LEGOLAND® California Reveals First Look at New Space-Themed Land
- Thursday January 15th 2026
CARLSBAD, CA (January 15, 2026) – One small brick for builders, one giant leap for LEGOLAND® California Resort! Today, the family theme park in North County San Diego gave a behind-the-scenes hard hat tour revealing an exclusive first look at LEGO® Galaxy, an all-new land, launching March 6, 2026. Designed as an immersive, story-driven experience, LEGO Galaxy will take families on a journey through the stars, featuring the Resort’s first rollercoaster in more than 20 years, two additional rides and interactive experiences, a Junior Astronaut Training Zone, and galactic-inspired food and beverages designed to fuel every space mission. LEGO Galaxy is Merlin Entertainments’ biggest ever single in-park investment in the history of LEGOLAND California and LEGOLAND Florida, with $90 million being spent between the two Resorts to bring a bold new chapter, blending cutting-edge technology, creative storytelling, and hands-on LEGO play.
“For nearly three decades, LEGOLAND California has created lasting memories for families, and LEGO Galaxy is the Resort’s next bold venture, completely inspired by the passions and evolving interests of our guests,” said President of LEGOLAND California Resort Kurt Stocks. “Our Merlin Magic Making team and engineers have spent more than three years delivering an experience powered by creativity, advanced ride systems and innovation. Every detail is designed to delight and inspire our guests. Galacticoaster features more than 625 unique spacecraft build combinations – meaning guests would need to ride it every day for nearly two years to experience them all.”
The first-look preview was conducted by Stocks and members of the Merlin Magic Making team – Rosie Brailsford, Tom Storer, and Flora Liu – the creative arm of Merlin Entertainments, responsible for guiding projects from concept and design through to production and delivery. They showcased the magic that’s currently unfolding behind the scenes ahead of LEGO Galaxy’s opening and provided an overview of each exciting element of the new land, including:
- Galacticoaster – In this indoor family rollercoaster, guests design their own spacecraft at Customization Bays, selecting, digitally, the nose, tail, wings, and a special feature – such as a disco ball or balloons – resulting in more than 625 unique spacecraft combinations. Space Cadets scan their spacecraft key (an RFID wristband) that allows them to see themselves “riding” in the vehicle they designed. The experience begins in an immersive queue with interactive pre-shows and a briefing from Biff Dipper, the Park’s first robotic minifigure, before launching into twists and turns up to 40 mph, featuring LEGO Space sets from past, present, and future, cinematic storytelling, and onboard sound and lighting.
- G-Force Test Facility – This family-friendly ride challenges guests to swing, turn, and tilt through forces like those that astronauts experience in space. It’s a thrilling, active adventure that adds motion-packed excitement to LEGO Galaxy.
- DUPLO® Launch and Land – Perfect for younger explorers, this flight-training simulator lets toddlers and small children practice their first “take-offs” and “landings” in a safe, playful space environment.
- Junior Astronaut Training Zone – A dedicated toddler play area designed for imaginative cosmic adventures, giving the youngest guests a chance to stretch their space legs and explore LEGO Galaxy on their own terms.
- Rocket Assembly Bay – This state-of-the-art LEGO building zone is where guests can build a LEGO rocket and then digitally scan it and blast it into cyberspace!
- Galactic Dining and Retail Experiences – From U.F.O. (Ultimate Food Outlet) with intergalactic fare like Nebula Noodles and Stellar Crusts, to Stardust Sips & Sweets for cosmic desserts, and Satellite Bites for quick refueling, guests can eat like astronauts. The land’s Orbital Outpost offers exclusive LEGO Galaxy merchandise and souvenirs to commemorate each mission.
The Merlin Magic Making team also shared insider details about how LEGO and LEGOLAND California history are built into LEGO Galaxy. The Dragon Trees used to landscape LEGO Galaxy are original LEGOLAND California trees – carefully preserved and replanted in time for the opening. Spaceport 886, the building that houses Galacticoaster, is inspired – in both name and design – by LEGO Set 886, the 1970s Space Buggy that helped define the classic Spaceport theme.
The fun doesn’t have to wait until March 6! LEGOLAND California and Florida Resorts are inviting kids ages 6-12 to become the first-ever Junior Galaxy Explorers. Young builders can design their own LEGO spacecraft at select children’s museums or online from home. Upcoming in-person contests include Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island (Jan. 17), Children’s Creativity Museum in San Francisco (Jan. 24), and Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena (Jan. 30 & 31). Winners will join the Junior Galaxy Explorer team and be among the first to ride Galacticoaster. They’ll also enjoy a two-night stay at the LEGOLAND Hotel during Galaxy Opening Weekend, receive four annual passes for their family, and take home a commemorative LEGO build. For full contest details, or to enter the contest digitally, visit
www.LEGOLAND.com/JuniorExplorers.
For a limited time, kids’ tickets can be purchased here for as low as $39, whether you choose to play for the day or stay overnight. Plus, with the hotel package, guests can also save up to 30% on rooms.
LEGOLAND California’s 2026 operating calendar can be found here. For more information about LEGOLAND California, visit our website or follow us on Facebook. Guests can also purchase day tickets or annual passes with or without a hotel stay.
Media Contacts
| Julie Estrada North America Communications Director LEGOLAND® California Resort +1-760-846-0886 Julie.Estrada@MerlinEntertainments.biz |
| Sara Wacker, APR Communications / Public Relations LEGOLAND® California Resort +1-858-945-1104 Sara.Wacker@LEGOLAND.com |
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About LEGOLAND® California Resort
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 our newest land, Dino Valley that features three rides, an interactive build and play area and new costume characters. The family theme park also includes LEGO® Ferrari Build & Race and The LEGO® MOVIE™ WORLD based on the blockbuster films The LEGO ® Movie™ and The LEGO® Movie™ 2: The Second Part. Discover the world’s first LEGO version of San Diego in Miniland USA with a realistic 30-foot beach, streets lined with 120 palm trees, and 55 San Diego landmarks, including The Rady Shell, Petco Park and Coronado Bridge. 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, LEGO® DUPLO, 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. LEGOLAND California is a Certified Autism Center, credited by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).
About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-center gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
