Legoland

‘I visited the UK’s magical Lego North Pole and one thing floored me’

Legoland in Windsor, Berkshire, has been transformed into an immersive Christmas experience, launching its very own Winter Wonderland complete with snow-covered trees and Father Christmas

As a child of the eighties, a Christmas treat was a trip to a questionable Santa’s grotto where fake Barbie dolls were the default gift. But these days, Christmas experiences are in bountiful supply – from light shows, and breakfasts with Santa to ice rinks, ice bars and Christmas markets.

The Santas in the grotto have upped their game and expectations are high when it comes to sharing the magic of Christmas. So which experience to choose? My son is four and Lego is currently his sun and moon so Legoland’s Winter Wonderland seemed like a safe bet.

This winter, the theme park in Windsor has been transformed into an immersive Christmas experience, with twinkly lights, a giant Duplo Christmas tree and a sprawling Christmas Kingdom. We did the Meet Father Christmas experience, which saw elves guide us from Legoland through a mysterious corridor to a snow-covered North Pole.

After navigating through a maze of snow-topped fir trees, we arrived at Santa’s hidden cabin where my son suddenly got stage fright and was too shy to talk. But Father Christmas was lovely and made jokes about my husband’s past on the naughty list. The gift was an impressive Legoland dragon soft toy that he’s slept with ever since.

The Lego City Deep Sea Dive Adventure was also a massive hit, with a submarine taking young explorers through an underwater world filled with stingrays and sharks. He got his first taste of life on the road at the Lego City Driving School and discovered a love for the faster rollercoasters such as Merlin’s Challenge and The Dragon which takes you through the castle before plunging through the treetops.

There are also loads of shows to choose from including the Elf Training Academy show, the Festival of Flurries and Nutcracker’s Marching Band. And for certain dates over Christmas and New Year, dogs are welcome too!

Dark fell just after 3.30pm and we stayed until close. Enjoying the rides under the moonlight was a magical and memorable experience.

The Winter Wonderland runs until January 4 with tickets from £32 per person at https://www.legoland.co.uk/explore/special-events/legoland-at-christmas. Dogs are permitted entry on December 14, 21 and 28 with a meet Father Christmas upgrade available from 5pm.

Meanwhile, LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany has recently unveiled plans for a new theme park land based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter books, and fans will even be able to enjoy an overnight wizarding experience with themed accommodation.

Details of the brand new attraction are currently being kept strictly under wraps, with the park confirming it’ll be announcing further information in the next 12 months.

In a statement, Peter van Roden, EVP of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, said: “We are always looking for new ways for the millions of Harry Potter fans around the world to extend the magic and further connect with the iconic films. This new destination will allow fans to step into in the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”

While there are already Harry Potter-themed lands at some Universal resorts, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where fans can see where the movie was filmed, this is the first Wizarding World attraction for Lego.

And while many places, such as private rentals, offer unofficial wizard-themed accommodation based on the franchise, the park will offer the first official themed accommodation.

Source link

The new space-themed Legoland zone opening next year with ‘galacticoaster’ and ‘astronaut training’

LEGOLAND is opening a new land based on space exploration – with a world first rollercoaster.

LEGO Galaxy will open on March 6, 2026 with three new rides at the California theme park.

Illustration of the new LEGO Galaxy land at LEGOLAND California.
Legoland is opening a new space themed landCredit: LEGO

The main ride will be the Galacticoaster, which lets riders design their own vehicle, using touch screens and RFID wristbands.

The personalization includes choosing the tail, noses and wings for the ride, which has 625 combinations.

Guests will enter the ride via the Briefing Room, meeting Chief Engineer Biff Dipper.

After creating their machine, they will then “blast off” through the Lego solar system.

MAKING MAGIC

Legoland to open world-first Harry Potter land with wizard themed hotel rooms


RIDE ON

Major Legoland theme park to launch new rollercoaster and ‘cosmic’ rides next year

It is opening at the California and Florida Legoland, as the “first new rollercoaster in nearly two decades”.

Two other rides with also be part of the new land – F-Force Test Facility and DUPLO Launch and Land.

There will also be a Junior Astronaut Training Zone which will be a toddler play area.

There will also be space themed shops and restaurants too.

This includes the Ultimate Food Outlet (U.F.O) along with Stardust Treats and Satellite Bites.

And then Orbital Outpost will be the souvenir shop onsite.

The website states: “We are charting course for an out-of-this-world adventure with a brand-new, space-themed land featuring  an all-new indoor family coaster, 2 other cosmic rides, and even more LEGO space adventures.”

Merlin Magic Making boss Flora Liu said: This isn’t just a coaster – it’s a full-on Lego galaxy.

“We’re mixing the creativity of Lego with the wonder of space to bring families a totally new kind of adventure.”

It’s not the only exciting new land coming to the Lego parks.

Legoland Deutschland in Germany is opening the world-first Lego Harry Potter themed land.

Little has been revealed as of yet, with more announced over the next 12 months.

However, Peter van Roden, EVP Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences said: “This new destination will allow fans to step into the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”

The world’s biggest Legoland is actually in the UK, being Legoland Windsor.

And one mum revealed what she thought after visiting the UK Legoland for the first time.

Illustration of the new LEGO Galaxy land at LEGOLAND California.
The new land will open in California in March 2026Credit: LEGO

Source link

European theme park to get brand new Harry Potter land – and themed hotel rooms too

Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World will soon be able to experience the Harry Potter universe like never before, with their favourite characters and iconic locations recreated in LEGO

A new theme park land based on J.K. Rowling’s beloved Harry Potter books has been confirmed, and fans will even be able to enjoy an overnight wizarding experience with themed accommodation.

LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany has confirmed that a partnership between Merlin Entertainments and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences will bring the popular franchise to life in LEGO form.

Details of the brand new attraction are currently being kept strictly under wraps, with the park confirming it’ll be announcing further information in the next 12 months. In a statement, Peter van Roden, EVP of Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, said: “We are always looking for new ways for the millions of Harry Potter fans around the world to extend the magic and further connect with the iconic films. This new destination will allow fans to step into in the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”

The first Harry Potter book was released in 1997, and since then, the franchise has continued to grow, spanning eight Harry Potter films, three Fantastic Beasts movies, a stage show, and even a video game.

While there are already Harry Potter-themed lands at some Universal resorts, as well as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, where fans can see where the movie was filmed, this is the first Wizarding World attraction for LEGO. And while many places, such as private rentals, offer unofficial wizard-themed accommodation based on the franchise, the park will offer the first official themed accommodation.

The news comes as Potterheads eagerly await the release of the HBO series, slated to make its debut in 2027. The show, which began filming in 2025, is set to be produced for ten years over several seasons, each covering one of J.K. Rowling’s books.

Harry Potter and LEGO have a long association, with several brick sets themed around the franchise being released over the years. The first Harry Potter LEGO set, based on the Sorting Hat, came out back in 2001, and one of the most famous releases is the gigantic Hogwarts set. With over 6,000 pieces, this set currently sells for £409 on LEGO’s official shop.

Germany’s LEGOLAND park is based in Günzburg, just over an hour from Munich Airport. Flights are available from across the UK by airlines including British Airways, easyJet, and Lufthansa, and take just under two hours, making it easily accessible for British fans. From the airport, you can take a train to Günzburg, and then there are regular buses that drop you off just outside the park.

READ MORE: UK destination declared best for Christmas joy – beating Disney and Times SquareREAD MORE: Man spends week in Benidorm and vows never to return after horrifying discovery

The new Harry Potter land will join a raft of existing kid-friendly attractions at the park. These include LEGO NINJAGO World, MINILAND, which includes models of iconic German and global attractions, Knights’ Kingdom, and LEGO® X-TREME, which includes a rollercoaster and other thrill rides.

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

Source link

Legoland to open world-first Harry Potter land with rides and wizard themed hotel rooms

CALLING all Potterheads – there’s great news on the horizon as the wizarding world of Harry Potter is coming to Legoland.

One of the resorts in Europe has announced that ‘a magical new land is in the making’ as it teams up with Warner Bros.

A new Harry Potter themed land has been announced for LegolandCredit: Merlin Entertainments
It will open in Legoland Deutschland and there will even be themed accommodationCredit: Merlin Entertainments

Legoland Deutschland has revealed that a brand-new area dedicated to Harry Potter is underway – the first of its kind in the world.

It said that the new land in Germany will see the magic of Hogwarts meet Lego bricks in a location-based setting for the first time.

Not much has been revealed about what exactly will be inside the land, but there’s likely to be magical-themed rides and attractions.

Something that has been confirmed is that there will be Harry Potter themed accommodation for guests to stay in.

STREET SMARTS

I visit New York 6 times a year – my expert budget guide including £1 pizzas


SNOW WAY

All the best Xmas days out under £10 including FREE ice skating & Santa’s grotto

More details on the plans for Legoland Deutschland Resort will be announced over the next 12 months. 

Peter van Roden, EVP Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences said: “This new destination will allow fans to step into the familiar LEGO Harry Potter aesthetic they have been constructing for years and physically experience the wizarding world like never before.”

Across the globe there are Harry Potter attractions – but none are yet in any of the Legoland resorts.

For some wizarding experiences, Brits are likely to head to Warner Bros Studio Tour for The Making of Harry Potter.

There are also ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ lands in Universal Orland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood as well as Japan and Beijing.

Last year, Peppa Pig Park opened in Günzburg right next to the LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort – and it’s also owned by Merlin Entertainment.

Right next to Legoland Deutschland is Europe’s first standalone Peppa Pig theme park

It’s opening followed on from the success of Peppa Pig Theme Park that opened in Orlando as part of the Legoland Florida Resort.

Peppa Pig Park Günzburg opened in in May 2024 and became mainland Europe’s first theme park based on the popular children’s character.

Kids who are a fan of Peppa will also get to meet all of their favourite characters throughout the park too.

One popular ride is Daddy Pig’s Roller Coaster, a Family Coaster 155 that’s been made by Zamperla.

There’s also Peppa Pig’s Balloon Ride where park-goers are launched into the air on an aerial carousel ride.

Some other rides in the park include Grampy Rabbit’s Dinosaur Adventure, which takes younger visitors on a prehistoric quest, Grandad Dog’s Pirate Boat Ride and Mr. Bull’s High Striker.

Visitors can also check out Muddle Puddles Splash Pool and Peppa Pig’s Treehouse which is a huge outdoor play area.

For more on Harry Potter, one writer headed out on a Nordic road trip with the entire family with Harry Potter bridges and waterfront campsites.

And here’s the unique English park to feature in Harry Potter series which is even better to visit in the autumn and winter than summer.

A new Harry Potter world has been announced for Legoland DeutschlandCredit: AP

Source link