As you are likely already aware, all theme parks in the United States are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has now been announced that we have our first cancelled new theme park opening due to the virus. Previously slated to open on the fourth of July this summer, it was announced this week that the brand new LEGOLAND New York resort will be delaying its grand opening a full year, and will now welcome its first guests in the summer of 2021.
In a statement, Stephanie Johnson, LEGOLAND New York Resort Divisional Director said
“Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety and security of our team, the partners we work with, and the communities we serve. We are in an unprecedented situation that has affected businesses worldwide.”
It was announced that all guests who have previously purchased annual passes or single-day tickets can hang on to their tickets as they will all still be honored when the park opens next year. Guests who have booked vacation packages through LEGOLAND Vacations will be automatically refunded, but will be given the first opportunity to be the first to book a vacation package when the resort opens next year.
In addition, it was confirmed that the 1,000 Model Citizens (employees) who received an offer to work for the 2020 season will be invited to join the team in 2021.
Though it is disheartening to hear that this new theme park will need to delay its opening by a year, there are a lot of amazing things in store for guests who are able to visit LEGOLAND New York in 2021.
The biggest LEGOLAND Resort ever
When it opens next year in New York’s Hudson Valley, 60 miles northwest of New York City, LEGOLAND New York Resort will be the largest LEGOLAND resort at 150-acres with more than 50 kid-friendly rides, shows and attractions divided into seven themed lands geared to children ages 2 to 12.
When it opens, the signature ride will be the LEGO Factory Adventure Ride, which will feature the world’s first use of on-ride tracking technology that identifies the attributes of guests and maps their position in the virtual space, magically transforming riders into LEGO Minifigures right before their own eyes!
When next year could LEGOLAND New York open?
Though we don’t have an exact reopening date yet for LEGOLAND New York, we’d guess that parent company Merlin will want this seasonal park open as soon as possible, as construction has already finished for the most part, and with the brand new park standing and not operating, it is a big loss for their owner. According to Forbes, Merlin has investing $500 million in this resort, with $350 million by its opening day in 2020 and the other $150 million for future development.
With that in mind we’d guess there will be an early summer opening for this park, potentially as soon as May, depending on conditions next year.
As we’ve said previously, there is no way to know exactly how long theme parks will be dealing with the effects of Coronavirus, but while this situation is continuing, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
