Legoland Discovery Center's LEGO Star Wars Days March 8 - 10

The Force is strong at LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago as expert model builders prepare to launch the Center’s first-ever LEGO® Star WarsTM Miniland – a large-scale, interactive LEGO model display, set to open in spring 2013.

The walk-through exhibit will offer an intergalactic immersion into the sights and sounds of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Guests at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago will be transported from the beautiful rolling hills of Naboo, with its ancient domed city and cascading waterfalls, to the treacherous terrain of the desert planet of Tatooine. Interactive features will offer hands-on fun for even the youngest of Padawans who can take part in a thrilling Podrace with the young Anakin Skywalker and help defeat the evil Droid Army in the ‘Droid Destruction’ game.

“This is going to be a colossal brick-building feat,” said Andrew Johnson, LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s Master Model Builder. “We’re looking at upwards of 500,000 LEGO bricks, 2,000 Star Wars minifigures and 1,500 man-hours to create what we hope local LEGO fans are really going to appreciate.”

The idea behind the Star Wars Miniland model display stemmed from a public vote, which took place this January. Members of the public were invited to cast a vote for the LEGO theme they most wanted to see turned into a large-scale interactive exhibit. Nearly 400 votes were cast with the Star Wars theme receiving an overwhelming majority of votes.

“LEGO Star Wars has always been a fan favorite, and the feedback we received from the public vote was just incredible,” said Johnson. “Now comes the really tricky part: building it.”

Construction on the exhibit is expected to begin in February. The Grand Opening will take place in conjunction with LEGOLAND Discovery Center’s LEGO Star Wars Days, March 8–10. Opening hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and at 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Other Star Wars Days activities will include:
· A meet and greet with members of the Star Wars 501st Legion
· Build your own LEGO creation in the Model Builder Workshop
· Take photos with life-sized LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader and LEGO Star Wars R2-D2
· Win prizes and giveaways, while supplies last

For more information on LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago’s Star Wars Miniland model display or to book discount tickets, visit www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com.