WHY IT RATES: While Disney and Universal theme parks get the most attention, travel agents with clients who hit the road with small children should be selling them on LEGOLAND Florida.-Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.
Brick fans, start your engines! The newest attraction at LEGOLAND Florida Resort combines roller coaster thrills with virtual reality (VR) technology to put guests in the center of an action-packed road rally where the laws of physics and aerodynamics only loosely apply.
Now open at the multi-day vacation destination, The Great LEGO Race invites guests into a virtual world where they're the star of a rollicking race against several LEGO minifigure competitors - all while taking an exciting roller coaster ride.
Wearing optional VR headsets while riding the roller coaster, guests experience the point of view of a LEGO race car driver with action taking place in every direction - up, down, forward, backward and all points in between - in a dazzling environment where everything is made of LEGO bricks.
The wild and wacky race pits guests against a LEGO pirate, wizard, surfer, trendsetter and pharaoh driving brick-built vehicles like a rocket-powered windsurfing rig, a stylish scooter fueled by espresso and an ornately canopied bed, called a "litter", carried by mummy servants.
The adventure begins as guests step through the ride's bold new entry portal, which features giant versions of several mini-figure racers and their custom LEGO vehicles. The nearby queue is filled with colorful graphics representing each of the five racing teams, with themed elements to entertain waiting riders and video screens demonstrating the virtual reality experience.
Once guests are dispatched aboard the ride vehicles, sophisticated technology syncs the virtual visuals with the roller coaster's twists, turns, drops and climbs, creating an all-new experience filled with action, surprises, and humor - an experience only LEGOLAND could create.
Developed under the supervision of Merlin Magic Making, the company's global creative and delivery division, The Great LEGO Race is the first virtual reality roller coaster experience designed for kids and represents the first time the LEGO brand and mini-figure characters have been integrated with the state-of-the-art technology in a theme park attraction.
"The Great LEGO Race was inspired by the way kids play with LEGO toys at home," said Candy Holland, senior creative director for Merlin Magic Making. "It's a unique LEGO adventure that lets kids enter an epic, imaginary world made entirely from LEGO bricks, featuring a host of different themes and fun LEGO characters all mixed up together."
A preview of the VR experience is available through MackMedia's Coastiality mobile app for iOS, Android and Oculus devices from the App Store, Google Play and the Oculus Store. It's free to download and can be enjoyed with or without a VR headset.
Awesome awaits
LEGOLAND Florida Resort features more than 50 rides, shows and attractions inspired by popular LEGO and DUPLO brands, including awesome experiences based on "The LEGO Movie," "LEGO NINJAGO: Masters of Spinjitzu," LEGO NEXO KNIGHTS, LEGO City, LEGO Technic and LEGO Friends, plus LEGOLAND Water Park and on-site accommodations at the 152-room LEGOLAND Hotel and the 166-room LEGOLAND Beach Retreat.
Throughout the year, guests can enjoy an incredible lineup of special events included with all forms of theme park admission. This year's lineup features LEGO Star Wars Days (May 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20), Firefighter Friday (October 5), Brick or Treat (select dates in October), KIDZ BOP Weekend (November 10-12), Christmas Bricktacular (select dates in December) and Kids' New Year's Party (select dates in late December).
The best way to enjoy all the fun is with one of several great annual pass types, starting at just $99.99 (plus tax) for Florida residents. Choose from several affordable options, including some with discounts on dining, retail purchases, and overnight stays. Best of all, every pass type has no blackout dates!
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