The London Resort reveals ‘Base Camp,’ upcoming dinosaur-themed land
The London Resort unveiled a glimpse into a brand-new land dedicated to dinosaurs, adventure, and the unsung heroes of paleontology — Base Camp.
“We are on track to create a beacon of world class entertainment and experiences within a world leading sustainable environment,” said PY Gerbeau, CEO of London Resort Company Holdings. “And we’re very excited to announce details of our progress with a new land, Base Camp.”
Set in the northwest corner of the Resort, the new land’s plans include two roller coasters, a multi-media live stage show experience, a simulator attraction, immersive fine dining, and an “active dig site” where younger paleontologists-in-training can discover dining as they climb, dig and tunnel their way across the excavation site.
“Base Camp’s design is based on a philosophy of what an actual, modern-day, prehistorical nature reserve might look like,” said Gerbeau. “There will be thrills, spills and high energy rides combined with opportunities to get up close and personal with some of the most amazing creatures ever to walk the earth. However, unlike popular films that depict dinosaurs as villains, things don’t always go terribly wrong here. We are building a land of preservation and celebration of dinosaurs.”
The first of the two roller coasters will be themed to Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest known winged reptiles of all time. Set over 1 kilometer (about 3,280 feet), its goal is to be one of the fastest coasters in Europe. It will also recreate what scientists believe was a typical flight path of the creature, with the track staying low to the ground, zipping across treetops, skimming water, and bursting through rocky canyons. This multi-launch coaster is planned to reach speeds in excess of 70 miles per hour, replicating the hunting speed of Quetzalcoatlus.
The second coaster in the land will offer a more family-style experience. Weaving through the path of Quetzalcoatlus, this ride will allow for thrill-seekers of all ages to experience a roller coaster that’s everyone’s speed.
An indoor, 1,500-seat arena will be located in the far corner of the land. Framed by a massive biodome, this area will be the home of shows set within a dense tropical forest.
For an up-close look at the dinosaurs of the ocean, guests can hop on a motion-based 4D attraction. Onboard, they will dive underwater in search of predators in prehistoric waters — with danger just around the corner.
In addition to all the thrills and entertainment, the land will also offer an educational experience in the form of an enormous play area inspired by paleontological dig sites. Zip lines, climbing walls, and multiple tunnels will welcome kids to explore, while underwater viewing platforms will offer a glimpse into prehistoric lagoons.
There are also plans for an interactive, immersive dark ride with integrated gaming technology which guests will use to help track and tag a variety of dinosaurs and ancient reptiles in the wild.
One of two food and beverage offerings within Base Camp will be a family restaurant situated along the edge of a Cretaceous watering hole. Not only will this be a place where paleontologists and visitors can sit back and swap stories, but the restaurant will also be where the life and legacy of world-renowned fossil collector and paleontologist Mary Anning will be celebrated.
The second food and beverage location will be a fine dining experience with a unique twist; located at the edge of an underwater cliff, this luxury dining venue will combine cuisine, fine wines, and a view unlike any other. Floor-to-ceiling “windows” will wrap the dining room and offer guests a front-row seat to the flora and fauna of the prehistoric oceans just beyond the glass. Throughout the meal, many varieties of ancient fish will swim by, with more menacing creatures coming into view at regular intervals.
“Our vision is for The London Resort to be a beacon of world-class entertainment experiences set within a world-leading sustainable environment,” said Gerbeau. “We are building a unique, global destination and the storytelling, thrilling adventures, and environmental message found inside Base Camp help to reinforce that effort.”
Labeled as “one of the most ambitious theme park projects ever in Europe,” The London Resort will be the first European development of its kind to be built from scratch since the opening of Disneyland Paris in 1992. It will eventually be a two-park resort, with the first ‘gate’ planned to open in 2024 and the second within five years (2029). To learn more, visit LondonResort.com.
