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CARLSBAD: LEGOLAND(R) Inauguration model still attracting crowds.
By Renee Ramsey - For the North County Times. Jan. 31, 2009
CARLSBAD - Ten days after the inauguration of President Barack Obama, crowds
still were lining up to see a facsimile fashioned from thousands of miniature
plastic bricks at LEGOLAND California.
“I knew it was going to be a big deal, because of the importance of the
inauguration,” said LEGOLAND Master model designer Gary McIntire. “I didn’t
think it was going to explode quite the way it did.”
At the Carlsbad theme park Thursday, McIntire signed autographs for
camera-wielding visitors at the 7-foot-tall fake Capitol building and described
his first Facebook message of the day. “It said, ‘Are you Gary the LEGO guy from
CNN?’” he said.
Kristi Klein, a toy model designer who worked with McIntire on the LEGObama
set, said she received 1,000 hits on her blog on one recent day versus a normal
10 or 12.
“It’s amazing,” Klein said, adding that some wanted tips on how to make their
own LEGO Obama.
Julie Estrada, one of three members of the LEGOLAND public relations team that
came up with the idea to create the toy inauguration, still was fielding news
media calls this week, she said. A New Zealand radio station wants an interview
in February.
“I don’t think any of us expected the international attention,” Estrada said.
The news coverage that has spread to 48 states and dozens of countries since the
faux inauguration Jan. 15 and real one Jan. 20, she said.
McIntire and Klein have adjusted the inauguration’s 4-inch-tall toy figures in
the park’s Miniland USA section to reflect clothing worn for the real event in
Washington, D.C. The original outfits had been based on guesswork, they said,
adding that the president’s dark suit and red tie proved a good guess.
Michelle Obama’s red dress now is made of yellow bricks. First daughter Sasha’s
outfit now is pink with an orange-brick scarf. An ornate letter “B” borrowed
from a Harry Potter Lego set was added to the swearing-in Bible.
Klein attached tiny gray blocks to “Aretha Franklin’s head” to mimic the hat
with a big bow that the legendary singer wore to the inaugural.
“Aretha was pretty challenging,” Klein said about creating one of the more buxom
figures on the fake Capitol steps. “She’s sort of a nonstandard Miniland shape.”
For McIntire, “the most challenging was trying to recreate Michelle Obama,” he
said. “Short girl hair on Miniland people is hard to do. Curly hair, no problem.
Pony tails, no problem. But shoulder-length female hair is the most difficult.”
Finding the Oprah figure on the set has become a Where’s Waldo?-style pastime
for many visitors, McIntire said.
“She’s up on the left side of the balcony,” he added.
Klein said she had the most fun creating the uniformed Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“It was fun to get each one right, and on such a small scale,” she said.
Estrada said she’s having fun trying to keep a straight face at the critical
reviews that began appearing on Web sites this week.
“One blog said they didn’t have Dick Cheney in a wheelchair, and this fellow
wasn’t bald enough. I said, ‘Seriously?,‘” Estrada said, smiling.
In addition to building 500 new figures for the elaborate set, hundreds of
other figures are on loan from other areas of Miniland USA. The borrowed cast
includes Las Vegas tourists, hundreds more children than appeared at the actual
event and even a banana-selling vendor.
Estrada found a way around a failure to add a minifigure of House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi to the set.
“We’ve had people ask, ‘Is that Pelosi?,’ and we’ve said, ‘Sure,‘” Estrada said.
“Minilanders don’t have faces, so they can be anyone.”
LEGOLAND Obama inauguration will remain on display through Memorial Day.
Monday, May 25, 2009
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2009/01/31/news/coastal/carlsbad/z7ac5dd79c5d0b3b98825754e0073f5eb.txt
-end of report-
If LEGO is reading this. Just a small thought, to management at LEGO Group &
LEGOLAND California invite President Obama, and his family a private visit to
LEGOLAND California. If he plans to visit California before Memorial day. If
he is not able to visit. It would a nice gesture and gift to send the small
model of the Obama’s miniland figures to the White House. Think of it... LEGO
in the White House and in the future in the Presidential Library.
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LEGOLAND(R) California unveils plan for 250-room hotel.
Jan. 19, 2009
CARLSBAD ---- The owners of the LEGOLAND(R) California amusement park will seek
permission Wednesday from the city's Planning Commission to put a 250-room,
Lego-themed hotel on part of their parking lot.
