Legoland California Discussion Thread

[SharkTums]

^Seriously, other than the terrible children and parents it's one of my favorite parks! It doesn't do great in crowds though, so hopefully your visit will be okay.

[XYZ]

I'll be heading to Legoland on Tuesday. First time ever at a Legoland park, so I'm not sure what to expect aside from a lot of awesome models and screaming children.

 

I'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and vines, though! Aqua Racer, here I come!

 

I'm sure you'll enjoy it, it's a great park. The park has really nice atmosphere and a great selection of attractions. Also, the lines are short after 6:30pm.

 

(Plus, it's Aquazone not Aqua Racer, thou shall not misspell such ride. )

[KBrylczyk]

Alright, I'm torn on this place. I enjoyed the day enough, but it needs to change course very soon before it becomes worse.

 

Operations are a joke. I know that nothing here is built to be particularly high capacity, but even with that in mind there were maybe two rides in the entire park that were being run with a decent crew (Dragon and AquaZone). I actually witnessed the operator of Bionicle Blaster allow line jumping! She had let in the guests from the queue and was about to start walking the ride to check that the doors were locked. A woman and child were yelling to her from the exit. Some wild, angry gestures were made by the guest, the ride op actually walked around to the handicap gate, opened it, and let them into the ride, completely bypassing the 4-cycle wait.

 

On the shooting gallery dark ride they effectively HALVED capacity! The ride vehicles seat 4 people. Rather than making groups of two ride together they separate them to their own cars. There were four groups of two in front of the girlfriend and I. They each got their own car. They didn't ask for their own car, the operators just did it that way. I can only assume they had been doing it before we got there and continued well after we exited. I get that sorting large crowds can get hectic on larger rides (like Great Movie Ride), but when your capacity is four and you can't be bothered to tell people to sit in row 2, I hate you. We noticed similar grouping on Technic Test Track, too. Don't even get me started on the dolts in charge of Knight's Tournament. I kept a count. There were cycle times ranging from two minutes to, wait for it...TEN MINUTES! FOR SIX FRIGGING SEATS! Yeah, six. Half of it was closed for most of the day. In July.

 

Aside from the Six Flags level of operations, there is one other complaint I have. Cleanliness. The park looked like it hadn't been cleaned in over a year. I'm not talking about trash on the ground (of which there was plenty). I'm talking about the general dirtiness of pretty much every ride and building. Cobwebs, dirt, chipped paint, mold, etc were everywhere. All they need is to go through the park with a powerwasher and a few paint buckets! Don't get me wrong. The landscaping is great! The amount and variety of plant life is excellent. It's just unfortunate that everything aside from the plant life looked like it hadn't been given any TLC in years. Did they just cancel their maintenance and upkeep budget to build the Chima waterpark or something? The entire day (9am to 8pm) we saw ONE employee sweeping up. One.

 

Oh, also, just look at the photo below of the loading area for the fairy tale river. Serious, serious safety issue there. I explained in the description.

 

Alright, now onto the positives -

 

The themeing is definitely well done. I wasn't expecting Disney or Universal levels, of course, but it was certainly above average. The little touches all over the place were fun to keep an eye out for. Miniland USA had a ton of jokes hidden in it that must go unseen by a lot of people, and I'm sure I missed a bunch myself!

 

Speaking of the themeing, the rocks that were a rock group over by the Duplo area were AWESOME!

 

The soft serve ice cream with flavor burst is always welcome. I hadn't had any in years since I first saw it on the boardwalk in Jersey and it was just as good as I remember it! I recommend the Tropical Orange.

 

Food prices were shockingly reasonable. We got lunch at Wok & Bowl for $9.95 each! Any other park you'd be paying at least $17 for what we got. The ice cream I mentioned was under $4, in a good sized waffle cone, not one of those tiny sugar cones. The only thing that seemed overpriced were the apple fries which, while good, weren't worth $6.

 

They weren't playing Everything Is Awesome on loop all day, which was a legitimate concern. Great song but I'd start punching children if I had to hear it on loop all day.

 

We did have a fun day. There were frustrations that were completely unexpected, especially after all of the great things I had heard about Legolands, but they weren't enough to ruin the day. They did, however, seriously impact our decision to return anytime soon. Thankfully I was able to find a 40% off coupon for admission. Had I paid full price (over $80) I would have been a bit more irked by everything.

