Merlin Entertainments Share News (MERL)

(Sharecast News) - Theme parks operator Merlin Entertainments said current trading had been in line with expectations during a "seasonally quiet" time of the year. In a trading update ahead of its annual shareholder meeting, the owner of the Blackpool Tower, Legoland and Madame Tussauds waxworks museum said it had opened seven new Midway attractions, including two new Peppa Pig World of Play sites in Dallas and Michigan.Merlin said it opened an additional 244 accommodation rooms made up of the 142 room Castle Hotel at Legoland Billund Resort and 102 'Stargazing Pods' at Alton Towers Resort.The 128 room Magic Hotel at Gardaland Resort was scheduled to open later this month, it added.On 5 April Merlin completed the disposal of two Australian ski resorts for a total of AUD $174m (£93.3m).