Legoland

Legoland is growing up.

The Carlsbad theme park will on Friday open Lego Galaxy, a new 2.4-acre themed land that will feature its most adult-focused attraction yet in the Galacticoaster. An indoor, space-themed thrill ride, Galacticoaster is brief but impressionable, a spinning race through a darkened landscape to save a Lego-infused galaxy from an “asteroid of probable destruction.”

At 40 mph, it’s the park’s fastest ride, but coming in at about 60 seconds and focusing on banking and turning means it still has full family appeal. Expect it to serve as an introductory, big kid coaster for many. It’s infused with lighthearted humor — floating farmers and barnyard animals cruise among the stars — lending it a rather relaxed atmosphere for a save-the-world, fast-paced attraction. In other words, it’s sleek, it’s hurried and it’s cutesy.

• Share via Close extra sharing options

“My favorite is the surfing alien,” says Tom Storer, North American project director for Merlin Magic Making, the creative team behind Lego experiences. “She’s my favorite thing to see in there. It’s right after the blast. It will sneak up on you.”

The Galacticoaster is the centerpiece of Lego Galaxy, which also includes two smaller outdoor attractions, a vintage-style shoot-’em-up video game and a play area for little ones. Its part of a $90-million investment in Legoland’s California and Florida parks on behalf of parent Merlin Entertainment (an identical Galacticoaster can be found in Lego’s Florida park). Lego Galaxy hopes to draw visitors — and perhaps new audiences — by focusing on slicker, more modern technology and injecting in the park the sort of excitable ride more commonly found at Legoland’s Southern California competitors.

Storer, for instance, isn’t shy about the Galacticoaster’s inspiration.

A view of the stars and scenery that surrounds the Galacticoaster track.

(Legoland / Merlin Entertainment)

“What is the space roller coaster of 2026? Space Mountain is a classic from back in the day,” he says, referring to the Disneyland Resort staple launched in 1977. “But this is kind of the new way.”

It is faster and brighter than Space Mountain, as the Galacticoaster is heavily populated with twinkling stars, planetary projections and many a Lego brick creation. But while Space Mountain tops off at about 32 mph, it likely still has Galacticoaster beat in the intensity factor due to its lift hill, sudden dips, jolting turns and near pitch-black darkness. No matter, says Storer, as here the objective was to place guests in a welcoming adventure with plenty to look at.

“When you think of outer space, you instantly think of stars and planets,” Storer says. “We have a really cool digital planet and we have stars everywhere.”

The Galacticoaster sits four per car, loading attendees parallel in a row via a moving platform. Once seated and locked in, it nearly immediately takes off, jetting riders into a darkened hallway with white lights before injecting them into a Lego galaxy. Lego aficionados or those who grew up with the sets will likely spy many an allusion to past toys. In the ride’s queue, for instance, guests in line will walk past a wall that features a timeline of many a Lego space set. Action comes fast, but surrounds guests, as the coaster cars rotate around a hurtling asteroid.

Legoland’s new Galacticoaster is an indoor space-themed roller coaster with twinkling stars and many Lego brick projections.

(Legoland / Merlin Entertainment)

While it twists from side to side, which has drawn light comparisons to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Walt Disney World’s Epcot, with some referring to this as sort of a starter version of that more powerful coaster, it’s a smooth and relatively unobtrusive twisting. Those prone to motion sickness — and I am one of them — likely need not be too concerned here.

While Legoland has other coasters, many are known as what Storer refers to as “pink knuckle” coasters, slang for safe for kids and families. Galacticoaster, with a minimum height requirement of 36 inches, certainly is as well, but the creative executive hopes it falls somewhere between the pink and white knuckle level of force, the latter term reserved for the most thrilling of coasters.

“We’re known for having ‘pink knuckle’ coaster, where it’s not too scary,” he says. “It’s kind of, ‘My first coaster.’ This is family-friendly. We’d never do anything that’s not family-friendly. We want to make sure our guests from 5 to 12 have lots to do, but it’s a little more punchy and has that cool launch with a space blast-off feel.”

Theme park aficionados will be keen to know that this is the first attraction in the park to feature an animatronic figure. The character of Biff Dipper, an engineer, will be found in the ride’s preshow, familiarizing guests with the story of the asteroid that spells impending doom. Stout and slightly gruff, Dipper has a digital face that can approximate more than 40 expressions. The animatronic, says Storer, was an important investment for the park, as Legoland in Lego Galaxy was cognizant of guests becoming bored in what will surely be one of the park’s longest lines this upcoming spring and summer season.

