National competition to be first to ride new space coaster at Legoland: Here's how kids can apply

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Legoland California and Florida are looking for a select few 6-12 year olds to take part in a contest to be among the first people ever to ride the new Galacticoaster.

The new space-themed indoor roller coaster — Galacticoaster — will launch families in a custom Lego brick spacecraft through cosmic scenes of the LEGO galaxy inside a 30,000 square-foot building in Legoland’s Fun Town. The new coaster is set to open in both California and Florida Legoland Resorts in early 2026.

The contest invites kids 6-12 to compete to be part of the first-ever team of Junior Galaxy Explorers, Merlin Entertainment, the parent company of Legoland, announced.

For the contest, young builders will be designing their own LEGO spacecraft in person at select children's museums or from home through a digital contest. Submissions will be reviewed by ambassadors from Blue Origin’s Club for the Future, alongside LEGOLAND Master Model Builders.

All participants must: 

• Be between the ages of 6-12 years old
• Live within the continental U.S.
• Design and build their own spacecraft without adult help

U.S. Contest Locations: 

• Saturday, Dec. 13: Miami Children’s Museum – Miami
• Saturday, Jan.10: Museum of Science and Discovery – Ft. Lauderdale
• Saturday, Jan. 17: Kennedy Space Center – Merritt Island
• Saturday, Jan. 24: Children's Creativity Museum – San Francisco
• Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31: Kidspace Children’s Museum – Pasadena

Or kids can submit a short video about their build through the Legoland contest page. All digital entries must be received by Dec. 31, 2025, and in person entries by Jan. 31, 2026.

What to include in the video:

• Name
• Age
• City where you live
• Where you go to school
• Footage of you creating your build
• Why would you be a good choice for Team Junior Galaxy Explorer?
• A description of your space-themed build

The winners of the contest will be the first to ride the all-new Galacticoaster on opening day at a Legoland Resort closest to their hometown, along with travel accommodations to the Park (for digital winners only).

Winners will also get a two-night stay during Galaxy Opening weekend at a Legoland Hotel, four annual passes to Legoland California or Florida, themed clothing and a commemorative, one-of-a-kind build.

Legoland says all California winners will be announced by Feb. 12, 2026.

For full contest details and entry information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/JuniorExplorers.