Mr Varney likes to compare Merlin's approach to that of Virgin, casting Walt Disney in the role of British Airways. Although Merlin is still a distant No2 behind the American giant in the visitor attractions league table, with 32.2million visitors to 107 million, Mr Varney believes that he can take over the lead. “I'm a great believer that if you're really passionate about something, why shouldn't you want to be No 1 and shoot to be the best? It's what Americans call a great big hairy-assed goal.”
Read more from The Times (UK).
Man, if I ever make it to one of the parks, it will be Fish and Chips for me.
“For a lot of people, a day out at a theme park is a break from daily life. They're out for a memorable day out. I think people are fed up with being lectured about what they should do by government authorities and do-gooders. There is an agenda on healthy eating and we are doing our bit, but at the end of the day people should be left to make their own choices.”
Chuck