There are interactive elements throughout Lego Galaxy. In the Galacticoaster, for instance, riders will build a virtual approximation of a spaceship from a touchscreen, selecting options for wings, cannons and more. Some are militant. Others look like burgers or rainbows. There are 625 variations, and the creation will then appear at the start and finish of the attraction, injected into the ride’s projectors via a guest wristband. Legoland officials like to refer to Galacticoaster as a 10-minute experience, a time that takes in the preshow with the Dippper figure as well as the construction of the spacecraft.

The character of Biff Dipper is Legoland’s first animatronic figure. Dipper is in the preshow of the Galacticoaster.

(Legoland / Merlin Entertainment )

Elsewhere in Lego Galaxy, there’s a full video game-like experience called the Rocket Assembly Bay. Here, guests will first build their own spaceship, and then have it scanned into the game for a cooperative shoot-’em-up. Rocket Assembly Bay is good fun, and rewarding even, to see a virtual scan of a hand-built ship injected into the game, this despite that fact that the play experience is largely a modern update of old coin-op “Asteroids.”

“There’s something about the simplicity of some of the things that have been done,” Storer says.

Two other core attractions dot the land. The G-Force Test Facility is a spinner that’s pitched as an astronaut training experience. Guests with a minimum height of 40” will be elevated off the ground via vehicles situated on rotating arms. There’s plenty of swinging and rotating action in this more standard amusement park-like creation, although Storer notes that riders won’t experience any actual G-forces. Still, here’s one that those with a propensity to motion sickness may want to take a pass on.

Lego Galaxy is rounded out with a play area and the preschool-focused ride Launch & Land. For those with a minimum height of 34 inches, this is a casual, patient experience, one in which seated guests will gently lift off into the air for a slightly elevated view of the land. Nominally designed as a spaceport, Lego aliens and spaceships populate the area. Press a button near one of the ships, and initiate, for instance, an engine test.

But don’t expect anything too serious. The Galacticoaster, after all, has a farting space cow.

Annual passes can be a great way to keep the kids entertained through the school holidays, and give you unlimited visits to Merlin’s theme parks throughout the year, as well as some other perks

If you’re already wondering how to keep the kids entertained for the Easter holidays, as well as the looming six week school holidays, then this deal might help you out.

Merlin, who own over 20 UK attractions including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and LEGOLAND Windsor has slashed the cost of the Merlin Annual Pass , meaning families can now enjoy a year of theme park fun from just £99 per person.

The spring sale, which launched today and runs until March 29, offers discounts on Merlin’s three annual pass types.

The Essential Merlin Annual Pass is the cheapest option, with the price cut from £139 to £99 in the sale. This pass offers 339 days of unlimited entry to Merlin attractions, with some restrictions on bank holidays and summer weekends. An availability calendar shows which dates are restricted for certain passes.

The Gold pass, which includes extra perks such as free parking and up to 20% off shops and restaurants in each of the attractions, has been cut from £239 to £189. There’s also a Platinum pass with no date restrictions, four Bring a Friend tickets a year, and a free one-shot Fastrack per visit. This usually costs £299 and is £249 in the spring sale.

You can also opt for a monthly membership, with the cost of a Gold membership reduced from £19.99 to £16.99 a month, and the Platinum level reduced from £24.99 to £20.99 monthly if you sign up during the sale period.

If your family are fans of a particular theme park, or you only plan to go to a local attraction, then some Merlin parks also offer their own annual passes. For example, Alton Towers’ annual pass starts at just £64 a year, the same price as a yearly pass for Chessington World of Adventures. However, it’s worth considering whether you want to limit yourself to one place or if you’d prefer to have lots of options for days out.

Tesco shoppers can also use Clubcard points to get into many Merlin attractions. For example, 50p worth of Clubcard vouchers can be exchanged for £1 to spend on Thorpe Park tickets. If you’re a Blue Light Card holder there are also a number of theme park deals to be snapped up during the year, including Member Days where cardholders enjoy discounted entry, smaller crowds, and free parking.

Annual passholders will be able to enjoy new attractions in 2026 including Alton Towers’ Bluey The Ride: Here Come the Grannies, which opens March 28. Spring 2026 will also see the opening of the World of PAW Patrol in Chessington, while over in LEGOLAND® Windsor, the resort will have a year of celebrations to make its 30th anniversary.

If your family are fans of a particular theme park, or you only plan to go to a local attraction, then some Merlin parks also offer their own annual passes. For example, Alton Towers’ annual pass starts at just £64 a year, the same price as a yearly pass for Chessington World of Adventures. However, it’s worth considering whether you want to limit yourself to one place or if you’d prefer to have lots of options for days out.

