Latest news with #LegolandCalifornia
Fox News
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Legoland announces 'first-of-its-kind' indoor roller coasters with $90M price tag
Theme park operator Merlin Entertainments recently announced visitors will be able to ride new, "first-of-its-kind" indoor roller coasters at its Legoland Florida and Legoland California resorts. The rides will set a record as the largest single in-park investment at the resorts. The company is investing about $90 million in the two attractions geared toward families with children, ages 2 to 12. "As we prepare to unveil this exciting new attraction designed, co-created and imagined by the amazing creative team at the Lego Group and the unmatched talent of our Merlin Magic Makers, we hope the mystery and anticipation adds to awesome thrills to come," Merlin Entertainments CEO Fiona Eastwood wrote in a statement. Eastwood added the new coasters are "unparalleled" for Legoland resorts, "promising to elevate two of our premier Legoland Resorts to new heights, utilizing the latest technology and embracing the Lego DNA, as only we can do." The rides will launch at both resorts in 2026, and 70 workers have already started on the projects. Stephanie Bechara, Legoland Florida Resort spokesperson, told Fox News Digital 2,000 anchor bolts have been installed, 220 tons of rebar have been used and about 300 truckloads of concrete have been poured at the Florida resort. Photos of the construction show a massive area filled with rebar below giant machinery appearing to pour the concrete. Legoland Florida will also soon be opening its latest attraction, Sea Life Florida, featuring an aquarium with interactive exhibits. Sea Life, which opens May 23, will showcase thousands of sea creatures and contain 25 interactive exhibits that will allow children to touch the animals. Legoland California Resort President Kurt Stocks said the indoor roller coaster will be the first built in 20 years at the park. "This isn't just a ride. It'll be an exploration unlike any other," Stocks said. "We're sparing no expense to deliver the most innovative, interactive and captivating experience possible." Exclusive hints and sneak peeks about the new attraction will be shared on both Legoland Florida and California's social media channels and websites leading up to the opening of the attractions.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legoland California building park's first indoor roller coaster
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Construction has begun on Legoland California's newest ride: the theme park's first-ever indoor roller coaster. The roller coaster is one part of a $90 million expansion project Legoland's parent company, Merlin Entertainment, is undertaking at its Southern California and Florida resorts to bring its attractions 'to new heights,' according to its announcement of the groundbreaking on Tuesday. For Legoland California, the new roller coaster will be the first to be built at the theme park in nearly two decades. The last roller coaster added to the Carlsbad park was the Coastersaurus, which opened in 2004 in Dino Island — now called Dino Valley. Dollywood parent company expands into Southern California, acquires Raging Waters, Castle Park The new attractions at both the California and Florida theme parks are expected to launch sometime in 2026, although an exact date has not been released. 'As we prepare to unveil this exciting new attraction designed, co-created and imagined by the amazing creative team at the LEGO Group and the unmatched talent of our Merlin Magic Makers, we hope the mystery and anticipation adds to the awesome thrills to come,' Merlin Entertainment's CEO Fiona Eastwood said in a statement. While Merlin Entertainment did not disclose details about the new roller coaster in its announcement, the company last year presented plans to the Carlsbad Planning Commission for the introduction of a new 2.38-acre land inside the park, called 'LEGO Galaxy.' The cornerstone of the proposed land, which would feature an intergalactic theme similar to that of Disneyland's 'Tomorrowland,' was an indoor rollercoaster housed inside a 44-foot-tall, 32,000-square-foot Lego-themed 'space port.' 'This isn't just a ride, it'll be an exploration unlike any other,' Legoland California Resort President Kurt Stocks said of the roller coaster. 'We're sparing no expense to deliver the most innovative, interactive and captivating experience possible.' For the project, Merlin Entertainment needed permission from the planning commission to raise the building height up to 45 feet from its existing maximum of 35 feet. Legoland California, Madame Tussauds Hollywood offer free tickets for first responders According to the proposal submitted to the commission, the new 'LEGO Galaxy' land would also have a smaller, space-themed lift and spin-style ride akin to SeaWorld San Diego's Riptide Rescue, as well as retail options, a children's play area and other interactive attractions. To make way for the new land, Legoland California informed the commission it would move its longstanding 'Driving School' and 'Junior Driving School' to the area currently occupied by the 'Fun Town Police' and 'Fire Academy' attractions. The driving school attractions were temporarily shut down at the end of last year in preparation of the move. At the time, the theme park said the two would reopen in the new location sometime in 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
