The new details and imagery for Base Camp were revealed by PY Gerbeau, the CEO of London Resort Company Holdings, at a conference hosted by Blooloop.

“Our vision is for The London Resort to be a beacon of world-class entertainment experiences set within a world-leading sustainable environment. We are building a unique, global destination and the storytelling, thrilling adventures, and environmental messaging found inside Base Camp help to reinforce that effort.”

Set in the north west corner of the resort, the plans for the land include two roller coasters, a multi-media stage show experience, an advanced simulator attraction, immersive fine dining and a play area where young palaeontologists can discover dinosaurs 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. 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.”

Roller Coasters

The first of two roller coasters planned for the land will celebrate the reign of Quetzalcoatlus, one of the largest known, winged reptiles of all time. Set over 1km of track, it aims to be one of the fastest coasters in Europe. It will also go against the trend of building coasters with towering heights and big drops. Recreating what scientists believe was a typical flight path of the extraordinary beast, this coaster will stay low to the ground, zipping across treetops, skimming water and bursting through rocky canyons. A multi-launch coaster reaching speeds in excess of 70mph, the ride will replicate the hunting speed of Quetzalcoatlus which would swoop low and fast to snare prey in its long, tweezer like beak.

The second coaster inside Base Camp will offer a family orientated experience. Weaving beneath the flight path of Quetzalcoatlus, through the fascinating landscape, this ride will allow for adventurers of all ages and sizes to experience a roller coaster with just the right level of ‘thrill’.

Other Attractions

An indoor, 1,500 seated arena will be located in the far corner of the preserve. This marquee attraction, framed by a massive biodome, will feature breath-taking shows set within a dense tropical forest.

For an up-close look at Ichthyosaurs, Mosasaurs and other terrifying hunters of the ocean, guests will head over to a motion-based 4D ride. It will dive underwater in search of cold and calculating predators offering guests an unparalleled expedition into the darkness of prehistoric waters. At points along their journey, guests may begin to question if they are observers, or prey.

Alongside the fun and adrenaline, the land is also set to deliver educational opportunities. An enormous play area will be created for young palaeontologists to explore, excavate exciting fossil finds and develop STEM skills. Zip lines, climbing walls and multiple archaeological tunnels will welcome the most enthusiastic of kids while underwater viewing platforms will offer calming moments as families peer into prehistoric lagoons.

An interactive, immersive, dark ride will use sophisticated gaming technology to enlist the help of guests to track and tag a variety of dinosaurs and ancient reptiles in the wild. It will pit humans against beasts in a quest for better understanding and scientific research.

Food & Drink

One of two food and beverage offerings within Base Camp will be a fun and eclectic family restaurant situated along the edge of a Cretaceous watering hole. It is where palaeontologists and visitors alike can relax and swap stories. It is also here that the life and legacy of Mary Anning will be fully celebrated. One of Britain’s greatest scientists, Mary Anning was a world-renowned fossil collector and palaeontologist. Self-taught and ambitious, she found and identified hundreds of fossils in her lifetime including being the first in the world to identify the Ichthyosaur. Only properly recognised in recent years by organisations such as the Natural History Museum and the Royal Society, here her life, legacy, and lasting impact on the world of palaeontology will be fully celebrated.

The second food and beverage destination will be a fine dining experience with a difference. Situated at the edge of an underwater cliff, this luxury dining venue will combine first-rate cuisine, fine wines, with a view to die for. Floor-to-ceiling 'windows' will wrap the dining room, offering guests a front-row seat to the flora and fauna of the prehistoric oceans just beyond the glass. Throughout the meal, schools of ancient fish may swim past the windows, darting from predators as they emerge from the inky blackness beyond. At regular intervals, something with a bit more bite may come into view. Ichthyosaurs loves to feed at this depth, and diners will have an unobstructed view as fish, otherwise assumed to be the hunters, become the hunted beneath the ocean’s surface.

The London Resort

It would be the first development of its kind in Europe since the opening of Disneyland Paris in 1992. If successful in securing development consent, construction could begin in early 2022.

The development scheme at the Swanscombe Peninsula will be in direct competition with other UK theme parks, with an estimated 50 rides and attractions based on many popular brands from film and television.

The London Resort has struck deals with Paramount Pictures, the BBC and ITV for naming rights to rides and attractions.

The plans include two theme parks, several hotels and Europe's largest indoor waterpark. It aims to attract an average of 40,000 visitors per day and should create around 33,000 jobs.

At one time the project was set to open in 2019, but repeated delays to the submission of its planning application mean that the first theme park would now open in 2024 and the second in 2029.