 

From where I'm sitting, it seems the park was once a great place but has unfortunately fallen into a middle-of-the-road experience. It has potential, it just needs the people in charge to wake up and fix the problems. If they can clean the place up, fix the operations issues, and give it some new paint it would be much, much better. That's probably the most frustrating part of it all, too. I know that it can be excellent but it seems those in charge have just stopped caring. It's a shame.

 

Anyways, on with the pictures and vines -

 

Aquazone!

[vine]

[/vine]

 

Obi-Wan is teaching ballet to Anakin.

[vine]

[/vine]

 

Speeder bike!

[vine]https://vine.co/v/MQmhBd2engH[/vine]

 

AT-ST gettin' whooped.

[vine]https://vine.co/v/MQmhuUT3bbe[/vine]

I'm driving a boat.

This log flume is maybe 10 feet tall and still managed to soak us more than Journey To Atlantis or Splash Mountain.

Chewy!

Hehe, stupid owl.

Mickey must have been eaten by the dragon.

Heh, lego bricks built old temples.

Alright, this is just pathetic. They're missing the handrails but they still have the bottom where it would anchor to. While waiting in line I witnessed no less than three children trip on this and faceplant onto the metal floor and proceed to scream in pain. The ride ops didn't seem to care whenever it happened, either. Why is this even allowed to operate with this safety hazard?

The Lego Movie Experience was nice to see. It was pretty nuts just how detailed the set was!

SPACESHIP!

Anyone else think Darth Maul looks like a Canadian from South Park?

Hoth has apparently gained the ability to grow plant life!

[jedimaster1227]

Legoland California has sent us a press release announcing two new additions for 2015 at the park!

 

A galaxy far, far away and some new Friends took center stage as LEGOLAND® California Resort announced two major additions for 2015 at the annual press conference. General Manager Peter Ronchetti shared the family theme park’s 2014 successes before announcing the LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star is arriving in time for spring break and an entirely new area, Heartlake City, based on the popular LEGO® Friends product, is opening before summer.

 

“This is our tenth straight year of continuous attendance growth and much of this can be attributed to providing our guests with a fun, family environment to enjoy unique interactive experiences and create family memories,” said Ronchetti.

 

“In 2011 we were the first LEGOLAND in the world to open LEGO Star Wars Miniland and the success and popularity that it has had throughout the years is out of this world,” said Ronchetti. “Our guests have asked us to bring the Death Star to the experience, and we’re excited to be able to do that next year!”

 

Opening March 5, 2015, LEGO Star Wars Miniland Death Star spans 6-feet across and offers guests the chance to view iconic film scenes made of LEGO bricks that were filmed inside the Galactic Empire’s space station. This includes the famous trench run scene where Luke Skywalker maneuvered his X-wing fighter through the combat zone and trench to blow-up the station and its planet destroying super laser. LEGO models of Stormtroopers, a Rebel X-wing fighter pilot and an Imperial Star Ship pilot will be on display. Guests can also use their imaginations to construct their own LEGO spaceships at building stations. LEGO Star Wars Miniland Death Star is opening just before the Park’s annual LEGO Star Wars Days happening March 7 and 8, 2015.

 

“With all the success we’ve had over the years, we continue to work harder than ever to outdo ourselves each year by creating attractions that immerse guests into LEGO Group’s popular intellectual properties,” said Ronchetti. “Last year we made a huge splash with the addition of the LEGO Legends of Chima Water Park presented by Cartoon Network and this year we are excited to continue that trend with the addition of LEGO Friends Heartlake City.”

 

LEGOLAND California is making a significant investment in LEGO Friends Heartlake City, opening summer 2015. The new area is based on one of the LEGO Group’s hottest toy lines “LEGO Friends”, which focuses on the lives and personalities of five girls: Mia, Olivia, Andrea, Stephanie and Emma. The new area invites guests to sing along with Andrea at her tour bus, stroll through LEGO horse stables, enjoy a building activity at one of the LEGO brick tables and go for a horseback ride on the carousel in Mia’s family ranch. The adventures are endless for guests as they enjoy living like LEGO Friends for a day in Heartlake City.

 

The LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Death Star and the new LEGO® Friends Heartlake City are included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California Resort. For ticket prices, operating schedule and additional information, visit http://www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO (5346).

Edited November 7, 2014 by jedimaster1227

[ILoveRides]

Here are some more photos from yesterday's announcement...

We're at Legoland to see what new additions will be added in 2015!

I am totally that camera dude on the right.

Legoland California Resort General Manager Peter Ronchetti came on stage to make the announcement.

Along with Lego R2D2...

