Merlin Entertainments today announced Adrian Jones has been appointed as General Manager for the planned new LEGOLAND Florida theme park scheduled to open in Autumn 2011. His duties beginning immediately.
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Jones has had a long career within Merlin, most recently as Divisional Director of Midway Attractions in the Western United States, responsible for the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre in Schaumburg, Illinois, Madame Tussauds Las Vegas and Madame Tussauds Hollywood -- the first Madame Tussauds attraction ever to be built from the ground up in 200 years. Jones has worked in leisure attractions for more than 20 years and has done everything from selling ice cream to General Manager, experience which will be very important in opening this very important new attraction for the company.
During the construction phase of LEGOLAND Florida, Jones will work closely with John Ussher, Merlin Entertainments’ General Manager of Global Development for LEGOLAND. “Adrian is a talented manager and we are thrilled that he has accepted the opportunity to run Florida’s newest full-day theme park, and Merlin’s first new LEGOLAND.” said Ussher.
“Having worked for Merlin all over the world, I know the high quality and service standards expected of all our attractions, and I am particularly excited to bring a LEGOLAND park to Florida, the biggest family entertainment centre in the world. I can’t wait to see the expressions on visitors’ faces when they see what we have in store for them,” said Jones. “Merlin is a major global attraction operator with proven expertise in running theme parks and LEGOLAND is a unique and compelling brand for families with young children. Merlin places huge emphasis on guest satisfaction that is unparalleled in this day and age and this is particularly important in this sector.”
Opening in fall 2011, LEGOLAND Florida will be a 145-acre family theme park geared specifically for children ages 2 to 12. There will be more than 50 interactive rides, shows and attractions including amazing LEGO models making it unlike any other attraction in Florida.
Jones is a graduate of Nottingham Trent University in the United Kingdom and is moving to Florida, with his wife Sarah who is a certified nurse and midwife.
For further information:
Merlin Entertainments Group
Sally Ann Wilkinson saw@thefirmcomms.com
Penny Roberts par@thefirmcomms.com
Tel: + 44 20 8899 6110/ +44 208 948 4225 / +44 7774 415372
LEGOLAND® Florida opens in fall 2011 and will be a 145-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun! There are currently four other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLANDFloridaResort.com.
The MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, which has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s number one, and the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 62 attractions and 6 hotels in 12 countries, across 3 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 38.5 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 15,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE – the world’s No 1 aquarium brand, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures, Heide Park, Underwater Adventures, and Earth Explorer.