Legoland California logo
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Location | Legoland California Resort, Carlsbad, California, United States |
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Coordinates | 33°7′36″N 117°18′40″W / 33.12667°N 117.31111°WCoordinates: 33°7′36″N 117°18′40″W / 33.12667°N 117.31111°W |
Theme | Lego toys and childhood amusement |
Owner | Merlin Entertainments |
General Manager | Peter Ronchetti |
Opened | March 20, 1999 |
Operating season | Year-round |
Visitors per annum | 1.4 million (2004) |
Area | 128 acres (52 ha) |
Rides | |
Total | more than 60 rides |
Roller coasters | 3 |
Water rides | 7 |
Website | Official website |
Status | Operating |
Legoland California is a theme park, miniature park, and aquarium located in Carlsbad, California, based on the Lego toy brand. Opening on March 20, 1999, it was the third Legoland park to open, and the first outside of Europe. The park is currently owned by Merlin Entertainments, which took a controlling interest in 2005. A second park in the United States, Legoland Florida, opened in 2011.
The Legoland California Resort currently encompasses the original park, a Lego-themed Sea Life Aquarium (opened in 2008), a Chima-themed water park (opened in 2010, with Chima expansion in 2014) and a hotel (opened in 2013).
Explorer Island is a section with themes of dinosaurs and exploration. It contains a large sand area where children may dig for "fossils" and the Gerstlauer-built "Coastersaurus" mini steel roller coaster, a close copy of the Legoland Germany junior coaster Drachenjagd, with a ride duration of approximately 2 minutes. It was installed by Ride Entertainment Group, who handles all of Gerstlauer's operations in the Western Hemisphere.
The Heartlake City section is based on the LEGO Friends brand marketed to girls, featuring "Heart Lake", a water fountain; "Friends Forever Stage", where musical performances occur; "Heartlake Stables", a play area; and "Mia's Riding Camp".
Fun Town is a role-playing amusement area where guests simulate adult skills or professional identities.
Miniland USA is a 1:20 scale model miniature park featuring prominent architecture and symbols from seven areas in the United States. Certain models are visible throughout the Legoland park. It was constructed over the course of three years using more than 20 million LEGO bricks.
Miniland includes the Model Shop, the main design and building office for Legoland's US parks. A large viewing window allows guests to watch master model builders working on new models. Repairs and refurbishment of existing models are also conducted in the Model Shop.