File:Legoland Logo.png | |
Location | Windsor, Berkshire |
---|---|
Coordinates | 51.46351°N, 0.65114°W |
Opened | March 1996 |
Owner | Merlin Entertainments, 70% Lego Group, 30% |
General manager | Vicky Brown |
Slogan | Heroes Wanted |
Operating season | March to November |
Area | 150 acres |
Attractions | |
Total | 50 |
Roller coasters | 3 |
Water rides | 6 |
Website | www.legoland.co.uk |
Legoland Windsor is a theme park in Windsor, Berkshire in England, with a Lego theme. The park is owned by Merlin Entertainments (70%), following acquisition by the Blackstone Group in 2005, and the Lego Group (30%). The park was built on the site of Windsor Safari Park and opened in 1996; facilities are mainly targeted at children between two and twelve, although no age groups are specifically barred.
The only attraction that remains from the Safari Park days (aside from the mansion, which is not open to the public) is the funicular railway, now known as the Hill Train, that links The Beginning area of the park with the Wild Woods.
History
The Lego Group began research for the development of a second Legoland park, after Legoland Billund, in 1989; over 1000 sites were considered.[1]
In January 1992, Windsor Safari Park went into receivership, and this 150 acre site was chosen as the first Legoland park outside Denmark.[1] Throughout 1992 and 1993, planning, design, site preparation and the design and construction of models began,[1] and new homes were secured for all the safari animals.[2] 1994 saw the installation of services, foundations and infrastructures[1], and in 1995, one year prior to opening, Big Ben was installed in Miniland. By this time buildings and attractions were becoming established,[1] and in September advanced bookings were opened for entrance tickets.[3]
Final installations were completed by the beginning of 1996, and at this point the Legoland Windsor staff-base was recruited.[2]. The grand opening of Legoland Windsor occurred in March 1996. During it's first season, the park attracted over 1.4 million guests.[2]
The first major extension to the park was CastleLand, which opened on March 14 1998.[4] This was the first new area added since the park opened, and contained the Dragon, the parks first rollercoaster. Also included in the new development was the Lego Mindstorms Workshop, which opened on May 1 the same year.[4]
1999 saw three major new additions to the parks attractions. First was the Dragon's Apprentice, which opened in time for the new season.[5] The Balloon School was not so lucky, suffering delays in construction work, and opened in April.[5] X-Treme Challenge, a large water flume ride, was constructed on the slope in front of St. Leonard's Mansion in time for the school Summer holidays in August.[5] At the end of the 1999 season, the Imagination Theatre was refurbished, and fitted with a truss lighting grid, lighting booth, and blackout drapes, making it much more like a theatre in preparation for the Christmas production of Peter Pan. On November 20 1999, Legoland Windsor opened for it's first Christmas season, which ended on January 3 2000.[6]
January 2000 saw the start of construction on the Creation Centre and Rocket Racers.[6] Due to open at the start of this season was Wave Surfer, however delays pushed the commissioning of the ride back to April, at which time only one of the two turntables was operational, with the other up and running a couple of weeks later.[7] At the end of the season, Bum Shaker closed, and became a picnic area. November 18 saw the start of the park's second and final Christmas Season, which concluded on January 7 2001.[8] One of the highlights of this festive season was the opening of The Creation Centre and Rocket Racers in December.[8]
During 2001 there were no new attractions, with the exception of The Creation Centre and Rocket Racers which had opened over Christmas. At the end of the season, however, The Technic Garage closed, and was refitted as a food outlet. Muscle Maker also closed, and became the Truck Stop, a set of remote-controlled model lorries that can be driven for an extra charge. Also during this time the Sky Rider is refurbished.
For the 2002 season, the I-Spy Express was renamed The Adventurer’s Express, and re-themed around jungle animals. At the end of this season, during Christmas closing, the lighting booth in the Imagination theatre was fitted out with two large projectors and a large quantity of control equipment, a 36-foot[9] projection screen was rigged on stage, and a number of different theatrical effects machines (such as wind machines, snow machines, fog machines etc.) were installed in the truss rig, thus converting the Imagination Theatre to a 4D cinema.
