NEWS: SEA LIFE aquarium to open at Grapevine Mills, TX

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Global visitor attraction operator, Merlin Entertainments (Merlin), has announced that it has reached agreement with The Mills, a Simon Company, and the City of Grapevine to develop plans for a $15 million SEA LIFE aquarium attraction to open at Grapevine Mills during summer 2011. This new attraction will be located directly opposite Merlin’s exciting LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, which was announced last year and is due to open at Grapevine Mills in March 2011.

 

“We have developed an excellent working relationship with The Mills and the City, and our initial commitment to build the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre demonstrated our belief that the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, and particularly Grapevine and Grapevine Mills, is a perfect location for quality family-based leisure facilities. We are therefore delighted to now also be able to take plans for a new SEA LIFE development to a second stage,” said Glenn Earlam, Managing Director of Merlin Entertainments’ Midway Attractions group.

 

Merlin’s fourth SEA LIFE attraction to open in the USA, SEA LIFE at Grapevine Mills will highlight all of the qualities which have gained the brand the support and endorsement of marine experts worldwide. Initial plans call for a two-story, 45,000 square-foot aquarium housing more than 30 spectacular displays of diverse marine life for visitors to enjoy - everything from shrimp and starfish to seahorses, sharks and rays.

 

In addition, a stunning centerpiece will be a huge tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel. In keeping with other SEA LIFE attractions there will also be a unique element reflecting its location with several displays, featuring creatures native to both freshwater and coastal habitats of Texas.

 

“The SEA LIFE Aquarium will be the perfect complement to Grapevine Mills' already celebrated shopping and entertainment experience. We look forward to our partnership with Merlin Entertainments and are confident that families will revel in the deep sea wonders that the aquarium will bring," said Gregg Goodman, president of The Mills.

 

SEA LIFE is the world’s biggest aquarium brand with more than 30 superb attractions. It’s focus is on quality of experience rather than scale, taking visitors on a seamless journey under the sea, which entertains, inspires and teaches the young and old. As with the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Merlin calls the SEA LIFE experience ‘fun learning’.

 

SEA LIFE offers several unique interactive opportunities for all ages – from viewing windows offering a glimpse into the ocean itself; to enlightening talks, feeding demonstrations, as well as involvement in the brand’s global SOS environmental and conservation marine campaigning.

 

“Bringing these two brands together will be a world first for Merlin, underlining our strategy of ‘clustering’ our short stay, indoor attractions together to the benefit of visitors. Without the commitment and support of both the City and The Mills, we would not have been able to progress plans for this second attraction so quickly,” added Mr Earlam.

 

Merlin has already proven the success of the SEA LIFE concept in the USA at LEGOLAND, California. The company also operates Underwater Adventures at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN, and will open a second stand-alone SEA LIFE at Arizona Mills in Tempe, AZ. late this month. These developments underline consumer demand for the kind of quality family experience that SEA LIFE offers.

 

Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate commented, “This project further underscores Grapevine’s success as a family leisure destination able to attract the best in quality global leisure brands. The combination of SEA LIFE, along with the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, will further solidify Grapevine’s position as the leading destination city in North Texas for families. SEA LIFE and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre will also create new jobs and generate additional income for local companies supplying and supporting these attractions.”