Glencar Marks Major Progress on £50m Chessington Attraction as Name of World-First Minecraft Rollercoaster is Unveiled
Glencar is continuing construction of Minecraft World at Chessington World of Adventures Resort for Merlin Entertainments, as the project reaches a major new milestone.
Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios have revealed the name of the world’s first Minecraft rollercoaster, Escape the Nether, with the rollercoaster track now in place as construction progresses towards opening in 2027.
Initially appointed to deliver the early phases of the scheme, Glencar’s role has since expanded across the wider construction programme.
As main contractor, Glencar is coordinating an extensive and highly integrated scope encompassing bespoke foundations, structural steelwork and specialist ride infrastructure, alongside MEP, lifts and complex interfaces with the ride systems. The programme also includes internal fit-out, dedicated retail and food and beverage buildings, landscaping and wider infrastructure.
Construction is being delivered within a live 128-acre resort, alongside an operating theme park, zoo, SEA LIFE aquarium, hotels and more than 1,000 animals – adding another layer of complexity to logistics, sequencing and delivery.
Opening in 2027, Minecraft World will bring the game to life through family-friendly rides, themed dining and retail, and immersive Minecraft experiences, creating the world’s first Minecraft-themed theme park land.
Escape the Nether will be the world’s first Minecraft rollercoaster, featuring both indoor and outdoor elements and taking guests through dark mines before emerging through a Nether portal into the Overworld-themed area.
Roy Jones, Managing Director at Glencar, said:
“Minecraft World brings together a wide range of specialist systems, buildings and environments that ultimately have to work as one. Our role as main contractor is to coordinate those interfaces and maintain control of the programme as the project progresses.
“It draws on the capabilities we bring to complex construction every day – technical coordination, rigorous programme management, specialist supply chain integration and the ability to solve delivery challenges collaboratively.
“Seeing the newly revealed Escape the Nether take shape is a significant milestone for the team and a strong example of the breadth of capability Glencar brings to complex leisure and attractions projects.”
Minecraft World is set to open at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in 2027.
You can learn more about the project here:
https://www.glencar.com/case-study/project-roundtable-chessington/