After a planning application was submitted a few months ago for the Farmyard area of the theme park, rumours have been circulating about which direction the developments would take. Today, it has been revealed that Merlin Entertainments have signed a contract with BBC Worldwide to create CBeebies Land!
The CBeebies brand will take over 5 acres of the theme park, will have a programme of seasonal events so the area is always changing. It will also include rides, immersive play, live experiences, character appearances.
The planning application for the area has also been approved “with conditions”, however it is not known what these conditions are.
Mark Fisher, Chief Development Officer at Merlin Entertainments said, “The Alton Towers project is very exciting. Most importantly it is the first project in what we hope will be a very important long term relationship with BBC Worldwide. CBeebies is a perfect fit for Britain’s number one theme park resort, and both BBC Worldwide and ourselves are excited by the chance to add a little extra Merlin ‘magic’ to some of the country’s best loved children’s characters. CBeebies Land will add a different and original element to the already fantastic offering we have for young families, making Alton Towers Resort the ideal destination for both day trips and short breaks.”
Joe Godwin, Director, BBC Children’s, said, “I’m really pleased that our youngest audience and their families will get the chance to experience hands-on their favourite CBeebies shows and characters in a safe environment which has all the values and quality they expect from CBeebies. CBeebies has long been the number one TV channel for preschool children and their families, but we also know that these days they want to be able to have days out and happy memories with their favourite characters in the real world as well. Hot on the heels of our hugely popular CBeebies app, CBeebies Land gives families another new way to experience the brand.”
CBeebies Land is set to feature characters such as Postman Pat and In The Night Garden when it opens in Spring 2014.
Stay tuned to TowersStreet for the latest information about CBeebies Land on Facebook, Twitter or discuss these developments on our forums.
