Merlin runs eight Legoland parks and 20 Legoland Discovery Centers — including Legoland Florida in Winter Haven — as well as other sites like Madame Tussauds museums across the world.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The owners of toy maker Lego are teaming up with a group of investors to buy Merlin Entertainment, a British company that operates theme parks like Legoland and the Madame Tussauds wax museums.

Kirkbi Invest said Friday it is joining forces with private equity firm Blackstone and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board to offer 60 cents per share for Merlin, valuing it at $6 billion.

Merlin runs eight Legoland parks and 20 Legoland Discovery Centers — including Legoland Florida in Winter Haven — as well as other sites like Madame Tussauds museums across the world. It estimates that about 67 million people visit its sites every year.

Legoland Florida spokesman Shawn Mikus didn't offer immediate comment on the sale report Friday. He provided a statement from Merlin Chairman John Sunderland that said in part:

"Following an unsolicited approach by a Consortium of investors, and after rejecting a number of their proposals, the Merlin Independent Directors believe this offer represents an opportunity for Merlin Shareholders to realise value for their investment in cash at an attractive valuation. We are therefore unanimously recommending it to our shareholders."

Legoland Florida opened in 2011 as the second such theme park in the United States. A third is being built in New York.

After Merlin said it accepted the deal, its share price jumped 14%.

The investors will create a company that will own 50% of Merlin. Kirkbi already owns a stake of nearly 30%.

The first Legoland opened in 1968 near the Lego company headquarters in western Denmark. Lego sold the Legoland parks to Merlin in 2005.

Ledger reporter Gary White contributed to this report.