CARLSBAD, Calif. (April 28, 2010) – For the first time since construction began in January, media was invited behind the scenes today for a hard hat tour of the world’s first LEGO® themed Water Park under construction at
LEGOLAND® California. Attendees received an up-close look at one of the jumbo LEGO models that just arrived, soft LEGO bricks just delivered for Build-A-Raft River and never-before-seen graphics featuring artist renderings of four themed areas of LEGOLAND Water Park opening May 28, 2010. LEGOLAND California Resort General Manager Peter Ronchetti hosted the tour providing new details of the $12 million expansion; the largest in the history of LEGOLAND California.
“LEGO founder Ole Kirk Christiansen once said ‘no matter what we design, there are two toys that LEGO can never improve upon: the ball and water,” said Ronchetti during the hard hat tour. “Exactly one month from today, I believe LEGOLAND California is going to combine LEGO and water right here on the ground you’re standing on, on a scale that’s never been done before with the world’s first interactive LEGO themed Water Park!”
Eight different rides and attractions were revealed during today’s hard hat tour including Orange Rush, a family tube slide where up to four people can ride together down a 312-foot long curving track on an 11-foot in diameter half pipe; Twin Chasers, two side-by-side enclosed red tube slides that stretch nearly 130 feet, Splash Out, an open body slide that invites guests to slide 240 feet and “splash out” into the water below; Joker Soaker, a fun interactive platform in the wade pool where kids can aim water cannons at each other as a LEGO jester model tells jokes and pours 350 gallons of water down upon them; a one-of-a-kind concept, Build-A-Raft River, where kids customize their own raft made of soft LEGO bricks before floating down a lazy river; Kid Creek, a lazy river built with younger kids in mind and DUPLO® Splash Safari, a water play area designed especially for toddlers with three small slides and interactive DUPLO creatures including an alligator, polar bear and an elephant.
LEGOLAND Water Park Operations Project Manager Mike Pastor described on the tour how children can spin a wheel to make water spray out of each creature and described the other new models in the area including two monkeys, two DUPLO penguins and two DUPLO zoo keepers keeping a watch over things. “But the real people keeping a watch over things will be our MCs (Model Citizens),” said Pastor. “We are creating more than 200 jobs within the Water Park and at least 100 of those jobs created are lifeguards. In fact, all of our MCs who interact with Water Park guests in each of these attractions will be certified lifeguards.” After recently posting the new positions, LEGOLAND California has received more than 250 applications for lifeguards. One hundred of those applicants will go through a pre-test sanctioned by American Red Cross and those who pass will do 32 hours of training to receive their certification.
“We are excited to be able to offer these new positions especially during the current challenging economic climate,” Ronchetti added.
LEGOLAND California’s Model Shop Supervisor Tim Petsche revealed one of five jumbo LEGO friends who will soak unsuspecting visitors throughout Build-A-Raft River. One of those friends will stand watch over the 45-foot tall LEGO tower pouring 500 gallons of water a minute onto guests below. “It’s going to be a challenge installing a LEGO friend that high, but we’re looking forward to it and can’t wait to see the look on children’s faces when all that water comes down on them on a hot summer day.” Petsche also spoke about how the theming was developed for the towers: “Our design team imagined what a child would make if they were asked to build a Water Park out of LEGO, then we made that with replica LEGO elements that are 32 times larger than the real ones. In fact, if stacked one on top of another it would take 1,450 real LEGO bricks to reach the top of this tower! “ Overall, Petsche and his team will install 22 LEGO models into the Water Park.
One other area pointed out during the tour is the Imagination Station. “Imagination Station combines everything that makes LEGOLAND unique: interactivity, education, imagination and fun!” said LEGOLAND spokesperson Julie Estrada. “There will be two interactive tables. On one, kids can build bridges, create dams and build cities all out of DUPLO bricks and control the flow of water throughout it all. On the other table, they can control the flow of water by creating patterns out of LEGO elements to create rapids and other fun forms. Another fun addition is what we’ve been referring to as the Aqua Tune. Imagine a musical water stand with a series of holes on top that squirt out water. When you cover a hole and block the water, a musical note is played. It’s like kids can conduct their own water symphony just with the touch of their hand!”
The 5.5 acre LEGOLAND Water Park will be located at the north end of LEGOLAND California adjacent to Fun Town with the entrance located between the Factory Tour and the Adventurer’s Club. LEGOLAND guests will be able to upgrade their Park tickets to include LEGOLAND Water Park for just $10. Geared for families with children ages 2 to 12, the Water Park will be included in the price of Water Park Hopper tickets and Resort Hopper tickets which include SEA LIFE Aquarium as well. Water Park admission will also be included in Resort Memberships.
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