LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort debuts at 2024 Shanghai Tourism Festival

Merlin Entertainments has previewed its LEGOLAND® Shanghai Resort at the 35th Shanghai Tourism Festival - leading the parade with a themed float built out of 25x scaled LEGO bricks.

Alongside the themed float, four LEGO characters together with 15 young dancers and 35 professional dancers presented a spectacular performance giving spectators a hint of the excitement that the new attraction will present when it opens in 2025.

Commenting on the involvement in the parade, John Ussher, Senior Divisional Director - LEGOLAND Developments, advised “we feel excited and honoured to participate in the 2024 Shanghai Tourism Festival and be the leading float in the parade.”

Built out of scaled LEGO® bricks 25 times the size of standard LEGO bricks and designed for the Shanghai Tourism Festival by Merlin Magic Making team, float integrated classic attractions that will make up part of LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort such as The Dragon Coaster, Driving School, CITY Airport, as well as globally unique attractions to LEGOLAND Shanghai that are inspired by Oriental elements.

New LEGO character DADA, a character created specifically for LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort also made its public debut aboard the themed float.

The parade also featured LEGOLAND Shanghai Kids Reporters. Equipped with microphones made from LEGO bricks, they delivered a commentary on the LEGOLAND Shanghai float.

Located in Fengjing Town, Jinshan District, the LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort will be a comprehensive tourist destination specifically designed for families with children aged from two to 12 years, featuring eight LEGO themed lands and a LEGO themed hotel.

It will offer more than 75 interactive rides, exciting shows and attractions that let kids and adults play, ride, climb, build, and grow together and is already one of the most anticipated theme parks in the Yangtze River Delta region.

Jeanette Chen, General Manager of LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort Ltd, explained “China is the world's second-largest theme park market and is showing a continuous growth trend. Chinese consumers are also very enthusiastic about theme parks.

“As the first international family-themed park IP in the Yangtze River Delta region, LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort has received professional guidance and precise services from all levels of government throughout its planning and construction. With such comprehensive support, we are developing LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort to world-class theme park standards, aiming to become a catalyst for the continuous growth of the culture and tourism industry in the Yangtze River Delta region."

All civil engineering work has now been completed, with the core buildings’ main structure being completed and topped-off, including key landmarks of LEGOLAND CREATIVE WORLD, LEGO MONKIE KID, LEGO CASTLE, and LEGOLAND Hotel. With the interior and exterior work in full swing, the installation of core ride facilities of the theme park begins. The next step will involve the installation of show set equipment; and in the fourth quarter, testing of the rides and show set equipment will begin.

Usher went on to acknowledge support from local government and partners, adding “LEGOLAND Shanghai Resort will, from next year, enrich the business of local cultural tourism industry and provide more diversified travel options for tourists in the Yangtze River Delta region.”

Merlin is currently developing three other LEGOLAND resorts in China - Legoland Beijing Resort, Legoland Sichuan Resort and Legoland Shenzhen Resort.

Images: Highlights from the LEGO themed float and entertainment that featured at the 35th Shanghai Tourism Festival. Credit: Merlin Entertainments.