LEGOLAND Florida Resort and Legoland California Resort will launch a space-themed land anchored by the parks' first Legoland indoor roller coaster in early 2026. The project, developed by Merlin Entertainments' Merlin Magic Making team and the LEGO Group, represents the largest single in-park investment in each resort's history and the first new coaster inside Legoland Florida since the park opened in 2011. From a mission-style queue to post-ride retail, the experience aims to keep families engaged from lift-off to landing.
Key Points
- Why it matters: This is Legoland's biggest capital outlay yet, signaling confidence in demand for family-oriented attractions.
- First fully enclosed coaster in any U.S. LEGOLAND park.
- Themed as a flight from "SPACEPORT 885," a nod to LEGO(R) set #885.
- Includes DUPLO(R) play zone for travelers ages 1-4.
- Opens in early 2026 at both Florida and California resorts.
Legoland Indoor Roller Coaster
The land centers on a climate-controlled coaster that launches guests from SPACEPORT 885 into an interactive LEGO galaxy. The ride system combines track-mounted cars with onboard audio, projection mapping, and physical sets to create seamless show scenes, protecting riders from Florida rain or California fog.
Background
LEGOLAND Florida opened in 2011 on the former Cypress Gardens site, while Legoland California debuted in 1999 near Carlsbad. Both parks routinely add small seasonal overlays, yet they have not installed a headline coaster in more than a decade. Merlin Entertainments, Legoland's parent company, pledged £70 million (about $90 million) in North America through 2026, following recent wins such as 2024's Dino Valley in California. The new space lands consume the northern edge of each park's LEGO City zone, an area with ample backstage access for construction.
Indoor Roller Coaster Updates
Construction crews broke ground in 2023 and have now enclosed the main show building.
Construction Progress
Steel track is in place, and ride-control wiring has started. Exterior cladding features silver panels that echo classic LEGO space sets.
Technology Highlights
Projection domes wrap the Train during launch, while synchronized LED lighting tracks each vehicle's exact location. Onboard audio shifts between channels so riders hear dialogue timed to props outside the car.
Guest-Experience Features
A shaded queue winds through training bays where future "cadets" test joystick reflexes and build micro-rockets from loose bricks. Post-ride, the Orbital Outpost shop sells mission patches, astronaut helmets, and build-your-own mini-figure kits. Nearby, the DUPLO TOT Spot offers soft play and photo ops for toddlers, with bench seating for parents.
Analysis
For families, an indoor coaster solves two perennial problems: weather and rider anxiety. Air-conditioning and an enclosed track allow year-round operation even during Florida's summer storms or California's June gloom. Height requirements will likely match Legoland's existing minimum of 40 inches with an adult companion, widening appeal beyond thrill-seekers. The space-themed attraction also counters competitive pressure from Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland by offering a comparable narrative ride on kid-friendly terms. Merlin's last major Merlin Entertainments investment-Peppa Pig Theme Park-showed strong per-capita spend on character merchandise, a metric the Orbital Outpost aims to replicate with LEGO space kits.
Final Thoughts
Legoland's decision to funnel its largest budget to date into a climate-controlled, story-rich environment underscores a shift toward attractions that deliver reliability, retail synergy, and broad age appeal. Families planning 2026 vacations can watch construction updates on each park's website or explore background tips on Legoland. With its emphasis on narrative immersion and toddler-friendly play, the Legoland indoor roller coaster promises to anchor an all-ages space adventure that keeps bricks-and imaginations-flying high for years to come.