Photos by LEGOLAND New York
The Goshen theme park delays its grand debut to 2021 in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Just when the final building blocks were coming together at LEGOLAND New York, the Hudson Valley theme park presses pause on its summertime opening.
The March 31 announcement comes in response to the COVID-19 crisis, which continues to spiderweb its way across the Hudson Valley. Although Governor Cuomo’s March 20 NYS on Pause mandate, which declares that 100 percent of the non-essential workforce must stay home, originally included certain construction projects on the list of essential businesses allowed to remain open, it placed them into the non-exempt category on March 29.
Because of this, construction at LEGOLAND New York in Goshen is now on halt until further notice from New York State.
“Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety, and security of our team, the partners we work with, and the communities we serve,” says LEGOLAND New York Resort Divisional Director Stephanie Johnson. “We are in an unprecedented situation that has affected businesses worldwide.”
Originally slated to open on July 4, 2020, the theme park will now debut sometime in 2021. An exact date has not yet been decided.
Construction on the park, which began in spring 2019, is close to completion. When the destination, projected to be the largest LEGO amusement park to date, finally opens, it will span 150 acres and include seven themed lands for guests to explore, along with more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions. Lands build upon themes LEGO fans already know and love while taking experiences to the next level. Think everything from LEGO Factory Adventures to seeing how the bricks are made to a Bricktopia neighborhood in which guests can build and break down creations as often as they desire.
Also on the horizon in Goshen is a 250-room hotel made for experiential, onsite stays in the Hudson Valley. First slated to open in 2021, the hotel’s unveiling will now fall around the same time as the grand opening of the park as a whole.
“By opening LEGOLAND New York Resort in 2021, we are building an attraction that not only meets our high standards, [but] also gives our guests the best possible experience,” Johnson explains.
As far as season passes go, everyone who purchased annual passes or single-day tickets in advance can breathe a sigh of relief. LEGOLAND will honor all Standard Pass, Premium Pass, and Gold Pass purchases for 2021, as well as any previously purchased one-day passes. Anyone who already booked packages through LEGOLAND Vacations will have the first chance to re-book when the park opens for its first-ever season.
On the staffing side of things, LEGOLAND plans to hire more than 1,000 employees for both the hotel and theme park. Any Model Citizens – LEGOLAND’s term for employees – who were hired for 2020 will still be able to work in 2021 if they so choose.
“We are grateful for the support and understanding from our guests and neighbors as we navigate the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic,” Johnson notes. “We look forward to building unforgettable memories with our guests and their families when we open in 2021.”
For the latest information regarding LEGOLAND in the Hudson Valley, visit the park’s website or check out its FAQ page. Preview the park’s layout here, then read up on the park’s construction in Goshen here.