Attraction features the largest LEGO mosaic ever built at LEGOLAND
LEGOLAND® California welcomed new heroes today; some in the form of LEGO® brick and some champions in the making. Local heroes from Special Olympics Southern California, San Diego County joined LEGO Hero Factory costume characters in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new LEGO Hero Factory attraction at the family theme Park.
The new attraction, inside the Imagination Zone, is a place where real heroes are built. In this next generation LEGO story, heroes are designed, equipped and built depending on specific missions that beam in from across the galaxy and across time. Guests visiting LEGO Hero Factory can build and create their own heroes (or villains) and have the opportunity to meet and greet with LEGO Hero Factory’s bravest leaders ─ Preston Stormer and William Furno. The new attraction also features the largest LEGO mosaic ever built at LEGOLAND California.
Special Olympics Southern California athletes were the first official guests of the new LEGO Hero Factory experience and also the first guests to begin work on the 7.5-foot-tall, 28.25-foot-wide LEGO mosaic.
“The opening of the new LEGO Hero Factory today is exciting for us and we’re especially excited about the mosaic build,” said Tim Petsche, LEGOLAND Master Model Builder. “The amazing kids and adults from Special Olympics got the build off to a great start. Now we invite all LEGO enthusiasts to visit the new attraction and help us complete the build. Taking part in the mosaic build is not only fun, it is a great opportunity to be part of creating a permanent fixture at LEGOLAND California.”
When completed, the giant mosaic made of 298,368 LEGO bricks will depict an iconic scene from the Hero Factory saga. Now through Feb. 27, Hero Factory guests can help build and complete the mosaic. Each visitor will receive a base plate and mixed brick for the build. With the same idea as paint by numbers, guests match their bricks to the color on the base plate. Once finished, they hand the base plate to a Model Builder who attaches the base plate to the wall mural. Master Model Builders at LEGOLAND estimate it will take about 10 days for guests to complete the mosaic.
The LEGO Hero Factory experience is included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND California. For LEGOLAND ticket prices, operating schedule and additional information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO.
The heroes from Special Olympics who participated in today’s Hero Factory opening exemplify the spirit of Special Olympics which has offered year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities for nearly 40 years. Their next event, the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Polar Plunge, will be held Feb.19, at Oceanside beach. Polar Plunge enthusiasts will be “Freezin’ for a Reason” as they run into the Pacific Ocean Saturday morning. The event will run 8 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at Joe’s Crab Shack; a percentage of all proceeds purchased for lunch will be donated to Special Olympics. Participating in Polar Plunge will be members of law enforcement, councilmen, athletes from Special Olympics, and members of the community. For more details and to register, visit www.sosc.org/sdplunge. Participants who raise the $50 minimum will receive a long sleeve Polar Plunge t-shirt and two tickets to SEA LIFE™ Carlsbad Aquarium, located next door to LEGOLAND.
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Motivation, dedication, joy and determination exemplify the spirit of Special Olympics. Special Olympics Southern California has offered year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities for nearly 40 years. 13,000 athletes in 11 countries train and compete in 12 Olympic-type sports. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participate in the sharing of gifts and friendship with other athletes, their families and the community. There is no cost to participate in Special Olympics. For more information about Special Olympics Southern California – San Diego County and how to volunteer, coach or donate visit www.sosc.org/sandiego.
LEGOLAND® California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 60 rides, shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun! There are three other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call
(760) 918-LEGO.
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s No 1 and the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 69 attractions, 6 hotels and two holiday villages in 15 countries, across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 38.5 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 15,000 employees.
