Legoland Florida theme park has confirmed the opening date for its Galacticoaster. The indoor, family-friendly roller coaster will debut on Feb. 27.
Development of the thrill ride was announced in March, with its theme identified in July and its name revealed in September. Its grand opening date was given before a holiday tree-lighting ceremony at the Winter Haven attraction, with the date spelled out as part of a drone show. The event also included appearances by Lego character Space Creature and real-life Space Gal Emily Calandrelli, a science communicator and TV host of “Xploration Outer Space.”
Legoland California is also building Galacticoaster, which is part of owner Merlin Entertainments Group’s $90 million investment in the parks. The West Coast version is set to open March 6.
The new ride will offer customization of digital versions of the ride vehicles, Merlin Chief Operating Officer Rob Smith said during IAAPA Expo last month. Riders will select key elements — such as the nose, tail, wings and color — of their spacecrafts via RRID technology in a wristband, he said. There will be 625 possible combinations. In the ride’s storyline, passengers try to avoid the “asteroid of probable destruction.”
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The coaster’s construction is finished, with Legoland Florida now testing the ride and its special effects.
Galacticoaster will have speeds up to 40 mph in ride vehicles that seat four passengers in one row. The height requirement is 48 inches (or 40 inches when accompanied by an adult).
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