ORLANDO, Fla. – Three new visitor attractions opened in Central Florida today as Merlin Entertainments PLC (Merlin), the second largest attraction operator in the world, celebrated the official grand opening of The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquarium. Located in Orlando, the attractions are the centerpiece of I-Drive 360, a new dining and entertainment destination on International Drive.

Standing at 400-feet high, or nearly 100-feet taller than the Statue of Liberty, The Orlando Eye is the tallest observation wheel on the U.S. East Coast. Similar to London's world-famous landmark, the Eye provides guests with the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Central Florida from air-conditioned glass capsules. The serene journey allows visitors to take in a unique perspective of the area including nearby theme parks and attractions, the downtown Orlando skyline, lakes and lush landscape, and, if the day is especially clear, Cape Canaveral on Florida's East Coast. The Orlando Eye also allows visitors to choose their own unique experiences such as champagne flights and private capsules. The attraction also offers a 4D cinematic experience showcasing a 3D aerial journey of Central Florida with added effects including fireworks, wind, scents and lighting.

Orlando has rolled out the red carpet for the world's most famous celebrity wax attraction Madame Tussauds Orlando. Madame Tussauds showcases incredibly detailed and lifelike wax figures that pay tribute to the most influential celebrity and historical figures of our time, including funnyman Jimmy Fallon, actor Jim Parsons, pop princesses Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, international icon Ricky Martin and many more!

SEA LIFE Orlando offers a new wave of underwater adventures with beautiful displays of colorful fish, sharks, jellies, sea horses, rays, sea turtles and more. Winding tunnels, floor-to-ceiling and bubble aquariums and cold water rock pools provide a unique experience for all guests as they are introduced to more than 5,000 sea animals in habitats representing the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. Specific to the Orlando aquarium, visitors can also explore Florida's freshwater lakes and ponds, extending to the Everglades. Additionally, the aquarium, known for its strong conservation efforts, will have interactive and educational components for young marine life enthusiasts.

“Merlin has more than 100 attractions, 11 hotels and three holiday villages in 23 countries across four continents, but today all eyes are on Orlando!” said James Paulding, Southeast Regional Manager, Midway Attractions, Merlin Entertainments. “From exploring the oceans of the world, to taking selfies with your favorite celebrities, or seeing 360-degree panoramic views of Orlando,

we're excited about the impact each of these new additions will have on the region from an entertainment, tourism and economic standpoint.”

For more information, visit OfficialOrlandoEye.com.

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MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS PLC. is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe's Number 1 and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 100 attractions, 10 hotels/3 holiday villages in 22 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its almost 60 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 20,000 + employees. 

Merlin has twenty attractions and one hotel in North America  - including two stunning LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Florida with its theme park, water park, and LEGOLAND California theme park with water park, SEA LIFE aquarium and themed hotel; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions in New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Hollywood; LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Kansas City Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; and Westchester, New York; Toronto, Canada; and SEA LIFE aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth; the Mall of America in Minneapolis and Charlotte – Concord - underlining the company's position as the world's biggest global aquarium operator. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information