They announced a Star Wars Miniland Death Star! Opening March 5, 2015, the Death Star will be over 6 feet wide and feature iconic scenes from Star Wars such as the famous X-wing trench run scene.

Next up the Lego Friends came on stage and did a short dance to introduce Lego Friends Heartlake City, opening Summer 2015!

Heartlake City will be a new area inspired by the Lego Friends toy line. In the new area guests can sing along with Andrea at her tour bus, stroll through LEGO horse stables, enjoy a building activity at one of the LEGO brick tables, and go for a horseback ride on the carousel in Mia’s family ranch.

Here's the concept image that was shown. The new carousel will be the centerpiece of this new area.

Peter posed with R2D2 for some photos and interviews after the press conference.

I got to hang out with the Lego Friends!

They even gave us some Lego gifts for attending. How cool!

We can't wait to see the new Lego Death Star and Lego Friends Heartlake City when they open next year! Thanks for checking out this announcement!

Edited November 8, 2014 by ILoveRides

[SingleRiderCam]

I just got back from LLC with my brother's Merlin magic pass since he's an employee for Beetle Bounce and Dune Raiders (and soon to be working for Lost Kingdom Adventure) and I've had a good day and I have a few reviews on some of the rides.

 

Dragon- This is my first time riding the coaster with the new individual lap bars. They really leave no real effect to the ride except for not sitting in the middle of the seat anymore. Other than that, I don't remember the ride being that "shaky" when I rode it.

Technic Test Track- This ride keeps getting better as I ride it and I don't know why. The ride was smooth, it had some decent laterals, and it still has my favorite cars on a wild mouse coaster.

Knights' Tournament- Great Snoopy in assless chaps this ride is still one of the most intense rides I have ever ridden. Heck, this ride is more intense than almost all of Magic Mountain's rides at Level 5. I also rode Level 4 for the first time and some parts of the ride actually scared me in the inside. Still my favorite in-park flat ride.

Lost Kingdom Adventure- I think that this ride needs to be fixed a little. For example, I am aiming my gun accurately at a target and the shots keep missing by inches. Maybe it's just the one vehicle I am in, but it needs to get fixed.

Aquazone- I finally rode this for the first time and it is pretty fun with swinging the vehicles around and sometimes making some decent splashes, but the free water cannons weren't on.

Bionicle Blasters- What the hell of a difficulty did I just ride? Seriously though, the cars are difficult to spin so I mostly get a scrambler ride in a circular car.

Beetle Bounce- My brother did a good job with maintaining this ride and I have to give credit to him for working well on a ride that he hated working for. Anyways, it's your regular Frog Hopper and the line was the shortest all day.

 

The rest of the rides I rode today didn't need review.

 

Now for something interesting about Treasure Falls. At first, I asked my brother if cameras and phones were allowed on the ride since I wanted to do my own "Log Flume Song" and after he answered a yes to that, he then said that he heard that Treasure Falls might be leaving. It's not official, but it might happen. Other than the rumor, the ride was closed and there was no Log Flume Song.

 

That was it for my review from LLC today. I might post offride shots of Knights' Tournament and Technic Test Track.

Edited November 11, 2014 by SingleRiderCam

[SingleRiderCam]

Whoops. Double post when I accidentally pressed "quote" instead of "edit".

[nicman]

This is a pretty good park

 

I have not been here in years, I hope I can come back soon!

[BDG]

Like the Danish park, a Triotech 4D dark ride for 2016:

 

Ninjago: The Ride

 

LEGOLAND® California Resort will open a new NINJAGO™ land introducing, NINJAGO™- The Ride, featuring technology never before seen at any other theme park in the world.

 

While on the ride, the cutting-edge technology enables you to control the outcome of your adventure with hand gestures, 3D imagery and high-tech sensors that blast animated fireballs, lightning, shockwaves and ice as you master your skills before heading into battle. Collect points for your training and battle efforts throughout the ride. 4D effects such as heat, smoke and wind are also incorporated throughout the adventure, giving you the ultimate interactive experience.

 

The new land based on the LEGO story of four young ninja heroes trained in the ancient martial art of Spinjitzu, will also feature LEGO® building stations, a game to test reflexes, spinners to test balance, Asian cuisine and a new shopping venue. Interactive experiences will test guests’ physical skills, balance and agility before they can prep for their ultimate training session: NINJAGO – The Ride.

 

 

 

Announcement video, with a demonstration of the ride's technology from 0:25:

 

 

source: Legoland California

[robbalvey]

Here's a sneak preview video of the "Lego Movie 4D Adventure" coming to both Legoland California & Legoland Florida early in 2016!

