In August 2022, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort submitted an application for a Lawful Development Certificate for the installation of a new duelling family shuttle coaster, located to the west of Duplo Valley and to the east of the Mansion House, on the site of the former Raft Racers attraction. Following land clearing, construction of what was eventually announced to be Minifigure Speedway primarily took place over the latter half of 2023 and into early 2024. The Resort kindly invited us onto the construction site during the closed season to document key milestones in the project.
18th February 2023
Since our last update, the construction site has been cleared even further, with the removal of many trees and shrubs, along with the bridge section of queue line that would cross over the former Raft Racers attraction. The section of queue line before this point is being retained and adapted to become the ride exit for the new coasters.
25th November 2023
Red and blue Zierer track had recently been delivered to the car park staging area, accompanied by various supports for the shuttle coasters. On the construction site, the large ride station structure has now gone vertical. The elevated operator’s booth can be seen at the front of the building, which will provide a clear view of both tracks during the loading process down below. Further down the site, many of the track supports are now in position on their respective footers, and it’s already clear the coasters will have a commanding and impressive presence on the hillside. St. Leonard’s Mansion, or otherwise known as the main office building for the resort, is having its exterior render repainted as part of the project.
6th December 2023
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort kindly invited us on to the Minifigure Speedway construction site to cover the first section of track being installed on the coaster’s layout. Following the many support columns that had been erected over the last few weeks, it was the red side of the ride that was chosen to receive track first, with a section of one of the lower helixes installed. The construction team quickly started to bolt the track section in place as we were leaving the site, and will be busy over the winter season installing the rest of the layout of the two coasters. We’re grateful to the resort for letting us witness this major milestone in the construction project!
8th February 2024
Weighing over 6 tonnes, standing at 30ft tall and complete with her glistening racing suit, Minifigure Speedway’s mascot Roxie was installed in the last week and makes an incredible themed centrepiece for the attraction. What appears to be the framework for a billboard was also erected which both coaster trains will pass through twice, offering a fantastic photo opportunity.
Since our last update, the majority of the layout for Minifigure Speedway is now in place, with just a few remaining track sections near to the station awaiting installation. The four rear inclines are now in place, and unlike a Vekoma family boomerang model that relies on gravity alone, these Zierer versions feature a second tyre driven lift hill for each layout, which will pull the trains to the top and then release them, so the journey in reverse will be as fast as the first forwarding facing ride.
Early groundwork preparations are underway for the entrance and queue line of the attraction at the top of the site, with the steel beams and concrete walls taking shape that will form a stepped ascent to the station. The operator’s booth is now visible in the station, which now has its roof and exterior walls installed.
14th March 2024
In our final on-site update before Minifigure Speedway opens to the public on March 29th, lots of progress has been made including completion of the track layout and installation of the trains on the track. The twenty seater Team All Stars and Team Legends trains look striking in their orange and blue colour schemes, respectively. The ride tested for the first time a few days before this update, and commissioning will continue by Zierer in the lead up to opening.
Roxie, the world’s largest Minifigure, is now accompanied by the partially completed billboard. ‘The race is on’ slogan is prominently featured alongside images of Team Legends and Team All Stars. When in operation, riders will burst out the front of the billboard in opposite directions, which will be quite the spectacle! At the rear, murals and graffiti are being added, including from Banana Guy…
Lots of progress has been made on the queue line, exit path, associated canopy structures and retaining walls. Landscaping around the area has started, and the main tarmac pathway has been poured in front of the ride where guests can pass underneath the track. At the rear of the site, the decorating work to the front of St. Leonard’s Mansion is wrapping up.
