There’s always something exciting in the pipeline at the theme parks, and in this section we share what we know so far.
Project Exodus – 2024
Almost 10 years on from the opening of The Swarm at Thorpe Park, the Resort now have plans to add what is set to be the UK’s tallest rollercoaster. Likely to open for the 2024 season, the flagship new ride will be located in the area that has historically been Old Town, principally replacing Logger’s Leap following its closure in 2015.
Shipwreck Coast – 2022
A planning application was submitted by the Resort in February 2022 to install two additional children’s flat rides in the Pirates’ Cove area of the theme park, alongside associated theming and landscaping. Seemingly named Bobbing Barrels and Trawler Trouble, the attractions are expected to be installed over the first few months of the season, with an anticipated opening in June 2022.
Explorer Entrance Reconfiguration – 2022
Following approval of the Amazon Land development in January 2022, the Resort submitted an application to reconfigure the Explorer Entrance to accommodate the track layout of the new area’s rollercoaster. The planned redevelopment, to be completed by July 2022, will almost all existing structures demolished, and the installation of a new ticket kiosk building, plaza theming feature, and two canopies.
Amazon Land – 2023
Work is underway on a new land encompassing a rollercoaster and two children’s rides. Originally outlined in the Resort’s last long term development plan, a full planning application was submitted in August 2021. Following approval in January 2022, it was confirmed that the area would open in 2023. The shape from above created by the plaza’s planned landscaping has fuelled speculation that the area could be themed to Jumanji.
Safari Lodges – 2023
After an ambitious initial planning application in April 2017, revised plans were submitted in November 2018, stripping the proposals back to a single cluster of 34 lodges, located to the north of Wanyama Reserve. The submission of discharge of conditions applications in October 2021, indicated that the Resort hoped to commence construction in December 2021, and anticipated it to take approximately 52 weeks, putting the accommodation on course for a 2023 opening.
LEGOLAND Windsor Long Term Plan
In June 2017, the Resort submitted a major planning application seeking permission for eight projects, including four new rides, a holiday village, a refresh to ‘The Beginning’, and a reconfiguration of the car parking. A long period of deliberation followed, with further delays caused by several levels of appeals. However, with all avenues to appeal the approval of the application exhausted in late 2021, the Resort are now expected to move forward with implementing the proposed developments.
Indoor Adventure Golf – 2023
June 2022 saw the Resort submit an application to add an indoor Adventure Golf attraction, codenamed ‘Project Birdie’, comprising of four individually themed courses within a 1,400 sq m building. Based on concepts included within the application, potential themes of these included ‘Pirates’, ‘Dragon & Princess’ and ‘Space Adventures’. The attraction is planned to be located to the west of the theme park, on the site of the existing priority car park (Car Park A).