Three LEGOLAND® Parks to Launch New Rollercoaster VR Experience

As announced yesterday by British operating group Merlin Entertainments, LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort will upgrade its existing “Project X” test track coaster (a “Wild Mouse” model from German manufacturer Mack Rides) with Virtual Reality (VR) technology this year, immersing riders on “The Great LEGO Race” into a rollicking, virtual race against popular LEGO® minifigures out of the “Mystery” assortments. In 2018, “The Great LEGO Race” will also transform the “Project X” rides at LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort. Germany's VR Coaster company supplies the VR technology and equipment, the VR film is produced by British Figment Productions.

The adventure begins as guests approach the ride’s new entry portal and queuing line, featuring a pre-race space, interactive, hands-on elements and the sounds of roaring engines. Before the ride starts, guests can choose between the physical coaster track and the Virtual Reality environment – if they decide for the latter, they are provided with a VR headset which is synchronized via Bluetooth with the coaster’s twists, turns, drops and climbs. In the virtual world, they find themselves in a race against wild, brick-built contraptions driven by “Trendsetter”, “Pharaoh”, “Surfer Girl”, “Wizard” and “Pirate Captain”.

“The Great LEGO Race was inspired by the way kids play with LEGO toys at home. 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,” said Candy Holland, Senior Creative Director for Merlin Magic Making, the company’s global creative and delivery division.

Read more about exciting Virtual Reality attractions in our VR special in EAP, Issue 3/17! (eap)