At the beginning of the 2003 season, the Mindstorms workshop was moved from Knights’ Kingdom to the Imagination Centre, replacing the Dacta Workshops, Robolabs was opened, and Lego Racers 4D was introduced in the Imagination Theatre. On June 10 Queen Elizabeth II visited Legoland Windsor, as part of British Tourism Day.[10]
2004 saw the installation of the first major new ride in four years, The Jungle Coaster, which opened in time for the new season. This and the Wave Surfer were designated as part of a new area, 'Adventure Land',[11] and in line with this the bottom lake was renamed the Adventure Land Lake. Also in time for the new season was the completion of the Big Restaurant's refurbishment. At the end of the 2004 season Rocket Racers closed, having never been particularly popular yet always having technical problems and large, slow-moving queues. Also, the Celtic maze of The Amazing Mazes was gutted, and a path created straight through it.
Three new rides were built in time for the start of the 2005 season; The Fire Academy in 'Traffic', and Dino Dipper and Dino Safari in 'Adventure Land'. The Adventurer’s Express was again renamed, this time to The Orient Express.[12] In April, Lego made the decision to sell the Legoland parks, due to rising losses across the whole company.[13][14] On July 13 2005, Legoland was acquired by the Blackstone Group, and control of the parks passed to Merlin Entertainments.[1][15]
At the beginning of the 2006 season Digger Challenge opened, and Spellbreaker 4D was introduced alongside Lego Racers 4D in the Imagination Theatre.[16]. The park made the news on October 28 as a fire broke out in a storage barn on site during the end of season fireworks, though no one was injured.[17] Over the Christmas closing period, both the Celtic maze and the nautical maze of The Amazing Mazes were demolished to make way for Vikings' River Splash. The Tudor maze was rename Loki’s Labyrinth, but was kept closed until August 2007, as it was in the centre of the construction work for Land of the Vikings. As such, The Amazing Mazes ceased to be.
Whirly Birds is renamed Chopper Squadron for the start of the 2007 season, and the Mindstorms Workshop switched from using Lego Mindstorms to the NXT system.[18]. In July, Mole-in-One Golf opened, having been given absolutely no publicity, and on August 18, after severe delays, 'Land of the Vikings' opened. The new area (which was due to open in April 2007 increased the parks' capacity by 15%, and contained the new river rapids ride Vikings' River Splash, though the second advertised ride, Longboat Invader, was delayed until the 208 season. Loki's Labyrinth also opened, though no theming was present. For the first couple of weeks after opening, Vikings' River Splash operated at a reduced capacity.
Areas
Within this section, the busiest attractions (i.e. those whose queues are longest) are shown in bold. Attractions which are struck through no longer exist.
Beginning
This is where visitors begin their journey. It incorporates the ticket booths and ticket gates, guest services, the Annual Pass room and other facilities such as toilets and cash machines. This area is accessible before the park opens, during which time a barrier closes off the rest of the park.
Attractions:
- Creation Centre - Children can watch the Legoland model makers build their models in the Model Maker's Workshop, and this area includes Lego representations of the Crown Jewels and the cockpit of a Virgin Boeing 747. Originally the Creation Centre was sponsored by Boeing, though it is now unsponsored. The building housing the Creation Centre and Rocket Racers was built during 2000, and opened for the 2001 season.
Rocket Racers- After opening in 2001, Rocket Racers closed at the end of 2004. The attraction consisted of sets of three rooms: the first room showed an instructional video; the second contained touch-screens to create a virtual driver and car; the third contained racing cars with video screens. In the third room, group members raced each other in a virtual game using the cars they had just created. The attraction was sponsored by Creative. There were six sets of these rooms, but three were never used. The reliability of the computer system was very poor, and queue times were phenomenally long. This section of the building is now locked off, and currently disused.- The Hill Train - The Hill Train is the only attraction that was a part of Windsor Safari Park, and survived through the conversion. It was, however, refurbished, and the carriages now contain stained glass windows made from translucent Lego bricks, with the designs having been created by local school children.[2] The Hill Train is a funicular railway which connect the Beginning with the Wild Woods. The journey is just over 300 metres long, and the different in level between the top and bottom stations is approximately 27 metres.[19]
Imagination Centre
The Imagination centre lies just above Miniland, and is the site of the park's educational workshops, as well as the Sky Rider, Space Tower and Imagination Theatre.
