Merlin Entertainments Launches a Search for Junior Galaxy Explorers in Preparation for Opening LEGO® Galaxy in Early 2026!
- Thursday November 6th 2025
- LEGO® Galaxy will be home to the highly anticipated Galacticoaster, the first indoor, space-themed family coaster that takes families inside a universe of LEGO® imagination powered by intergalactic adventure.
- To celebrate the landmark $90 mil investment, LEGOLAND® California and Florida Resorts are hosting a nationwide contest in search of a team of Junior Galaxy Explorers who will be the first to ride Galacticoaster.
FLORIDA / CALIFORNIA (November 6, 2025) – Ignite your spacecraft engines! LEGOLAND® Florida and LEGOLAND® California Resorts are preparing for their biggest investment to date by launching a nationwide search for a lucky team of Junior Galaxy Explorers who will be the first to ride Galacticoaster on opening day on their designated coast! The first indoor, space-themed family coaster is opening at both Resorts in early 2026, and this record-setting addition will send families rocketing through a universe of LEGO® imagination and space-powered adventure.
The indoor coaster marks LEGOLAND California’s first new coaster in two decades and Florida’s first new coaster in 15 years. Each immersive mission will take explorers on a completely customized journey into LEGO space.
To commemorate the $90 million launch of LEGO Galaxy, LEGOLAND California and Florida Resorts are inviting kids ages 6-12 to join the first-ever team of Junior Galaxy Explorers. Young builders can showcase their creativity by designing and showing their own LEGO spacecraft, either in person at select children’s museums or through a digital contest from home.
Submissions will be reviewed by ambassadors from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future, alongside LEGOLAND Master Model Builders, who are on the lookout for bold, imaginative designs ready to blast off into the LEGO universe. Winners will earn the ultimate reward – being the first to ride the all-new Galacticoaster on opening day in early 2026.
“LEGO Galaxy represents a bold new chapter in LEGO imagination, customization and family adventure,” said Merlin Magic Making Creative Director for LEGOLAND Parks Rosie Brailsford. “From the first-of-its-kind Galacticoaster to the Junior Galaxy Explorer Contest, we’re inspiring kids to dream bigger, build bolder, and reach for the stars – because in our Parks, they’re the true explorers.”
At select local children’s science and discovery museums, participants can submit their best, out-of-this-world LEGO spacecraft creations in-person. Can’t make it in-person? A digital option allows kids to submit short videos of their spacecraft from home. Submission deadlines vary, with digital deadline Dec. 31, 2025.
All participants must:
- Be between the ages of 6-12 years old
- Live within the continental U.S.
- Design and build their own spacecraft without adult help
Additional eligibility details and contest information can be found on the Junior Galaxy Explorer Search webpage.
U.S. Contest Locations:
- Saturday, Dec. 13: Miami Children’s Museum – Miami
- Saturday, Jan. 10: Museum of Science and Discovery – Ft. Lauderdale
- Saturday, Jan. 17: Kennedy Space Center – Merritt Island
- Saturday, Jan. 24: Children's Creativity Museum – San Francisco
- Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31: Kidspace Children’s Museum – Pasadena
The chosen winners will become members of the first-ever Junior Galaxy Explorer team and will score the first seats on the new Galacticoaster in the Park closest to their hometown, with travel accommodations to the Park (applies to digital winners only). Additionally, they will receive a two-night stay during Galaxy Opening weekend at LEGOLAND Hotel, a set of four annual passes to LEGOLAND California or Florida Resort for the winner and their family, themed clothing to wear on camera for reports, and a commemorative, one-of-a-kind LEGO build.
For full contest details and entry information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/JuniorExplorers.
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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Camila Cicalese |
|
QUINN |
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 LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is the ultimate vacation destination for families with kids, combining the creativity of LEGO® with Florida sunshine. Located 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa, the Resort spans 150 acres and features more than 50 rides, live shows, and themed attractions inspired by beloved LEGO® brands and characters. As part of the Resort’s biggest investment to date, guests will soon experience Galacticoaster, an all-new indoor, family space-themed roller coaster opening in 2026. The Resort also includes the year-round LEGOLAND® Water Park, with more than a dozen family water slides, a lazy river, and interactive play areas, plus three on-site themed accommodations: the LEGOLAND® Hotel, LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel, and LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, each offering kid-friendly rooms, nightly entertainment, and resort-style amenities. LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is a Certified Autism Center (CAC), ensuring trained staff, sensory guides, and inclusive features to support guests of all abilities.
For more information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/Florida and follow @LEGOLANDFlorida on social media.
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.
