The Tussauds Group is now a part of Merlin Entertainments, the world's second largest leisure group, second only to Disney. It is based in Poole, Dorset from where it manages a portfolio of brands and over 50 attractions including the famous Madame Tussauds waxworks, Legoland Parks, Sealife Centres, Gardaland in Italy, The Dungeons and the highly successful London Eye, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, and Chessington World of Adventures in the UK. Merlin Entertainments is the biggest attractions operator in Europe and currently the second largest operating globally after Disney. ... Alternate meanings: Disney (disambiguation) The Walt Disney Company (also known as Disney Enterprises, Inc. ... Madame Tussauds and the London Planetarium Madame Tussauds is a famous wax museum in London with branches in a number of major cities. ... A wax figure of Luciano Pavarotti in Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Like the wax museum at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, most wax museums allow visitors to pose for pictures with the figures. ... The entrance of Legoland Deutschland. ... Marine biology is the study of animal and plant life within saltwater ecosystems. ... Gardaland is a theme park in Veneto, Italy. ... The London Eye at twilight The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is an observation wheel that completed construction in 1999 and opened to the public in March, 2000. ... Alton Towers is the United Kingdoms most famous theme park. ... Thorpe Parks rides and attractions from across the lake. ... Chessington World of Adventures is a family theme park and zoo located in Surrey, England. ...

History

Between 1900 and 1977, Madame Tussauds was the main asset for the Tussauds group. This changed in 1978 when the business was acquired by S. Pearson and Son, now Pearson PLC. Chessington Zoo was already owned by Pearson and became a Tussauds attraction. In the same year Warwick Castle was acquired. Several small acquisitions were made before 1990, when Alton Towers was bought for £60 million. Year 1900 (MCM) was an exceptional common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar, but a leap year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Madame Tussauds and the London Planetarium Madame Tussauds is a famous wax museum in London with branches in a number of major cities. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Pearson plc LSE: PSON;NYSE: PSO is a London-based media conglomerate. ... Chessington World of Adventures is a family theme park and zoo located in Surrey, England. ... The east front of Warwick Castle as painted by Canaletto in 1752. ... Year 1990 (MCMXC) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar). ... Alton Towers is the United Kingdoms most famous theme park. ...

In 1995, PortAventura in Spain opened, in which Tussauds had a 40% stake and managed the theme park. The stake was sold in 1998 to enable the purchase of Thorpe Park, in South East England - management of PortAventura ceased with its sale. Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... PortAventura is a theme park in the holiday resort of Salou, Catalonia, Spain, on the Costa Dorada (Gold Coast). It is 1 hour from Barcelona and has 2 airports within 30 minutes of it. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Thorpe Parks rides and attractions from across the lake. ...

In 1999, after being part of Pearson for twenty years, Charterhouse Development Capital acquired the group. In 2000, the London Eye launched, owned by British Airways but managed by Tussauds. In 2001 the group purchased Heide Park in Germany. Year 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The London Eye at twilight The London Eye, also known as the Millennium Wheel, is an observation wheel that completed construction in 1999 and opened to the public in March, 2000. ... For the 1930s airline of similar name, see British Airways Ltd. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Heide-Park is a theme park in Soltau, Lower Saxony. ...

In 2005, the group was sold to Dubai International Capital for £800 million ($1.5 billion). In 2006, the group purchased the London Eye outright. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Dubai International Capital Dubai International Capital (DIC) was established in October 2004 as the international investment arm of Dubai Holding. ...

In March 2007, the group was sold to the Blackstone Group, in a £1Bn deal. DIC will hold 20% of the combined group^[1]. The company will be combined with the Merlin Entertainments Group and is completing a harmonisation process. The Tussauds Group will proceed as Merlin Entertainments Group. The group will add two new hotels to its portfolio in 2007 - Safari Lodge in Chessington, and Port Royal in Soltau, North Germany. 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... Blackstone Group L.P. is a prominent private equity and investment management firm founded in 1985 by Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman. ... Merlin Entertainments is the biggest attractions operator in Europe and currently the second largest operating globally after Disney. ... Merlin Entertainments is the biggest attractions operator in Europe and currently the second largest operating globally after Disney. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

As of May 22, 2007 the merger with Merlin Entertainment has been completed and The Tussauds Group has ceased to exist as a separate entity.

References

External links

• Merlin Entertainments

• Madame Tussauds
• The British Airways London Eye
• Alton Towers
• Heide Park (in German and English)
• Thorpe Park
• Chessington World of Adventures
• Warwick Castle

• Annual Pass Site