Attractions:
- Build & Test Workshops - Areas filled with Duplo and Lego. These areas are often closed off during term time for schools groups.
- Lego Mindstorms Workshop - A workshop in which visitors are taught how to use the Lego Mindstorms NXT line of products (until the 2007 season, the workshop taught the use of the Lego Mindstorms kit). Originally housed in Knights' Kingdom, this moved to the Imagination Centre and replaced the Dacta Workshops at the beginning of the 2003 season. This too is often closed off during term time for schools groups.
- Robolab Workshop - A second Mindstorms workshop, this was opened in 2003 and ran parallel to the 'Lego Mindstorms Workshop', teaching different techniques through different scenarios. It has continued to run with the same kits whilst the 'Lego Mindstorms Workshop' has upgraded to NXT.
- Space Tower - Guests can 'pull' themselves to the top of the tower, and then let go to gently descend.
- Sky Rider - An aerial track with powered cars, giving good views of the rest of the park, especially Miniland. The ride was refurbished for the 2002 season, with new restraints added, a 'non-stop' loading system implemented, and the direction of the cars around the track reversed.
- Imagination Theatre - A theatre showing 4D films, currently Lego Racers 4D (2003-present) and Spellbreaker 4D (2006-present). Previously the venue for the stage shows Life on Mars (2001-2002), Peter Pan (during Christmas openings), Sound Sorcerers (1999-2000) and Mad Science (1998).
Miniland
Nearly 40 million Lego bricks have been used to recreate scenes from various cities. The models tend to be on a 1 to 20 scale, though there are a few exceptions.[2]
- The London section now includes many brand new buildings including the Gherkin, Lloyd's of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Docklands Light Railway, Wembley Stadium (old building), Admiralty Arch, Horseguards Parade (with the Queen), Buckingham Palace, Palace of Westminster, St Martin's in the Fields, National Gallery, London, Nelson's Column, City Hall (London), Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Cenotaph, HSBC Tower, Piccadilly Circus (with Eros), Covent Garden, Waterloo station, BT Tower, London Millennium Bridge, London Eye and Canary Wharf.
- England includes: Brighton Pier, the Angel of the North, Smiths Arms Wiltshire (the smallest pub in Britain), Stonehenge.
- Scotland includes Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Eilean Donan, Jedburgh Abbey, Blair Atholl and Loch Ness.
- France includes Notre Dame.
- Numerous other countries feature including Sweden,Italy
and the Netherlands.
Part way through the 2001 season an audio tour was introduced to Miniland, but it was removed at the end of the season.
Animation within Miniland
Miniland contains a large number of animated models, many of which interact with each other. Controlling these, along with the sound and lighting effects, are 14 computers, located underneath the area outside the Robolab Workshop in the Imagination Centre. These computers are connected to the various models, speakers and other effects using 300 kilometres of cabling underground. Below are details of how some of these models work:[2]
- The cars, lorries and buses all appear to move and steer on their own, never leaving their set paths, yet not using any rails. Beneath these paths are cables that emit a low-level radio wave specific to each vehicle - the vehicle picks up this signal, and uses it to steer. When the vehicle reaches one of the charging points dotted around it's track, it stops. One of the computers registers this, and a timer is started. When the timer reaches zero, the power to the charger is cut, and this signals the vehicle to continue along it's path. Outside park opening hours, the vehicles stop on the charging points and recharge overnight.
- The trains work in a similar fashion to the road vehicles, but follow tracks instead of radio signals. When a train approaches a station, the train passes over 'slow down bars', which tell the onboard microprocessor to slow the engine. When it reaches the charging point, one of which is located at each station, a signal is sent to the control room, at which point a timer is started both in the control centre and in the train's microprocessor. Unlike the road vehicles, which can only go forward at a certain speed, the trains can go forwards, backwards, and vary their speed.
