Europe’s first Peppa Pig Park in Günzburg, Germany has opened to fanfare and notable popularity.
The park builds on Merlin’s successful relationship with leading toy and game company Hasbro.
This is Merlin’s 10th implementation of the PEPPA PIG license across the company’s global attractions, which has included theme parks, PEPPA PIG World of Play experiences as well as smaller themed worlds in theme parks such as Heide Park and Gardaland in Italy.
The new PEPPA PIG Park in Germany, which launches on the 20th anniversary of the PEPPA PIG brand in 2024, also sees the beloved characters from the TV show come to life in LEGO DUPLO form for the first time in a theme park experience, bringing to life the newly announced LEGO DUPLO PEPPA PIG sets that celebrate iconic scenes and characters from the preschool animated television series.
The park is located next to the popular LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort.
Merlin has invested around £25m in the attraction, which features five fully accessible rides, seven themed playgrounds, bespoke performance shows tailored specifically for the young PEPPA PIG fans as well as a range of themed PEPPA PIG food and treats.
The Merlin theme park designers at Merlin’s Magic Making (MMM) have created the ultimate ‘oinktastic’ adventure for families and little ones, with the opportunity to ride in Daddy Pig’s red car, visit the iconic yellow house on the green hill, and ride on the cuddly dino belonging to Peppa’s little brother George.
At the opening ceremony was Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, Matt Proulx, Hasbro’s Senior Vice President for Global Experiences, Partnerships and Music, and Manuela Stone, Divisional Director of LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort and Managing Director of the PEPPA PIG Park. The trio offered exclusive insights into the new 1.6-hectare park site ahead of the official opening.
Scott O’Neil, CEO of Merlin Entertainments, said: “We are humbled to be continually entrusted to bring to life the world’s most renowned brands into branded entertainment destinations. Hasbro’s PEPPA PIG and her loving family coming to Günzburg, Germany is our opportunity to bring joy, create connections and make memories for families with young children throughout Europe.
“We are grateful for Manuela Stone and her incredible team of memory makers, Hasbro for their partnership, and the passion and confidence in Merlin that the children, friends, and families who bring this park to life through play and laughter have bestowed us with.
“Our fun with PEPPA PIG and the iconic brand continues to grow from strength to strength as we develop and open new PEPPA PIG formats, from city-centre attractions like PEPPA PIG World of Play, to theme parks like the PEPPA PIG Park in Germany, Florida and soon to be opened Dallas, Texas location.”
Attending children alongside honoured guests Scott O’Neil, Manuela Stone, and Matt Proulx, took their first ride on the new rollercoaster in Daddy Pig’s red car as part of the opening ceremony for the new PEPPA PIG Park in Bavarian Günzburg.
The park attractions have been carefully developed to be age-appropriate and specifically tailored to the needs of little ones, ensuring that the whole family can look forward to a variety of experiences. This includes the first rollercoaster ride for toddlers over 95cm tall accompanied by their parents.
Manuela Stone, Manuela Stone, Divisional Director of LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort and Managing Director of the PEPPA PIG Park Günzburg said: “We are delighted to be a part of the global powerhouse that is Merlin Entertainments and appreciate the continued support and investment in growing and elevating our resort. The PEPPA PIG Park is a wonderful new attraction for our guests and the Günzburg region.
Just a few weeks ago, I stood right here amid a construction site wearing a pink construction helmet. The teams involved in the construction, whether external or internal, have worked hard so that we can open this wonderful attraction for preschool children and their families in time for the start of the Pentecost holidays. Thank you all for your effort. A unique, wonderful world has been created here, looking as if you’ve jumped right into the popular series.
Matt Proulx, Senior Vice President of Experiences, Partnerships and Music at Hasbro, commented: “With the theme parks, children can immerse themselves in the world of their favourite piggy and thus experience their adventures together with her.
“What they see in the series, and play with at home with the toys, suddenly stands life sized next to them and becomes tangible and experiential. It’s wonderful to see, through our cooperation with Merlin Entertainments, how our brand PEPPA PIG is brought to life worldwide in the attractions. Seeing how much fun the kids have here is great for me.”
Images: Merlin Entertainments
