Legoland confirmed that new indoor roller coaster project we first told you about more than a year ago. [See Legoland California to close Fire Academy for Lego Galaxy land.]
But the new coaster is not just coming to Legoland California. It's coming to Legoland Florida, too.
Merlin Entertainments announced today a $90 million investment in the two attractions - the first indoor roller coasters at the Legoland theme parks, and the biggest single in-park investments in the parks' histories. Construction is now underway on both coasts.
"These 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," Merlin Entertainments CEO Fiona Eastwood said.
Merlin did not reveal a name or theme for the coasters, except to tease in its press release that they will be "truly out of this world." However, we know from plans filed with the City of Carlsbad in California that the coasters will have a Lego Galaxy theme.
"The new attraction area will have a 'space' theme where park guests will train for space exploration, meet other intergalactic travelers, and blast off on missions into the Lego Galaxy," the planning documents said.
"This isn’t just a ride, it'll be an exploration unlike any other," Legoland California President Kurt Stocks said today.
The California installation is taking over the former Driving School location, as Driving School moves to the old Fun Town Fire Academy site. In Florida, the coaster is under construction on the old Flying School coaster site.
The new coasters will open in 2026.
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It's pretty interesting, because RCDB is crediting ART Engineering GmbH as the manufacturer for both installations. This coaster maker has created Wonder Mountain's Guardian at Canada's Wonderland and Primordial at Lagoon along with a bunch of smaller family coasters. Given the reported budget, I think it's safe to assume these will be more like the interactive shooting coasters than a kiddie coaster.
I would agree James, and I think Universal is going to look closely at the Legoland blueprint when developing attractions for their Texas park.
The Florida one is being built where the old flying school used to be.
It's a fair sized ride building and walk-up/queuing area.
It'll be interesting to see what we get.
Based on the blueprints that have been filed, I'm expecting this to be an ART family launch coaster similar to the Snoopy's Racing Railway coasters at Canada's Wonderland and Carowinds, but built on a larger scale. It appears to begin with a show scene of some sort, then launch into the main coaster layout which appears similar to Lagoon's Bombora (ART's first coaster project). Looks like there will also be one or two pre-shows/themed spaces in the queue line.
Honestly, this sounds like an E-ticket equivalent attraction for Legoland, and it could potentially wind up being one of their best themed attractions. I haven't been to the California park in over a decade (despite living less than an hour away), so perhaps I need to finally change that next year.
it feels like were living in a theme park renaissance
It does, epicuniversefan, it does. Finally parks are prioritizing decent theming. I've only been to Legoland once, and didn't even ride that many rides because the lines and operations were ridiculous. They would load vehicles halfway, spending two to three minutes at the station. . . They need to improve their wages so that good people are inclined to work there. Kudos to Universal and Disney for putting the guest first and having ready-to-help employees.
Legoland FL can be a relentlessly brutal park to visit in the summertime. Although the number of indoor spaces and amount of shade has improved since the park first opened, any additional indoor space is a win.
James Trexen my 7 and 5 year old heartily agree with you.
Epicuniversefan,
I agree, except for Sea World. Once again they are being completely left behind. I think legoland supplanted them as the 3rd place, behind Disney and Univerdal.
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Love it. Legoland is still the best park for kids IMO, but additions like these will let parents join in on the fun too. I hope Universal takes note for their Texas park so that it isn’t all just flat rides.