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Ben 10, the smash-hit cartoon hero, is set to make the award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, his new home.
In a move that will delight tens of thousands of youngsters, Europe’s first ever Ben 10 roller coaster ride will open at Drayton Manor for Easter 2011, following an exclusive deal between the park and Turner CN Enterprises, the brand’s licensor.
Ben 10 is a hugely popular children’s programme, broadcast on Cartoon Network, which follows the adventures of 10-year-old Ben Tennyson, who is able to turn into a variety of alien superheroes, each with unique powers, thanks to his mysterious Omnitrix watch.
The exciting new roller coaster will be part of an amazing Cartoon Network Street, which will include a fully branded restaurant and shop, selling Ben 10 merchandise and products relating to other shows on Cartoon Network.
Children and their parents will get to revel in the world of Ben 10 even before they get on the ride with queue entertainment. Full details of the ride will be unveiled closer to the launch.
Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said: “Drayton Manor has a reputation for firsts. We opened Europe’s first Thomas Land™ in 2008, and we have Europe’s first stand up rollercoaster (Shockwave), as well as the world’s first stand up tower drop ride (Apocalypse).
“Drayton Manor first opened to the public in 1950. Over the past 61 years we have always invested in first class rides and attractions to ensure our visitors have the best possible day out. This is why I am confident that this new Ben 10 themed rollercoaster will be an amazing and popular addition to the park.”
Turner CN Enterprises’ UK Licensing Director Graham Saltmarsh said: “We’re thrilled to be launching a Ben 10 roller coaster ride in the UK, which quite literally is set to take the brand to new heights! It’s very much in line with the action and excitement that fans associate with their hero and a fantastic profile-raising event, which enables us to create another touch point for Ben 10 fans to interact with their favourite character.”
Drayton Manor, the UK’s biggest independently owned theme park, welcomes over 1.2 million visitors every year.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.draytonmanor.co.uk or by calling 0844 472 1960. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance.
About Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor Theme Park is one of the UK’s most popular family attractions with over one million visitors a year. This year, the park is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee. Drayton Manor was first opened to the public by the current owners, the Bryan family, in 1950 after husband and wife co-founders, George, OBE, and Vera Bryan, converted 80 acres of derelict land, which once belonged to the former British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel and his family, into a wonderful family attraction. Today, set in approximately 280 acres of beautiful woodland and countryside, the family owned and run Drayton Manor Theme Park features some of the biggest, wettest and scariest rides around, including Shock-wave, G-force, Maelstrom, and Apocalypse, as well as a 15-acre zoo, the hugely popular Thomas Land™ attraction, and a 4D Cinema.
About Turner CN Enterprises
Turner CN Enterprises, the licensing division of Turner Broadcasting, is now responsible for six key business areas across the EMEA region including Consumer Products, Events, Brand Licensing, DVD, Non Linear and Mobile. The business is charged with building consumer product franchises for Turners children’s properties and adults brands and characters from the channel’s growing library of award-winning original programming. Turner CN Enterprises also works to secure and support long-term licensee partnerships across all key merchandising categories including DVD and EST (Electronic Sell Through) content on mobile and online platforms. The division currently offers consumer product programs for an array of animation franchises including Ben 10, Generator Rex, Bakuga, Hero 108, The Powerpuff Girls, Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends and Robotboy. It also licenses brands including Adult Swim, CNN and Turner Classic Movies.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment is one of the world’s leading independent children’s entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT’s portfolio includes properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Chapman Entertainment’s Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Roary the Racing Car™ in North America as well as Wallace & Gromit™, Shaun the Sheep™, Timmy Time™ and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.
