Legoland is joining the virtual reality trend by transforming three coasters at its Winter Haven, Malaysia and Germany theme parks.
The first coaster will open in late 2017 at Legoland Malaysia Resort, followed by openings next year at Legoland Florida and Germany’s Legoland Deutschland Resort.
The Great LEGO Race will adapt three existing Project X roller coasters into virtual reality experiences. Guests can choose to ride with or without the VR headset. A preshow video will demonstrate the experience with side-by-side views of the physical coaster track and virtual reality environment.
The coaster will feature LEGO mini-figure characters, It will pit riders in a race against brick-built contraptions driven by Trendsetter, Pharaoh, Surfer Girl, Wizard and Pirate Captain, including a rocket-powered surfboard and a stylish scooter fueled by espresso.
Guests will don VR headsets to experience the action up, down, forward, backward. The coaster’s queue will resemble a pre-race area, where pit crews for each of the five LEGO racers prepare for the competition, plus interactive, hands-on elements to entertain waiting riders.
During the ride, Bluetooth technology will sync the virtual visuals with the roller coaster’s twists, turns, drops and climbs.
“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, which designs and develops attractions for Merlin sites around the world. “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.”
The ride is designed for children ages 6 and older. Children under the age of 6 that meet the ride’s minimum height requirement may ride without the VR headset.