Alton Towers and Legoland owner to open Minecraft theme park in UK

Merlin Entertainments, known for attractions like Alton Towers and Legoland, has struck a significant deal to create Minecraft-themed attractions in both the UK and US.

The partnership with Mojang Studios, the creators of the wildly popular video game, aims to deliver immersive and interactive experiences at fixed locations across the Atlantic. This marks Merlin's first global collaboration with a gaming brand.

The Poole-based entertainment giant is set to invest an initial £85 million into the 'Adventures Made Real' concept, which promises to bring Minecraft to life through "real-life experiences". These parks will be the world's first location-based immersive Minecraft attractions, although specific locations have yet to be announced.

While timescales are still under wraps, Merlin anticipates launching these experiences in the US and the UK between 2026 and 2027. According to the company, these attractions will offer "new and exciting ways" for fans to dive into the Minecraft universe, including special touchpoints that enable visitors to access exclusive in-game content.

"This is a significant milestone for Merlin, which reinforces our commitment to reaching new audiences through bold and captivating concepts, and directly supports our ambitions for growth," stated Scott O'Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, reports Business Live.

"Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, and this world-first will see fans experience its thrill and creativity in real life, at theme parks and city-centre attractions in leading tourist destinations."

Alongside interactive experiences, the concept includes Minecraft-themed guest accommodation, retail, food and drink offerings, and a ride. Merlin plans to extend these experiences to additional locations worldwide in the future. The collaboration is said to be in line with Merlin's strategic ambitions to partner with top-tier intellectual property and brands.

"Partnering with Merlin Entertainments is an incredibly exciting step for us at Mojang Studios," commented Kayleen Walters, vice-president franchise development for gaming at Microsoft. "Our vast and diverse community is always looking for new opportunities to explore and engage with Minecraft, and we are thrilled to build touchpoints around the globe that will surprise and delight them. These new real-life Minecraft experiences will not only grow our community but also offer fans many more opportunities to immerse themselves in the world of Minecraft in ways they've never imagined."

Mr O'Neil and Ms Walters will be discussing the partnership and the worldwide launch of these real-life experiences at the IAAPA Expo 2024 in Orlando, scheduled for 4pm (EST) on November 19.