- The boats are attached to rubber loops, which can clearly be seen under the water. These are driven by motors controlled by the computers in the control centre. A piece of metal on the hull of the boat allow sensors along the boat's track to detect the boat, and let the computer know where the boat is. The computer then uses this information to initiate various sequences, such as raising bridges, or opening and closing locks and powering water pumps.
Duplo Land
Originally named 'Duplo Gardens', this area is aimed at younger children.
Attractions:
- Fairy Tale Brook - Riders board a boat which drifts past tableaux from popular fairy tales, the characters all constructed from Lego.
- Chopper Squadron - (Named 'Whirly Birds' up until and including the 2006 season) Twelve mock helicopters with the ability to rotate and move up and down approximately four meters at the riders control.
- Duplo Playground - Play area for young children.
- The Duplo Train - A short low-gauge railway, this replaced the sandpits that were originally part of the park.
- Willow Stage - Regular puppet shows are performed here for young children.
- Waterworks - An area containing fountains, water cannons, and various other water play items, in which younger children can play and are guaranteed to get wet. This area was rebuilt and modernised for the 2003 season.
- Extreme Team Challenge - A pair of 100 m water slides, which guests ride down in rubber dinghies reaching speeds of 35 mph.[20] Built for the 1999 season, and originally named 'X-treme Challenge'.
- Mole-in-One Golf - Mole-in-One opened at the beginning of July 2007, and is located next to the 'Extreme Team Challenge'. It comprises two minigolf courses: the more difficult red course, and the easier yellow course. Each course has nine holes, and inccurs an extra charge.
Traffic
This area is themed around transport.
Attractions:
- Driving School - Drivers watch an instructional video, and then take to the wheel of the Lego cars which are driven around an area of intersecting tracks. When the time is up, children are presented with a mock license. The only ride to have been consistently sponsored since the park opened, Driving School is currently sponsored by Fiat, and has in the past been sponsored by Ford and Vauxhall.
- L-Drivers - The same as Driving School, but with a smaller track and for children ages 3-5 years.
- Boating School - Here guests get to take control of boats around a course of waterways.
- Balloon School - Built for the 1999 season, visitors take a 40 ft ride into the sky in a mock hot air balloon, enjoying a good view of Legoland.
- Fire Academy - Built for the 2005 season, Fire Academy is a ride for groups of 2-4. Guests board a 'fire engine' vehicle, which they must power to a mock-up of a burning building. Here they pump water cannons before returning to the start.
LEGO City
The area of 'LEGO City', previously called 'My Town', is a mock-up of a small Lego town.
Attractions:
- LEGO City Harbour - Live stunt shows can be viewed here, involving diving from the top of the lighthouse into the harbour below.
- Orient Expedition - This is a train ride around Lego City, Traffic and Adventure Land with Safari animals constructed of Lego placed along the track. Originally named the I-Spy Express, the models around the track consisted of a family of badgers having a picnic. For the 2002 season the ride was renamed 'The Adventurer's Express', and the models replaced with those on view now, and then for the 2005 season the ride was renamed 'Orient Expedition', and a few new models added.
- Explorer's Institute - an indoor attraction with Lego models themed around the jungle, ancient Egypt and the Arctic.
- Magic Theatre - an indoor attraction containing a number of optical illusions.
Technic Garage- This contained 'hands-on' exhibits teaching mechanics, such as showing how a gearbox works, and how dampers make a motorbike ride smoother. The attraction closed at the end of 2001 and was changed into a food outlet. The large Lego model of a motorbike was moved to the creation centre.- Digger Challenge - Introduced in 2006, and sponsored by JCB, a chance to operate a mock hydraulic digger.
- Brickadilly's Fairground Rides - a Carousel, Chairoplane and small Ferris Wheel.
- Brickadilly's Circus Tent - Previously the venue for circus shows such as The Toy Box, the Circus tent is now used for special events only.
