LEGOLAND® PARENT COMPANY
ADDS NEW ATTRACTIONS
Merlin Entertainments continues growth
despite current economic slowdown
Carlsbad, Calif. (Dec. 15, 2008) –
LEGOLAND® California’s parent company, Merlin Entertainments, is building on its title of world’s second largest visitor attraction operator with two new exciting developments: the agreement to build a sixth LEGOLAND park in East Asia, and the acquisition of the Underwater Adventures Aquarium in Minnesota.
LEGOLAND® MALAYSIA
On Dec. 13, 2008, Merlin Entertainments signed a landmark agreement with Iskandar Investment Berhad, to build East Asia’s first LEGOLAND Park in Iskandar, Malaysia.
Merlin Entertainments will design and operate the Park, and will become a 20% shareholder, while a consortium led by IIB will own the balance. This exciting $210 million joint venture, LEGOLAND Malaysia, is expected to open to the public in 2013 and will be located in the northeast corner of Medini Iskandar Malaysia, a 2,300 acre international mixed-use development in the heart of Nusajaya. It will be the centerpiece of a 145 acre integrated complex that will include a unique lifestyle retail center, offices, hotels, serviced apartments and residential units.
LEGOLAND Malaysia will be similar to the company’s four other hugely popular and successful LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Billund, LEGOLAND Windsor, LEGOLAND Deutschland, and LEGOLAND California. LEGOLAND Dubailand was announced earlier this year and is scheduled to open in 2011.
Targeted at families with children between the ages of 2 to 12, LEGOLAND Parks are based on the universally popular LEGO® products. They offer families the opportunity to let their imaginations run free and be immersed in LEGO experiences with a unique mix of kid-powered rides, building challenges, spectacular LEGO models, interactive attractions, family-friendly coasters and shows that pull the audience into the action. LEGOLAND Malaysia will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions.
