Merlin Entertainments is poised to launch the world’s largest Legoland resort in Shanghai this summer, marking a significant step in the British entertainment group’s strategic expansion into the Chinese market, according to CEO Fiona Eastwood.
In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Eastwood expressed confidence in the resort’s potential, citing China’s vast market size and growing economy. “We are very excited about the potential, the economy, and the scale of this market,” she said.
Situated in Shanghai’s Jinshan district, the Legoland Shanghai Resort spans 318,000 square meters and will be the largest Legoland globally upon opening. It will feature eight themed zones, more than 75 interactive rides, shows, and attractions, as well as a 250-room Lego-themed hotel designed to cater to families with children aged two to twelve.
Eastwood underscored China’s importance in Merlin’s global roadmap, calling it the world’s second-largest theme park market. “The scale of the market, the size of the population, and particularly the resort’s location — with 55 million people living within a two-hour drive — make this an exceptional opportunity,” she noted.
The resort will showcase Lego’s iconic visual identity through an extensive display of 2,889 Lego models built with over 85 million Lego bricks. Decorative Lego elements will cover more than 40,000 square meters, including enlarged brick designs on the hotel and creative center facades, scaled up by as much as 750 times.
Among the resort’s standout features is “Dada,” the world’s largest Lego Minifigure. Towering at 26 meters and weighing 136 metric tons, Dada was developed through the collaboration of nearly 25 global teams, with engineering, manufacturing, and construction led by Chinese teams.
The resort will also incorporate Chinese cultural motifs. A Jiangnan-style boat ride will offer a Lego twist on traditional waterway tours, while the outdoor Miniland will showcase iconic Shanghai landmarks such as the Bund and Lujiazui, all constructed from Lego bricks.
In a global first, the park will unveil a Lego Monkie Kid-themed land, inspired by the beloved Chinese literary classic Journey to the West. Its centerpiece attraction, Flower Fruit Mountain Adventure, blends the mythical tale of Sun Wukong — the Monkey King — with Lego’s trademark imagination, creating an experience designed to appeal to both local audiences and international visitors.
