Awesome news! Soon New Yorkers won’t have to travel all the way to California or Florida to enjoy the fun of LEGOLAND theme parks. New York officials have just announced that a 170-acre LEGOLAND theme park and resort will be built in Orange County, NY and hopefully open in 2020.
Merlin Entertainments, which also operates LEGOLAND attractions around the world, will be developing a new $350-million theme park and resort in Goshen, New York. The park will be divided into themed areas with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, including the LEGOLAND Driving School that puts kids at the wheel of their own LEGO-themed car. The Dragon “pink knuckle” rollercoaster will draw in mini thrill-seekers and LEGO movies will screen at the LEGO 4D Movie Theater.
This destination will feature LEGO Friends and LEGO NINJAGO themed areas as well as the park’s signature Miniland, an impressive display of cityscapes and iconic landmarks built out of millions of LEGO bricks.
Photograph: Courtesy Jim Sabastian
Goshen is only an hour north of New York City, but families who’d like to make a family weekend getaway out of the adventure will be able to stay at the onsite LEGOLAND Hotel. The park itself will be open seasonal from April 1 to November 1, but the 250-room hotel will be open year-round and special themed rooms will keep the magic alive even when it’s time to tuck in. Hundreds of LEGO models will be displayed throughout the hotel and we wouldn’t be surprised if a LEGO Friend or two were found entertaining guests of all ages.
Photograph: Courtesy Jim Sabastian
And while this kids' amusement park is designed for children ages 2 to 12, we all know that one never grows too old to play with LEGOs. LEGOLAND is a wonderful place to take both budding master builders and grownups looking to reminisce about their younger days. It might even inspire the family to head to one of NYC's best toy stores and stock up on their LEGO collection at home!
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