"I think it's something people have asked about for a long time," park
spokeswoman Beth Downing said Friday as she discussed the hotel, which is
proposed to occupy the RV parking lot next to the main entrance.
One of the LEGOLAND amusement parks in Europe already has its own hotel, and
"kids love the themed rooms," Downing added.
LEGOLAND California, which opened in 1999, occupies a roughly 128-acre parcel
south of Cannon Road and north of Palomar Airport Road. Until 2005, the company
that makes the children's plastic Lego building blocks owned it.
The park's new owner ---- British-based Merlin Entertainment Group Inc. ---- has
added a second attraction at the amusement park site. The Sea Life Aquarium,
which requires a separate admission ticket, opened last year.
With the aquarium and the proposed hotel, LEGOLAND is striving to become "more
than a one-day destination for families," Downing said Friday.
The hotel project will require both city and state Coastal Commission approval
because it falls within the state's coastal review zone. Construction is
expected to take two to three years, Downing said.
The proposed hotel won't be the only lodging facility within walking distance of
the park. Two independently operated hotels, including the recently opened
Sheraton Carlsbad resort, already exist just outside the park's gate.
The Sheraton, which will have 350 rooms once all phases of construction are
completed, is part of a wave of new hotels in town. Recent city statistics
indicate that Carlsbad now has 3,634 hotel rooms.
Some tourism industry watchers have recently said that there's already a glut on
the local market, given the recent national economic downturn.
At Carlsbad Tourism Business Improvement District board meeting in December,
several area hoteliers said their occupancy rates for November and December were
likely to be lower than last year, adding that forecasts also weren't likely to
be good for the coming year.
City officials have said the final 2008 hotel tax revenue figures should be
available later this month or early next month.
Initial indications were that November occupancy rates were holding somewhat
steady, but that city hotel tax revenue would be down, one city official said
during the tourism board meeting. That indicates that hotel operators are still
renting rooms, but at lower prices.
The Planning Commission meeting is set to start at 6 p.m. Wednesday at City
Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive. The commissioners will be asked to approve a
series of things related to the project, including changing the amusement park's
parking requirements.
The requirement is 94.5 spaces per acre of active theme park, while the proposed
standard would be 80.08, a new city staff report indicates. The report notes
that Carlsbad didn't have a parking standard for amusement parks until Legoland
came along and created the 94.5-space standard based on what other communities
had.
However, the report continues, LEGOLAND peak parking figure for 2007 showed that
it could get by with a lower parking rate standard and still meet visitors'
needs.
Plans call for the three-story hotel to include a 14,383-square-foot restaurant,
11,051-square-foot retail space, a 6,364-square-foot bar/lounge, an outdoor pool
and a water play area. It's proposed to be built in two phases, with the first
phase containing 175 hotel rooms.
<http://www.northcountytimes.com/articles/2009/01/18/news/coastal/carlsbad/zc5bec3f29ddd84758825754000604326.txt>
-end of report-
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In lugnet.mediawatch, Abner Finley wrote:
> LEGOLAND(R) California Miniland gets a 2009 presidential makeover.
>
> As the presidential inauguration nears, organizers are thinking big in
> Washington, D.C. On the West Coast, inauguration planners are thinking small -
> very small.
Snipage...
> Gary McIntire, who has worked in the model studio for two years.
>
> First, the six model makers gathered information about who will be on stage and
> what they will be wearing. After that, it's a matter of creating a likeness
> through hair style and color, facial hair, glasses, distinctive clothing and
> body shape.
>
> "You'd be surprised at what you do to make them recognizable," said McIntire,
> 28.
More Snipage...
> Designers are creating President-elect Barack Obama (red tie) and his wife,
> Michelle (red dress), and their children; Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his
> wife; President Bush and first lady Laura Bush; the Cheneys; and the Clintons.
> -end of report-
This was on the 6:00 pm news on the "local" Hamilton, Ontario (CHCH) television
station. My wife thought that these were a new "set" coming
out... I had to explain to her that these were at Legoland California.
Rolls eyes... goes to show you that even if the Significant Other is
Lego tolerable, they sometimes need to be "educated".
;)
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LEGOLAND(R) California Miniland gets a 2009 presidential makeover.
As the presidential inauguration nears, organizers are thinking big in
Washington, D.C. On the West Coast, inauguration planners are thinking small -
very small.