Land of the Vikings
The newest area of the park, Land of the Vikings increases the parks capacity by 15% and is situated behind the Hill Train.
Attractions:
- Viking's River Splash - an Intamin river rapids ride, Viking's River Splash includes nine-seat rafts, interactive water features, and the 'Troll Wash', where buckets of water are emptied from the top of a four metre high bridge across the water channel.
- Loki's Labyrinth - Previously the Tudor themed hedge maze of the Amazing Mazes, this maze now stands alone after the other two were demolished to make way for the Viking's River Splash, and has been re-branded with a Viking theme.
- Spinning Spider - Previously considered part of the Wild Woods, the Spinning Spider is a spinning teacups ride with a spider theme.
- Longboat Invader - A swinging, spinning boat ride, due to open for the 2008 season.
Wild Woods
This area is aimed at an older age group, and has a Pirate theme.
Attractions:
- Pirate Falls - A log flume, starting with a fast boat ride through woodlands and ending with a large descent.
- The Rat Trap - A three-storey labyrinth of walkways, scramble nets and chutes, containing interactive elements, and clues to follow with a mystery to solve.
- Panning For Gold - Guests can pan for gold in troughs containing sand and fools gold, which can then be exchanged for a medallion. Incurs an extra charge.
- Enchanted Forest - An area of woodland with model animals.
- Truck Stop - A chance to operate remote controlled models of lorries, and try and attach them to trailers. Taking the former site of the 'Muscle Maker', this attraction inccurs an extra charge.
Muscle Maker- This consisted of a very short low-gauge railway and a set of single-person self-driven trains. Riders would sit in these trains and use a lever to power themselves around the track. The ride closed at the end of 2001, and became 'Truck Stop'.Bum Shaker- This consisted of a short stretch of track varying between tarmac and pebbles. Riders would ride tricycles around the track. The ride closed at the end of 2000, and became a picnic area.The Amazing Mazes- This consisted of three mazes: a wattle and reed Celtic maze, a Tudor themed hedge maze, and a nautical themed maze. At the end of 2004 the Celtic maze was gutted, and a path made straight through it, and at the end of 2006 both the Celtic maze and the nautical maze were demolished to make space for the new Viking's River Splash. The Tudor maze was kept, renamed 'Loki's Labyrinth' and given a Viking theme.
Knights' Kingdom
Previously known as 'CastleLand', this area was the first extension to the park after it opened, opening in 1998. It consists of a Castle-shaped building at the bottom of the park.
Attractions:
- The Dragon - A roller coaster constructed by WGH Transportation. The ride starts as in indoor ride, as the trains glide past tableaux of castle life made from Lego, and then a Lego dragon. The trains then speed up and leave the building, from which point on the ride is a roller coaster, travelling at around 30 mph.[2]
- The Dragon's Apprentice - Opened in 1999, this is a smaller version of the Dragon for younger children.
Lego Mindstorms Workshop- A workshop in which visitors were taught how to use the Lego Mindstorms kit. This was often closed to the public during term-time, as it was reserved for school use. At the end of the 2002 season, the workshop moved to the Imagination Centre, and the rooms were re-assigned as 'staff only'.
Adventure Land
The second newest area of the park (after 'Land of the Vikings'), Adventure Land is situated at the bottom of the park behind the newly named 'Adventure Land Lake'.
Attractions:
- Wave Surfer - Riders enter a gondola on water attached to a fast turntable by a long arm, enabling the riders to 'swing out'. Buttons around the ride activate jets of water, soaking the riders. Wave Surfer opened in 2000.
- Jungle Coaster - Built in 2004, this is a Mack Wild Mouse coaster with 400 metres of track, a highest point of 16 metres, and a top speed of 60 km/h.[20] The cars have a Lego Technic theme.
- Dino Safari - Powered cars travel around a preset track through woodland, with Lego models of dinosaurs. Opened in 2005
- Dino Dipper - A loop of cars travelling at high speeds over bumps. Opened in 2005
- Climbing Wall - A seven metre climbing wall that incurs an extra charge.
