culture A First Look at Legoland Toronto

Toronto's first (and only) Lego playground opens soon. Here's a look at what's in store.

SHOW CAPTION  ✉ Share on:  237826 Union Station and The ROM are replicated in Miniland with stunning detail. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0510-DROST-73-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0510-DROST-73.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0510-DROST-73.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-21/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-21 0 0 237832 All aboard the TTC Lego express! LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0571-DROST-89-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0571-DROST-89.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0571-DROST-89.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-27/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-27 0 0 237833 A kid reaches into a bin of parts at the make your own Lego man station. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0613-DROST-100-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0613-DROST-100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0613-DROST-100.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-28/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-28 0 0 237831 Kids marvel at the detail and complexity of Miniland. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0558-DROST-86-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0558-DROST-86.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0558-DROST-86.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-26/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-26 0 0 237830 Lego people having fun at Nathan Phillips Square. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0537-DROST-81-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0537-DROST-81.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0537-DROST-81.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-25/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-25 0 0 237829 The Rogers Centre has an interactive game. Flip the paddle to knock a ball into one of four pockets. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0519-DROST-76-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0519-DROST-76.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0519-DROST-76.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-24/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-24 0 0 237828 An overhead view of the Canada Life Centre and traffic below. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0518-DROST-75-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0518-DROST-75.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0518-DROST-75.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-23/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-23 0 0

237827 A simulated Waterfront is included in the MIniland display. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0513-DROST-74-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0513-DROST-74.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0513-DROST-74.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-22/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-22 0 0 237825 Lego people congregate at Yonge-Dundas square. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0473-DROST-63-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0473-DROST-63.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0473-DROST-63.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-20/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-20 0 0 237824 An emergency at the Elgin Theatre. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0469-DROST-61-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0469-DROST-61.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0469-DROST-61.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-19/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-19 0 0 237823 Not all Leafs fans at the Lego ACC are of this world. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0464-DROST-58-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0464-DROST-58.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0464-DROST-58.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-18/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-18 0 0 237822 The ACC has a few unusual guests. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0457-DROST-55-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0457-DROST-55.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0457-DROST-55.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-17/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-17 0 0 237821 The Miniland ACC allows guests to pass and shoot a puck. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0441-DROST-51-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0441-DROST-51.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0441-DROST-51.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-16/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-16 0 0 237820 A life-sized Lego man holds out two tickets in a box office at the 4D Cinema. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0438-DROST-49-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0438-DROST-49.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0438-DROST-49.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-15/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-15 0 0

237819 Legoland's Junior Construction Panel hard at work in the Master Builder Academy. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0416-DROST-44-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0416-DROST-44.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0416-DROST-44.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-14/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-14 0 0 237818 This steep ramp at the Build and Test zone sends cars flying into the air if they pick up enough momentum. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0409-DROST-42-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0409-DROST-42.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0409-DROST-42.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-13/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-13 0 0 237817 A rousing round of high fives for building a supertall tower. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0388-DROST-36-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0388-DROST-36.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0388-DROST-36.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-12/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-12 0 0 237816 Faulty Towers has a few twisted towers. They look dodgy, but won't fall down. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0376-DROST-32-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0376-DROST-32.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0376-DROST-32.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-11/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-11 0 0 237815 A girl shakes hands with the Lego Merlin who greets people as they approach the Merlin's Apprentice ride. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0357-DROST-29-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0357-DROST-29.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0357-DROST-29.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-10/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-10 0 0 237814 Kids enjoy their first go round on Merlin's Apprentice, a carnival-style ride. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0339-DROST-28-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0339-DROST-28.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0339-DROST-28.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-9/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-9 0 0 237813 Austin Smith, a member of Legoland's Junior Construction Panel, builds a tower 53 blocks high. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0317-DROST-24-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0317-DROST-24.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0317-DROST-24.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-8/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-8 0 0