This week, miniature characters will take their places on the steps of the
Capitol building in Miniland U.S.A. at LEGOLAND.
Model builders at the Carlsbad theme park began creating about 1,000 4-inch-tall
figures from tens of thousands of LEGO bricks early this month. It takes 30 to
40 LEGO [bricks] to build each figure. Several hundred additional figures will
come out of storage for the crowd scene.
The challenge is to make identifiable figures using faceless LEGO bricks, said
Gary McIntire, who has worked in the model studio for two years.
First, the six model makers gathered information about who will be on stage and
what they will be wearing. After that, it's a matter of creating a likeness
through hair style and color, facial hair, glasses, distinctive clothing and
body shape.
"You'd be surprised at what you do to make them recognizable," said McIntire,
28.
Designers are creating President-elect Barack Obama (red tie) and his wife,
Michelle (red dress), and their children; Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his
wife; President Bush and first lady Laura Bush; the Cheneys; and the Clintons.
They also are assembling U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the Rev. Rick Warren of
Saddleback Church and a quartet of musicians on stage.
If you look closely, you might spot Oprah Winfrey in the crowd.
The scene will depict Chief Justice John Roberts swearing in the new president.
There was one major adjustment, however. LEGOLAND inauguration was switched from
the Capitol's back steps to the front, where it's more visible to visitors. The
scene will remain through May.
-snip-
<http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/13/1m13bell00518-legolands-miniland-gets-presidential/>
-end of report-
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Peter Ronchetti New General Manager Of Sea Life Aquarium And LEGOLAND.
Carlsbad, CA - The new year brings big change to LEGOLAN(R) California Resort in
the shape of a new General Manager. The Resort today announced that long-time
President and General Manager, John Jakobsen has left California to focus on the
development of new LEGOLAND Parks and other corporate projects. Peter Ronchetti,
who has been the General Manager of Thorpe Park (one of the largest parks within
the Merlin Entertainments Group) for more than six years, will step in as
General Manager as of today.
LEGOLAND California Resort encompasses two attraction properties - LEGOLAND
California, a 128-acre family theme park and SEA LIFE(TM), a two-story 36,000
square-foot interactive aquarium geared specifically for children ages 2 to 12.
"As you can imagine, being general manager of LEGOLAND California Resort is more
than a part-time job," said Jakobsen, who has been splitting time as General
Manager of all four LEGOLAND Parks and the recently announced projects in Dubai
and Malaysia. "Many exciting new things are on the horizon for LEGOLAND
California and I have no doubt that Peter Ronchetti will be a great asset to the
Resort during this time of growth and change."
Ronchetti comes to LEGOLAND California from the U.K. with more than 20 years of
management experience. "This is such an exciting time for me both personally and
professionally," said Ronchetti. "I look forward to the continued development of
LEGOLAND California Resort as the number one destination for families with young
children in North America and to living the 'California Dream' with my family."
He is moving to Carlsbad with his wife Liz and their two sons, Paul-Luc (15 and
a semi-professional skateboarder) and Jordi (13). Ronchetti will make his first
public appearance as General Manager in February at the Resort's annual press
conference.
Jakobsen is now the Managing Director of LEGOLAND Parks and will be based out of
Merlin Entertainment's corporate headquarters in Poole, England. He will
continue to visit LEGOLAND California several times a year.
LEGOLAND(R) California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to
families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. With more than 50 rides,
shows and attractions, LEGOLAND is geared towards family fun! There are three
other LEGOLAND Parks in the world - LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND
Deutschland near Gunzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London. The
LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second
largest attractions operator in the world. Merlin Entertainments is the leading
name in location based, branded, family entertainment and currently owns more
than 50 attractions worldwide serving 33 million visitors worldwide. For the
most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO.
MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family
entertainment, which has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any
company in the sector over the last five years.
The world's second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 58
attractions and six hotels in 12 countries and across 3 continents. The company
aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 33 million visitors
worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and
passion of its managers and 13,000 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the
following attractions - SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The London Eye,
Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers, Warwick Castle,
Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Earth Explorer.
<http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-775-Peter_Ronchetti_New_GM_Of_Sea_Life_Aquarium_And_LegoLand>
-end of report-
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http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/couriernews/lifestyles/1081876,3_5_EL31_LEGOS_S1.article
Block party
Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg is first in the US
July 31, 2008
By MIKE DANAHEY Staff Writer
Had Led Zeppelin recorded a song called Whole Lotta Legos instead of Whole Lotta
Love, it would be on Dan Morey's iPod.
