Aquarium for Legoland California
Merlin Entertainments is to open its first Sea Life aquarium in America with the debut next summer of a 36,000 square foot facility next to Legoland California in Carlsbad.
The $20 million Sea Life Legoland California Resort will feature a separate entrance to the existing park. More than a standard aquarium, Sea Life provides a unique blend of education and interactive featuring play zones, fun facts and quiz trails. Although the first in the States, it will be the 29th Sea Life centre to open worldwide, all the others so far in Europe.
“Legoland California is a European concept which has proven to be a great success in North America,” notes Merlin CEO Nick Varney. “The addition of another European favourite, Sea Life, is therefore the natural next step in the development of our planned Legoland California Resort. They both offer high quality, fun learning for the entire family and exciting opportunities to find out more about the world around us.”
Merlin has already announced plans to add Sea Life attractions next season at some of its other parks, including Chessington World of Adventures near London and Gardaland in Italy.
At Legoland California, there will also be an eighth new area inside the park for 2008. The Land of Adventure, opening in March, will feature four attractions including Lost Kingdom Adventure, the park’s first dark ride (by Sally); Cargo Ace, a Zamperla plane ride; Beetle Bounce, a mini S&S tower; and the Pharaoh’s Revenge ball play attraction by Prime Play.
The Lego link will be exploited to the full at Sea Life Legoland California resort, as this publicity shot shows.
