Pass-holders to wait for new Merlin attractions

Cadbury World

Holders of Merlin Entertainments’ annual passes will need to wait for entry to Cadbury World and Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark.

The chocolate-based Cadbury World in Birmingham began being operated by Merlin in January.

The company earlier took over the day-to-day running of the Sandcastle under a two-year contract in September last year.

Neither attraction is included in Merlin’s various types of annual pass at this time, but the company today said that that policy would be reviewed in due course.

On Cadbury World, which Merlin began permanently operating in January, the company said its current priority was ensuring a “smooth transition” following the takeover.

“Our immediate focus is on the smooth transition of staff and guests as we take over the day-to-day running,” Merlin said.

“In the future will be looking at various offers and how [Cadbury World] may work with things like our different Merlin Annual Passes.

The company said that more news on the Birmingham attraction would be available in due course.

On the Sandcastle waterpark, Merlin said that it would review its offerings to annual pass holders if its operating contract was extended beyond September 2024.

The company said: “If the attraction becomes a permanent member of the Merlin family, we will be exploring how our Merlin Annual Pass community will be able to use their pass at the attraction.”