Legoland New York Resort Fully Opens To Public

GOSHEN, NY — With the pull of a switch, a shower of confetti and the sound of "Everything Is Awesome," the long-delayed Legoland amusement park in the Hudson Valley is now completely open to the public.

During a ceremony at the Orange County amusement park and resort, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the final land — Lego Pirates — was open at Legoland New York Resort.

"This is historic," he said. "This is the first new theme park in the northeast United States in 40 years and it's right here in Orange County."

The resort had hoped to open July 4, 2020, but that was not possible due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cuomo thanked the park's parent company Merlin Entertainment for believing in New York and making a major investment of $400 million.

He said the state is expecting a $300 million impact just from Legoland itself, along with the creation of 1,000 jobs.

At the end of May, Legoland began offering the public the opportunity to visit six of the resort's seven themed lands: Brick Street, Bricktopia, Lego City, Lego Castle, Lego Ninjago World and Miniland.

The top experiences in the just-opened Lego Pirates include Splash Battle, where guests can aim a water cannon at spectators on the sidelines, who can return the blasts, according to park officials. Visitors can also test their seaworthiness on Anchors Away as they sway back and forth on a pirate ship that sits on a U-shaped track and rotates in two directions.

Among the other 50 rides on the 520-acre park are the Lego Factory Adventure Ride, where people see themselves transformed into Lego Minifigures and the Drago Coaster in Lego Castle.

Single-day tickets are now at the regular price of $79.99 for adults. Annual Pass and ticket holders can reserve a day to visit via the online Booking Portal.

The 250-room Legoland Hotel is open for bookings for overnight stays beginning Aug. 6.

Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said he was proud to welcome Legoland New York which joins other attractions that make the county a destination for tourists from around the world.

"We had a great opportunity to bring Legoland to Orange County and it will be a major economic draw for the region," he said. "Not to mention it has made a lot of young children in the area very happy.”

Cuomo took advantage of the opening ceremony to tout the beauty of the Hudson Valley and urge people to visit the region in addition to going to Legoland, which is a national attraction.

"So we invite not just New Yorkers, but everyone in the nation," he said. "Come see this magnificent Legoland. Enjoy, have fun, let your children be stimulated.

"Visit the Hudson Valley while you're here," he said. "The doors are open."

Like Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.