If you've got a little thrill-seeker, he or she will love the newest attraction at LEGOLAND Florida. This LEGOLAND roller coaster is the world's first virtual roller coaster built for kids. I've partnered with LEGOLAND to share all the details about The Great LEGO Race.
Ever since we visited LEGOLAND Florida last year, my son has been begging to go back. In fact, we've been planning his sixth birthday around another visit to the Florida theme park. That's why when we got an invitation to from the park to attend a special media event for the unveiling of their newest attraction, I jumped at the chance. They've combined a thrilling roller coaster with virtual reality (VR) technology and the results are pretty incredible.
LEGOLAND Roller Coaster
The Great LEGO Race places you inside a wild race where you're competing against a variety of LEGO characters, including a pirate wizard, surfer, trendsetter, and pharaoh while driving LEGO vehicles.
The LEGO Wizard and LEGO Pirate face off in The Great LEGO Race.
The Great LEGO Race is a reboot of the Technic Test Track Roller Coaster thanks to a virtual reality headset which will completely immerse you in a virtual LEGO raceway.
The VR headsets are completely optional, so if your child doesn't meet the minimum ride requirements, they can still ride The Great LEGO Race and have a blast.
So, who can ride The Great LEGO Race and who can or can't wear the VR headset?
- Children under 42 inches aren't tall enough to ride yet.
- Children who are 42-47 inches can ride, but they won't be able to wear the VR headset when accompanied by a rider 14 years or older and at least 48 inches tall (this person must also ride without a VR headset so he or she can tend to their child companion).
- Riders 48 inches and up can ride with or without the VR headset if he or she is alone. If they are accompanying a rider less than 48 inches tall then they won't be able to wear the headset.
- Guest must be at least 6 years old and 48 inches tall to wear the VR headset.
- Guests in wheelchairs must be able to transfer to the ride vehicle with assistance from another member of their party. LEGOLAND employees are happy to assist, but they aren't permitted to lift guests into or out of a ride vehicle.
- Guest with full leg or arm casts cannot ride The Great LEGO Race. Also, guests must have one natural leg to the end of the kneecap, and one fully constructed natural or prosthetic leg. Guests must have one arm (including a prosthetic) that can continuously grasp and they must fit securely within
- the ride restraint mechanisms. All prosthetic devices must be secured or stored before riding.
I got to take a ride on The Great LEGO Race and was blown away by the technology. The VR headset completely covers your visual fields and no matter which direction you look, you are totally within this virtual racing world.
The ride is high-energy and exciting and I was totally impressed. After I got off of the ride I had a bit of a headache for a short period of time; possibly due to having a touch of motion sickness. It didn't really impede my enjoyment of the park, but I think it's worth noting if you're prone to motion sickness. If you find yourself a bit overwhelmed while on the ride, don't worry. You can absolutely remove the VR headset at any point while riding. The headset is tethered to the ride via a clip, so don't fret if you need to take it off. Just put the headset in your lap for safe keeping.
Want to see a sneak peek of The Great LEGO Race?
Here's a short video clip of me riding:
Leave a Reply