Alton Towers has announced plans to open what it calls the world’s first Bluey-themed roller coaster in CBeebies Land in spring 2026, adding a new ride aimed at toddlers and younger primary-school children to its family-focused line-up.
The Derbyshire theme park said the new junior coaster will join attractions such as Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, In the Night Garden Magical and Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure in the CBeebies-themed area of the resort. The park did not release images or detailed specifications of the ride, saying the exact look and official launch date will be kept under wraps for now.
Sabrina de Carvalho, senior vice president at Merlin Entertainments, which owns Alton Towers, said the company was excited to welcome Bluey fans to the resort. "We can’t wait to welcome Bluey fans and young families from all over the world to the resort. Pawsome!" she said, adding that "Bluey’s limitless energy is sure to be reflected in our new junior coaster."
Alton Towers already features several Bluey-branded offerings, including a Heeler family meet-and-greet, a live stage show and themed hotel rooms introduced last summer to mark the tenth anniversary of CBeebies Land. The Yellow-themed Bluey hotel rooms, which opened in May 2024, include murals of the main characters and can accommodate families of up to five, the park said.
The move builds on the preschool franchise’s rapid commercial growth. Since Bluey first aired in 2018, the animated series has won an Emmy and a BAFTA and has become the top show on CBeebies in the U.K. The series is broadcast in more than 60 countries and has been a strong streaming performer, remaining in the top ten streamed shows in the U.S. for an extended period.
BBC Studios and Disney are developing a Bluey feature film scheduled to be released in cinemas on Aug. 6, 2027, with plans for the movie to be available later on Disney+ and on Australian platforms ABC iview and ABC Kids. Bluey’s creator, Joe Brumm, said in 2024 that he considered the character suited to a theatrical release and wanted the movie to be "an experiential event for the whole family to enjoy together."
The commercial reach of Bluey has translated into substantial licensing and themed-experience revenue. In 2024 the show was reported to have driven around $4 billion in commercial profits for BBC Studios through global licensing, product deals and attractions, underscoring the value of preschool brands to entertainment companies and leisure operators.
U.K. theme parks have long sought to capitalise on popular preschool characters. Paultons Park in Hampshire saw a surge in visitors after opening Peppa Pig World in 2011 and has become a major family destination. Alton Towers’ latest announcement signals a similar strategy: leveraging a broadly recognised preschool franchise to broaden its appeal to younger children and their families.
Park officials said more details about the Bluey coaster will be revealed closer to the 2026 opening. For now, the new ride adds to a growing roster of live experiences, accommodations and media tied to Bluey as the brand expands from television into parks, hotels and cinemas.