Minecraft Theme Park World to Open at Chessington in 2027
While it appears as a simple game of blocks and endless virtual exploration on the surface, Minecraft has captivated a global audience for well over a decade. Since its initial console release in 2009, the iconic survival game has remained primarily in the digital realm. However, that is all set to change with a groundbreaking new development in the United Kingdom.
Chessington World of Adventures Resort in Surrey is collaborating with Mojang Studios, the Swedish developer behind Minecraft, to create a spectacular physical Minecraft World. This ambitious £50 million themed land is scheduled to open its gates in 2027, promising to bring the beloved pixelated universe to life like never before.
World's First Minecraft Roller Coaster and Immersive Design
The centrepiece of the new land will be the world's very first Minecraft-themed roller coaster. This attraction is designed to feature numerous easter eggs and references that dedicated fans will instantly recognise. In an exclusive revelation to the Daily Mail, key creators Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Senior Creative Director for Entertainment at Minecraft, and Angela Jobson, SVP of Global Brand for Merlin Entertainments, detailed the vision behind this massive project.
The design process began with the creative team immersing themselves back into the game. "We started with a good old play of the game," explained Jobson, describing how the Merlin team spent significant time re-familiarising themselves with Minecraft's unique world to fully understand its core appeal. The goal was to "get under the skin" of what makes the game so captivating for its enormous global fanbase.
To ensure authenticity, a global panel of Minecraft enthusiasts was recruited to provide direct input on what they wanted to see in the physical world. Initially, some fans did not grasp that the project involved a real, explorable location. "Their minds were blown and they were very excited, which in some ways almost became a bit of a problem," Jobson shared, noting that the excitement led some to break Non-Disclosure Agreements by discussing it on fan sites prematurely.
Capturing the Essence of Adventure and Discovery
For Ólafsson, who also worked on the 2025 Minecraft movie and its upcoming sequel, the paramount objective was to capture the game's essential feeling, not just its aesthetics. "What was important to us was that the park did not just capture what Minecraft looks like or sounds like, but truly captured the feeling of adventure and possibility that you have while playing it," he stated.
The themed land is meticulously designed to make visitors feel completely enveloped within a Minecraft environment. "Every direction you look once you're inside it, everything is made out of blocks," Ólafsson revealed. Familiar characters, known as "mobs," will roam the area, including zombies, creepers, sheep, and various villagers. The design aims to give the impression that players have been "dropped right inside of a Minecraft valley, not fully pristine; some players had been there before."
To perfect the design, the team loaded their concepts into an actual Minecraft server, allowing key game designers and artists to play-test and suggest edits. Merlin then assessed the feasibility of these changes, fostering a close collaborative process to finalise the project.
Accessibility, Interactivity, and Exclusive Features
While specific operational details are still being finalised, Ólafsson emphasised a core philosophy: "Both Merlin and Mojang felt it was really important that the players have the sense of agency and empowerment that they have within the game, and they were not again on a set path." This translates to an experience rich with discovery, where knowledgeable fans can hunt for carefully placed easter eggs.
Importantly, the land is designed to be "accessible and open" to newcomers as well, allowing families and casual visitors to enjoy it. The team aimed for a layered experience that appeals to both novices and advanced players. "There's a little bit of thrill and a little bit of mystery and a lot of delight and a lot of ugly, cute creatures thrown in the mix," Ólafsson explained, highlighting the balance sought for a broad demographic.
Beyond the roller coaster, visitors can anticipate the "world's biggest retail store full of merch" dedicated to Minecraft, plus uniquely themed dining venues. Jobson confirmed that the land will include features never before seen in any Merlin attraction globally. "We've done some stuff in the land that we've never done anywhere else," she teased, hinting at high levels of interactivity and responsiveness designed to make the world feel truly alive.
A Four-Year Journey to a Childhood Fantasy
By the 2027 opening, Merlin and Mojang will have invested four years into developing this impressive project. Ólafsson expressed particular excitement about the roller coaster, describing it as "an incredibly thrilling ride" utilising state-of-the-art technology. He also hinted that the queue line experience would be uniquely engaging.
"It is a childhood fantasy to get the opportunity to work with somebody at Merlin to actually design a roller coaster, to design its narrative and decide when the guests see a certain thing and what to teach and delight them with," he said. Reflecting on the movie's release, where he watched audience reactions from the back of the cinema, Ólafsson looks forward to simply observing families and friends enjoying the park. He plans to bring his own children to experience Chessington's Minecraft World.
For Jobson, the ultimate success will be in creating a land that feels dynamic, interactive, and distinctly different from anything done before. This £50 million venture represents a monumental step in blending digital gaming culture with physical theme park entertainment, promising an unprecedented adventure for millions of fans when it opens in Surrey in 2027.