Retail
Retail within the park can be split into two distinct categories: food and drink, and souvenirs.
Food and Drink
Unlike other UK theme parks, all food and drink outlets within Legoland Windsor are currently owned and operated by the park, with the exception of the recently added Cinnabon. The main outlets are as follows:
- Pit Stop Café - Located in The Beginning, the Pit Stop Café serves main meals. Previously named the 'Hill Top Café',[2] it was rebranded in 2001 and themed around racing, as it is situated next to the now closed Rocket Racers attraction.
- Pasta Patch Restaurant - Situated in Duplo Land, Pasta Patch serves pasta and pizza.
- Fish & Chips Takeaway - Located next to the Pasta Patch Restaurant.
- Baguette Bar - Situated in Traffic, the Baguette Bar has had numerous different themes since the park opened, including Lego ranges such as Bionicle.
- The Big Restaurant - The Big Restaurant is the parks main Restaurant, as is located next to the Lego City Harbour. Completely refurbished for the 2004 season, the Big Restaurant now has a nautical theme, and as such is used to promote Sea Life Centres, another chain of attractions owned by Merlin Entertainments.
- Burger Ranch - Opposite the Wave Surfer in Adventure Land, the Burger Ranch offers fast-food such as burgers and chips.
- Crossed Ribs BBQ - Located in the Wild Woods, Crossed Ribs BBQ serves main meals, and has a large seating area with good views of the dropdown of Pirate Falls.
- Knights' Table Rotisserie - Situated in Knights' Kingdom, the Knights' Table Rotisserie serves main meals.
- Papa Mole's Ice Cream and Coffee Shop - Serving ice cream, mini doughnuts and coffee, Papa Mole's is situated in the Imagination Centre.
- Ice Cream and Doughnuts - Occupying what was previously the Technic Garage in Lego City, this outlet too serves ice cream, mini doughnuts and coffee.
- Cadbury Café - Sited behind the Adventure Land Lake, the Cadbury Café is sponsored by Cadbury's and sells ice cream, chocolates and hot and cold beverages.
- Sweet Stop - Located next to the top station of the Hill Train, this is a 'pick and mix' sweet shop.
- Castle Candy - Situated in Knights' Kingdom, this second 'pick and mix' sweet shop opened for the 2007 season.
- Cinnabon Bakery - Located just outside the ticket gates, this outlet sells Cinnabon produce.
- Carts and Stands - Located around the park are many carts and stands, selling goods ranging from chocolate waffle sticks and ice cream to coffee and candyfloss. During the summer months barbecues are set up next to the top and bottom stations of the Hill Train and next to the Big Restaurant, to sell burgers and hot dogs.
Souvenirs
There are a number of outlets within the park selling both Legoland-specific souvenirs and general Lego products. The main outlets are as follows:
- The Big Shop - The park's main store, The Big Shop sells the widest selection of Lego products anywhere in the UK, as well as a large number of Legoland souvenirs. The Big Shop is located in The Beginning, and is open for a large proportion of the time when Legoland is closed during winter.
Rocket Racers Shop- The exit of Rocket Racers, which closed at the end of 2004, led straight into a small shop selling a variety of Lego Racers related products, as well as general Legoland souvenirs. This closed at the same time as the attraction, and is now used for storage.- Kids Wear - Situated opposite The Big Shop, Kids Wear sells a large range of Lego children's clothing.
- Bricks 'n' Bits - Located in Duplo Land, Bricks 'n' Bits has a large amount of Lego sold by weight in 'pick and mix' containers.
- Brick Brothers Souvenir Co - Situated in Lego City, Brick Brothers is the parks main souvenir store.
- Turret Shop - Located in Knights' Kingdom, the Turret Shop sells a large range of Lego products with medieval themes.
- On-ride Photography - On-ride Photography is available for Driving School, L-Drivers, Pirate Falls, The Dragon, The Dragon's Apprentice and the Jungle Coaster.
