Winter Haven, Florida, Tuesday, 23 September 2025.
Merlin Entertainments unveiled Galacticoaster on Monday, a space‑themed indoor coaster coming to Legoland Florida (and a sibling at Legoland California) in early 2026. Positioned as the parks’ most technically advanced attraction, the 1,500‑foot, 15‑m track inside a purpose‑built show building prioritizes controlled lighting, integrated media and weather‑independent operations — design choices intended to improve throughput reliability and extend seasonal utilisation. For operators and engineers, the project signals a shift toward highly themed enclosed coasters that combine mechanical and show systems, raising maintenance and lifecycle‑cost considerations around dispatch efficiency, access to media rigs and synchronized show control. From a commercial viewpoint, Merlin’s roughly $90 million two‑park spend is aimed at premiumising the guest offer: deeper storytelling, new retail tie‑ins (Orbital Outpost), and areas for toddlers and fans. Expect the headline metric for success to be off‑season attendance lift and higher per‑capita spend rather than raw capacity gains, and improved guest satisfaction metrics.