Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments Group casts its spell on tourists looking for amusement. The company is a leading operator of amusement parks and other entertainment venues with a total of more than 85 attractions in nearly 20 countries. It runs the LEGOLAND chain of theme parks with five locations in Europe and the US, along with the well-known Madame Tussauds wax museums. Other operations include Alton Towers Resort, the SEA LIFE aquariums in Europe, and the giant Ferris wheel known as The London Eye. Formed in 1999 through a buyout of Vardon Attractions, Merlin Entertainments is owned by a consortium of investors that includes private equity giant The Blackstone Group, LEGO Holding, and CVC Capital Partners.