Legoland Discovery Center: building blocks of fun
Published: Apr 23, 2009
What do Chicago, Duisburg and Berlin have in common? All three are home to Legoland Discovery Centers, an interactive and entertaining mix of Lego retail outlets, discovery centers, rides and 4D shows guaranteed to entertain adults and kids alike.
While there is a Legoland amusement park in California, it's not a Discovery Center. Plans are under way for a second Discovery Center in New Jersey, but for now, Chicago’s Legoland Discovery Center in the northwest suburb of Schaumburg is currently the only one of its kind in the United States.
Opened in summer 2008 in the upscale shopping center Streets of Woodfield, Legoland spans 33,000 square feet of fun.
Averaging 1,500–2,000 visitors a day when school’s out, Legoland draws crowds with its engaging mix of Lego models and exhibits for visitors of all ages.
There’s the incredible replica of downtown Chicago, constructed from a whopping 1 million Legos and taking a team six months to complete. The John Hancock Building soars 8 feet tall, a detailed scaled replica of Navy Pier has a moving Ferris wheel, and keep an eye out for a tiny Batman perched at the top of the Sears Tower.
A Lego jungle wows guests next, with hand-painted walls, Lego tigers, hippos and even monkeys swinging from trees! There to greet visitors are full-scale character models created entirely from Legos, including Indiana Jones (made from 25,000 Legos) and a mammoth Hagrid from Harry Potter using 80,000 Legos. There’s also Batman, Darth Vader, even a Lego R2-D2.
Next in the Legoland adventure is a ride through a medieval Lego world of moving characters and song, culminating in an amazing red dragon using an incredible 200,000 Legos. There are also 4D shows with water and bubbles aimed at the audience, a faux factory tour that explains how Legos are made, and perhaps best of all, plenty of play and test areas where visitors can bring their Lego creations to life.
There’s a Lego Café, as well as three rentable party rooms for birthdays and celebratory occasions — but any day could be a good day for a Legoland visit. With interactive displays that allow children to build and learn, and rides and shows that entertain parents too, Legoland is a great destination for all.
- by D.J. Siegel, Chicago Reporter for HelloMetro
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