- Carts and Stands - Various carts and stands are located around the park selling souvenirs and other small products. During special events such as the fireworks or after-dark event, there are often extra carts selling glowsticks and other appropriate items.
Operating Calendar
Legoland is open from mid-March to the beginning of November each year, though it is closed on most Tuesdays and Wednesdays in May, September and October. During this time, the park operates a variable opening times system, which roughly follows the school holidays in the UK.
The park always opens at 10am. By default, the park closes at 5pm. During the Easter holidays, other select public holidays (such as bank holidays), weekends in June, July, September and October, and during the end of season celebrations and fireworks, the park closes at 6pm. During the summer holidays, (late July to the beginning of September), the park closes at 7pm. During the After-Dark event, which is held in the Easter holidays, the park closes at 9pm.
Each year these times change slightly, though they usually follow this pattern.
Special Events
Each year Legoland Windsor hosts a number of special events. Most are annual, and take place year on year, but occasionally one-off events are held. Regular events are as follows:
After Dark
Held during the Easter School Holidays, the After Dark event spans three days, during which the park’s opening hours are extended to 9pm.
As the name suggests, most of the event takes place after sunset, when a laser show can be observed over the Lego City Harbour, or, in more recent years, over the Adventure Land Lake. This is often accompanied by small pyrotechnics, and in recent years water displays.
To celebrate Legoland’s 10th Anniversary in 2006, a large water projection screen was created over the Adventure Land Lake, and was used to project various images onto, including the 10th Anniversary logo.
These events are also given themes, for example the 2007 event was given a Batman theme.
Most rides within the park usually stay open until the park closes at 9pm. This excludes certain rides such as Boating School and Fairy Tale Brook, which close at dusk as they do not have sufficient lighting; a large safety issue as they are water rides. Rides such as the Dragon Coaster become very popular after dark, as without trackside lighting they take on the feel of an indoor dark ride.
Legoland Live!
A recent addition to the parks special events, Legoland Live is a concert aimed at young children, which takes place in July at the start of school summer holidays.
Various activities are held around the park, such as circus skills workshops within Brickadilly’s Circus Tent. Entertainers in costume also walk around the park.
The highlight is a concert-style performance, showcasing performers for young children. For example, the 2007 Legoland Live! concert featured Barney & Friends, Bob the Builder and Pingu.
Amazing Machines
Another recent addition to the special events calendar is Amazing Machines, which is held over a weekend in September.
Monster Trucks and motorbikes perform various stunts in the arena. Classical vehicles are also brought into the park and are showcased in various different areas.
Fireworks
By far the most popular special event is the end of season fireworks, and this is the only event to have occurred every year since the park opened in 1996. Usually spanning two weekends, the end of season fireworks often bring the park to capacity.
Activities take place around the park all day, and have included such things as treasure hunts and dance workshops. Rides usually close one hour before the show commences, and some reopen after the show to alleviate congestion on the exit roads.
The fireworks are usually fired from Adventure Land, with the whole area being cordoned off and used as a firing area and fall-out zone. The exit road also constitutes part of the fall-out zone, and so during the show it is not possible to leave the park. The show is regularly described as one of the largest firework displays in the south of England.
The main viewing areas are the Lego City Harbour, and the bottom of Miniland. At these locations, large public address systems are set up which play the music for the show. There is also a pre-display show, with special lighting effects and sometimes video, which ties in with the theme of the event. As the park is on a moderately steep hill, and the fireworks are detonated from the bottom, it is possible to have a good view from most of the park, though it is not possible to hear the music or see the pre-show from many areas.
The event is always themed, usually around a range of Lego products. Previous themes have included Rock Raiders, Lego Insectoids and Bionicle.
Christmas Openings
During the Christmases of 1999 and 2000, Legoland Windsor opened for special "Christmas Seasons". During these seasons, the park operated as normal (i.e. all rides were open), but with special shows, events and attractions relevant to the season.
For the 1999 Christmas season (November 20, 1999 – January 3, 2000), the following attractions were present:[6]
- Santa’s Toy Factory – Located in Brickadilly’s Circus Tent, this consisted of a walkthrough attraction depicting Santa’s post room, with actors playing the part of elves, and a show in the main arena, centred around the toy workshop, where Santa makes Christmas presents.
