MERRITT ISLAND, Fla. — 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 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.