Morey, a carpenter by trade and graduate of Nequa Valley High School in
Naperville, is a master builder at the new LEGOLAND Discovery Centre on the
Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg. He will be busy showing children what they
can create with the plastic blocks.
Morey also will build his own objects of art.
"With it (almost) being football season, I'd like to make a model of Soldier
Field," he said. "I figure it would take about three to four months working by
myself."
The Soldier Field replica would fit nicely in the "Miniland" cityscape of
Chicago, an impressive display of downtown architecture.
Morey's first creation -- a jumbo Chicago-style hot dog (mustard, no ketchup)
made from more than 700 LEGO pieces -- greets guests entering the
30,000-square-foot fun town. To get to the hot dog, guests must pass through a
giant Lego giraffe standing over the doorway of the first indoor amusement park
of its kind in the United States.
It's a LEGO lovers dream.
There is a Hall of Fame with LEGO models of Batman, Darth Vader and characters
from the Harry Potter saga; the Dragon Ride through a castle replete with LEGO
bats, knights, damsels, a chef in shackles and a fire-breathing dragon; a Jungle
Expedition of LEGO animals; and a faux factory where guests learn how LEGOs are
made.
There even is an old man made of LEGOs sleeping on a park bench, a Lego bust of
Albert Einstein and a store selling LEGOs to take home.
The center will change exhibits every three to four months, said attraction
manager Mike Pastor of Joliet, who also said there will be special events for
certain holidays.
Pastor said LEGOLAND also is working to partner with another attraction, the
joust-and-dine Medieval Times, and will offer educational outings for schools.
LEGOLAND has a movie room, too, currently showing Spellbreaker, a 4-D flick
about a medieval blacksmith who, with the aid of his lady, a jester and a
friendly young dragon, saves his land from a band of marshmallow-headed ghost
skeletons. The fourth dimension includes simulated wind, rain, snow and more.
On the center's second floor is the Build and Test area, where children can play
with LEGOs on a speed ramp, on an earthquake table or wherever their
imaginations take them.
It all went over well with Schaumburg's Campanelli YMCA campers, who visited
Friday in advance of today's grand opening.
"I liked the race cars and Batman," said Logan Caro, 6, of Hoffman Estates.
The race cars, Batman and the LEGO version of Chicago topped the list of fellow
campers Rohan Pathak, 9, of Schaumburg, Ajai Rajeev, 9, of Streamwood, Nikolas
Pohlschmidt, 8, of Hoffman Estates, Harshita Kumbham, 8, of Schaumburg, and
Julie Pallas, 8, of Elk Grove Village.
The two "Golden Brick" winners who received a free tour were Claire Strother, 8,
and Garrett Strother, 10, who both enjoyed the jungle area.
"I liked the Indiana Jones," said Garrett.
"And I liked all the animals," said Claire.
Taking it all in, wearing a big smile and a bright red golf shirt, was Joseph
Tiesch of Frankfort, who works at the center as an entertainer.
"I've always been a big LEGO fan," said Tiesch, who studied broadcasting in
college. "When I saw a pamphlet that they were hiring, I applied right away.
What I like about the job is it's great to see kids having such a good time, to
see that they liked LEGOs as much as I did when I was a kid."
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Hi,
Wondering if anyone has been to LLCA recently and has info on what's in Pick a
Brick?
Thanks,
Mike
spragum at yahoo
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In lugnet.legoland.california, Mark Papenfuss wrote:
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Robb Alvey from the AMAZING site ThemeParkReview.com was lucky enough to get a walkthrough tour of this new
area opening at Legoland next week. He posted pictures and a little write-up
over on his site and can be
found by clicking
this link here.
I think the new area looks great and may be the best addition to the park
since.....well....ever. And Robb says the entire are was designed by Bill
Vollbrecht! GO BILL!!
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The new Land of Adventure area really turned out great! Two of the rides are
certainly geared towards younger park guests. All ages will enjoy the Lost
Kingdom Adventure (laser target) ride. I haven’t been inside the area with
people shooting foam balls yet, but everyone appeared to be having a blast.
Park guests enjoy all the rides and shows, but for me, the biggest attraction of
LEGOLAND is seeing all the terrific LEGO models. Here’s a sample to tide you
over until you can visit Carlsbad California.
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