- Peter Pan’s Christmas Adventure – Performed in the Imagination Theatre, this was an adaptation of the story of Peter Pan, in which Captain Hook and his side kick Smee try to prevent Peter and Wendy from reaching the North Pole to meet Father Christmas.[21] The show included a number of musical pieces, a lot of wire work, and a number of theatrical effects including snow.
- Cinderella’s Puppet Pantomime – Performed on the Willow Stage, this was a puppet version of Cinderella, with a comic twist.
- Snowball Express – For the duration of the season, the Orient Express (then the I-Spy Express) was renamed the Snowball Express. The engine was decorated with fake snow and other Christmas related items, as were the various models around the track, and a snow machine was installed on the platform.
- Treasure Trail – Located in the Pavilions (a marquee in the area behind what is now the Digger Challenge) was a set of Christmas related Lego models.
- Miniland Illuminations – Many Christmas lights were installed across Miniland, and each evening an illumination ceremony was held to switch them on.
- Twelve Days of Christmas – A model was made for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and these were scattered across the park.
- Millennium Celebrations – To mark the new Millennium, a show was performed on the staging across the My Town Harbour on December 31, 1999, including music, audience participation and pyrotechnics. It was performed three times during the day, each time on the hour, and recognising that the new Millennium had begun in a particular country.
For the 2000 Christmas season (November 18, 2000 – January 7, 2001), the same attractions were put in place, with the following exceptions:[8]
- The Lego Creation Centre and Rocket Racers were completed in December 2000, and were highlighted as key new attractions for the Christmas season.
- Santa’s Toy Factory was replaced with Santa’s Christmas Grotto, which incurred an extra charge.
- The I-Spy Express kept its name for the season, and played showcase to the Twelve Days of Christmas models, which were placed around the track as opposed to around the whole park.
- The Millennium celebrations were clearly not held, but neither were they replaced with any kind of New Year celebrations.
In the years following these two festive seasons, the park has opened the Big Shop during the time between seasons, as well as the rest of the Beginning (much like the beginning of a standard day, with the exception being that the main path to the rest of the park is boarded off as opposed to roped off). During these periods the Big Shop has had large sales, and one year a KUKA Robocoaster was installed.
Awards
Since opening in 1996 the Park has won a number of awards:
- Voted UK's Number One Family Attraction by Group Leisure Magazine, 1999[7]
- Best UK Attraction for Children, issued by Yandell Publishing in 2002
- Best Family Visitor Attraction in the 2007 Tommy's Parent Friendly Awards
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Legoland Windsor - The History of the Legoland Parks" (PDF).
- ^ a b c d e f g h Legoland Windsor Souvenir Guidebook, 1997
- ^ Legoland Windsor: Where the Fun is Building, Park Brochure, 1995
- ^ a b Legoland Windsor Park Guide, 1998
- ^ a b c Legoland Windsor Park Guide, 1999
- ^ a b c Christmas at Legoland Park Guide, 1999
- ^ a b Legoland Windsor Park Brochure, 2000
- ^ a b c Christmas at Legoland, Promotional Leaflet, 2000
- ^ Legoland Windsor Show Times, March 12 - July 8, 2005
- ^ BBC News – Royals get to grips with Legoland’s Bricks
- ^ Legoland Windsor Park Brochure, 2004
- ^ Legoland Windsor Park Guide, 2005
- ^ "BBC News – Lego to Sell Parks as Losses Rise".
- ^ "BBC News – Ailing Lego nears Theme-park Sale".
- ^ "BBC News – Troubled Lego Sells Theme Parks".
- ^ Legoland Windsor Park Guide, 2006
- ^ "BBC News – Fire at Legoland during Fireworks".
- ^ Legoland Windsor Park Guide, 2007
- ^ Google Earth
- ^ a b Legoland Windsor: The Official Guide, 2006
- ^ Christmas at Legoland Show Times, 1999