Explore the LEGO^® Models that Inspired the Record-Breaking Release “The LEGO^® Movie”

CARLSBAD, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2014) - Everything is awesome at  LEGOLAND^® California Resort as the family theme park opened the doors to its newest attraction featuring a behind-the-scenes look at “The LEGO^® Movie” with THE LEGO^® MOVIE EXPERIENCE.  This off-spring from the hit movie gives guests a chance to step onto a LEGO^® soundstage, see actual movie footage along with interviews with the cast and explore some of the awesome LEGO models which helped inspire the new and completely original 3D animated adventure that grossed more than $200 million in its first two weeks in the worldwide box office.

Actor Jadon Sand, who plays “Finn” and worked alongside Will Ferrell in “The LEGO Movie,” was the special guest at the grand opening ceremony where a giant curtain dropped to reveal THE LEGO MOVIE EXPERIENCE to Park guests for the first time. Sand and his family spent an entire day exploring LEGOLAND California then stayed over at LEGOLAND Hotel prior to the event. “I’m a big fan of LEGOLAND California so having the opportunity to come here and be the one to officially open THE LEGO MOVIE EXPERIENCE to you all is a big honor. I actually feel like I’m back on the set of the movie…this is awesome!” Sand continued, “It was really an incredible experience to work on such a cool movie, side-by-side with Will Ferrell and even more so, don’t tell Will, but side-by-side with these awesome LEGO models!” After answering some questions from the press, Sand sang a perfect rendition of the movie’s hit song, “Everything is awesome!”

THE LEGO MOVIE EXPERIENCE features more than 1200 LEGO models made out of more than three million LEGO bricks. It took a team of ten Model Builders more than 2000 hours to assemble and a team of four Model Builders six weeks to reassemble in Carlsbad. The new attraction offers guests an up-close look at the famous worlds featured in the film such as Bricksburg, Middle Zealand, Old West, Cloud Cuckooland and Octane Tower.  Movie fans can stand in the same place as Finn and his father, “Lord Business,” played by Ferrell, and imagine themselves in the scene that has become famous in just weeks. THE LEGO MOVIE EXPERIENCE offers a unique thrill that can be enjoyed by LEGO fans of all ages.

“The LEGO Movie” tells an original 3D computer animated story about Emmet, an ordinary, rules-following, perfectly average LEGO minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. He is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on an epic quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously unprepared, and turns out to be a lot more special than he ever imagined.

LEGOLAND^® California Resort includes LEGOLAND^® California, SEA LIFE^® Aquarium, LEGOLAND^® Water Park and LEGOLAND^® Hotel. All are 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 Water Park opening summer 2014. SEA LIFE Aquarium is home to more than 5,000 living creatures and incorporates LEGO^® models into a child’s voyage to the depths of the ocean featuring play zones, fun facts and quiz trails. LEGOLAND Water Park features more than 7 slides, sandy beaches and the unique Build-A-Raft River. The nation’s first LEGOLAND Hotel features 250 rooms, all themed either as pirate, adventure, or kingdom plus more than 3,500 LEGO models throughout the three-story hotel. LEGOLAND California Resort is part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator with more than 99 attractions, nine hotels/three holiday villages in 22 countries across four continents. For more information, visit: www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO (5346).