Backstreet Boys’ member Howie Dorough and his family were among the first to experience LEGOLAND® Florida Resort’s newest attraction, Galacticoaster, as Dorough became the first celebrity to ride the highly anticipated indoor family coaster ahead of its public opening on Feb. 27.
The special visit coincided with the birthday of Dorough’s son, Holden, who celebrated his 13th birthday with an out-of-this-world family adventure inside LEGO® Galaxy, the Resort’s all-new immersive area inspired by space exploration, creativity, and discovery.
Dorough, his wife Leigh, and sons Holden and James spent the day exploring the intergalactic new space, which features interactive experiences, cosmic-themed LEGO® builds, and the headline attraction, Galacticoaster.
The new space-themed coaster reaches speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and takes riders on an interstellar journey through deep space, blending immersive storytelling, cutting-edge visuals, and signature LEGOLAND fun. Each ride experience is uniquely personalized through innovative RFID wristband technology, allowing guests to customize their own LEGO spacecraft across four build phases: nose, tail, wings and special features. With 625 possible ride combinations, guests would need to ride Galacticoaster every day for nearly two years to experience them all!
“It took me by surprise, that’s for sure,” said Dorough. “We love LEGOLAND! It’s good for families.”
Officially opening to the public on Feb. 27, Galacticoaster is the flagship attraction within LEGO Galaxy and represents Merlin Entertainments’ largest single investment in LEGOLAND Parks to date. The ride also marks the first indoor coaster ever built inside LEGOLAND Florida Resort.
Beyond Galactiocaster, guests can explore hands-on attractions, including the Junior Astronaut Training Zone, a DUPLO®-inspired play area, interactive experiences, Orbit Outpost, a space-themed retail experience packed with out-of-this-world finds, along with galactic-themed food and beverage offerings designed to fuel every space mission.
Admission to LEGO Galaxy is included in general park admission and all annual passes. For more information about LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGO Galaxy, visit LEGOLAND.com/Florida.
About LEGOLAND® Florida Resort
LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is the ultimate vacation destination for families with kids, combining the creativity of LEGO® with Florida sunshine. Located 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa, the Resort spans 150 acres and features more than 50 rides, live shows, and themed attractions inspired by beloved LEGO® brands and characters. As part of the Resort’s biggest investment to date, LEGO Galaxy, guests will soon experience Galacticoaster — an all-new indoor, family space-themed coaster opening on February 27, 2026. The Resort also includes the year-round LEGOLAND® Water Park, with more than a dozen family water slides, a lazy river, and interactive play areas, plus three on-site themed accommodations: the LEGOLAND® Hotel, LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel, and LEGOLAND® Beach Retreat, each offering kid-friendly rooms, nightly entertainment, and resort-style amenities. LEGOLAND® Florida Resort is a Certified Autism Center (CAC), ensuring trained staff, sensory guides, and inclusive features to support guests of all abilities. See www.LEGOLAND.com/Florida for more information and follow @LEGOLANDFlorida on social media.
About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-center gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 62 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.
