In what will be its single-largest investment in an attraction to date, Legoland announced Tuesday that it will debut next year an indoor coaster that will incorporate the latest in theme park technology.
While Legoland declined to reveal any specific details on the attraction, it’s been no secret that since last year the park has been working on a major new galaxy-themed attraction that would include an indoor roller coaster housed in a 43-foot-tall structure, in addition to a second spinner-type ride and a children’s play area.
Targeted to open in 2026, the new attraction will be located where the Driving School and Junior Driving School had been operating. Those two popular attractions are in the process of being relocated to another area of the park, and concrete already has been poured for the new project, the park confirmed Tuesday.
“This isn’t just a ride, it’s an exploration unlike any other,” said Legoland California Resort President Kurt Stocks in a news release. “As the first rollercoaster to be built in 20 years at Legoland California, we’re sparing no expense to deliver the most innovative, interactive and captivating experience possible.”
In a departure from normal park announcements, Legoland parent company Merlin Entertainments disclosed how much it will be spending on the attraction, which will also be going into Legoland’s Florida park. Together, the two projects will cost $90 million, which Merlin says will be the “largest singular in-park investment in the resorts’ histories.” For comparison purposes, that wouldn’t include the Carlsbad resort’s Sea Life Aquarium, which is next door to Legoland and not within the park itself.
While there isn’t much detail on the coaster itself, the Carlsbad staff report from last year describes a second ride as featuring three cantilever arms that “carry a counter rotating gyro element holding four gondolas at each end,” which together will accommodate 24 engers.
Also planned is a new children’s area with an alien spaceship theme where guests will train for space exploration, meet other intergalactic travelers, and blast off on missions into the Lego Galaxy. A separate toddler play area is also planned.
As part of the project approval process last year, Legoland asked for — and received — permission to increase the currently permitted maximum building height of 35 feet to 45 feet.