[cfc]

I wonder if Lego Batman will be in it? He was hilarious in The Lego Movie.

Edited December 16, 2015 by cfc

[Brad]

I'm going to LLC next month and had a few questions:

 

-We're going on a Sunday (in February) - are crowds usually heavy? I assume getting there at opening helps.

 

-What are the "must-see" attractions? Just reading through it looks like the three coasters and Knights Tournament (I had no clue this type of ride existed in a "kids park"!

 

-Any other tips for a first-time visitor at the park? We are planning on at least 4 hours at the park - is that enough time?

[n1ch0las]

^Depends if you have kids with you or not! If you get there at open you can be out in four hours with adults, but with kids its probably a full day park.

 

Knights Tournament is probably the best thrill ride at the park, make sure to do the highest level as its actually pretty intense. I'm a big fan of Fire and Police Academy ride at the back of the park, you get to race other families to put out a fire in FunTown, pretty awesome actually.

 

I'd definitely bring a camera and spend some time in Miniland, it's got loads of US cities (and Star Wars Episodes) made out of LEGO Bricks which is my favorite part of the park. Also - eat at the park! They have food there that rivals some of the best at any theme park I've been to. Homemade churros (literally pressed and fried infront of you), Granny Apple Fries, Mac and Cheese, just so you go to one of the indoor restaurants its all really good.

 

Also if you get a hopper ticket you can pop into the aquarium next door (which also has amazing food) for free which is pretty nice - takes about an hour to go through. Hope this helps.

[Brad]

^Thanks for the info - no kids on this trip - and I realize this park is definitely geared toward the younger generations.

[Nrthwnd]

Legoland parks around the world are very cool as much for adults, as well as the kids.

Star Wars Lego display in Legoland Billund, Denmark. TPR 2014 Scandi Tour.

[jedimaster1227]

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-legoland-attraction-20160914-story.html

 

Capitalizing on the popularity of all things “Star Wars,” Legoland will add still more iconic characters and scenes to its themed miniland next year, drawing inspiration from last year’s “The Force Awakens.”

 

LEGOLAND® California Resort’s General Manager Peter Ronchetti announced at today’s press conference that big plans are already in action for 2017 including: new LEGO® NINJAGO™ rooms at LEGOLAND® Hotel; an expansion at LEGOLAND® Water Park and a new addition to LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland!

 

First up for next year will be the new Star Wars attraction, expected to make its debut just ahead of spring break and in time for the annual Lego Star Wars days in early March. In addition to replicating six scenes that represent the first 30 minutes of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the addition will showcase a recreation of the massive Star Destroyer Finalizer featured in the movie. Once completed, the 16-foot-long ship, fashioned from thousands of Lego bricks, will be the longest Lego Star Wars Miniland model ever created.

 

For Legoland, it was something of a no-brainer to continue adding to the miniland, given its enormous popularity with both children and adults visiting the park, says park president Peter Ronchetti. The addition will replace the Lego scene from the animated series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.”

 

“When we do anything with Star Wars, the parents and children love it and automatically understand it,” Ronchetti said. “It’s a really fantastic product and by far the most popular of the miniland areas, and whenever Star Wars re-brands itself with a new movie, we’re very keen to enjoy the action and bring those fantastic scenes into Legoland.”

 

Among the film scenes to be featured in the miniland are: Kylo Ren’s capture of Poe at planet Jakku, Rey’s rescue of BB-8, and Poe and Finn’s escape from the Star Destroyer Finalizer. Lights, sound effects and animation will further bring the Lego depictions to life.

 

Next year’s addition will mark the third time the area has been beefed up with new attractions. Last year’s revamp included the introduction of Death Star, the Galactic Empires’s fictional, moon-sized battle station, fashioned together with tens of thousands of Lego pieces. A year after the miniland made its debut in 2011, the area got its first upgrade, with the addition of new models in each of the seven most famous scenes from the six “Star Wars” films.

 

Thursday’s announcement comes on the heels of Legoland’s debut in May of its immersive Ninjago ride, the first in North America to use hand gestures in place of physical devices to control the outcome of the action. The ride was inspired by the popular Lego line of Ninjago toys and a related TV series.

 

While next year’s attractions don’t match the huge cost of Ninjago, they still account for a significant investment, said Ronchetti, who would not disclose the amount. The yearly introduction of new rides and other attractions is part of the park’s effort to retain its existing fan base of young families and woo new visitors in a Southern California market offering plenty of choices for family entertainment.

