I have a little boy who is really into both Legos and Star Wars. He is really looking forward to seeing this.
Posted on 01/06/2011 9:17:53 PM PST by jeannineinsd
CARLSBAD — Coming off its best attendance year ever, Legoland California announced today coming attractions for the 128-acre park, including a Miniland area devoted exclusively to scenes from the Star Wars movies.
Park officials are hoping the sci-fi saga will do for Legoland what last year’s new water park accomplished in less than a year: record attendance.
Replicating six of the most famous scenes in the six Star Wars films with 1.5 million Lego pieces, the new attraction is scheduled to come to life March 31 in time for spring break. Although the Star Wars figures and scenes are being built at a scale designed for young children, some of the 2,000 Lego models will be more than six feet tall.
Legoland, which made the announcement at a news conference this morning that featured an appearance by costumed Storm Troopers and Obi-Wan Kenobi, declined to say how many millions it's spending on new attractions this year, although it will be substantially less than the $12 million spent on the 5.5-acre water park.
The park is mostly responsible for the double-digit increase in Legoland attendance last year, said park president Peter Ronchetti.
“2010 was the best year, without question. and it is against the trend in the industry,” said Ronchetti. “Part of it is we’ve stayed absolutely focused on young families, and it’s a very, very good and productive place to be.”
The Star Wars area is one of several new attractions unveiled today by the park, including a new addition to the water park that will be devoted to toddlers.
Although it wasn't included in today's announcement, a Legoland-themed hotel is still planned for the park, and Ronchetti said he's hoping construction could start this year on the first phase in time for it to open in 2013.
The Carlsbad park will be the first of three Legolands to launch the Star Wars attraction. Legoland California is already well aware of the appeal Star Wars holds for it guests because of the large attendance it draws when it stages special days at the park devoted to the films and their signature characters.
The new area will be sited in Miniland, which now is devoted to recreating various areas in the United States, including New York City and the Las Vegas strip.
“This is the first time we’ve departed from showing real towns and cities and scenes from America and embarked on the interactive universe of Star Wars,” said Ronchetti, noting that the park worked closely with Lucasfilm Limited in creating the attraction. “We couldn’t have possibly partnered with a better franchise.”
The models for the new Star Wars area are being created by eight model designers and two animation electricians at Legoland Deutschland. Master builders at the Carlsbad park will bring the scenes to life with the help of animation electricians, technicians and landscapers. Interactive buttons placed throughout the scenes will allow children to activate animations.
Other attractions on tap for this year are:
* A Lego Hero Factory will open Feb. 17 in the Imagination Zone. Children will be able to build their own heroes or villains and meet their favorite Hero Factory characters. The attraction plays off Lego’s line of Hero Factory toys. * The park’s Fun Town Fire Academy is being re-launched April 12 as the Police and Fire Academy. Police vehicles will now be added to the mix of fire trucks on this ride. * Octopus Garden, an interactive exhibit, will be added May 6 to the Sea Life Aquarium. It replaces the Sharks Revealed exhibit that opened in 2008. * Splash Zoo, geared for children ages 1 to 3, will open May 26 in the water park. The new area will feature giant zoo animals, as well as interactive spray pads and fountains.
I have a little boy who is really into both Legos and Star Wars. He is really looking forward to seeing this.
That's going to cost an arm and a leg at Toys 'R' Us.
This blurs the line between "completely awesome" and "cry for help."
OK gang, which six scenes would be your favorites?
And remember, like the article said: one from each movie. That has to include the two-hour toy commercials.
Star Wars - Han blasting Greedo.
Empire Strikes Back - Darth standing over Luke after chopping off his hand.
Return of the Jedi - It's a trap!
Phantom Menace - Darth Maul double lightsaber battle with Qui Gon and Obi Wan.
Attack of the Clowns Clones - The fight between Dooku and Yoda
Revenge of the Sith - Creation of Vader at the end.
MEH, if you ever catch the simpsons go to Blocko land it is perfect. There is nothing at lego land. Stuff made out of legos. get in a boat and move past stuff made out of legos.... Meh.
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