Merlin's Magic Merlin Entertainments Group is bringing Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, aquariums and more to retail centers that have a leisure focus. Jaime Lackey erlin Entertainments Group has been expanding rapidly M in Europe during the last 10 years, and the company became the world's second largest operator of visitor attractions (after Disney) when it acquired The Tussauds Group from Dubai Inter­ national Capital LLC in 2007. Now the company is poised to expand its presence in the U.S. - and it is looking at locations in major metropolitan markets as well as tourism-driven secondary markets. The company, which is based in the United Kingdom, has 52 attractions in 12 countries. Approximately 32· million people visit the company's attractions each year, with roughly half of the visi­ tors attending the nine outdoor theme parks and half of those going to the 43 indoor attractions. According to Johannes Mock, director r\ rendering of The Pepsi Globe at Mcadmdands Xanadu, \\'hich \\'ill bc of site selection worldwide for Merlin 287 feet tall and \\ill offer views of Manhattan and the Hudson Ri\'cr. Entertainments Group, the company is Thc Pepsi Globe \-\'ill be the tallest obsenation wheel in the u.S. interested in locating its concepts in top­ tier retail centers as well as introducing Mock. He notes that the brands attract LAJ'JD Discovery Centre is a Miniland its indoor brand components to its larger high quality customers who are enjoying that depicts the skyline of the closest outdoor theme parks. leisure time with their families. major city - built in LEGO bricks, of "\Ve have an aggressive growth plan," "Merlin Entertainments Group has a course. The Schaumburg Miniland will says Mock, who is based in the company's phenomenal operating history and real­ feature the Chicago skyline. Also fea­ Hamburg, Germany, office. "vVe plan to ly understands its concepts and finding tured: a hall of fame featuring LEGO open five new attractions worldwide each the most suitable locations," says How­ statues of famous local celebrities; a train year. There is hardly anyone in the leisure ard Samuels, president of Los Angeles­ ride through a medieval castle featuring industry expanding at this rate." based Samuels & Company. He is rep­ animated LEGO figures, like a dragon; Mock expects to open two or three lo­ resenting Merlin in its Jorth American an adventure trail with a jungle theme cations annually in North America. U.S. expansIOn. that features animated animals such as venues in the works include a LEGO­ According to Samuels, the authenticity parrots and tigers. The LEGOLAND LA1\lD Discovery Centre in Schaumburg, of lvIerlin's brands brings something spe­ Discovery Centers also feature a Build & Illinois; the Pepsi Globe at Meadowlands cial to a retail center. "These concepts can Test area where visitors can build LEGO Xanadu in East Rutherford, NewJersey; really distinguish a center in a crowded cars to race or LEGO skyscrapers that a Sea Life Centre in Carlsbad, California; marketplace," he says. "They further the are tested on a vibrating platform that and a Madame Tussauds in Hollywood, sense of place and are a perfect comple­ simulates an earthquake and a 4-D cin­ California. The company is also finaliz­ ment to leisure activities, entertainment ema, which seats up to 100 people, fea­ ing negotiations to open LEGOLAND venues and great restaurants." tures 10- to 12-minute movies using stop Discovery Centres at Xanadu and at "Each location is a unique product de­ motion animation of LEGO creations The Mall of America in Bloomington, signed for that specific site," Mock notes. and includes effects like wind blowing in Minnesota. 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