Sea Life Istanbul | {{flagicon|Turkey}} [[Istanbul]] | 2009 | | Closed<ref name=":0" /> | 2024 | |- | Sea Life Königswinter | {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Königswinter]] | | | Closed | 2023<ref name="Sea Life Königswinter closure">{{cite web |title=Sea Life Königswinter is now closed |url=https://www.visitsealife.com/de/koewi-future-landing-page/ |website=Visit Sea Life |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref> | |- | Sea Life St Andrews | {{flagicon|UK}} [[St. Andrews|St Andrews, Scotland]] | 1999 | TBA | Sold | TBA | Now operates as the St. Andrews Aquarium. |- | [[Manly Sea Life Sanctuary]] | {{flagicon|Australia}} [[Manly, New South Wales|Manly, Australia]] | 1965 | 2010 | Closed | 2018<ref>{{cite web|title=Manly Sea Life Sanctuary closes its doors after 55 years|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/manly-sea-life-sanctuary-closes-its-doors-after-55-years-20180128-h0pjy4.html|date=28 January 2018|website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref> | |- | Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary | {{flagicon|UK}} [[Oban|Oban, Scotland]] | 1979 | | Closed | 2018 | |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.merlinentertainments.biz}}
{{Blackstone Companies}} {{Merlin attractions}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Merlin Entertainments Group| ]] [[Category:Entertainment companies established in 1998]] [[Category:British companies established in 1998]] [[Category:Leisure companies of the United Kingdom]] [[Category:Companies based in Poole]] [[Category:Private equity portfolio companies]] [[Category:Amusement park companies]] [[Category:Blackstone Inc. companies]] [[Category:CVC Capital Partners companies]] [[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]] [[Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions]] [[Category:2013 initial public offerings]] [[Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions]] [[Category:Companies formed by management buyout]] [[Category:Legoland]] [[Category:1998 establishments in England]]