237812 Master model builder Graeme Dymond stands next to his Lego giraffe. The animal took him four days to build. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0305-DROST-21-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0305-DROST-21.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0305-DROST-21.jpg 1024 723 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-7/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-7 0 0 237811 Once kids have built their cars at Build and Test, they shoot them down the ramp. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0301-DROST-19-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0301-DROST-19.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0301-DROST-19.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-6/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-6 0 0 237810 Legoland has many bins full of blocks of all sizes, shapes, and colours. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0292-DROST-15-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0292-DROST-15.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0292-DROST-15.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-5/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-5 0 0 237809 A mascot Lego man made the rounds. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0287-DROST-14-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0287-DROST-14.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0287-DROST-14.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-4/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-4 0 0 237808 Building a tower at the Faulty Towers station. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0279-DROST-12-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0279-DROST-12.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0279-DROST-12.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-3/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-3 0 0 237807 Kids dig into the bricks at the Build and Test centre. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0267-DROST-10-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0267-DROST-10.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0267-DROST-10.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-2/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto-2 0 0 237806 Miniland is filled with recognizable Toronto landmarks and buildings. LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Toronto https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0234-DROST-2-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0234-DROST-2.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/20130221-LEGOland_HUM0234-DROST-2.jpg 1024 683 https://torontoist.com/2013/02/a-first-look-at-legoland-toronto/slide/legoland-discovery-centre-toronto/ legoland-discovery-centre-toronto 0 0



The Vaughan Mills Legoland Discovery Centre opened for a special preview on Thursday, so excited kids and their parents could explore what’s inside before the official opening on March 1.

“This is the first time we’ve seen it live in action with kids,” said marketing manager Lara Hannaford. “Everything that we’ve been working towards for so many months has come to this day.” As the first person hired at the Vaughn Mills Legoland, she saw it go from a construction project to a multicoloured wonderland. “When I see kids smiling and enjoying themselves, I know we’ve done our job.”

Legoland Toronto is the first facility of its kind in Canada, though there are several other Legolands in the U.S. and Europe. The store’s purple and yellow facade sets it apart from other shops at Vaughan Mills. Two giant Lego people stand near the entrance, shiny and new, welcoming visitors with permanent smiles.

Inside Legoland, visitors become immersed in a world where almost everything is made of Lego bricks. One display is called Miniland. It consists of major landmarks and buildings in Toronto, all made of Lego and combined in one big room. City Hall, Yonge-Dundas Square, the Air Canada Centre, the Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, Bay Street, the waterfront, Casa Loma, and Union Station are all there, among many others. Trucks and ambulances roam the streets, guided by magnets underneath the surface. Periodically, the light changes to simulate the city at night. The CN Tower, which stretches up to the ceiling, lights up like the real thing. Lego people, each one unique, occupy the buildings, patios, and public squares.

There’s even a replica of Niagara Falls with flowing water. At the foot of the falls, there’s a campsite with a button on a pedestal that makes a grizzly bear pop up from behind a rock, while a roaring sound plays on hidden speakers.

Master model builder Graeme Dymond played a role in stacking the 1.5 million Lego bricks that make up Miniland. It’s just one of the projects he’s been involved with at Legoland, but it’s one of his favourites. “I helped a lot with the Miniland, but I can’t say I did it all on my own,” he said. “There was a huge effort done by a bunch of people who worked together. It would take one person almost two years to do just the Miniland by itself.”

Dymond won the master model builder job in November after an intense two-day-long competition for the coveted full-time salaried position. Afterward, he promptly left his job as a learning consultant at TD Bank.

“I’m just a huge kid,” he said. “I’ve always loved Lego. I’ve been playing Lego as far back as I can remember and never really stopped.”

His job at Legoland includes building and maintaining the displays, but he also teaches kids how to build. He hopes to impart some of the mathematics, architecture, and engineering intrinsic in Lego construction.

Further inside Legoland, there was a lot of excitement surrounding the Faulty Towers and Test and Ride displays. At Faulty Towers, people construct towers with Duplo and turn a switch to make a platform shake and shimmy, imitating the effect of an earthquake. At Test and Ride people construct Lego cars and shoot them down a ramp. Other popular attractions include in the 4D Cinema, and Master Builder Academy.

While Legoland is aimed at kids 10 and under, there will be adult nights once a month. There are also special events lined up for the future, although Hannaford is staying mum on the details.

This post originally said that Toronto’s Legoland is the second to have been built in Canada, and that the first was in Windsor, Ontario. In fact, there is no Legoland in Windsor (though there is one in Windsor, England), making Toronto’s the first in Canada.