Atlantis Submarine Voyage

Atlantis Submarine Voyage, the world's first Lego-themed underwater ride, opened in May 2011 at Legoland. As with all Lego launches, cross-branding is all-important here and there are a whole host of characters to meet before the journey starts – from salty seadog Ace Speedman to sassy professor Sam Rhodes – all readily available to buy at journey's end. But beyond the branding, the ride itself is pretty impressive. Once on board one of the eight yellow submarines, which hold up to 14 naval novices, you dive down below the surface and set off on a circuit of the one million litre ocean tank, passing all manner of bewildering sub-aquatic creatures along the way, from nurse sharks and cownose rays to parrotfish and sea cucumbers. In all, there are more than 2,500 fish swimming around the tank, plus a few Atlantis set pieces to add to the sense of adventure, including a King Neptune made from 100,000 Lego bricks. Back on dry land, the marine-themed fun continues with shrimp and crab tanks manned by informative staff. If you become attached to life on the ocean waves, there are loads of other watery treats around the park, from a mellow meander around Fairytale Brook to a guaranteed soaking on the bumpy rapids of Vikings' River Splash. All that aquatic action sound a bit too much for one day? Come 2012, you'll be able to extend your shore leave with an overnight stay in the brand new on-park Legoland hotel which is rising up, brick by coloured brick, just a rod's length from Atlantis – a guaranteed way to be first beneath the brine in the morning.