After entertaining millions of guests from around the world, the Project X roller coaster at LEGOLAND Florida Resort celebrated its last rider Jan. 8 before it transforms into The Great LEGO® Race, a new attraction that will add a virtual reality story to the existing coaster track.
Young guest Rowan Lewis was making his first visit to the popular theme park when, at 5:05 p.m., he became the last child to ride Project X in its current form. Upon exiting, the Seattle resident was surprised with a brick-built trophy from LEGO pirate Captain Brickbeard in recognition of Rowan’s unique achievement. He then received a second surprise – an invitation to return as the theme park’s special guest when The Great LEGO Race opens in Spring 2018.
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The Great LEGO Race is the first virtual reality (VR) roller coaster experience designed for kids and represents the first time the LEGO brand and minifigure characters have been integrated with VR technology in a theme park attraction.
With animated action taking place on the ground and in the air, the wild and wacky race pits guests against LEGO minifigures including a pirate, wizard, surfer and pharaoh as they steer LEGO-built vehicles like a rocket-powered windsurfing rig, a stylish scooter fueled by espresso and an ornately canopied bed (called a “litter”) carried by mummy servants. Wearing optional VR headsets, riders will experience the action from every direction while riding the roller coaster — up, down, forward, backward and all points in between – in a dazzling environment where everything is made of LEGO bricks.
Guests must be at least 42 inches tall (1.2m) to ride, or be accompanied by a responsible adult at least 48 inches tall. The VR headsets are designed to fit both adults and children, and can be adjusted for comfort. The VR experience is intended for children 6 and up, and guests can choose to ride without wearing the headset.
Fans can preview the 360-degree experience with MackMedia’s Coastiality mobile app (www.coastiality.com/en/), available for iOS, Android and Oculus devices from the App Store, Google Play and the Oculus Store. The app is free to download and can be enjoyed with or without a VR headset.