Newly Announced Attractions Coming To Legoland Just Miles From NJ

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Soon, little Lego builders can find out what it's like to be their favorite Minifigure, learn the ways of the Ninjago, and build to the extreme when Legoland New York Resort opens in 2020.

The 150-acre amusement park and hotel will have eight different Lego lands to explore, each offering a different Lego theme with different things to do. Merlin Entertainment recently announced what is in each one of the lands and other attractions.

The $350 million resort will be the largest of the three Lego-theme amusement parks when it opens in nearby Goshen, New York, just miles from North Jersey.

"This will be the ultimate must-see destination for families in the Northeast," said Matt Besterman, a Legoland New York spokesman. "This 150-acre theme park is a multi-day experience with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions — all designed for kids ages 2 to 12 and their families."

Visitors can go on a journey through the eight lands, each one revolving around a different Lego theme.

Here are the just-announced attractions:

• The Factory is the beginning of the Legoland New York experience. It has the Great Lego Adventure ride. The ride, which is exclusive to Legoland New York, will give people a chance to experience what life as a Lego minifigure is: From manufacturing, to packaging, to purchase.
• Bricktopia is the land with no rules on what they can make for land, sea, or air. Kids can work with master model builders to build and test out their Lego creations on the Earthquake Table.
• Aspiring ninjas can hone their skills at Ninjago World's training camp. There's also Ninjago: The Ride where the only weapon against the Great Devourer is your hands.
• Heartlake City is the home of Lego Friends. People can take a balloon ride over Pinefall Woods or see a show on the outdoor stage.
• The Knights' Kingdom is home to the Lego Castle, Dragon Coaster ride, and the Dragon Rider School, which are for young children.
• Minifigure fans can go to Lego City and learn to be a firefighter or attend the Lego Driving School and earn a official Legoland driver's license. This area has restaurants, shops, and a theater.
• Pirate Shores gives young buccaneers the chance to set sail on the Rogue Wave Riders and take part in water sports.
• Miniland is at the center of the park. It is a panorama of cities throughout the United States with interactive features, including the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and a moving subway.

Already announced attractions include: The Dragon "Pink Knuckle" roller coaster, a 4-D movie theater that will show Lego-themed movies, and the immersive 250-room Legoland Hotel, which will feature hundreds of Lego models and nightly entertainment for kids.

About 2 million people are expected to visit the park annually, according to an NJ Family report.

Legoland New York will be open from April to November. The hotel will be open year-round.

Lego also has plans for a huge Legoland Discovery Center at the American Dream Meadowlands, which is slated to open in 2019.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo Noah Manskar, Patch staff