“And the Winners Are…”
Winners of National Competition Come From Arizona, California and Nevada

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Feb 28, 2013) – More than 700 children across the nation competed to become the first Junior Concierges for LEGOLAND^® Hotel at LEGOLAND^® California Resort and only six have been selected for this prestigious position.

The Junior Concierge winners are: Ryan Malatesta (8) from Coronado, CA; Connor Hatch (8) from Anthem, AZ; Ella Dvorchak (8) from Hermosa Beach, CA; Alyssa Balbier (9) from Henderson, NV; Dylan Tran (11) from San Diego, CA, and Katherine McDonnell (11) from San Francisco, CA.

The six winners were selected out of a pool of applicants from North America who completed an application and a short description, in 50 words or less, why they should be a Junior Concierge at LEGOLAND Hotel. The Junior Concierges were selected based on their ability to communicate and show their passion for LEGO^® and theme parks.

The newly appointed Junior Concierges will be treated to a free weekend at LEGOLAND California Resort with their family which includes a stay at LEGOLAND Hotel, two-day Resort Hopper tickets (which include LEGOLAND^® California, SEA LIFE^® Aquarium and LEGOLAND^® Water Park) and LEGO product.

Prior to their scheduled weekend visit, each Junior Concierge will attend a “training day” on March 30 where they will be fitted for a uniform, meet Resort staff, and be put through full “job” training. Training day will include a detailed orientation of the Hotel and all of LEGOLAND Resort so they can share their knowledge with young guests and advise them on everything cool from a child’s perspective. Throughout the year, each winner will serve as Junior Concierge for one weekend at LEGOLAND Hotel prior to December 31, 2013.

Opening April 5, 2013, LEGOLAND Hotel at LEGOLAND California Resort is designed to give guests the interactive family experience that has brought success to LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND Water Park. Created to bring children’s imaginations to life, the 250-room, three-story LEGO themed hotel will feature brightly colored, interactive LEGO décor, a pool and lounge area, interactive Castle Play area, event space and family restaurant. LEGOLAND Hotel is designed for families with young children and every room is themed after one of the most popular LEGOLAND areas: Pirate, Kingdom and Adventure. For more information and to book reservations, visit: www.LEGOLANDHotel.com.

LEGOLAND^® California Resort includes LEGOLAND California, SEA LIFE^® Aquarium, LEGOLAND Water Park and LEGOLAND Hotel opening April 5 all geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. At LEGOLAND California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including  LEGO Star Wars™ Miniland Model Display,  Pirate Reef and LEGO Legends of Chima 4-D movie coming in March, 2013. SEA LIFE incorporates LEGO^® models into a child’s voyage to the depths of the ocean and features play zones, fun facts and quiz trails and the interactive Claws exhibit. For more information, visit  www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 94 attractions, seven hotels/two holiday villages in 21 countries and across four continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 46 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 20,000 employees.  Among Merlin’s attractions are  – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The EDF Energy London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Blackpool Tower, Heide Park, WILD LIFE Sydney, Sydney Tower Eye and SKYWALK, Siam Ocean World and Busan Aquarium.  All brands which are distinctive, challenging and innovative – and which have great potential for growth in the future. Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz  for more information.

Merlin currently has seventeen attractions in the USA including  LEGOLAND Florida theme park with its new Water Park; LEGOLAND California theme park with its exciting Water Park, and SEA LIFE Aquarium and LEGOLAND Hotel opening April 5; Madame Tussauds attractions in New York City, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Hollywood; LEGOLAND Discovery  Centers in Chicago, Illinois; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; and Atlanta, Georgia; and SEA LIFE aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; the Mall of America in Minneapolis, underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator.