LEGOLAND® California Announces Successful 2009 Plus Plans for
LEGOLAND Water Park and New 4-D Show
CARLSBAD, Calif. – The earliest glimpse of the world’s first LEGO® themed water park was unveiled today to media and invited guests at LEGOLAND California Resort’s annual press conference. A 3-story banner featuring an artist’s rendering of LEGOLAND® Water Park was raised during a presentation by Resort General Manager Peter Ronchetti who revealed Water Park details as well as business results for 2009 and plans to launch “A Clutch Powers 4-D Adventure.”
“2009 was a record year here at LEGOLAND California Resort,” said Ronchetti during the press conference. “We celebrated the Park’s tenth birthday on March 20 and launched a brand new Bob the Builder™ 4-D movie. The Inauguration scene in Miniland U.S.A. made headlines around the world and our new Dune Raiders slide attraction added a fun new element to Land of Adventure. And over at SEA LIFE, we added Sharks Revealed – a great new exhibit teaching kids all about the lifecycle and evolution of sharks.”
Ronchetti continued, “Many theme parks across the country have reported difficult trading and necessary cost control actions as a result of the challenging economic climate over recent months. So we feel very fortunate with all of the expansion here at LEGOLAND California Resort, to be able to report that our attendance continues to grow.”
Ronchetti reported that 2009 marked six years of continuous growth for LEGOLAND California with a 6 percent growth in attendance over 2008. He also reported guest satisfaction ratings in the high nineties, a statistic rarely heard in the amusement park industry.
2009 was also the first full year of operation for SEA LIFE Carlsbad, the family Aquarium located next door to LEGOLAND California. The Aquarium welcomed several hundred thousand guests making it the third highest attended SEA LIFE Aquarium of the 29 SEA LIFE centers world-wide.
“LEGOLAND California Resort expects continued success in 2010 with the investment of more than $15 million dollars into the Resort,” said Ronchetti as he described plans for LEGOLAND Water Park and “A Clutch Powers 4-D Adventure.”
The 5.5 acre LEGOLAND Water Park opens in June 2010 and will be located at the north end of LEGOLAND California behind Fun Town. The entrance will be located between the Factory Tour and the Adventurer’s Club. Geared for families with children ages 2 to 12, LEGOLAND Water Park features a six-person raft slide, single-person tube slides, body slides, a lazy river and hands-on toddler areas.
“LEGOLAND Water Park will be lots of fun, constructive play including slides, LEGO friends and, the feature I am personally the most excited about – the Build-a-Raft concept where kids customize their own raft made of soft LEGO bricks before floating down a lazy river,” said Ronchetti.
Bill Vollbrecht, Master Model Builder-turned Project Designer for LEGOLAND California also spoke during the event. Vollbrecht, who is the lead designer for the Water Park, built a LEGO model as inspiration for the Water Park design. Vollbrecht unveiled that original model during the press conference as well.
“When designing the world’s first LEGO themed water park, what better way to start than to take it from a child’s perspective,” said Vollbrecht. “Imagine a child beginning to build a fun LEGO tower that they could actually play inside with their family. They would dump out a bucket of bricks of every color and combination, and create a fantastic, imagination-filled world. And that’s exactly what I was able to create beginning with these LEGO models we are showing you today.”
LEGOLAND California guests will be able to upgrade their Park tickets to include LEGOLAND Water Park for just $10. The Water Park will also 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.
Just in time for Spring Break, “A Clutch Powers 4-D Adventure”premieres March 19, 2010. Clutch Powers is a brand new character from LEGO and is the best builder and explorer in the LEGO universe. The creative world of LEGO comes to life in this 10-minute show featuring amazing 3-D effects combined with rain, wind and a giant LEGO monster for an action packed and fun 4-D adventure running daily in LEGO Show Place. Ryan McPartlin, who plays Dr. Awesome on NBC’s “Chuck” is the voice of Clutch Powers.
“LEGO Racers 4-D” which opened in 2002, will be closing to accommodate Clutch Powers. “Bob the Builder and the Roller Coaster” and “Spellbreaker 4-D” will continue to run daily in LEGO Show Place.
LEGOLAND California Resort is launching a new website www.LEGOLANDWaterPark.com where guests can see the latest Water Park news, information and construction photos. To learn more about Clutch Powers and other LEGOLAND California attractions, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call 760-918-LEGO.
