We got a note from a member of the Community Outreach Team for LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago and their fantastic new Lego Star Wars Miniland Display for Episode IV, and specifically, the LEGOLAND Star Wars Days running March 15-16th. If I lived closer, I’d have to check it out just to give my daughter a chance to play with a life-sized R2-D2. She looooooooves my UCS R2. If you’re in the area, it’s certainly worth checking out for the AFOL and Star Wars fan in you!

You can see a gallery of some exclusive shots of the new layout below, and check out the full press release after the fold!

darth death_star_blue  death_star_rays r2d2 han_confrontation

death_star droids_scene  jawas

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 model_moisture_farm model_scene storm_trooper 

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago Unveils Brick-tastic Makeover 

CHICAGO (Feb. 26, 2014) – LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago unveils a newly redesigned Center giving the thousands of families who visit an even better brick experience. The renovation includes improvements to the Center’s highly popular play areas, cafe and all newmodel display areas , including LEGO® Star WarsTM Miniland – a large-scale, interactive LEGO model display chronicling the adventures of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.

As part of the new intergalactic exhibit, guests can help the Rebel Alliance destroy the Galactic Empire’s powerful Death Star, experience the epic duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, watch in awe as the Millennium Falcon rises from the deserts of Tatooine, discover the bustling city of Mos Eisley, and take in the busy cantina where the band plays its familiar tune and dangerous characters lurk in dark corners. The display replaces the Center’s previous Star Wars Miniland, which featured scenes from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.

Additional Center renovations include:

  • LEGO® Racers Build & Test: A newly renovated track where kids can design, build and race their own LEGO car creations.
  • LEGO® Factory: A revamped LEGO Factory gives guests a behind-the-scenes look at how the infamous toy is made.
  • 4-D Cinema: An enhanced 4-D theatre experience. 
  • Duplo® Farm: A new Duplo® play area allows more space for the Center’s youngest visitors to explore and create.
  • LEGO® City Soft Play: Coming this spring, new and improved mazes and climbing areas.    

The Center’s Café has also been updated to feature free WiFi, among other new amenities, providing families with a comfortable space to refuel before their next LEGO adventure. 

Additional renovations are expected in 2015.

“We really had our guests in mind when redesigning the Center,” said Nick Miller, general manager of LEGOLAND Discovery Center Chicago. “These changes allow us to continue to provide a first-class entertainment experience for families and bring out the kid in everyone.”

The first event taking place in the newly refurbished Center is LEGO® Star Wars™ Days, March 15-16, featuring special out-of-this-world activities, including:

  •  Build your own LEGO creation in Build and Test
  • A meet and greet with members of the Star Wars 501st Legion 
  • 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 and to purchase tickets visit: www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com/chicago.

About LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago is an indoor family entertainment destination with over 3 million LEGO® bricks and nine attractions including: Master Builder Academy; Jungle Expedition; Kingdom Quest Laser Ride; LEGO City Construction Site Play Zone; Merlin’s Apprentice Ride; LEGO 4D Cinema; Build and Test; LEGO Factory Tour; and MINILANDTM featuring iconic Chicago landmarks. 

Located at the Streets of Woodfield, 601 N. Martingale Rd. in Schaumburg, LEGOLAND Discovery Center is 30 minutes from downtown Chicago by car. Last guest admission is two hours before closing. Extended hours are available on school vacation days and national holidays. Visit www.LEGOLANDDiscoveryCenter.com for updated daily opening times. LEGOLAND Discovery Center is a part of the Merlin Entertainments Group.

About Merlin Entertainments Group

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc is the leading name in location-based, family entertainment. Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin now operates 99 attractions, 9 hotels/3 holiday villages in 22 countries and across 4 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 54 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 22,000 employees.  

Merlin has eighteen attractions and one hotel in the USA  – including two stunning LEGOLAND Resorts – LEGOLAND Florida with its theme park, water park and LEGOLAND California theme park with water park, SEA LIFE aquarium and themed hotel; Madame Tussauds celebrity wax attractions in New York, Washington DC, Las Vegas and Hollywood; LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Kansas City Missouri; Atlanta, Georgia; and Westchester, New York; and SEA LIFE aquariums in Phoenix, Arizona; Kansas City, Missouri; Dallas/Fort Worth; and the Mall of America in Minneapolis – underlining the company’s position as the world’s biggest global aquarium operator.  Visit www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

About Lucasfilm Ltd. 

Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production.  In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company’s activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises.   Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California. 

Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. TM & © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd.  All rights reserved.  All other trademarks and trade names are properties of their respective owners.