RideRater

Merlin Entertainments has replaced the Discovery and Silver versions of its annual passes in the UK.

A new ‘Essential’ pass was launched on Wednesday, and is loosely equivalent to the former ‘Standard’ pass.

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FEATURE: The perfect storm battering UK theme parks riderater.co.uk/12680/the-pe...

While the ride duration is as short as you’d expect at a major theme park, Toxicator packs one hell of a punch, and is worthy of its role as Alton Towers’ first major flat ride addition for 13 years. riderater.co.uk/12658/review...

Merlin Entertainments spending ‘unsustainable’ riderater.co.uk/12647/merlin...

Merlin Entertainments has paused the sale of several of its Sea Life Centre attractions, after no acceptable offers were received. riderater.co.uk/12642/merlin...

Alton Towers' Rita rollercoaster remains closed for “essential maintenance” more than six weeks after it last operated. riderater.co.uk/12616/alton-...

Alton Towers chief Bianca Sammut has announced that she will leave the theme park later this year. riderater.co.uk/12593/alton-...

Merlin Entertainments chief executive Fiona Eastwood has called for any "special treatment" given to a new Universal theme park to be shared across the industry. riderater.co.uk/12588/merlin...

The UK government will decide on the application by 31 August this year. riderater.co.uk/12575/univer...

Merlin Entertainments reported pre-tax losses of £492 million for 2024, in figures released on Thursday. riderater.co.uk/12566/merlin...

Valhalla behind the scenes tour offered for £250 | RideRater Blackpool Pleasure Beach is offering a behind the scenes tour of the Valhalla water ride this July. It will cost £250 per person.

Priced at £250 per person, the tour of the 2000-built Intamin dark ride appeared to have sold out by about 10:40 on Monday's launch. riderater.co.uk/12549/valhal...

National Fairground Museum opens in Tamworth | RideRater A new collection of vintage fairground rides has opened as the new National Fairground Museum in Tamworth. Admission costs £5, which includes three ride tokens.

A new collection of vintage fairground rides has opened as the new National Fairground Museum in Tamworth. riderater.co.uk/12543/nation...

Sea Life Centres: Takeover offer expected soon | RideRater Private equity backer Epiris is expected to table an offer for several of Merlin Entertainments' UK Sea Life Centres.

Private equity backer Epiris is expected to table an offer for several of Merlin Entertainments’ UK Sea Life Centres. riderater.co.uk/12539/sea-li...

Aviktas: 2026 Pleasure Beach ride name confirmed | RideRater Blackpool Pleasure Beach has confirmed that the name of its new Intamin Gyro Swing ride will be called Aviktas. It will open in 2026.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has confirmed that the name of its new Intamin Gyro Swing ride will be called Aviktas. riderater.co.uk/12533/avikta...

Oakwood: Effort underway to reopen theme park | RideRater An anonymous individual is leading an effort to take over the closed Oakwood theme park in South Wales. The park closed in March 2025.

An anonymous individual is leading an effort to take over the closed Oakwood theme park in South Wales. The attraction’s closure was announced by owners Aspro Parks in March this year.

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Pleasure Beach: £25 non-rider pass launched | RideRater Blackpool Pleasure Beach has introduced an entry ticket which allows non-riders entry to the park for £25. The option returns for the first time since 2019.

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Paultons Park to add inverting rollercoaster | RideRater Paultons Park will open its first inverting rollercoaster as part of a new Viking-themed area in 2026. It will be a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter.

Paultons Park will open its first inverting rollercoaster as part of a new Viking-themed area in 2026. riderater.co.uk/12505/paulto...

Review: Launch Pad, Blackpool Pleasure Beach | RideRater We review Launch Pad, the rebranded launch tower ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. It is a refurbished version of the former Ice Blast and PlayStation ride.

28 years on from being launched as Sony PlayStation: The Ride, Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s shot tower is back with a modest bang.

Oak in Chains, Alton Towers: Menu and prices | RideRater Alton Towers has rebranded the Woodcutters restaurant to the Oak in Chains bar & grill for the 2025 season. We take a look at the menu and prices in effect on opening day.

In a considerable shift from the Woodcutters offering, some items on the menu combine both sweet and savoury items within the same dish.

Alton Towers: Sewage leak forces area evacuation | RideRater A sewage leak at Alton Towers forced the closure of the new Toxicator ride and much of the Forbidden Valley area on Saturday.

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Oakwood theme park closes after 38 years | RideRater Oakwood theme park in South Wales has closed after 38 years of operation, its Spanish owners Aspro Parks said today.

Spanish owners Aspro Parks cited “unrelenting economic challenges” and increases in costs as factors behind the decision.

Pleasurewood Hills losses treble to £340k | RideRater Pleasurewood Hills has sustained post-tax losses of almost £340,000, latest accounts show. The theme park park is owned by France's Looping Group.

Pleasurewood Hills has sustained post-tax losses of almost £340,000, latest accounts show.

Fiona Eastwood becomes Merlin Entertainments CEO | RideRater Fiona Eastwood has been appointed chief executive of Merlin Entertainments after covering the role on an interim basis since November last year.

Fiona Eastwood has been appointed chief executive of Merlin Entertainments after covering the role on an interim basis since November last year.

Merlin looking to offload Sea Life Centres | RideRater Merlin Entertainments is looking to offload many of its Sea Life Centres in the UK, reports suggest. Eight of the centres are understood to be under review.

Merlin did not directly address a query from Sky News, but told the outlet: “Like any well-run business, Merlin regularly reviews its estate, to ensure it reflects the company’s long-term growth strategy.”