LEGOLAND? California introduced Knights' Tournament, an eagerly anticipated new attraction that combines cutting-edge robotic technology with the LEGO spirit of imagination, to crowds of park guests over the Memorial Day weekend.
The 128-acre family theme park, dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, is the only one in North America to offer the Knight's Tournament robotic excursion. Park guests become knights-in-training after they cross a medieval moat, select the intensity of their ride experience and embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure aboard one of six passenger-carrying robotic arms.
"Knights' Tournament is a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests," said LEGOLAND California President and General Manager John Jakobsen. "This new attraction is dynamic. The ability to choose individual ride intensity levels will certainly make it a thrill ride designed for the entire family."
The ride represents another year of growth for LEGOLAND California. Knights' Tournament is one of three new additions in the Park's 2005 capital expansion plan. The budget for the expansion plan is $6 million, the majority of which is allocated toward Knights' Tournament. Other new additions include the Freedom Tower amongst a large-scale renovation of Miniland New York, which opened in March 2005 and Wild Woods Golf, a LEGO golf experience scheduled to open July 2005.
Carlsbad's business community is also excited by the signs of LEGOLAND's growth. Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ted Owen said, "It is thrilling to see new rides open at LEGOLAND as it helps build on visitor attendance — both tourists and locals alike. LEGOLAND is one of the most exciting attractions in the nation for children and their parents. Personally, I can't wait to take my first ride on Knights' Tournament."
Knights' Tournament does not have a track, instead it is comprised of six gold, stationary robotic arms that carry two passengers per ride. The arms measure 15 feet, weigh more than two and a half tons and are made of cast aluminum and steel. With their six working joints, the robotic arms can rotate and swivel in various directions, performing more than 70 maneuvers at five different levels. Together they have a total of 1.4 million possible movement combinations making every level a unique experience.
The robotic arms are manufactured by the ROBOCOASTER? division of KUKA Roboter GmbH, a German company that specializes in providing industrial robots to a number of industries including automotive manufacturing. While their industrial robots perform a variety of tasks such as welding or moving car frames in a factory environment, the themed-entertainment division of the company applies this technology to passenger robotics.
Theming for Knights' Tournament was based on the award-winning LEGO Knights' Kingdom play materials and storyline. The ride experience begins when guests are greeted by a dramatic 14-foot tall red and black LEGO dragon, with a wingspan of 13 feet, who guards the entrance. By speaking into a special voice translating tube, guests can hear their voice roar out of the mouth of the dragon. On the route to the loading area, guests interact with LEGO model scenes based on Knights' Kingdom including swordplay and competing in a test of strength. As a reward for braving Knights' Tournament, the final scene consists of a knighting ceremony.
Just being a spectator can also be a riveting experience as guests can blast their friends and family with water cannons that surround the foot-and-a-half deep moat. This unique thrill ride transports spectators and riders back to the days of yore delivering an adventure featuring twists, turns and fun for the entire family.
Tickets are $37.95 for children (ages 3-12) and Seniors (60+); adults $44.95 and children (ages 0-2) are free! Log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO for more information about Knights' Tournament and the other new attractions and improvements for 2005.
The 128-acre family theme park, dedicated to families with children between the ages of 2 and 12, is the only one in North America to offer the Knight's Tournament robotic excursion. Park guests become knights-in-training after they cross a medieval moat, select the intensity of their ride experience and embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure aboard one of six passenger-carrying robotic arms.
"Knights' Tournament is a one-of-a-kind experience for our guests," said LEGOLAND California President and General Manager John Jakobsen. "This new attraction is dynamic. The ability to choose individual ride intensity levels will certainly make it a thrill ride designed for the entire family."
The ride represents another year of growth for LEGOLAND California. Knights' Tournament is one of three new additions in the Park's 2005 capital expansion plan. The budget for the expansion plan is $6 million, the majority of which is allocated toward Knights' Tournament. Other new additions include the Freedom Tower amongst a large-scale renovation of Miniland New York, which opened in March 2005 and Wild Woods Golf, a LEGO golf experience scheduled to open July 2005.
Carlsbad's business community is also excited by the signs of LEGOLAND's growth. Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Ted Owen said, "It is thrilling to see new rides open at LEGOLAND as it helps build on visitor attendance — both tourists and locals alike. LEGOLAND is one of the most exciting attractions in the nation for children and their parents. Personally, I can't wait to take my first ride on Knights' Tournament."
Knights' Tournament does not have a track, instead it is comprised of six gold, stationary robotic arms that carry two passengers per ride. The arms measure 15 feet, weigh more than two and a half tons and are made of cast aluminum and steel. With their six working joints, the robotic arms can rotate and swivel in various directions, performing more than 70 maneuvers at five different levels. Together they have a total of 1.4 million possible movement combinations making every level a unique experience.
The robotic arms are manufactured by the ROBOCOASTER? division of KUKA Roboter GmbH, a German company that specializes in providing industrial robots to a number of industries including automotive manufacturing. While their industrial robots perform a variety of tasks such as welding or moving car frames in a factory environment, the themed-entertainment division of the company applies this technology to passenger robotics.
Theming for Knights' Tournament was based on the award-winning LEGO Knights' Kingdom play materials and storyline. The ride experience begins when guests are greeted by a dramatic 14-foot tall red and black LEGO dragon, with a wingspan of 13 feet, who guards the entrance. By speaking into a special voice translating tube, guests can hear their voice roar out of the mouth of the dragon. On the route to the loading area, guests interact with LEGO model scenes based on Knights' Kingdom including swordplay and competing in a test of strength. As a reward for braving Knights' Tournament, the final scene consists of a knighting ceremony.
Just being a spectator can also be a riveting experience as guests can blast their friends and family with water cannons that surround the foot-and-a-half deep moat. This unique thrill ride transports spectators and riders back to the days of yore delivering an adventure featuring twists, turns and fun for the entire family.
Tickets are $37.95 for children (ages 3-12) and Seniors (60+); adults $44.95 and children (ages 0-2) are free! Log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO for more information about Knights' Tournament and the other new attractions and improvements for 2005.