Carlsbad Legoland’s newest attraction opened yesterday (August 11, 2008) with the help of actor Cristian de la Fuente. The new Sea Life Aquarium has the distinction of reportedly being the “first Aquarium in the U.S. to incorporate LEGO® models.” Obviously, they never saw our fourth grade science aquarium that was literally loaded with Lego blocks from our secret “fish bombing” runs.
The mission of SEA LIFE Aquarium is to immerse guests in an interactive, educational and fun aquarium experience while increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the sea and its inhabitants. As guests explore the 36,000 square-foot, two-story Aquarium, they’ll discover 36 displays holding more than 250,000 gallons of water. Key features throughout 14 themed rooms include the Discovery Zone, where guests interact with marine life experts, touch tide pool animals and take an inside look at the lives of sea creatures from special pop-up viewing stations; the Shoaling Ring, where guests are surrounded 360 degrees by schools of swimming fish; and the Ray Lagoon where several species of rays appear to “fly” through the water in Mayan temple ruins.
We haven’t been in there yet, but we are looking forward to it.
CARLSBAD, Calif. (Aug. 11, 2008) – Just ten months after the ground breaking, SEA LIFE™ Aquarium at LEGOLAND® California Resort officially opens its doors today making it not only the first SEA LIFE Aquarium in the United States, but the first Aquarium in the U.S. to incorporate LEGO® models – 72 to be exact. With more than 200 species, “Fin” Facts and quiz trails, SEA LIFE is an interactive, immersive and inspirational child’s guide to the life of the sea.
“What really sets this Aquarium apart from any other is the fact that it’s entirely geared towards children ages two to twelve and has more LEGO elements throughout than any other aquarium in the world,” said LEGOLAND California Resort President and General Manager John Jakobsen. “What a perfect fit for Merlin Entertainments to invest in this SEA LIFE Aquarium right next door to LEGOLAND California. Now families can enjoy both experiences in one location.”
“I’m really excited to see the reaction of sharks, sting rays, snappers and other creatures to this underwater world full of LEGO models,” said Chris Spaulding, Senior Curator of the Aquarium. “You won’t be able to see anything like this anywhere else in the United States. From front to end, SEA LIFE is focused solely on children and will inspire them to get excited about a world they have never seen before.” A 35-foot-long acrylic ocean tunnel allows guests to walk through and experience Lost City of Atlantis without ever getting wet.
The mission of SEA LIFE Aquarium is to immerse guests in an interactive, educational and fun aquarium experience while increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the sea and its inhabitants. As guests explore the 36,000 square-foot, two-story Aquarium, they’ll discover 36 displays holding more than 250,000 gallons of water. Key features throughout 14 themed rooms include the Discovery Zone, where guests interact with marine life experts, touch tide pool animals and take an inside look at the lives of sea creatures from special pop-up viewing stations; the Shoaling Ring, where guests are surrounded 360 degrees by schools of swimming fish; and the Ray Lagoon where several species of rays appear to “fly” through the water in Mayan temple ruins. Key creatures include sharks, rays, jellyfish, seahorses, an octopus and several species of freshwater fish which can be found in California lakes and streams as well as cold water marine animals native to the California coastline.
In front of hundreds of eager guests, Jakobsen also spoke on the importance of SEA LIFE Aquarium’s Save Our Seas (S.O.S.) campaign. “As well as helping millions of people discover the marvels of the marine world, the S.O.S. message plays an important role in helping safeguard our seas and their inhabitants for the future with the focus changing annually to adapt to issues at hand.”
Actor Cristian de la Fuente, currently staring on “In Plain Sight” on the USA Network and a finalist from “Dancing with the Stars” attended today’s ceremony and stressed the importance of educating children about conservation. “As a father of a 3 year old, I know the importance of teaching our children the wonders of the ocean so they learn not only to respect the creatures of the sea, but are inspired to find ways to keep them around for years to come,” said de la Fuente. “SEA LIFE Aquarium is truly amazing in the way it reaches out to children on their level while teaching them about conservation.” De la Fuente is passionate about conservation especially in his homeland of Chile where he’s been working with the Natural Resources Defense Council (N.R.D.C.) to save the native creatures of Patagonia. Jakobsen presented de la Fuente with a check for five-thousand dollars for the N.R.D.C. on behalf of SEA LIFE Aquarium’s S.O.S. campaign.
The three grand prize winners of the recent S.O.S. poster project were announced at today’s ceremony. Athena Tsai, 6, from La Jolla, Samuel Ferguson, 9, from Alpine and Jacques Henot, 10, from San Diego, all received packages including four annual Resort passes with unlimited admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE for one year; a two-night stay at Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa; and their choice between an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of SEA LIFE for the winner and his/her family or a fieldtrip for their entire class. Tsai, Ferguson and Henot competed against hundreds of other contestants in the poster project where children ages 4 to 12 were asked to creatively explore their ideas for protecting our seas and the creatures who live in them. Children used everything from crayons and markers to paint, ink and pencil to illustrate their best idea for protecting our oceans. All finalist entries can be found at www.LEGOLAND.com/poster.
Jakobsen, de la Fuente and the three S.O.S. poster project winners used giant LEGO scissors to cut the kelp draped across the front of the SEA LIFE entrance and were the first to enter the oceanic playground followed by the S.O.S. poster project finalists, media and VIP guests.
“I can’t wait to see the Lost City of Atlantis!” shrieked Isabel Friedl, 6, from San Diego as she entered SEA LIFE holding her mom’s hand. “I can’t believe they have sharks swimming around LEGO divers!” The 200,000 gallon Lost City of Atlantis ocean display can be seen from several different vantage points throughout the Aquarium and features a 10-foot-tall statue of Poseidon, amazing sea creatures, an 11-foot-long LEGO submarine and several different LEGO animated and interactive characters.
In keeping with the high standards of food served within LEGOLAND California, the Ocean Journey Cafe nestled atop of SEA LIFE is sure to re-energize and delight guests with fresh and flavorful food supplied locally from California with simple, natural dishes such as pasta, paninis and fish tacos made from scratch. When kids are done eating, they can build their own coral reef out of LEGO bricks.
SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort is the 29th SEA LIFE Center to open in the world. As of today, SEA LIFE Centers around the world operate in twelve countries on two continents, bringing visitors nose-to-nose with a wide range of sea creatures. For more information on SEA LIFE, visit www.sealifeus.com.
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