New Minecraft World coming to the UK – with video game-themed ride and immersive experience
MINECRAFT fans will soon be able to enjoy the video game irl… as the makers Mojang Studios are set to bring immersive Minecraft attractions to UK and US theme parks, hotels and shops.
Merlin Entertainments, which runs the likes of Alton Towers, Chessington World Of Adventures and Madame Tussauds, have signed the deal to oversee the the projects inspired by the greatest-selling video game of all time.
A Minecraft-themed attraction, including a ride, will launch in both the UK and US between 2026 and 2027, at either an existing theme park or as a new city centre tourist venue.
According to Merlin, guests will be able to immerse themselves in the physical Minecraft world with “digitally enabled real-life experiences and the creation of touchpoints that will allow guests to unlock exclusive in-game content to continue their gaming journey.”
There are also plans to expand into Minecraft hotel rooms, gift shop merchandise and food.
While there are no further details at this stage, current child-focused Merlin city centre attractions include things like The London Dungeons, The Shrek Experience, Legoland Discovery Centres and Cadbury’s World.
Some of Merlin’s most recent themed introductions to their theme parks include Jumanji World at Chessington World Of Adventures and the Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge Play Area at Alton Towers.
Meanwhile, the CBeebies Land hotel has themed Bluey, Octonauts and Bing rooms, while Chessington’s Safari Hotel has Gruffalo, Jumanji and Room On The Broom bedrooms.
Scott O’Neil, the chief executive of Merlin Entertainments said: “This is a significant milestone for Merlin, which reinforces our commitment to reaching new audiences through bold and captivating concepts, and directly supports our ambitions for growth.
“Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, and this world-first will see fans experience its thrill and creativity in real life, at theme parks and city-centre attractions in leading tourist destinations.
“Bringing Minecraft to life is going to be one of the greatest joys.”
Review of Chessington's new Jumani Land
The Sun’s Head Of Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire headed down to Chessington World Of Adventures to try out their Jumanji Land – one of the theme park’s biggest additions in years…
Jumanji star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a mountain of a man, but I’m sure even he would fear the Mandrill Mayhem roller-coaster at Chessington World Of Adventures.
I mutter expletives as the 42mph ride, in the park’s new World of Jumanji land, throws me every which way as it reaches its 55ft peak at the top of a jaguar shrine.
Then I curse even louder as the roller-coaster, Chessington’s first inversion ride, repeats itself backwards.
The ride is the crown jewel of the new themed land, but equal attention has been paid to the park’s other new rides Mamba Strike and Ostrich Stampede.
Mamba Strike swoops riders up into the air, and sparks faint reminders of Rameses Revenge, which will please fans nostalgic for the popular ride that left the park in 2019.
But my top pick of the newbies was Ostrich Stampede — best described as an adrenaline-booster for younger guests who have outgrown their favourite flying elephant ride, and are looking for something more thrilling.
It had just the right amount of speed and bumps, as we span round as though trying to escape a herd of stampeding giant birds.
For those looking for a Jumanji-style snack, there are giant turkey legs, foot-long hotdogs and jungle stampede cupcakes.