Tesco shoppers can also use Clubcard points to get into many Merlin attractions. For example, 50p worth of Clubcard vouchers can be exchanged for £1 to spend on Thorpe Park tickets. If you’re a Blue Light Card holder there are also a number of theme park deals to be snapped up during the year, including Member Days where cardholders enjoy discounted entry, smaller crowds, and free parking.

Full list of attractions where the Merlin Annual Pass can be used

• Alton Towers Resort
• Chessington World Of Adventures Resort
• LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
• The London Eye
• Thorpe Park
• SEA LIFE London
• National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
• SEA LIFE Manchester
• SEA LIFE Blackpool
• SEA LIFE Brighton
• SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park
• SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
• SEA LIFE Sanctuary Hunstanton
• SEA LIFE Scarborough
• SEA LIFE Loch Lomond
• Warwick Castle
• Madame Tussauds London
• Shrek’s Adventure! London
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester
• The London Dungeon
• The York Dungeon
• The Edinburgh Dungeon
• Cadbury World

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Merlin’s annual pass offer ends this weekend where you can get a free annual pass if you book a £95 stay at the likes of Alton Towers, Legoland, Thorpe Park, Chessington and more

A deal where theme park fans can ‘stay for a night, play for a year’ at Merlin’s attractions across the UK ends this weekend.

Merlin Entertainment, whose attractions include Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle, LEGOLAND, and Chessington World of Adventures currently has a deal running where families who book an overnight stay on selected dates in March get a free Essential Merlin Annual Pass (MAP) for each guest, giving them 339 days of unlimited access to over 20 of its theme parks and attractions.

However, theme park fans will need to hurry as the bookings need to be completed by Sunday (March 1), so there are only a couple of days left to take advantage of the offer. Eligible stay dates include:

• LEGOLAND and Alton Towers – stays between March 14 and June 26
• Chessington – stays between March 20 and June 26
• Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle – stays between March 27 and June 26

When making a booking, simply look for a banner that says ‘Merlin Pass Included’ that indicates whether the stay is eligible for the offer. Facilities at each theme park resort vary, but many have themed accommodation, breakfast included in the price, plus two days of theme park entry included in a one-night stay. Alton Towers’ hotel guests enjoy access to a 9-hole golf course, while those staying at Chessington can enjoy access to its SEA Life Centre.

As soon as you book your stay, you’ll be emailled your Merlin Annual Passes and can start using them as soon as they are activated, even before your overnight break if you like. The Essentials tier pass offers 339 days of fun, and in addition to theme parks it includes attractions such as the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, and The London Dungeon.

Passholders can also access SEA Life centres across the UK, Cadbury World, Shrek’s Adventure! London and LEGOLAND’s Discovery Centres, so it’s easy to fill up the calendar in the Easter holidays and May half term without needing to pay a penny extra on entry fees.

It’s worth checking Merlin’s exclusions calendar for dates when the Essentials pass cannot be used. Restricted dates include some bank holidays and Saturdays in August. However, no dates in July are restricted, and you can still use your pass freely on other days during the six week summer holidays.

So, how much could families save? It depends on which hotel stay you book and how much you use the pass. A family of four could book a night at the Warwick Castle Hotel on May 16 for £429 and get four free passes included. Buying Merlin Essential passes would usually cost £139 each at full price, adding up to £556 for four people, so this is already a cheaper option if you’ve been considering buying the passes anyway.

Day passes to Alton Towers, as an example, cost £32 online and as much as £68 if you buy on the gates, so if you plan just a handful of theme park visits, this offer could save you hundreds over the year.

Full list of attractions where Merlin’s annual pass can be used

• Alton Towers Resort
• Chessington World Of Adventures Resort
• LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
• The London Eye
• Thorpe Park
• SEA LIFE London
• National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
• SEA LIFE Manchester
• SEA LIFE Blackpool
• SEA LIFE Brighton
• SEA LIFE Weymouth Adventure Park
• SEA LIFE Great Yarmouth
• SEA LIFE Sanctuary Hunstanton
• SEA LIFE Scarborough
• SEA LIFE Loch Lomond
• Warwick Castle
• Madame Tussauds London
• Shrek’s Adventure! London
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Birmingham
• LEGOLAND® Discovery Centre Manchester
• The London Dungeon
• The York Dungeon
• The Edinburgh Dungeon
• Cadbury World

You can find out more at merlinannualpass.co.uk.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.