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Merlin Entertainments is the biggest attractions operator in Europe and presently the fourth largest in the world.

Head quartered in Poole, Dorset Merlin Entertainments operates 37 attractions in ten European countries, plus a theme-park in California. Its success to date has been underpinned by strong partnership arrangements with both public and private sectors, with organisations as diverse as Disney and the Worldwide Fund for Nature. Incorporated in 2004^[1]Merlin Entertainments is majority owned by private equity company Blackstone Group.

In March 2007, Merlin Entertainments agreed to buy The Tussauds Group for £1Bn. This will make Merlin Entertainments the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator after Disney. Merlin Entertainments and Tussauds together attracted 30 million visitors during 2006, operate in 12 countries and employ more than 13,000 staff. After the acquisition, Dubai International Capital will hold 20% of Merlin Entertainment.^[2]

Contents 1 Brands 2 Contact details 3 References 4 External links

• The Dungeons - the London Dungeon and its sister attractions in Edinburgh, York, Hamburg and Amsterdam

• Earth Explorer - a science based attraction, focusing on the way the elements shape our planet, based at Ostende, Belgium

• Gardaland - the biggest theme park in Italy, with 40 rides, 10 major shows, a 247-room hotel spread over more than 60 acres

• Legoland - purchased in 2005 from the Lego Group group in Denmark, Lego continues to own 30% in the ongoing business. There are presently four Legoland theme parks in: Legoland Billund in Denmark; Legoland Windsor in Windsor, England; Legoland California located in Carlsbad, California, USA; and Legoland Deutschland in Günzburg, Germany
  • Legoland Discovery Centre - a new medium sized attraction, the first of which is based in Potsdamer Platz, Berlin, where it is due to open at Easter 2007.

• Sea Life Centres - 23 centres across the UK and Europe, including Disneyland Paris, mobile aquariums in Dresden and Nurnberg, the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham, Loch Lomond Aquarium and Hanover. Also includes the brand Seal Sanctuaries which operate from three centres: the National Seal Sanctuary, Cornwall; the Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary; the Scottish SEA LIFE Sanctuary at Oban

• Telephone: +44 (0)1202 666900
• Facsimile: +44 (0)1202 661303
• eMail: info@merlinentertainments.biz
• Registered office: Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd, 3 Market Close, Poole, BH15 1NQ
• UK Registered Company No.: 5022287

• Merlin Entertainments - company website
• The Dungeons
• Earth Explorer
• Gardaland in Italian
• Legoland
• Sea Life Centres
• Seal Sanctuary