 

Surfer’s Bay, as the Legoland water park expansion is being called, is being designed for young children to compete against one another as they lie face down on a mat and race down one of six water slides. There’s also an area with multiple spray pads where water spritzes up and the kids can run through the area without getting completely doused. Amid the so-called “spray ground” will be Lego models like a dog surfing and a female surfer.

 

The water park, says Ronchetti, is the single most popular area within the Legoland resort, which also includes the Sea Life Aquarium. Opened in 2010, it’s already been expanded once before, in 2013, because of its huge appeal.

 

In addition, Legoland is at work developing a second themed hotel located within the park. Park officials on Thursday released for the first time renderings of the 250-room hotel, which has been designed to look like a castle.

 

The Carlsbad Planning Commission approved the project last week, but because some of its 55-foot tall architectural components exceed the city’s 45-foot height limit, it will also require City Council approval. Construction is expected to start in January, assuming the council approves the project. It will be located west of the existing hotel near the main entrance to the resort on Legoland Drive.

 

Ronchetti would not divulge whether attendance is continuing to grow at the park but he said the development of a second hotel is evidence of growing demand for overnight stays there.

 

“We’re gearing up to open another hotel and in 2018 there will also be a very large investment coming into the park, so you can see from that we are very happy with the way business is tracking,” Ronchetti said. “We definitely have demand for the second hotel, as we were 100 percent booked all summer long.”

[wrs28330]

Theme Park Review was invited to visit LEGOLAND California, as they prepare for their summer season! We visited on a Tuesday when school was still in session, and we were able to experience every attraction in the park (which we weren't too big to experience). Park Operations were great, with the longest lines being for some of the family coasters because of one train operations. There were great food options throughout the park, and all the employees were emphasizing their claim to fame of all the entrees in the park being prepared "from scratch". If true, it's pretty impressive for a theme park! The only thing we couldn't quite rationalize was the $96 price point for a 1-day Adult ticket to the park. Even after experiencing every attraction between the off-peak park hours of 10am - 5pm, that averages out to about $13/hour of value. You could see 7 different movies at a theater for that price. If you are from out of town, our suggestion would be to go with the So Cal Citypass at $353, and includes 1 day at LEGOLAND, 1 day at SeaWorld, and a 3-day Park Hopper to the Disneyland Resort. If you are a local, we would recommend the LEGOLAND Annual Pass which is $159. Both are substantially better values than the 1-day Adult ticket. That said, we had a GREAT time in the park! We want to give a big "thank you" to the LEGOLAND team for inviting us. Onto the pictures:

Welcome to LEGOLAND California!

Kids at heart!

At opening, almost everyone heads straight toward last year's new attraction.

Ninjago!

Similar to Voyage to the Iron Reef at Knott's, you use your hands as the controllers. Although it is much more interactive that rides which use blasters, the accuracy was much lower due to hand placement in reference to the sensors. We would have enjoyed it more if we used blasters.

It was so great to see a ton of play areas strategically placed throughout ride queues. Easily the best way to help boost the parents' enjoyment of the park.

Even the Egyptians knew how to "play well".

Lost Kingdom Adventure. Yay for blasters!

Yahoo! A coaster!

We were most looking forward to Knights Tournament, as none of us had yet experienced a robotic arm attraction.

Two of us picked Level 2, and two picked Level 5.

With Level 2 being billed as "fun", we did have a fun time! Level 5 was extreme, and the other two had a headache for the rest of the day... Choose wisely!

Splash Battle, an inherently watery water ride with wet water.

Mr. Shark has seen better days.

Skipper School, where you can pilot your own boat.

It still lives!

A surprisingly physically demanding attraction where you move an enormous fire truck toward the burning buildings.

At the heart of each LEGOLAND location, is MINILAND. Lego models of anything and everything.

The bricks are strong with these ones.

A ton of Star Wars scenes; very popular with all generations while we were there.

The Death Star was very "Impressive"!

The new item for 2017, the Star Destroyer, was back under construction during our visit but looked awesome from afar.

You never know what you will see at the Model Shop. Working with Legos for a living must be a dream job!

Recognize any of these characters?

MINILAND, USA. Washington, D.C.

Godzilla!

The Capitol Building

NYNY Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

The Mirage, complete with a dolphin pool!

Both the scale of the models, and the details within the models are so impressive. They even have the billboards for the Cirque shows!

The Big Easy.

Jackson Square

Café du Monde.

NYC.

Inside Grand Central Station.

