Imaginations skyrocketed out of this world this past Saturday, when LEGOLAND® Florida Resort hosted the final local stop of its Junior Galaxy Explorers search at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Set at America’s gateway to space, the family-friendly event brought together hands-on LEGO® spacecraft builds, creative problem solving, and STEM-inspired play for aspiring explorers ages 6–12.
Surrounded by real-world rockets and spaceflight history, young builders designed and presented their own original LEGO spacecrafts – constructed either in advance or on-site – as part of an interactive challenge inspired by the February 27th opening of LEGO® Galaxy at LEGOLAND Florida Resort. Each child’s mission came to life as participants shared their builds with a galactic council of judges, including a LEGOLAND Master Model Builder and two-time Space Shuttle Astronaut Winston Scott, transforming the afternoon into a once in a lifetime moment for families in attendance. In addition to the LEGO build challenge, families also engaged with the renowned ‘Postcards to Space’ activation, which invited kids to imagine and share messages inspired by space exploration and the future of STEM.
The Junior Galaxy Explorers search was launched in an effort to find a team of youngexplorers who will be among the first to ride the brand new Galacticoaster when it opens as part of LEGO Galaxy at both LEGOLAND Florida and LEGOLAND California Resorts this year. While the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex marked the final in-person Florida event, families across the country can still join the mission by submitting digital entries through January 31 at [GU1] [GU2] LEGOLAND.com/JuniorExplorers.
Selected Junior Galaxy Explorers will receive an exclusive prize package, including:
● A chance to be among the first-ever guests to ride Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, opening February 27, 2026
● An opening weekend stay at LEGOLAND® Hotel
● Annual passes for the winner and their family
● Themed apparel
● A one-of-a-kind commemorative LEGO® build
Entries are being reviewed by LEGOLAND Master Model Builders alongside guest judges at each location, with winners set to be announced by February 5.
Galacticoaster is the leading attraction at LEGO® Galaxy – Merlin Entertainments’ largest investment in LEGOLAND Parks to date. On the first-of-its-kind indoor, space-themed family coaster, riders customize their own spacecraft using interactive touchscreens and RFID wristbands across four build phases – nose, tail, wings, and a special element – creating up to 625 possible ride combinations, ensuring no two missions are ever the same. This new ride is also the first indoor coaster built inside the main Park since LEGOLAND Florida opened in 2011. Beyond Galacticoaster, families visiting LEGO Galaxy can also enjoy an Orbital Outpost with space themed souvenirs and LEGO sets and a dedicated toddler play area designed for imaginative cosmic adventures for tiny astronauts ages 1–4.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex event marked an out-of-this-world conclusion of the Junior Galaxy Explorers in-person tour across Florida, closing out thestatewide search with an inspiring sendoff rooted in exploration, creativity, and the limitless possibilities of imagination. Guests can learn more about Galacticoaster and what’s coming to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort at https://www.legoland.com/florida/things-to-do/theme-park/2026-news/.
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 tocreating 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.
About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Go beyond imagination and into something real at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Named the No. 1 U.S. Attraction by TripAdvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex gets visitors up close to real flight flown artifacts, meet a veteran NASA astronaut, feel the rumble of a rocket launch, and so much more. Just 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. More information at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com
