The long-rumoured proposals to build an enormous UK theme park that rivals Disneyland Paris in size are starting to gathering momentum at a staggering pace.
The £3.5 billion project, dubbed The London Resort, has just announced that it will offer one of the continent's fastest rollercoasters.
Said to reach speeds of over 70mph, the ride is named Quetzalcoatlus after a prehistoric creature, and is intended to recreate the animal's typical flight path by staying low to the ground, zipping across treetops, skimming water and bursting through rocky canyons.
The attraction will eventually form part of a huge 'world' nicknamed 'The Jungle' - a place the developers claim will see 'the past blend with the future' as 'ancient ruins of a long-lost Mesoamerican civilisation are seen pushing up through treetops'.
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The new concept theme park, which has partnerships with the BBC, ITV Studios and Paramount Pictures, is set to have six uniquely themed 'islands' spread across 535 acres, along with a hotel complex, a convention centre, a water park and a variety of food and drink locations.
The resort will eventually contain two parks, with the first opening in 2024 and the second expected sometime in 2029.
Plans for the scheme were accepted for full examination by the Government in January, with the project now entering the pre-procurement phase - meaning potential suppliers are now being asked to register their interests.
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The 535-acre site will be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula near Dartford, with construction starting in 2021. Bosses hope it will be ready to open in 2024, with early speculation suggesting that up to 48,000 jobs could be created by the project by 2038.
PY Gerbeau, chief executive of London Resort Company Holdings, said: "We are creating a first-class theme park. A destination that maximises all the new, immersive and interactive technologies and experiences in the world.
"But we won't just be creating a world class leisure destination, it will also be one of the most sustainable theme parks on the planet.
"We have three guidelines we work to when it comes to developing attractions.
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"Number one is innovation. We're not here to copy what's been done before, even if it has been successful.
"Number two is relevance. We need to consider that the customers of today will not be the customers of 2024.
"And the third is flexibility. We need to create a park that can evolve and adapt easily."
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The London Resort's developers have compared its economic impact to that of Disneyland Paris, which has added around €68bn to the French economy in its 25 years since opening.
Independent analysis estimates there would be 6.5m visitors to The London Resort in 2025, growing to 12.5m visitors by 2038.
If theme parks continue to grow at their 10-year growth rate, it could mean The London Resort would rank as the largest theme park in Europe.
Featured Image Credit: The London ResortTopics: Disneyland, Theme Park