We wish a great summer season to LEGOLAND California! Thank you again for having us visit!

[michaellynn4]

Excellent photos! Looks like a blast.

[ThemeParkJunkie51290]

I must say Legoland Parks are GREAT! Even for adults! My recent trip to Legoland FL for the first time was beyond words. I really enjoyed the park and hope to visit Legoland CA soon.

[JT325]

I can see both bigger Legoland coasters from outside our hotel window. I figured there were only three little cookie cutter credits at the park (and I am kind of over every single little rinky-dink credit) but I found out that the Dragon is a custom, with an indoor section. I really love that kind of stuff, no joke.

 

Apparently they have a twilight admission, you get the two last hours for half price. That will still be about 50 bucks. Is it worth it? Would you guys do it?

[SharkTums]

^That park can get SUPER crowded so I'm not sure if $50 is worth it for two hours as you may not get on a ton of stuff. I will say though, even as an adult, if you ever liked Legos the park is really fun and cute and has some decent rides so if you can find some sort of discount it's worth it. Dragon is a great 'family' roller coaster as it at least has a really decent dark ride attached.

[JT325]

^Thank you! I might jet in on Friday if I can get away from the rest of the group. My 3 much younger cousins were there a couple years ago, and their past the Lego fascination phase.

 

I was never into Lego myself (Erector sets and Capsella were my things, anyone remember those?) but I always like seeing new parks. And I know I'll like Dragon.

[larrygator]

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/business/tourism/sd-fi-legoland-submarine-20170823-story.html

 

Legoland announces submarine 'deep sea' ride for 2018

Lori Weisberg - San Diego Times Union

 

Embarking on its most costly attraction yet, Legoland announced Thursday that it will introduce a submarine ride next year that will traverse a “deep-sea” habitat populated with tropical fish, stingrays and exotic sharks.

 

Lego City Deep Sea Adventure, as it is being called, will feature eight 12-seat submarines, completely enclosed and outfitted with large portholes for viewing more than 2,000 sea creatures, as well as octopi and scuba divers fashioned from Lego bricks.

 

The new attraction, expected to debut next summer, will occupy what is referred to as the Castle Hill area in the back part of the park where its miniature golf had previously been located.

 

Also opening next year, in the spring, is Legoland’s second 250-room resort hotel, which will be designed to resemble a castle, complete with knight-, princess- and wizard-themed rooms.

 

Sure, he's pretty much the cutest thing ever. But did you hear about the time he flooded the house?

See More

 

The premise of the submarine ride, which was inspired by Lego’s Deep Sea Adventure line of toys, is built around a voyage where the passengers are searching for lost treasure on a sunken Lego shipwreck. As they pass through what will effectively be a 300,000-gallon underground aquarium, they will use their touchscreens to help the dive team of Lego mini figures identify gems, pearls, and gold coins.

 

A similar, although not identical, ride is already at Legoland parks in the United Kingdom, Dubai and Japan.

 

“We do have some experience from our other parks, which is very positive, but when planning ahead, we put concepts out to research, and the research on this came out very strong, especially with an environment where the fish literally swim up to you and stare at you,” said Legoland California General Manager Peter Ronchetti.

 

“One of our guiding principles is we want to be ‘my first experience’ for a child: my first car where I steer it, my first coaster, and although there is some visual trickery, you absolutely feel like you’re in a submarine looking at real fish and the sensation is very exhilarating, which is very different from walking through an aquarium.”

 

While Legoland will not reveal the cost of the new attraction, Ronchetti said that it represents the single largest investment made in any Legoland theme park by parent company Merlin Entertainment. Within the entire Legoland California resort, only the hotels and the Sea Life Aquarium were more costly.

 

Ronchetti characterized the creation of the underground aquarium, which will be housed inside a themed building, an ambitious feat of engineering.

 

“Most attractions occur on the ground, so here we have to dig down which is a new angle for us,” he said.

 

Although the planned Legoland subs won’t actually submerge — they will already be under water — passengers will feel as though they are, and a cascade of bubbles will enhance the effect. Riders will step down into the under-water vehicles that will hang from a rack, and they will sit on a long bench inside, facing the portals that are below the water line.

 

The ride is yet another attraction that Legoland hopes will keep visitors at the park longer than a day and entice them to stay overnight at its new hotel. The park announced that it will be looking to hire 200 new employees to staff the hotel. Most immediately, it wants to fill 30 leadership roles, including head chef, front office manager and food and beverage manager.

 

Other jobs that will need to be filled include cooks, valet, housekeepers and entertainers.