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LEGOLAND Florida has announced a major park expansion set to open in July 2013 called The World of Chima. Based on their new LEGO product line LEGO Legends of Chima and TV series with stories surrounding a powerful energy source, The World of Chima will bring this world to life through a new partnership with Cartoon Network, featuring a highly-interactive water ride, action-filled “Speedorz Arena,” and a 4D movie experience.
UPDATE: The opening date for the World of Chima has been set for July 3, 2013.
To make the announcement: LEGOLAND took several Chima LEGO sculptures on a tour of Downtown Orlando:
“This is the first time a theme park has invested in a major expansion concurrently with the rollout of a new brand and product line, and it was an easy decision based on how well LEGO Legends of Chima has been received by children and those who are young at heart around the world,” said LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones. “This is also a reflection of the overall success of the park, which has already enabled us to open a new Water Park and build multiple new attractions during the past 18 months.”
VIDEO: The World of Chima expansion announcement
VIDEO: More about LEGO Chima
Construction has already begun on the expansion area:
The Quest for CHI ride
The centerpiece of the new World of Chima at LEGOLAND Florida is an interactive, family-friendly water ride called The Quest for CHI. Guests will enter The World of Chima through a stone and moss covered entrance leading to the Lion Temple at the base of the 45-foot tall floating Mount Cavora. There, guests will explore a landscape setting and join the Lion Tribe in a battle to recover the stolen CHI orbs.
LEGOLAND Florida has revealed artwork depicting an overview of the Quest for CHI attraction, including its grand entry and ride vehicles:
Guests will board the watercraft pictured above, which will take them on an interactive experience using water cannons to help the story’s hero, Laval the Lion Prince, defeat Cragger the Crocodile King as he attempts to steal the precious supply of CHI. The ride will take them through the land of Chima where they will meet some of the advanced animal tribal habitats, including the Rhino Quarry, Raven’s Roost, Eagle’s Nest, Wolves Encampment, Gorilla Forest and Crocodile Swamp among other imaginative settings.
Speedorz
The World of Chima also features a “super-charged, super-fast” Speedorz Arena where players build LEGO Speedorz and compete to win the supply of CHI by participating in group challenges and competing in a series of obstacles, as seen in the artist rendering below.
LEGO Chima 4D Movie Xperience
A new 4D movie, the LEGO Chima 4D Movie Xperience, will bring the Chima characters to life on the big screen. The film is also opening soon at LEGOLAND California.
Characters
Daily character meet and greet sessions will take place featuring the stars of Chima. Laval the Lion Prince watched over the announcement made in the park today.
LEGOLAND officials say LEGO Legends of Chima is the highest tested new LEGO theme in the last 12 years. Approximately 50 jobs will be added to LEGOLAND Florida when The World of Chima opens this summer.
