Minecraft’s Blocky World to Become a Reality at UK Theme Park
For years, the seemingly simple game of Minecraft, with its infinite worlds and blocky aesthetic, has captured the imaginations of players worldwide. While its existence has largely been confined to the digital realm since its console debut in 2009, this beloved survival game is now set to leap into the real world with the creation of a brand-new theme park land.
Chessington World of Adventures, a popular attraction in Surrey, has partnered with Mojang Studios, the Swedish creators of Minecraft, to bring “Minecraft World” to life. Scheduled to open its gates in 2027, this £50 million themed area promises an immersive experience for fans, featuring the world’s first-ever Minecraft roller coaster, packed with hidden “easter eggs” and nods to the game’s most cherished elements.
The journey to designing this physical manifestation of Minecraft began with a deep dive back into the game itself. Angela Jobson, SVP of Global Brand for Merlin, explained that the design team spent considerable time “re-familiarising themselves with the beloved pixels and blocks” to truly understand what makes the game so captivating for its massive fanbase. This hands-on approach was crucial to “get under the skin” of Minecraft.
To ensure the park truly resonated with its intended audience, a global panel of dedicated Minecraft enthusiasts was assembled. These fans were consulted on their aspirations for the project, providing invaluable insights into what they envisioned for a real-life Minecraft experience. Initially, the concept of a tangible Minecraft World was met with disbelief, but once the scale and ambition of the project became clear, the fans’ reactions were overwhelmingly positive, bordering on overwhelming.
“Their minds were blown and they were very excited, which in some ways almost became a bit of a problem,” Jobson shared, recounting how the sheer enthusiasm led some fans to inadvertently breach their Non-Disclosure Agreements and discuss the project on fan forums. This widespread excitement, however, served as a powerful validation of the project’s potential, demonstrating a significant “huge appetite and excitement.”
Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Senior Creative Director for Entertainment at Minecraft, emphasised that the core objective was to go beyond mere visual or auditory replication. “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. Ólafsson, who also contributed to the successful Minecraft Movie released in 2025 and is involved in its upcoming sequel, is bringing his creative vision to this ambitious theme park venture.
The design of Minecraft World is meticulously crafted to create a sense of complete immersion. “The brand new themed land is designed so it feels like ‘you’re truly enveloped inside a Minecraft world, every direction you look once you’re inside it, everything is made out of blocks’,” Ólafsson revealed. Visitors will encounter familiar characters, with “mobs” – the creatures that inhabit the game – such as zombies, creepers, sheep, and various villagers populating the land.
The creators aimed for an authentic feel, as if guests had “been dropped right inside of a Minecraft valley, not fully pristine; some players had been there before,” Ólafsson added. To refine the design, it was loaded directly into the game itself on a server, allowing key game designers and artists to play, test, and implement necessary edits. Merlin then assessed the feasibility of these changes, fostering a collaborative process to bring the project to fruition.
While specific details on how Minecraft will be brought to life are still being finalised, Ólafsson stressed the importance of preserving the player’s sense of “agency and empowerment” that is central to the game. “So there’s a lot of going around and discovering things. It will be helpful for those that know the game well, there are some easter eggs carefully laid.” The intention is for the land to be “accessible and open” to everyone, including those less familiar with the game, enabling families to enjoy the experience together.
The attraction will focus on immersing visitors through detailed representations of select aspects of the game, rather than attempting to recreate every facet of Minecraft’s expansive offerings. “We tried to make it layered in such a way that it both spoke to the novice and the advanced players,” Ólafsson explained, aiming for a balance of “thrill and a little bit of mystery and a lot of delight and a lot of ugly, cute creatures thrown in the mix.”
Anticipation is high for the world’s first Minecraft roller coaster, alongside what is promised to be the “world’s biggest retail store full of merch” from the iconic game, and a variety of themed dining experiences. Jobson highlighted that the land will feature innovations “that we’ve never done anywhere else” within Merlin attractions.
By the time Minecraft World opens its doors in 2027, Merlin and Mojang Studios will have dedicated four years to this monumental project. Ólafsson expressed his personal excitement for the roller coaster, describing it as “an incredibly thrilling ride” utilising “state-of-the-art technology,” and hinted that the “queue line” itself will offer an engaging experience. He described the opportunity to design a roller coaster, including its narrative and interactive elements, as a “childhood fantasy.”
Reflecting on the Minecraft Movie’s release, Ólafsson shared his experience of observing audience reactions from the back of the cinema, highlighting his desire to witness the impact of this new theme park land firsthand. “I think the most rewarding thing will be to go to the park on a busy day and just stand and watch the families, kids and adults and friends have fun,” he remarked, expressing his eagerness to share the experience with his own children.
For Jobson, ensuring the land feels “alive,” “responsive,” and “interactive” was paramount. She teased that the park will offer “a lot of content that makes that land feel quite different to some of the other stuff that we’ve done before.”
