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ParkHoppin’
Merlin acquires
by Paaul Rul Ruben
Tussauds
Sweet Dreams
New group now world's
Recently the folks at Walt Disney World invited me there to learn
more about their “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion. Is that a second largest operator
million dreams in total, or one for each guest? It would be nice if it
were all just for me, but since I'm not greedy and was just going to be Merlin Entertainments, backed by the private equity Blackstone Group,
there one day, I went in search of - do the maths with me here - has acquired the Tussauds Group, in the process creating one of the
2,740 dreams. world's biggest visitor attractions operators, second only to Disney.
One of the most spectacular dreams planned is every day to give The deal, announced March 5, sees Merlin pay previous Tussauds
some lucky family an overnight stay in the newly themed suite on the owner Dubai International Capital (DIC) £1.028 billion
fourth floor of Cinderella's Castle, centrepiece of the Magic Kingdom. ($2bn/€1.5bn) cash for the worldwide Madame Tussauds business
The suite was originally planned as living quarters for Walt Disney and European attractions Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Heide Park,
himself. But I think it has been used as Cinderella's bedroom, so I Chessington World of Adventures, Warwick Castle and the London
sought her out. Eye.
It was a dream of mine to meet her. As you can see from the photo They will sit alongside a portfolio of attractions from Merlin
here (no, it's not Beauty and the Beast), she's as beautiful as ever, including its Sea Life, Dungeons and Earth Explorer brands and newer
although I've apparently aged since I first learned about her years acquisitions like Legoland and Gardaland.
ago. Because she was giving up her bedroom for the year, I asked Retaining a 20% stake in the combined company, DIC will invest
her where she would be staying. She told me that she would probably alongside majority owner Blackstone and LEGO Holding/KIRKBI
take a room in the Haunted Mansion, since there were several Groups. Blackstone's involvement marks the third successive private
unused bedrooms, but they needed dusting. She and Prince equity owner for the Tussauds Group, which before DIC was looked
Charming had considered staying at the Hollywood Tower Hotel (The after by Charterhouse Development Capital from 1998 to 2004.
Tower of Terror) in Disney-MGM Studios, but decided against it until An expanded management team will see Merlin chief executive
“they fix those damn elevators.” Nick Varney as CEO of the enlarged group, with Tussauds' chief
Whenever I visit a park, I executive Peter Phillipson becoming non-executive chairman; Merlin's
always dream of finding a Andrew Carr as chief financial officer; and Tussauds CFO Rob Roger
thrilling stage show. That leading the integration project.
dream came true for me at Commenting on the transaction, Nick Varney, a former marketing
Disney's Animal Kingdom, executive with Tussauds, said: “The combination of the Merlin and
when I enjoyed a preview of Tussauds brands, people and operating expertise will create an
Finding Nemo - The Musical. exciting and world-beating global entertainment company. With such
Think of The Lion King, but iconic brands, the expanded Merlin will not only have strong
under water. This was of development potential, but also an amazingly robust and high value
Broadway quality, the best portfolio. Our ambition is to build on this to become the world leader
theme park show ever. The in location-based, branded family entertainment.”
story line was compelling, the Merlin Entertainments and the Tussauds Group combined welcomed
music was great, and the over 30 million visitors to their 50 attractions and four hotels in 2006.
staging and puppetry were Those outlets are located in 12 countries across three continents.
spectacular. If you're in the
area, don't miss it.
In Epcot, the Living Seas pavilion has been redone as The Seas
with Nemo & Friends. Here guests board 'clamobiles' and float
through a coral reef in search of that playful clownfish, Nemo. I had
French parks relent on rides
never imagined I'd ride a clamobile, but there I was. As we floated I
tried to daydream, but my mind kept wandering. Thanks to generous state funding, France boasts a higher level of
Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, says that educational/cultural parks than arguably any other country in the world.
guests have told him they believe a Disney park is the place “where But, as elsewhere, commercial realities are forcing a handful of venues
dreams come true” and that magical things happen when they walk to add ride-based attractions in order to widen their appeal.
in. My dreams were certainly coming true, and I was counting. As the The famous Parc Fututoscope is to open an interactive boat ride in
sun went down I was closing in on the magic 2,740 dreams. I think I time for Easter. Mission Eclabousse is the second such ride by ABC
dream in colour, but it may just be a pigment of my imagination. Engineering of Switzerland, following the original at Tripsdrill in
Disney had planned a party and reception that evening in the Germany, but this time takes on a predictably futuristic theme. Captains
Magic Kingdom for the journalists attending the press event. Here I will steer their boats through the ride, but will need a sharp eye and a
received my own blinking Mickey Mouse ears, dream number cool finger not to miss any of the targets along the way - if they do, they
2,738, and free food, number 2,739. And then my dream of will be soaked by up to three water cannons.
dreams came true, number 2,740 …free beer. Thank you, Disney, A new dark ride, with a transport system by ETF from the
all's right with the world. Netherlands, is expected to soft open towards the end of the year. Last
4 APRIL 2007
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