11-YEAR-OLD CANCER SURVIVOR BRINGS HOPE BY LIGHTING THE LEGO® CHRISTMAS TREE AT LEGOLAND® CALIFORNIA RESORT!

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Dec. 4, 2020) – Snow filled the air and twinkling lights illuminated the sky as 11-year-old cancer survivor, Gideon Robinson, pulled the switch last night in a private ceremony to light the famous LEGO® Christmas tree at LEGOLAND® California Resort officially kicking off the holidays. While the Park is not open, the Resort was excited to have Gideon help carry on its annual tree lighting tradition and celebrate his victory over acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Robinson and his family, who reside in Lake Elsinore, CA, enjoyed the holiday decorations and the falling snow as they headed to LEGOLAND California’s famous 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree in Fun Town. Prior to pulling the switch that turned on more than 11,000 twinkling LED lights, Robinson was presented a LEGO® star ornament as an invitation to return when the largest expansion in LEGOLAND California history opens in 2021: The LEGO® Movie™ World.  In honor of the star character from the hit sequel “The LEGO® Movie 2™”, the LEGO star ornaments are the newest additions to the enormous tree which features more than 400 LEGO decorations and is created from 245,000 green DUPLO® bricks. The fun didn’t stop there as Robinson was treated to an overnight stay at the LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel.

“During these unprecedented times when so many are faced with challenges, it’s positive stories such as Gideon’s that provide inspiration to all of us,” said LEGOLAND California Resort President Kurt Stocks. “It’s an absolute pleasure and honor to have Gideon and his family officially light the LEGO Christmas tree this year and help LEGOLAND California bring some holiday hope to families this winter.”

A two-time cancer survivor, Robinson was first diagnosed a week after his fifth birthday and again in 2019 after a short remission before receiving great news recently that he had defeated leukemia. Through the support of Ronal McDonald House Charities of San Diego, Robinson and his family were able to stay together during his treatments and journey in defeating the disease. For 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego has provided a “home-away-from-home,” which keeps families close to one another and the care they need when their child is being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals. LEGOLAND California Resort and Ronald McDonald House Charities have a long-standing relationship working together to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families.

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LEGOLAND® California Resort includes LEGOLAND® California, SEA LIFE® aquarium, LEGOLAND® Water Park, LEGOLAND® Hotel and LEGOLAND® Castle Hotel. All are geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. At LEGOLAND California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including the new LEGO® City: Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride where guests experience more than 2,000 real sea animals including real sharks, rays and tropical fish. SEA LIFE aquarium is home to more than 5,000 living creatures and incorporates LEGO® models into a child’s voyage to the depths of the ocean featuring play zones, fun facts and quiz trails. LEGOLAND Water Park features more than seven slides, sandy beaches and the unique Build-A-Raft River plus Pirate Reef and LEGO Legends of CHIMA Water Park comprising 10 acres of water fun! The nation’s first LEGOLAND Hotel features 250 rooms, all themed either as pirate, adventure, kingdom, LEGO® Friends and LEGO® NINJAGO™! North America’s first LEGOLAND Castle Hotel features 250 rooms, fully themed as Knights and Dragons, Royal Princess and Magic Wizard.  For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).

Merlin Entertainments plc is a global leader in location based, family entertainment. As Europe's number one and the world's second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates more than 130 attractions, 19 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable experiences to more than 67 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its 28,000 employees (peak season).  Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

About Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP), a Warner Media Company, extends the Studio’s powerful portfolio of entertainment brands and franchises into the lives of fans around the world.  WBCP partners with best-in-class licensees globally on an award-winning range of toys, fashion, home décor, and publishing inspired by franchises and properties such as DC, Wizarding World, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, HBO, Cartoon Network and Adult Swim. The division’s successful global themed entertainment business includes groundbreaking experiences such as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. With innovative global licensing and merchandising programs, retail initiatives, promotional partnerships and themed experiences, WBCP is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.

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